Jian stepped out of the car, wincing slightly as his muscles groaned in protest. A stiff ache spread down his legs and lower back—clearly, sleeping in a cramped vehicle wasn't doing him any favors. He stretched, arms rising above his head until his joints popped, the cold morning air brushing over his skin.
From behind, he could feel it.
That burning gaze.
Sharp, intense, unwavering.
It prickled between his shoulder blades like a phantom hand. But he didn't turn. He ignored it.
'Staring at me like I'm going to sprout wings or something,' he thought dryly.
Instead, Jian made his way to the backseat, carefully opening the door. A mess of arms and legs greeted him—small limbs flung in every direction, the blanket half-kicked off and hanging by a thread.
The boy was spread out like a starfish, snoring faintly, his round face relaxed in blissful, innocent sleep.
Jian paused.
He gazed at the child's face, his frown slowly softening.
'He really is just a kid…'
