“Umm, okay! Hurry up! I’ll be in the living room!” Xu Lan hastily backed out of the bathroom and closed the door behind him. He stood at the door for quite some time, and his mouth began to widen until an unrestrained bout of laughter escaped from it. He sat down on the sofa and stared intently at the door, as though he was afraid it would not open.

Bai Wu woke up two days earlier than Xu Lan. Once Bai Wu ascertained that Xu Lan was not in any mortal danger, he did not wake the man up as he knew Xu Lan was too tired from the time they battled against the void.

After waking up, Xu Lan was incredibly excited to bring Bai Wu around, since they were back in the world where Xu Lan first met Bai Wu. At that moment, reform was setting in and the place was opening itself to the outside world; roads linking to other districts were being constructed. Bai Wu remarked that he could not choose the destination as it differed all the time. He did not know that they would be transported back to where they came from, and in their own home, no less!

“Come, Bai Wu! I’ll bring you sightseeing. Bai Wu’s clothes were still in the closet, and they fit him perfectly!

Xu Lan wanted to find out if the formalities had been handled and if Bai Wu had become his son.

As they went down the stairs, they met the landlady. She did not look any different from before. Xu Lan was always an eyesore to her, except when rent was due, of course.

Her scolding was exceptionally familiar to Xu Lan and he walked over to give her a big hug. She was stunned and her face turned red, but before she could even say anything, Xu Lan and Bai Wu were long gone.

The police station was no different either. Wang Hao – who walked past the hall after gathering some files – lifted his head to see Xu Lan standing at the door with a teenage boy.

“Sergeant Xu! Sergeant Xu! You’re back! Where have you been the last few months?!” Wang Hao gathered up all his files and quickly went over to hold Xu Lan’s hand. Both men leaned in and gave each other a bump on the shoulder.

“It’s been a long time! How have you been? You look way thinner than before.” The sight of Wang Hao truly made Xu Lan feel that he was back in the world where he came from.

Wang Hao’s skin was as tan as ever, and he still had the habit of staring people in the eye when he spoke. The once-enthusiastic, slender, and experienced fellow now looked much shallower.

“Ay, let’s not talk about that, Sergeant Xu. Give me a moment, I need to hand over some work, after that we’ll go have a big meal.”

“Sure!” Xu Lan answered cheerfully.

While Wang Hao was busy with his work, Xu Lan rushed back into the hall. He pursed his lips to signal for Bai Wu to sit down, then went to the shift room alone. Coincidentally, Xiao Zhang was on duty.

“Hey! Sergeant Xu! When did you come back? Here, have a glass of water.” Xiao Zhang cordially poured Xu Lan a glass of warm water.

“Mm, Xiao Zhang, remember the thing about adoption that we discussed? Could you update me on that?” Xu Lan searched the house high and low for those adoption documents, but he was unable to locate them. Thus, he decided to go down to the station and ask for himself.

“Oh! The certificate! It’s done! I went to your place but you weren’t there, so I kept them with me at my house. I’ll send them over once I get off work,” Xiao Zhang replied prudently as he thought that Xu Lan came over to accuse him.

“Eh, no need for that. Just give me the address, I’ll come over to get them once you’re done,” Xu Lan said.

“No, no, it’s fine. I’ll send them over. I know where your house is.” Xiao Zhang remarked hastily.

‘Er, was I really that fierce last time?’ Xu Lan thought gloomily.

“Hey, Sergeant Xu. Let’s go! Let’s have a feast, my treat!” Wang Hao exclaimed as he began to walk down the stairs, right after handing over the files.

Noticing that Xu Lan was ready to go, Bai Wu obediently stood up and followed suit.

“Oh? Sergeant Xu, who’s this?” The puzzled Wang Hao asked.