Momma Lui peered around the room, her mouth agape in utter shock, her eyes wide as saucers. The grandeur of the place was overwhelming, almost surreal.
"Oh my god," Hana mumbled under her breath, her voice barely audible as the duffle bag slipped from her hand and thudded softly onto the marble floor.
Both women stood frozen, their gazes locked on Yunfeng, who seemed oblivious to their stunned expressions. His shoulders slumped, his face shadowed with grief, he stumbled up the staircase, each step heavy with the weight of his heartbreak. He disappeared into one of the bedrooms above, leaving the two women in a state of bewildered silence.
Hana gripped her mom's hand, shaking it violently, her voice trembling with disbelief. "Didn't he say he bought this house? How did he even *do* that?" Her eyes darted around the room, taking in the opulence that surrounded them.
Calling it a house was an understatement. It was a *villa*—a sprawling, extravagant masterpiece. The grand hall stretched out before them, adorned with intricate chandeliers and lavish decor. A massive kitchen, complete with a four-burner electric stove and a gleaming oven, sat to the side. Two rooms on the bottom floor, two more upstairs, all meticulously designed with an old-world charm—heavy curtains, ornate furniture, and a touch of timeless elegance.
"I don't know what's going on," Momma Lui mumbled, massaging her temples as if trying to wake herself from a dream.
Suddenly, a sharp knock echoed through the villa, snapping both women out of their daze. They exchanged wary glances.
"Who knows we're here?" Hana whispered, her voice tinged with defensiveness.
"I don't know," Momma Lui replied, moving toward the door.
"Mom, wait!" Hana hissed, pulling her back protectively. "What if it's one of those crazy fans?" She stepped forward, her voice firm as she called out, "Who is it?"
"Um, it's me," a familiar voice called from outside.
Hana threw open the door, her eyes widening as she came face-to-face with none other than the rich boy, Jai. "Oh my god, what are you doing here?"
Jai grinned, stepping inside with an air of nonchalance. "Visiting our new neighbor," he said cheerfully, handing a basket of exotic fruits to Momma Lui. "Where's Yunfeng?"
"Upstairs," Hana mumbled, her curiosity piqued as she examined the strange fruits in the basket. "Wait, did you say *neighbor*?"
"Yes, hello, neighbor~" Jai waved happily before bounding up the stairs, leaving the two women staring at each other in utter confusion.
"Should we ask Yunfeng?" Hana asked, her voice low.
"No, leave your brother be for a few days. We'll ask him after he gets better," Momma Lui said, patting her daughter's back before heading to the kitchen with the basket. "God, I love this kitchen! A four-burner stove *and* a huge oven? This is a dream!"
Hana rolled her eyes, a small smile tugging at her lips as she climbed the stairs, excitement bubbling inside her. She paused outside Yunfeng's room, peering inside. Jai was chatting animatedly, but Yunfeng sat frozen, his expression blank, his eyes distant.
The excitement for the new house faded instantly. Hana's heart clenched as she watched her brother, so broken, so lost. She gritted her teeth, a storm of emotions swirling within her. *Did Muchen do something to him?*
Yunfeng suddenly looked her way, offering a small, tired smile. Hana forced a smile in return before slipping away, her mind racing.
Jai, however, caught the exchange. "What's going on with you?" he asked, his tone shifting to concern. "You should be excited about your new house. Look at all the things I've done for you—solar-powered electrical system, the garden cleaned up just like you asked." He pulled back the curtains, revealing a lush, manicured garden behind the villa. "I thought you'd be happy."
Yunfeng sighed, cupping his face in his hands. "I *am* happy."
"No, you're not," Jai said bluntly, plopping down beside him. "What happened? Tell me."
Suddenly, Jai leaned closer, sniffing the air around Yunfeng. "Why do you smell like roses and lemons? That's not your usual scent. Did you change your perfume or…" His eyes widened in realization. "Oh my god. You smell like *Muchen*! Did you two…?" He punched Yunfeng's shoulder excitedly. "Fuck, why didn't you tell me!"
A small sob escaped Yunfeng's lips, cutting Jai's excitement short.
Stunned, Jai leaned down, his expression softening as he saw the tears streaming down Yunfeng's face.
"Oh… you're crying. Is it because you're happy…?"
Yunfeng let out a louder sob, shaking his head.
"I guess not," Jai murmured, pulling his best friend into a tight embrace. "Whatever it is, it'll get better. Don't cry." He gently rubbed Yunfeng's back, his voice soothing.
Yunfeng leaned into Jai's shoulder, his sobs growing louder, his heartache spilling out in waves. "I gave him my heart… but he broke it," he choked out, his voice raw with pain. "He doesn't want me, Jai… he doesn't want *us*."
Jai cursed under his breath. "I'll go talk to him."
"No," Yunfeng pulled him back, his voice firm despite the tears. "I… I don't want anything to do with him. I don't want anything…" He wiped his face hurriedly, his hands trembling. "He doesn't want me, and I… why can't I hate him? My heart still loves him so much." He gripped his chest, as if trying to physically hold his broken heart together.
"Oh god," Jai whispered, hugging him even tighter.
"I love him… but he doesn't love me. So… I want a clean break," Yunfeng said, his voice barely a whisper. He pulled out his phone, his screen flooded with notifications—message after message from Muchen. Without hesitation, he swiped them away and typed out a single text:
'War is coming. Cities are going to be bombed. Leave the city and go somewhere safe. Prepare enough food for months and stay indoors. Prepare medicine and other things for survival.'
After sending it, he removed the SIM card, snapped it in half, and tossed it aside.
"From now on, I won't have anything to do with him," Yunfeng declared, his voice steady despite the tears still streaming down his face.