CHAPTER 21

Gaotu was alone at home today. Wenlang had been called to the company by his father for an important meeting. The kind where major investors and board members attended so he had no choice but to go.

Which left Gaotu by himself.

And extremely bored.

He had absolutely nothing to do. He tried scrolling for a movie to watch, but nothing looked interesting enough to hold his attention. After a few more minutes of aimless scrolling, he gave up.

With nothing else in mind, he figured he might as well take a walk around the neighborhood. Ever since moving in, he hadn't actually gone out on foot, every time they left the house, it was always in Wenlang's car.

He grabbed a light jacket just in case the wind outside was chilly, slipped on his shoes, and stepped out the front door.

The air was fresh and a little cool. The neighborhood was calm. Well-kept lawns, trees swaying slightly, distant sounds of working machines somewhere down the street.

For the first time, Gaotu actually took in his surroundings.

He walked along the sidewalk, hands tucked in his pockets, instinctively keeping his steps slow. It felt... nice. Calming. A rare moment where nothing was urgent, nothing was loud.

He passed by a small park a few houses down. A few kids were playing by the swings, their parents watching from nearby benches. One of them bumped into a little girl and immediately apologized. Gaotu found himself smiling faintly.

He continued walking with no particular destination, just letting his feet take him wherever. A few feet later, a soft rustling sound came from a bush nearby, making him pause. He instinctively stepped back, his first thought irrationally going to snake.

For a moment he just stood there, listening. Then came a tiny, faint whine.

Gaotu cautiously approached and leaned closer.

Peeking through the leaves, he saw a small brown puppy with curly fur, looking almost like a little stuffed bear. Realizing it was just a puppy, he finally let his guard down. He crouched down and slowly extended a hand toward it.

The puppy flinched and shuffled backward, trying to hide even deeper in the bush.

Gaotu stayed completely still this time, lowering himself until he was almost sitting on the ground. He glanced around quickly just to make sure no one was watching him crouch and whisper at a bush like a madman then leaned in slightly and said softly,

"It's okay... I won't hurt you," he said softly, voice barely above a whisper.

The puppy watched him from the shadows, its tiny body trembling. It looked wary, but also exhausted. Its curly fur was matted, slightly dirty, and there were leaves stuck to its ears.

A few seconds passed. Then the puppy slowly inched forward, nose twitching as it sniffed the air cautiously.

Gaotu's lips curved the slightest bit.

"Good boy... or girl," he murmured gently, keeping his hand resting on his knee, palm open but unmoving.

After a few more hesitant sniffs, the little fur ball finally took one more brave step toward him, its nose brushing the back of his hand.

Gaotu's heart melted instantly.

He stood there holding the tiny puppy, uncertain of what to do. Should he take it home? Or try asking around to find the nearest pet shelter? After a moment of thought, he chose the first option. The second one wasn't even realistic. He wasn't the type to go around talking to strangers. So he quietly turned back, the little puppy in his arms, and headed toward the house.

As he walked, the puppy remained surprisingly quiet in his arms, its tiny head resting against his chest, warm and a little shaky but no longer hiding. The softness of its fur made Gaotu's steps unconsciously lighter.

Before long, he reached the gate of the house and paused. For a second, he wondered what Wenlang would say if he suddenly showed up and saw him holding a random puppy he picked up from the bushes. A small laugh escaped him.

"Too late to turn back now," he muttered under his breath, pushing the gate open.

The house was silent as he stepped inside. He closed the door gently, then looked down at the puppy. Its round, dark eyes blinked up at him.

"Let's get you cleaned up." he said softly.

He carried the puppy carefully to the bathroom and set it down on the closed toilet lid for a moment. The little thing sat obediently, tail barely wagging, watching his every move.

Gaotu turned the faucet, waiting for the water to warm. The puppy tilted its head then, very slowly... lifted one tiny paw, as if volunteering.

Gaotu paused.

His lips twitched. "...how cute"

A soft whine. Paw still lifted.

He sighed helplessly, already defeated. "Alright. Come here then."

He scooped it gently into the sink, cupping water in his palm instead of letting the stream hit directly. The puppy blinked but didn't struggle at all, just stared at him seriously, as if trying to understand him.

Gaotu's tone involuntarily softened. "You're very obedient..."

Once cleaned and gently towel-dried, the fur fluffed into poofy little curls.

Gaotu realized he wasn't bored anymore. In fact he felt strangely relaxed, even a little excited. After cleaning the little fur ball, he made something for it to eat. Thanks to this unexpected guest, the big house didn't feel as empty.

At least now, even if Shen Wenlang went out again, he wouldn't be completely alone.

In the evening, Gaotu was sprawled lazily across the couch, absentmindedly munching on snacks while the TV played softly in the background. The little puppy, now completely at ease, had eaten its fill and fallen fast asleep curled up on Gaotu's lap. He let it sleep there undisturbed, barely sparing it a glance.

Still in that exact position, relaxed, snack in hand, he heard the soft click of the front door unlocking.

Wenlang was home.

Wenlang stepped inside, loosening his tie as he took off his shoes by the door. The day had drained him completely but the sight in front of him melted the fatigue away in an instant. Wenlang exhaled quietly, a bit of tension leaving his shoulders. He unbuttoned the top of his shirt as he walked toward Gaotu.

"Come here, I need to charge," he muttered, stretching his arms out, clearly wanting to pull Gaotu into his embrace, his voice heavy with exhaustion.

Gaotu shifted sitting up which caused the small fur ball on his lap to stir awake. The little thing blinked blearily, stretched once, then promptly curled back up and went to sleep again.

Wenlang froze.

His eyes dropped to the puppy... then slowly lifted back to Gaotu.

"...What is that?" he asked, expression unreadable.

"A puppy." he said casually, as if it were the most normal thing in the world. "I found him outside earlier. He was all alone in the bushes, so I brought him home."

Wenlang stared at him for a few seconds, "You... brought home a stray dog?"

"He's not a stray," Gaotu defended immediately, a hint of guilt creeping into his tone. "Well...he was, but not anymore."

A quiet laugh escaped Wenlang before he could stop it. He pinched the bridge of his nose, shaking his head. "Gaotu, you can't just pick up random animals and..."

But then his gaze fell back to the puppy, now snuggled comfortably against Gaotu's thigh, its tiny chest rising and falling in sleep. The sight was almost disarming.

"...What am I even saying," Wenlang muttered, letting out a soft sigh. "You've already adopted him, haven't you?"

Gaotu smiled faintly, scratching the little one's ear. "Maybe."

"Unbelievable," Wenlang murmured, but when he finally sat down beside Gaotu, his hand moved to gently pat the puppy's back. "What's his name?"

"I haven't decided yet," Gaotu said. "I was waiting for you to help me pick one."

Wenlang glanced at him, eyes softening. "Then we'll think of one together," he said quietly. "But first, there's something I need to tell you."

Gaotu looked up, attentive.

"Tomorrow, we'll go pick up the suits. I just got a call that they're ready."

Gaotu nodded.

"And while at it ," Wenlang continued, glancing at the puppy, "we might as well take this little guy to the vet to get checked up."

Gaotu nodded lightly, gently stroking the puppy's soft ear. "Okay."

Wenlang sat down beside him, finally letting out a long breath now that he was home. He rested his head on Gaotu's shoulder, eyes closing for a moment.

"...You got lonely, didn't you?" he murmured quietly.

Gaotu paused, then played it off. "I was bored but thanks to this little guy."

Wenlang opened his eyes and reached out, brushing a finger gently over the puppy's curled fur. "He looks oddly calm for someone who broke into my wife's lap without permission."

Gaotu looked at him deadpan. "Your wife let him."

"Wow. I'm actually a little jealous."

Gaotu huffed a laugh. "Jealous of a dog...?"

Wenlang looked away dramatically, as if deeply wounded, his expression saying Gaotu had replaced him. Gaotu could only chuckle, speechless.

Then, without warning, he reached forward, cupped Wenlang's face with both hands, and pulled him into a kiss.

"Still jealous?" he asked softly once they parted.

Wenlang was momentarily stunned, gaze fixed on Gaotu's lips. "I won't be if you do it again," he said shamelessly.

"Go away." Gaotu pushed at him immediately, refusing to entertain him any further.

Wenlang didn't move.

He just raised a brow, utterly unfazed. "You kissed me first," he said, as if it were irrefutable evidence in court.

Gaotu glared. "That was to shut you up."

"Then do it again," Wenlang replied instantly, leaning in, "I might talk more."

Gaotu grabbed the pillow beside him and stuffed it into Wenlang's face.

The puppy, completely unaffected, yawned and rolled over on Gaotu's lap claiming the spot more confidently than ever.

Gaotu looked down at it.

Then at Wenlang.

"Absolutely not."