Jet blinked, caught off guard by the admission. He glanced at Han, trying to gauge if he was serious, but the craftsman's expression was unreadable.
"Someone in mind?" Jet echoed, his curiosity piqued.
Han didn't answer immediately. Instead, he looked ahead, his breath clouding in the cold air as a faint smile curved his lips. "Yeah," he said softly, leaving Jet to wonder.
Jet jumped around his friend, amazed by this information. "Really who is she?"
Han chuckled, "You will find out soon enough,"
—-
"So, by doing this, we might resolve the customer's problems..." Jet's teacher droned on. The subject today was economics—something Jet had never studied before and, frankly, had no interest in.
He tried to stay polite and focused, but this topic was far from his cup of tea. Unlike his father and elder brothers, who excelled in business and trade, Jet found himself daydreaming. His eyes drifted to the handcrafted bamboo piggy bank on his desk, the one adorned with the lotus design Han had made.
"Do you understand, young master?" The old teacher's voice pulled him back to reality.
Jet blinked, sitting up straighter before offering a polite shake of his head. "I'm sorry, sir. I know you've taught my brothers well, but I'm not… really interested."
The old man chuckled knowingly. "Everyone has their own path, my boy. You cannot force an interest where it does not grow naturally. Besides…" He leaned forward with a mischievous glint in his eye. "I wasn't even talking about economics for half the time. With the way you're gazing at that handcrafted bamboo, it seems your thoughts are elsewhere."
Jet stiffened slightly, his cheeks heating. "I-I don't understand what you mean, sir."
The teacher's laugh was hearty and unrestrained. "Don't worry, I'm no gossip. But heed my advice: if you care for someone, don't let time slip away. Your father and brothers will return this evening. Go and meet this person before they do. But be warned—your brothers might not take kindly to certain… choices."
Jet frowned, unsure whether to take the man seriously. "I appreciate your concern, but—"
"Say no more," the old man cut him off, waving his hand dismissively. "I'm just an old man who's seen too much. Think it over."
With that, the teacher rose, and Jet escorted him to the courtyard. Just as they reached the gate, a flurry of motion burst through the entrance as Jet's four older brothers returned from the fields.
They didn't bother greeting the guest, rushing inside with their voices booming as they argued over who was hungrier.
The old teacher shook his head in exasperation. "No manners, as always! They never learn."
Jet laughed awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck. "You're not wrong."
The teacher turned to him one last time. "Don't forget what I told you, young master. Some things cannot wait and be careful."
Jet nodded politely, watching the man disappear down the path before turning to the chaos inside. The house was already a mess, with his brothers dropping their boots and coats wherever they pleased.
There were three of them, all older, ranging in age from twenty-six to twenty-one. The eldest, Feng Zhi (冯智), was an Alpha and easily the most responsible of the group. He carried himself with the calm authority of someone used to managing their younger siblings.
Then came Feng Jian and Feng Bo, who, while varying slightly in temperament, were united in their loud, boisterous energy. The age gaps were small, but Jet often felt worlds apart from them.
"Jet!" Feng Bo hollered. "Where's dinner? We're starving!"
"I just got back myself," Jet replied, rolling his eyes. "At least greet people when you come in. Master Liu was here teaching me!"
Feng Zhi raised an eyebrow as he hung up his coat. "Economics? How did that go?"
"Terribly," Jet admitted with a laugh.
"Well, at least you tried," Zhi said, patting his youngest brother's shoulder. "Now go wash up. We'll talk later."
As the others launched into another round of noisy banter, Jet quietly slipped away, the teacher's words faintly echoing in his mind. He couldn't quite shake the knowing tone or the subtle warning. 'Was it really that obvious?'
During dinner, a knock came at the door, interrupting the lively conversation.
"Sister Li!" Bo exclaimed, rushing to the entrance as their older sister walked in, her husband and young daughter following close behind.
The brothers all turned in shock, their eyes widening as they took in her visibly round stomach. Nearly seven months along, and none of them had known.
"Father never told us you were pregnant!" Bo blurted, earning a soft laugh from Li as she stepped into the warm home.
Meixuan darted toward Jet, who scooped her up with practiced ease. She giggled happily in his arms, her small hands grabbing at his collar as the family settled in.
The room buzzed with excitement as their mother, with Jet's help, laid out a grand feast to celebrate the brothers' return and Li's unexpected arrival. Plates clinked, laughter echoed, and for a time, the house felt fuller than it had in years.
—-
The city was quiet, the late hours blanketing Yunqing in a peaceful stillness. Jet, however, remained awake, the soft glow of a candle lighting his small study. His family had long since retired for the night after an evening of lively conversation. They were all set to leave by the next evening, heading back to their homes, yet Jet's thoughts lingered elsewhere—on someone he hadn't seen as planned.
Han.
Jet had sent him a quick note the day before, apologizing for his absence, but it hadn't eased the pull he felt. He sighed, picking up his pen and returning to his work. The book before him was supposed to be an adventure novel, but somewhere along the way, it had turned into something more personal. Now, it read more like a diary, woven through the perspective of one of his characters. Adventures mirrored his and Han's moments together—the stolen glimpses of freedom beyond the confines of his family's expectations.
The soft strokes of the brush against paper paused when a soft voice startled him.
"Writing?"
Jet's head snapped up, his sister Li standing in the doorway, her face illuminated by the flickering candlelight. Surprised, he quickly stood, pulling out an extra chair for her.
"Sister, are you all right? Shouldn't you be resting?" he asked, concerned for her and the baby.
Li chuckled lightly, easing into the chair. "It's normal, Jet. When the baby decides it's time to kick, you don't get much choice in the matter. But at least I have someone to keep me company now."
Jet let out a soft sigh of relief and returned to his seat. He watched her glance at the open book on his desk, her curious gaze catching on the words.
"May I?" she asked, gesturing toward the pages.
He hesitated for a moment before nodding, handing her the notebook. Li read quickly, her brows raising slightly in amusement as she reached the end.
"He sounds nice," she said, passing the book back to him. "Though this feels more like a love story than an adventure tale. How are things with him?"
Jet flushed, the tips of his ears turning pink. "Things are... good," he admitted, his voice soft but warm. "Mother lets me see him in the afternoons after my lessons. He's shown me so many beautiful places in Yunqing—places I never even knew existed."
Li smiled at his enthusiasm, her heart full as she listened to her youngest brother speak so fondly. Her eyes drifted to the corner of the room, where a wooden sword leaned against the bookshelf.
"He made that?" she asked, nodding toward the sword.
Jet nodded eagerly. "Yes, he taught me how to use it a little too. Said it's for protection, in case I ever run into trouble."
He reached for another item, a small wooden piggy bank adorned with intricate carvings. "And this—he carved it himself. He's so talented, Sister. He can create the most beautiful designs."
Li reached out to trace the delicate craftsmanship, her smile widening. "It's clear he cares for you, Jet. A man who takes the time to teach you, to make these things for you... he must think you're very special."
Jet looked down, the warmth in his chest undeniable. "I don't think so. He likes someone else," he murmured, his voice barely audible.Li's expression softened, shifting to one of reassurance. "It's alright," she said gently. "Fate has a way of bringing you to the right person when the time is right."