Jonathan glared at Lanling, burning with resentment. His brother had never treated him this way. Always so patient, always giving him what he wanted. But now — with this man here — nothing was the same. He didn't matter anymore.
Lanling acted as if he wasn't even there. Let the boy smolder in his own anger. To him, Jonathan was nothing more than a cub lashing out — and striking at something that wasn't his to touch. Something precious.
"What do you want from me?!"
Jonathan burst, patience gone. He knew Lanling would make him pay for everything. His mind raced, inventing reasons, expecting the worst.
Lanling only smiled — slow, knowing. Children these days… he thought, calmly unbuttoning his shirt to get ready for bed. Treated him like a stray dog picked up from the side of the road.
Seeing Lanling ignore him and head to the shower, Jonathan's temper flared. He threw his bag onto the large bed.
"Tch… what is wrong with this old man?"
While Lanling was gone, Jonathan looked around — spacious, private kitchen, living area, balcony. He wasn't just anyone. And Jonathan was only just realizing it.
"But where am I supposed to sleep?"
He walked to the sofa. Soft enough. Fine.
He lay down, jacket pulled over himself. He who makes himself a sheep shall be eaten by the wolf. No matter how brave he tried to be, he was still just a boy.
Lanling stepped out — and his game began. To charm him until he couldn't live without him… then leave him broken. That was the price for trying to take what belonged to someone else. As you bake, so shall you eat. Lanling smiled.
"Pretending to sleep already?"
Jonathan gripped his jacket tight. Footsteps drew closer. Don't come near. I'll scream.
Lanling saw him trembling — and smiled. Afraid, are you? He reached for a blanket and tucked it gently around him. He might be angry, but he was still human. And Jonathan was just a boy — and boys his age always threw tantrums just to be noticed.
"If you play with fire, you'll get burned."
He spoke clearly, in a low, steady tone — a warning that he would not stay silent if Jonathan ever touched his Mu Zhe again.
Jonathan froze. He couldn't move. Barely dared to breathe. A flicker of regret stirred — yet his resolve held firm. An eye for an eye. Mu Zhe's father made mine suffer. So I will make him suffer in return. You know nothing, old man. This is between me and Mu Zhe.
That night he didn't sleep a wink. His mind raced — turning Lanling's words over, plotting, planning. Beyond that lay revenge. He would make everyone know what had happened to his father. They would learn exactly who Mu Zhe's father was — and what he had done to his. The whole world would know. Only then would he stop.
At half past five, he stood alone waiting for the shuttle to school. Anything to avoid facing Lanling. He wasn't ready to face that old man. He needed more time to steady his heart before he could stand before him bravely. Yet fate pulled him the other way.
The others arrived at six — including Lanling. The school nurse. He'd completely forgotten. Caught in a trap. No way out. He bit his nails, restless. Sometimes karma came in the cruellest way. At least he knew that now.
"Up early. Something wrong?"
Zhang Yiran asked. Jonathan shook his head, eyes fixed on the ground — doing his utmost not to meet Lanling's gaze. He might crumble if he did. Those sharp, deep eyes would devour his very soul. He hurried quickly and hopped into the shuttle.
"What have you done to him?"
Ma Yuan asked Lanling, having noticed how uneasy the boy seemed around him. Ma Yuan's gaze cut sharply, straight into Lanling's eyes. Not a flicker of fear — not like he usually showed. He was entirely like a different person. Lanling swallowed and slowly looked away.
"Nothing at all."
Lanling said calmly. He tucked his hair behind his ear — putting on a show of being composed. He hated Ma Yuan like this. In this judging mode.
"After you sir."
"After you, sir."
He offered, motioning Ma Yuan to go first. Ma Yuan got in, but his gaze stayed locked on Lanling. Once a teacher, always a teacher — there was no escaping it. Lanling's smile came out tight and awkward.
Jonathan sat alone — until Lanling sat right beside him. Unashamedly.
"Breakfast."
He handed over a paper bag with a sandwich and milk. Jonathan stared out the window, refusing to meet his gaze — that gaze that saw right through him.
"It's an order."
Firm. Jonathan snatched the bag, still looking away. Helpless, small, weak.
Lanling smiled. He wanted to see this proud boy break. To see him cry.
He turned away — and met Ma Yuan's eyes. Sharp. Warning. Saying clearly: stay away. Lanling swallowed. Then he smiled, awkward and strained.
Lanling looked down. No matter how steady he was — Ma Yuan. Ru Yi. Two men. Two different kinds of power. They always made him feel small.
One look was threat — one wrong step and you'd never be forgiven.
The other was heartbreak — and you'd hate yourself forever for causing it.
Ru Yi made him feel judged. Made him want to be better. Ru Yi always stood tall — like something untouchable, fashioned by heaven. Pure.
Ma Yuan made him curious. Fascinated. What lay beneath that calm, composed surface? And Ma Yuan's other mode — that always made him feel trapped.
And Jonathan… Jonathan challenged everything in him. He woke the dark part — the part that wanted to watch him break, to see him beg for mercy. Lanling swallowed hard, his pulse quickening as he gazed at Jonathan's face.