Morning broke, and Lila prepped breakfast for two as usual. As she ladled porridge, Lu Zhe, fresh from washing up, joined her in the kitchen.
They ate in silence. Lu Zhe sipped his porridge, then froze, spotting a red scratch on Lila's hand—three inches long, shallow but glaring.
"What happened? Cut yourself?" he asked, concern flickering.
Lila kept eating, ignoring him.
Lu Zhe's temper flared. He knocked over his bowl, eyes narrowing. "You throwing a tantrum at me?"
Lila glanced at him, unfazed. Who's the one throwing a fit? Starting drama at dawn—ugh. She stayed silent, her thoughts churning. Lately, she'd changed—her obsession with revenge and her love for Lu Zhe had grown tangled, heavy. Nights were spent wondering: Why can't I let him go? He seemed to care, yet his coldness dominated.
Forget it. She pushed it aside, focusing on Grandma's birthday. Grandma was her ally, but Lila needed to win more favor—especially with Lu Zhe's mother, who disliked her almost as much as Vanessa.
Their conversation died. Lila headed to class, then to the incense shop with her near-finished carving.
The shop owner, watering flowers, smiled. "Fast work! Carving suits you."
Lila greeted her warmly. "Thanks! Can you check my piece? It's almost done—any tweaks needed?"
She handed over the sandalwood Guanyin. The owner inspected it, then picked up Lila's tools to refine it. "Here, the grain's off. Follow the wood's natural flow, or it'll look messy and be harder to carve. Also…"
Lila listened intently, spending the afternoon perfecting the piece with the owner's guidance. The owner polished and lacquered it, beaming. "Your hands are skilled! This Guanyin's lovely. Planning to put something in her jade bottle? I can help with incense."
Lila sent a photo to Wendy, earning a flood of praise. "I want to use Ji Zi Lan, but its bloom fades fast. Any way to preserve it?"
The owner murmured, "Ji Zi Lan?" She nodded. "I can teach you to soak it to keep its shape long-term, but it'll be a scentless specimen."
Lila considered, then agreed. "That works."
The owner's tone grew gentle. "Some things are precious because they're fleeting. Ji Zi Lan blooms once a century—if it flowered yearly, it'd lose its magic. Preserving its peak robs its essence. Its meaning—eternal youth, cherished memories—will still touch the recipient."
Lila nodded, swayed. "I'll let it shine briefly, then."
She chose to let the Ji Zi Lan dazzle in its ephemeral glory.
That evening, Lila and Wendy worked their restaurant shift. Wendy eyed the carving, worried. "What if someone messes with it here?"
"Should be fine," Lila said, stashing it carefully. "I'll keep an eye out."
The restaurant buzzed—a corporate mixer for two big firms. Lila and Wendy were assigned to the event hall, setting up drinks and desserts before greeting guests at the door.
Many attendees were women, the vibe relaxed. Lila welcomed them, her mood lifting with the hall's music—until she glimpsed a familiar figure. Her smile vanished, replaced by a forced grin.
A sour pang hit. Lu Zhe, laughing warmly with a gaggle of women, was a stark contrast to the coldness he showed her. Work demands, maybe, she told herself, clawing for calm.
He approached, but passed her like she was invisible, not sparing a glance. No "welcome" left her lips—just a bitter thought: Thanks for showing me how you treat me differently.
Lila took a deep breath, plastering on her smile, her heart sinking. She considered escaping to the bathroom but feared losing her composure. Is his indifference real, or am I imagining it?
"Lila, you work here?" Lu Zhe's voice cut through her spiral, his face blank.
Her emotions felt foolish. "Yeah, I do. Think it's embarrassing? Tough luck—I'm not quitting. The pay's great." She unleashed a defiant torrent, expecting a jab.
Lu Zhe listened, then gently took her hand, pulling out a salve to rub on her scratch. "Be careful next time. I'm tied up now—can't drag you into it."
"So… I'm a burden?" Lila blinked, stunned. She'd braced for mockery, not care.
He scanned the room, then said, "Don't overthink it. I'm busy. Watch yourself." His tone was curt, impatient, as he grabbed a drink and left.
What's his deal? Lila glanced around, noticing eyes in the shadows tracking Lu Zhe. Someone's after him?
She told Wendy she'd be back, swapped her server uniform for a dress, and grabbed a tray of drinks, blending into the crowd. Her gaze locked on a man in black, wearing a cap, shadowed by others dressed similarly. Targeting Lu Zhe?
Lu Zhe finished his drink, set down the glass, and slipped out the back door. The men followed. Lila trailed silently.
In the dark alley, a man faced Lu Zhe, backed by seven or eight thugs. The leader yanked off his cap, spitting. "Lu Zhe, hand over the cash. Pay up, and I'm gone."
Lu Zhe sneered. "You're persistent. Coming to Grandma's birthday? Why beg me now? Ask Mom for money—or is this a stick-up?"
The man lunged, fist raised. "Quit yapping and pay!"
Lu Zhe caught his arm, slamming a punch into his gut. "Too harsh?" he taunted.
The man howled, calling his crew. "Get him!"
Lu Zhe cracked his knuckles, smirking like a war god. "Been a while. Let's stretch."
He shed his jacket, loosened his tie, and beckoned them. "Come on."
The leader charged like a rabid dog. Lu Zhe dodged, scoffing, "Your kiddie moves? Save it."
He sparred effortlessly, felling foes with precise strikes. Lila watched from the shadows, her heart a mess. He didn't want me involved because of these guys?
As she focused, a thug raised a bottle, aiming for Lu Zhe's head. "Lu Zhe, behind you!" she yelled, rushing forward.
Lu Zhe spotted the bottle, yanked Lila into his arms, and spun, shielding her. The bottle grazed his cheek, shattering on the ground.
"What the hell? A chick?" The thug gaped, then cackled. "Lu Zhe, you're so pathetic, needing a girl to save you?"
Lu Zhe ignored him, checking Lila for injuries. "I told you to stay out of this! Why don't you listen?" he roared, chest heaving, furious.
Lila snapped back, "I was worried! That was dangerous—do you get that?"
In that moment, fear had gripped her—she couldn't lose him. She'd acted on instinct.
Lu Zhe, rattled by her sudden appearance, pressed her head to his chest. "I know. I had it under control."
Lila fell silent, safe in his embrace.
The leader smirked, piecing it together. "Lu Zhe, what's this act? Oh, I get it—she's Lila, Grandma's pick for you, right?"
Lu Zhe's voice turned lethal. "Lu Yun, touch her, and you're done."
Lu Yun cursed, grinning. "Chill, just asking. Don't want her? Pass her to me."
Before he could finish, Lu Zhe's fist slammed into his face. "Shut it. You're not untouchable."
Lila, confused, tried to follow. Lu Yun?
From their talk, they knew each other. Lu Yun resembled Lu Zhe faintly, but Lila hadn't heard of another Lu sibling.
Lu Zhe, exasperated, said, "Lu Yun's my half-brother—a Lu family bastard, never acknowledged."
Lu Yun was born from their father's affair during a business trip. The woman returned with him, but Lu Zhe's mother fiercely opposed her. She lived outside, dying in childbirth, leaving Lu Yun. Their father claimed him, but Lu Zhe's mother treated him as an outcast, giving him minimal status.
Lu Zhe didn't hate Lu Yun but was frustrated by his recklessness. Grandma was his only real supporter. Lu Yun dropped out young, mixing with thugs, gaming, smoking, and brawling—a constant headache for Lu Zhe.
Every so often, Lu Yun demanded cash, usually from Lu Zhe.
"Today's just another shakedown," Lu Zhe said.
"What's he need all that money for?" Lila asked, sensing his mood.
Lu Zhe softened his icy aura. "No clue. He's bled me dry before. The family ignores him except me and Grandma. If he weren't so wild, he'd have a better place with us."
He draped his jacket over Lila, grabbed his tie, and led her back inside.