The weight of their serious conversation still hung heavy in the air, even though several minutes had passed. Landon paced back and forth in the kitchen, lost in thought as he spoke on his phone.
When Yohan requested an investigation into his parents, Jun also suggested that Landon look into Yoh's birth certificate. If it turned out to be true that Yohan's uncle and aunt were listed as his parents, then Jun suspected the birth certificate would be fake.
Coincidentally, Neo called a few minutes later causing Landon to head over to the kitchen to answer the call.
Meanwhile, Yohan stared at the cake in front of him with sparkling eyes - its frosting gleaming under soft light bulbs like spun sugar dreams. A wave of warmth washed over him at Landon's thoughtful gesture; it seemed like Landon had baked it earlier, just for him. Jun sat quitely across him, a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes as he observed Yohan's delight.
"Landon is not only talented at cooking but baking too..." Yohan exclaimed with amazement as he admired its tantalizing appearance.
"He doesn't bake often, so don't get your hopes up too high," Jun said with a hint of amusement in his voice. He propped his cheek on his hand and relaxed into his seat, watching as Yohan eagerly cut himself a slice of cake.
Landon entered the living room just in time to hear their conversation. His previously serious face softening when he heard Yohan's words as he was about to stuff a cake into his mouth.
"Hehe, baking is actually my hidden skill," Landon said with a smug look on his face as he sat next to Jun.
"Yeah right, it's your 'hidden' skill. That's why it's better if you keep it hidden," Jun chuckled, eyeing the cake warily.
He knew Landon's cakes were always visually stunning - they looked like works of art straight out of a patisserie window, but tasted... well, let's just say less than divine. More like clay mixed with herbs if you were generous.
Yohan wanted to cry; this cake was a culinary abomination. It looked delicious, but the taste was beyond anything he could have imagined - his tongue felt numb and he couldn't even bring himself to enjoy it. But Landon had made it for him, so with tears welling up in his eyes, Yohan ate every last bite. Jun choked back a laugh at the sight of Yohan's pained expression as he finished the cake in record time.
A cake that looked like a masterpiece, but tasted like a culinary crime scene – only someone with no discerning palate could stomach such an abomination.
But little did anyone know, this culinary catastrophe would one day become entangled in Yohan's fate in ways no one could have imagined.
Landon kicked Jun's calf playfully under the table before flashing a beaming smile at Yohan who had just devoured his creation with surprising speed. "So," Landon asked innocently, still oblivious to the true nature of his baking disaster, "Do you like it?"
Yohan's hands shook as he forced a smile and gave Landon a thumbs-up, his eyes betraying the effort.
"T-this is good..."
Landon beamed with pride, while Jun struggled to stifle a laugh behind his hand. However, out of compassion for Yohan's fragile state, Jun quickly steered the conversation in another direction.
"Why did Neo call you?" he asked softly, stroking Landon's cheek with gentle fingers.
Landon's expression turned thoughtful as he recalled his conversation with Neo. His gaze met Yohan's before answering.
"When you ran away from your uncle's house, do you remember anything unusual about that time?"
The remnants of the disastrous cake still churned unpleasantly in Yohan's stomach. He took a long gulp of soda, trying to wash away the taste and regain his composure before answering.
"Hmm... there were usually four security guards at the gate. But on that day, no one was there, not even the gate was locked."
As realization dawned on him, Yohan's eyes snapped back to Landon.
"Yes... from the beginning, there were people who helped you escape. According to the investigation, that person was also responsible for covering your tracks when you fled. Even the cleaner-"
Before Landon could continue, Jun swiftly intervened, placing a hand over Landon's mouth and finishing his sentence in a hushed tone.
"Even the person we told to cover your tracks wasn't as effective as the mysterious individual who aided your escape."
"How did that person know I was planning to run away that day? Do you still have no idea who's behind all this?"
The more Yohan thought about it, the more mysteries swirled around him like a vortex. He just wanted to live his second life freely and happily, but instead, he felt like he'd stepped into a mystery drama, with secrets and lies lurking around every corner since his regression.
Jun's expression turned thoughtful as he replied, "We still don't know who that person is, but I think they're trying to protect you. It's just...I'm starting to suspect they've been watching you from the beginning until now." Jun removed his hand from Landon's mouth, and Yohan sensed a subtle tension between them.
Landon spoke up cautiously, aware of almost revealing too much earlier. "Do I need to contact someone to keep an eye out for suspicious individuals?"
Jun nodded discreetly and leaned in to whisper something in Landon's ear, their voices barely audible to Yohan. Although he was touched by their willingness to protect him, but it was also tempered by a growing sense of shame and burden. Since meeting Jun and Landon, he'd received constant help and protection, and it was starting to feel like he was relying too heavily on them.
But as Jun continued speaking with Landon, Yohan's mind wandered back to the mystery surrounding him. Who was this person watching him? And why were they going to such great lengths to protect him?
Landon's voice pierced the silence, shattering Yohan's reverie.
"I received a report that the security guards who were on duty at your uncle's residence that day have all been terminated by him," he said, his tone grave. "But when Neo tried to track them down, they had vanished into thin air. Upon further investigation, we discovered that their personnel records were fabricated."
Jun's eyes widened as he pieced together the implications. "So from the start, those security guards were hired by the mysterious person..."
Landon nodded solemnly, his finger drumming against his chin.
"Neo has also uncovered some suspicious activity surrounding your uncle's business dealings," he continued. "However, it seems he'll need more time to uncover the truth."
Each time Landon and Jun mentioned Neo's name, Yohan felt an inexplicable sense of hope rising within him – perhaps this person could help alleviate the weight of his past life, the burden he carried with guilt and regret.
"Can this Neo track down someone who was kid-?"
Before he could finish speaking, Landon's phone shrilled again, and he answered it immediately.
"LANDON ZHANG!!! WHY AREN'T YOU HERE?!!!"
The woman's voice on the other end was like a thunderclap, jolting Yohan out of his seat.
"Damn it, I forgot about the family gathering today!" Landon groaned, keeping his phone away from his ringing ear.
A furious voice continued to blast from the device even as he retreated into the kitchen. "Landon Zhang! I expect you to be there next week for the banquet! Don't think you can just—"
"Sister Vivian, I'll be there next week... but no way am I coming to that banquet." His tone dropped to a near whisper as he entered the room.
Yohan watched him with confusion. "Landon Zhang? Isn't his name Landon Fu?" He remembered Jun calling him by his full name when he was frustrated with him.
"Zhang is his mother's surname. His grandfather changed it when Landon was in high school because... well, let's just say there were some deep-seated issues between his grandfather and Landon's father. It feels more natural for me to call him Landon Fu; that's what I've always called him since we were kids. Plus, Landon himself doesn't really want to change it unless he absolutely has to – like if he wants to get back on good terms with his grandfather."
Jun sighed softly. "Landon's family situation is…complicated, to put it mildly."
Yohan listened intently, his eyes widening slightly as he processed the information. His mouth formed an 'o' shape before nodding thoughtfully.
"It sounds like his family has its share of complexities. So, who calls him that now? His mother's family?"
Jun nodded. "Landon has some cousins, and the one who calling him now is his oldest cousin." As someone who had been with Landon since they were both toddlers, Jun knew every detail about his lover.
As they continued their conversation, Yohan found himself lost in thought once more, the important thing he wanted to discuss slipping from his mind like sand between fingers. It was as if fate had conspired to block the path leading him to someone precious or perhaps it simply wasn't yet time for that encounter.
*
*
*
The last rays of sun bled into the horizon, painting the sprawling grand Xu estate in hues of orange and purple. Axel emerged from Grandfather Xu's bedroom, his face betraying no hint of what transpired within those walls. Even Doctor Long had left hours ago, returning to his own home for the evening.
Axel made his way down the corridor towards Kane's room, his footsteps echoing softly on the polished marble floor. As he rounded a corner, he collided with three figures emerging from the conservatory – the Xu siblings. Kane greeted him with a wide grin and eyes that sparkled with curiosity.
"Took you long enough," Kane teased, "What was that secret conversation with my grandpa? Ten hours is practically a lifetime!"
Axel met his gaze with a mischievous smirk. "Secrets are best kept secret." he chuckled, dodging Kane's playful jab at his chest that attempted to pry more information out of him. Kara offered a shy smile while Kian remained stoic as ever, seemingly oblivious to their banter as he mechanically walked forward, his gaze glued to a tablet screen held firmly in hand. Behind him trailed Nathan Lin, Kian's assistant, holding a stack of documents.
Axel's gaze flicked between Kian and Nathan before settling on the latter. "Looks like your boss is busier than ever, even on holidays," he remarked with a raised eyebrow.
Nathan adjusted his glasses and replied in a serious tone, "Yes, Mr. Xu has a lot on his plate at the moment. He'll be leaving for N city in three days."
Kane and Axel exchanged an incredulous glance before turning to Kian once more.
"What?!" Kane asked aloud, though it was clear they were all thinking the same thing: what was going on?
Kian's response came without him even looking up from the tablet. "I'll be joining you two in N city in three days."