Mu Zhe gazed at his father's face without blinking. He was trying to figure out how to bring up the subject of Qihan without spoiling the family's New Year mood. He barely ate anything.
Everyone noticed. But they chose to let Mu Zhe speak first. They didn't want to pry any deeper and cause Mu Zhe any unnecessary discomfort — especially during the New Year, when everyone had gathered after a long separation due to work.
Bai Lu looked at Mu Zhe; he knew exactly what was on his younger brother's mind. He, too, was curious about Qihan. But seeing how happy their family was in that moment, he decided to swallow every question he had.
After dinner, just as he had in so many past New Years, Yu Fei sat alone on the balcony. All by himself.
"Papa."
Yu Fei turned around. Mu Zhe was standing in the doorway, holding two cups of warm milk. Yu Fei smiled and shifted slightly, making room for Mu Zhe to sit beside him.
Mu Zhe smiled back, walked slowly over, and sat down beside him.
"Is everything okay?"
Yu Fei asked as he took the warm milk from Mu Zhe's hands.
"Hmm."
Mu Zhe nodded. He sipped his milk slowly, his mind racing as he tried to find the right way to bring up Qihan.
A brief silence fell between them. The only sounds were the laughter of Bu Mi, Chi Ren, Lanling, and Bai Lu drifting in from the living room.
"Papa…"
Mu Zhe called out softly.
"Hmm?"
Yu Fei replied, turning to look at him. His beloved son looked downcast.
"What's wrong, my child?"
Yu Fei asked gently. He placed his warm milk on the table, giving his child his full attention.
"Papa...?"
Mu Zhe's question died on his lips. He didn't know what to say. He didn't want to spoil his father's New Year mood, yet he couldn't bear to keep wondering about Qihan — for his own sake, and for his father's too. He knew just how much his father loved his brother.
"What is it, dear?"
Yu Fei asked, gently stroking Mu Zhe's hair. He could tell there was something heavy weighing on his son's heart.
"Uncle Qihan…?"
His voice came out small and tight, choked with emotion. Yu Fei immediately pulled him into a warm embrace.
Qihan hadn't come up in conversation for a very long time. Hearing that name from Mu Zhe told him at once that something was wrong — especially seeing how sad his son looked. Qihan… what had happened?
His children had never met Qihan. They had only ever heard stories about him and seen him in the photo album he kept carefully tucked away in the study cabinet. Like a precious treasure.
Qihan. His one and only beloved younger brother. A brother he had doted on deeply. He would have done anything to see him happy. Yet somehow, his marriage to Chi Ren had driven them apart.
Without a word, without a trace — Qihan had simply vanished. As if the earth had swallowed him whole. Even now, he was still trying to find him. Just knowing his brother was safe would be enough. That alone would be a blessing.
"Mu Zhe…"
Yu Fei said softly. He slowly pulled back from the embrace, gently taking the warm milk from his son's hands and setting it down on the table.
"I'm sure your Uncle Qihan is safe."
Yu Fei tried to reassure Mu Zhe — even though his own heart ached, worried about his brother too.
"Why did he leave us?"
Mu Zhe asked. Yu Fei shook his head slowly. Sadly.
"I don't know. I'm sorry…"
Yu Fei replied. His eyes began to sting with unshed tears. Qihan… where are you? How long will you stay angry? I miss you, my dear brother, Yu Fei thought to himself. Memories of Qihan's smile — warm and comforting — flashed before his eyes.
"Uncle Qihan will be safe."
Mu Zhe said, gazing steadily into his father's face. Yu Fei looked back at him, his eyes filled with quiet question. Mu Zhe smiled through his tears. He thought of Lulu — how strong he had been all this time. Abandoned, yet still able to forgive. He knew that one day, his uncle would forgive his father too.
"One day… I'll bring him back to you."
Mu Zhe spoke with confidence as he wiped away his last tears. Seeing this, Yu Fei smiled too, and nodded slowly.
"Thank you, my dear."
He said it softly, then gently kissed his son's forehead.
Deep in his heart, he prayed that everything would turn out well. No matter where Qihan was, or what had happened between them — Qihan would always be his brother. Nothing could ever change that.
Meanwhile, at Ruan Xi's house…
Ruan Xi waited in the living room, scrolling through gossip online while Qihan finished cleaning up the kitchen. He needed to talk to Qihan about Jonathan tonight. He couldn't let Jonathan keep lashing out at Mu Zhe for no reason.
"Why aren't you asleep yet?"
Ruan Xi looked up. Qihan was standing before him, his apron still neatly tied.
"Come here."
Ruan Xi said softly, patting the seat beside him. Qihan nodded. He took off his apron and sat down next to him.
"What are you looking at?"
Qihan asked, glancing curiously at Ruan Xi's phone.
"Just gossip."
Ruan Xi replied, showing him his screen. After nearly ten years together, Ruan Xi knew there should never be any secrets between them.
Qihan shot him a sharp look — as if to say, for someone his age, reading gossip was hardly necessary. Ruan Xi smiled, turned off his phone, and set it down on the table.
"Are the kids asleep?"
Ruan Xi asked. Qihan glanced toward the upper floor. It seemed quiet up there.
"Probably."
He answered, resting his head on Ruan Xi's shoulder. All the weariness from the day melted away in an instant.
"Qihan…"
Ruan Xi said softly.
"Mmm…"
Qihan murmured sleepily. His eyes grew heavy the moment his head rested on Ruan Xi's shoulder. He'd been worn out from cooking all day, and dealing with Fu Heng and Jonathan's troubles on New Year's Day. It was only now that he finally let himself feel it.
"You've always been the best."
Ruan Xi said gently, squeezing Qihan's hand in his. He'd planned to talk about Jonathan tonight, but it would have to wait. That was okay. There was still plenty of time. I'll leave everything to Fu Heng for now, he thought.