Mu Zhe held Fantuan tight, eyes fixed on the closed door. Glanced at his phone — nine o'clock at night.
"Where is your Papa? Forgot the way home, did he?"
Mu Zhe said it sadly. Fantuan just tilted his ears, listening quietly as Mu Zhe poured out every complaint about Lulu.
Lulu had never kept him waiting like this. Not once. Why did it happen now, just when they'd found each other? Was he already tired of him? Did he wish he'd chosen differently? Had Jonathan spoken true all along… and was he nothing more than an intruder? What if Lulu's memories returned — and he walked away?
"Fantuan… your Papa's tired of your Daddy… What should I do...?"
He whined, flopping back onto the bed like a fish washed ashore — helpless, heavy, defeated. Every last bit of hope seemed to have vanished into thin air.
Fantuan just blinked at him. Not his job to sort out their drama. He'd had enough managing his grandpa's already. Why do I have to solve everyone's love problems?
Creak…
The door opened slowly. Mu Zhe rolled over at once, turning his face away — refusing to look. Still sulking. Only just remembered you have a home now? he mumbled.
He waited for Lulu to come close, to ask if he was still sulking. His heart hammered. One minute. Two minutes. Time ticked by, slow and heavy.
Shaaa…
"What?!" He sat up fast, hurling a pillow aside — hard. All his hurt and fear thrown into that one movement. He glared at the bathroom door, lips pressed tight with frustration.
Fantuan flinched, then leaped off the bed — he wasn't about to be the next thing thrown. He scurried to his own bed, curled up tight, yawned, and fell fast asleep.
Mu Zhe flopped back down. He grabbed the pillow and buried his face in it — his eyes beginning to glisten. Hurt, angry, disappointed… and yet so deeply in love. He hated this feeling. It was driving him mad.
"Arghhh!!!!!"
He screamed into the pillow. He'd waited all this time — and Lulu had just gone straight to the shower. It felt like being abandoned. Like he didn't matter at all.
Creak…
He lay perfectly still at once, eyes squeezed shut — pretending to be asleep. But his heart was hoping, hoping so desperately that Lulu would come and hold him. That he'd soothe him, and tell him he was the only one he loved.
One minute. No sign he would come. Two minutes. Three. Four. Five. Still silence. Mu Zhe gripped the sheet tight. Does he even care? Does he truly love me? Am I nothing more than a plaything?
"You said you wanted me… that you loved me. But… why leave me all alone?"
He clenched the sheet in his fists until his knuckles blanched white.
"I hate you."
He whispered it, burning with disappointment.
"Fine. Five more minutes. If you still ignore me… I'll ask. I'll make you tell me who Jonathan really is!"
Tick-tock. Tick-tock.
Thump-thump-thump.
"Enough!"
He turned — ready to demand answers — and froze.
Lulu was there, right above him, holding the blanket, about to tuck him in.
"Oh."
That was all.
Mu Zhe looked deep into his face — angry, so angry — yet his heart ached. Loved him too much to hurt him.
"I thought you were asleep. Just fixing your blanket."
Lulu said softly.
Mu Zhe bit his lip, snatched the blanket away.
"I don't want it! I want answers!"
Mu Zhe yelped, angry and sharp. Lulu swallowed and nodded, sinking to his knees beside the bed. His eyes stayed downcast — heavy with guilt.
Mu Zhe sighed, his anger wavering the moment he saw Lulu's guilty face. "What do I do…" He took a deep breath, sat up, and met Lulu's sad, gentle eyes. "This isn't fair…"
"Who am I to you?"
Mu Zhe asked — no, stated — his tone gentle yet unshakable. "I am the one you chose. Don't forget that."
"The one I love most."
Lulu answered without a single moment of hesitation.
"More than Fantuan?"
Nod.
"More than Zhang Yiran?"
Nod.
"More than… Jonathan?"
Lulu blinked. He quickly lifted his head, looking straight into Mu Zhe's eyes.
"Why does Jonathan keep coming between us?"
"Answer me!"
Mu Zhe yelped. This time his voice was a command — firm, unyielding, strong.
"Of course — more than him. You are everything. A thousand Jonathans would never matter. Not a single one could ever be you."
Lulu answered simply. Mu Zhe fell quiet
"Remember what you said today. Forever."
Mu Zhe said, his voice softening.
"I swear."
Lulu vowed.
"Then be mine. Only mine. No second chances. Remember that."
Mu Zhe said, pulling the blanket up to hide his face — suddenly shy. Am I being too jealous? Is this wrong?
Lulu smiled. Mu Zhe was his — completely. And he'd protect what was his from anyone.
He leaned close, breathing the same air.
"Get some rest, my love."
A shiver ran through Mu Zhe. What have I done… he wondered, already regretting his outburst.
Fu Heng room.
"You sold me out?"
Jonathan hissed at Fu Heng.
"Did you have any value to sell?"
Fu Heng smiled sharp and cold.
"You —"
"Me what? Cruel? Heartless? Monster?"
Fu Heng leaned in.
"Tell Papa then. Go on."
He held out the phone.
Jonathan stared, stunned. Why? Didn't his brother love him anymore?
"Why are you doing this to me?"
Jonathan said sadly.
"This isn't your playground! What has Mu Zhe ever done to you? Why hurt him?"
Fu Heng's patience snapped.
Jonathan fell silent. His brother didn't know what his father had suffered.
"You have two choices."
Fu Heng said firmly.
"Go home — or go with him."
He pointed to Lanling.
Lanling smiled — cold, knowing. Jonathan's heart burned.