The crowd roared, egging Lila on: "Come on, Big Bro's sis-in-law's gotta be a star!"
Lila couldn't dodge the hype and climbed on stage. No piano or drums here—just an electronic keyboard. She wasn't versed in other instruments, so she settled at the keys.
The keyboard guy stepped aside, and Lila, recalling her score, began to play. The sound lacked a piano's depth, but her skill shone, the melody catchy and bright.
"Sis-in-law, you play too?" Lu Yun grinned, grabbing his electric guitar to riff along. The crew joined, and though Lila's tune wasn't hardcore rock, its upbeat pulse got everyone hyped.
She glanced at the teens below—some as young as fifteen, none older than her. A bunch of kids dreaming of an esports empire, fighting for their shot. It was wild, inspiring.
A song hit her, perfect for them. "Run, Young Dreamers…" Through crowded roads and crushing setbacks, spread your wings, and I'll face any storm.
Lila hummed softly, and someone handed her a mic. Her gentle yet fierce voice filled the room, resonating with every heart.
The song ended, but the vibe lingered. Lu Yun's eyes gleamed with awe. "Sis-in-law, you sing like a pro and slay the keys!"
Lila saw him anew—a dreamer, not just a rebel. "You're not bad yourself. Hey, Grandma's birthday's soon, right?"
His face darkened, a bitter smirk twisting. "Pfft, me? Nah. They'd say I don't fit in—bunch of crap."
Lila read him: he wanted to go but feared judgment and letting Grandma down. "Go," she urged softly. "Grandma's waiting for your gift. Show up, behave—someone'll see your worth."
With Lu Yun, you couldn't push too hard or too soft—just enough to nudge him forward.
He hesitated, then met her gaze. "Lots of Lu folks think I don't deserve Lu Zhe—my background, my degree, all 'subpar.' Grandma's my biggest cheerleader. I won't let her down. You?"
Her words struck a chord. After a pause, he mumbled, "I won't either. Got a gift ready."
Lila mentally fist-bumped. "Wanna team up? I need an EDM genius."
"EDM genius?" Lu Yun's brows shot up, his grin electric. He soaked up the praise and nodded eagerly.
They brainstormed for hours, and Lila watched his slick gaming moves—impressive. "One last thing, Lu Yun: go all in," she said.
He nodded, dropping her home that afternoon.
Something was off. Lu Zhe, rarely home, was there, his face stormy. "You were with Lu Yun? Did he threaten you? Cause trouble? I'll deal with him."
He stood to leave, but Lila grabbed his sleeve. "No, he didn't do anything. Lu Zhe, have you ever considered what Lu Yun really wants? He's not just a slacker—he's got dreams, things he's chasing."
Her tone was calm, testing the waters.
As expected, Lu Zhe's face hardened. "Dreams? He could study, take half the Lu empire. Instead, he's wasting time. Dreams? What a joke."
His words cut sharper than she'd braced for. "You've known him days and think you get him? Don't lecture me—you're not qualified!" He yanked his sleeve free, stepping closer.
Talks failed. Lila held her ground but bristled. "Not qualified? Hilarious. Is Vanessa more qualified?"
She stepped back, their distance a heartbeat from kiss or clash. "As your fiancée, I'm not enough? What does it take?"
Her words froze him. He hadn't meant to snap—he was just frayed, dreading Lu Yun dragging Lila into trouble. Seeing her safe eased him, but her push on Lu Yun sparked his fuse.
He'd lashed out, and now regret gnawed. "I'm… sorry," he muttered, awkward. "I got heated."
Lila's eyes shimmered, her heart a tangle. "Not your first 'sorry.' I don't deserve it—maybe I don't deserve you."
His softness stirred her, but her own hurt flared. She turned to leave, but he called, "Lila, I—"
"We're done talking," she cut in, chest tight, a dull ache spreading. My fault for caring.
The air grew heavy. Lila clammed up, and Lu Zhe fumbled for words. Their dynamic—blazing warmth one moment, icy distance the next—stayed stifling.
Lila prepped for class, and Lu Zhe trailed silently, driving her to campus. "Call me after. I'll pick you up," he said as she got out.
She nodded, thinking, Don't overthink. Fixing this takes time.
In economics class, her senior sat beside her, Wendy on the other side. He slipped her a note: Thanks, Lila. Without you, I might've spilled to Vanessa, screwing you over. My mom'd get short-term help, but no real fix.
Lila scribbled back: What if I used you on purpose? Still grateful?
He paused, then wrote: I'd still thank you. There's good and bad using—you didn't do me dirty. Honored to be your pawn.
Lila smirked, replying: Work hard. I don't need pawns now.
They doodled notes, laughing. After class, he handed her some files. Wendy, curious, nudged, "What's with the secret notes?"
Lila patted her head. "I said I sold him off—believe it?"
"For real?" Wendy gasped. "You trafficking now?"
Lila laughed. "Kidding, dummy. He's got a job at Chen Yu's company."
Wendy nodded, grinning.
Afternoon was gym—basketball. After lunch, Lila changed into fresh athletic gear. Warm-ups done, the coach taught new moves, then let them scrimmage. Lila joined a half-court game.
The basketball guys proposed a mixed-gender match, and Lila dove in. Vanessa lurked nearby, smirking. "Just wait, Lila."
The game kicked off, drawing a crowd. Lila focused, adrenaline pumping. Mixed games taxed girls more, so the guys slowed the pace.
"Need a break?" a teammate asked.
Lila wiped sweat, shaking her head, eager for more.
Vanessa slunk closer, a stone hidden in her hand. As Lila went for a three-step layup, Vanessa hurled it at her knee. The hit threw Lila off, and she crashed to the ground, knee stinging.
"You okay?" teammates shouted, rushing over as the game paused.
Her knee was scraped, bruised, but not agony. "I'm fine," Lila said, struggling. "Keep playing. I'll hit the infirmary."
The team captain offered, "I'll carry you. You can't walk that far."
Lila let him piggyback her. Vanessa, smirking, snapped a photo, angling to hide Lila's injury.
In the infirmary, the nurse checked her. "No big damage—bones are fine. Be careful, especially girls in hoops."
Lila nodded, brushing it off, not yet connecting her fall to foul play.
The nurse handed the captain ointment. "Help her apply this—I've got to run." Vanessa, spying at the door, took another sneaky shot.
After school, Lu Zhe was there, as promised. Lila's knee still throbbed faintly.
Vanessa spotted his car and sashayed over. "Lu Zhe, darling, I've missed you!" She reached for a hug, but he stepped back, frowning.
Lila emerged from the gate, catching the scene, her mood souring. Lu Zhe's eyes found her, and he strode over, scooping her into a princess carry.
Lila, startled, could walk slowly despite the ache. Lu Zhe hadn't noticed her injury, but Vanessa's presence darkened his mood. Lately, he found her… grating, though he couldn't say why.
"Moving slow to bait my princess carry?" he teased in her ear, his voice soft, seductive.
Lila hadn't expected public affection—they weren't that cozy. "Put me down," she said, catching Vanessa's venomous glare. Smirking, Lila tightened her hold on Lu Zhe, mouthing to Vanessa: See? Your 'Lu Zhe darling' is carrying me. Keep chasing—won't help.
Vanessa seethed, lunging. "Lila, you shameless—"
She screeched, but Lu Zhe turned, spotting her storm off. Lila shrugged, feigning innocence.
Vanessa, you play clingy games, I can too—but I hate stooping to your level. Let's see what tricks you pull at the birthday bash.