Mu Zhe made his way to the garden — the place he and Lulu always shared with Fantuan. What was once wild grass had become their masterpiece.
That day they planned to build a little playground for Fantuan beside their cottage. Ru Yi and Li Feng had promised to help — Fantuan was king of their private island, after all. Everyone adored that clever, round little cat.
Mu Zhe gazed at the sunflowers beginning to bloom bright and tall.
"It's almost time to visit Mama Li Da with Lulu and Fantuan."
He murmured to himself, squatting to pull weeds that had dared take over his sunflower beds.
"Good afternoon."
A voice. The last voice he wanted to hear. The one that set his nerves on edge.
"Afternoon."
Mu Zhe replied, not looking up, still busy at the weeds.
"Where's Lulu?"
Mu Zhe's hands stilled. His fingers tightened around the weeds. What is wrong with him? he snapped — angry down to his very bones. He didn't like being near this man. Not one bit.
He said nothing, kept weeding.
"Do you want to know what I am to Lulu?"
Mu Zhe froze. He heard the sneer in that tone. But he wouldn't rise to it. Whatever the truth was — he would hear it from Lulu's lips. Not his. An enemy's mouth tells no truth, his heart warned. He pulled harder, letting all his anger go into each weed.
"I'm his fiancé."
Those words shattered his whole world. This brat… did he really want to pick a fight with me that badly? He clenched his fists and fought the urge to smash that irritating face.
"Heh… my sympathy to you."
Mu Zhe stood, turning to face the boy who'd just shaken his ground. He walked closer, chin high.
"Sorry — he doesn't even remember you."
He poked the boy's chest with one sharp finger.
"You aren't as important as you think. A leopard cannot change its spots. I hope you know that."
He smoothed the boy's shirt with a cold, mocking smile — smudging it worse as he did.
"Sorry… I think I got your shirt dirty."
"You!"
The boy seized his wrist, burning with rage. Mu Zhe stood his ground — tall, unyielding, ready to strike back.
"Oh — you're here. Come help me lift these. They're heavy."
Fu Heng's voice cut through the air behind them. He stepped in at the perfect moment, before tempers could explode. Jonathan let go of Mu Zhe's wrist at once. Every eye turned to Fu Heng — his arms piled high with supplies for Fantuan's playground.
He looked from one to the other. Something's definitely going on.
"What are you waiting for? Give me a hand."
His tone was firm, his gaze fixed sharply on Jonathan. He knew — this boy was up to something. And nothing good. He knew his little brother better than anyone. I need to do something before it's too late, he told himself.
"Where's Uncle Bo Ya and Ru Yi?"
Mu Zhe asked, refusing to say Lulu's name in front of him.
"Not done yet. Let's start what we can."
Fu Heng rolled up his sleeves, ready to work.
"And you — still standing there?"
He snapped at Jonathan.
"Help carry these."
"Oh. Okay."
Jonathan lifted a sack of decorative stones — heavy, far too heavy for him. But when he heard Mu Zhe's quiet, mocking laugh, he strained harder, refusing to show weakness.
"Wow… Jonathan… so strong."
Mu Zhe turned away, pouting.
"Tch! That's nothing. I can do that too."
He hefted a sack weighing ten kilos. It pulled at him, burned his arms — but his pride wouldn't let him drop it.
"Mu Zhe — that's too heavy. Let me help."
Lulu appeared, seeing his face flushed bright red, hands raw and strained.
"I don't need help!"
He snapped — yet his voice sounded more sulky than angry.
"Mu Zhe… what's wrong?"
Lulu's voice was soft, gentle, trying to soothe. He could guess something had happened between Jonathan and Mu Zhe while he was gone.
"Go tend to Jonathan. He looks like he's falling apart. I don't need anyone — I can handle this myself."
Mu Zhe's words came low, tight with hurt.
Lulu scratched his head, utterly lost. He looked to Jiang Hai for help — only to get a shrug while he kept stacking stones. Zhang Yiran's gaze darted away to Ah Fei. Ah Fei immediately busied himself with something else, acting as though he'd seen nothing at all. Zhou Jun was completely wrapped up with Ma Yuan — the rest of the world might as well not exist. Fu Heng just sighed, fixing Jonathan with a sharp look. Don't look at me… I'll handle him later.
Lulu turned to Jonathan. The boy was smiling — a smile that meant far too much.
PAP!
Out of nowhere.
"Ah!"
Jonathan clutched the back of his head. Something — someone — had struck him.
"Sorry. Couldn't stand that smile."
Jonathan looked up. Lanling stood there — smiling, sharp and cold. His eyes read Jonathan like a children's storybook.
"Uncle Lanling!"
Mu Zhe called, voice soft and sweet. Lanling turned, beaming. He came over, took Mu Zhe's raw, red hands, and blew on them gently.
Lulu watched, jaw tight, heart burning. He turned and walked away — needed to cool down, to steady this jealousy.
"Lulu!"
Jonathan called, starting to follow. Lulu spun around — eyes blazing, warning clear. Don't you dare follow me. I will not hold back.
Jonathan swallowed hard. He'd never seen Lulu like this.