Knock, knock, knock.
As night settled over the base, a steady knocking echoed in the quiet corridor outside.
Inside room 303, Ling Zhuang's eyes flickered open. He had not truly been asleep. He frowned faintly, gaze drifting to the young man curled in his arms. Jiang Jiamian still slept soundly, breath slow and even, the faintest crease between his brows.
Ling Zhuang raised a finger and brushed it lightly against his ear. An invisible wave of energy rippled outward, silencing the knock. To him, the sound vanished completely.
Slowly, he sat up. He adjusted his collar, smoothed his shirt, and finally leaned down to tuck the blanket more securely around Jiang Jiamian's body. Only then did he move toward the door.
Knock, knock.
The knocking came again, followed by a hesitant voice: "Jiang Jiamian? Jiang Jiamian, are you there? Or… Professor Ling?"
The caller wasn't sure which of them was inside.
But Ling Zhuang recognized the voice immediately. Chen Ran.
His expression cooled.
