"What are you trying to do?"
Fu Heng asked Jonathan over afternoon tea.
"Nothing at all. Why do you ask?"
Jonathan met his gaze, face perfectly innocent.
"Does Daddy know?"
Silence.
"Papa?"
Still silence.
Fu Heng sighed deeply.
"I'm telling Papa and Daddy —"
"— Don't!"
Jonathan clung to his waist, face all soft and pleading.
"Please don't tell them. They'll be so angry with me."
Fu Heng sighed again. His little brother had always been this way — clinging close, never wanting to be apart. But there was a dark side beneath his every smile.
"Fine. I'll talk them round. You can stay."
"Yay! Thank you, big brother! I promise I'll listen to everything you say!"
Jonathan beamed.
"Truly?"
Jonathan nodded, earnest and convincing.
"Leave Mu Zhe and Lulu alone. Both of them."
Jonathan fell quiet, pouting. Mu Zhe must have told him, he thought.
"Can you promise?"
Fu Heng pinched his nose gently.
"Ouch!"
Jonathan swatted his hand away. Fu Heng didn't let go — not until he got his answer.
"Fine! I promise."
Fu Heng released him, satisfied. Jonathan rubbed his bright-red nose and scowled.
"Monster."
He muttered it under his breath, glaring daggers. Fu Heng didn't mind. He knew what his little brother needed — and he knew he held the upper hand.
Years before.
"Papa…"
Fu Heng's voice died in his throat. He stared at the man beside his father — holding a small child, no more than five or six years old.
"Fu Heng — this is Qihan. Doctor Liu's brother. He'll be staying with us from now on."
Ruan Xi's voice was steady, though his own heart was heavy. He didn't fully understand it all himself.
Fu Heng nodded. His eyes fixed on the little boy sleeping peacefully in Qihan's arms.
"Shall I prepare the spare room at the back?"
"Go to bed. You have school tomorrow."
Fu Heng watched the child. Unblinking.
"Want to carry him?"
Qihan's voice was soft, nothing like Ruan Xi's. Fu Heng nodded quickly and stepped forward, taking the little boy gently into his arms.
"What's his name?"
He whispered, afraid to wake him.
"Jonathan."
Qihan whispered back, smiling.
"Okay."
Fu Heng tiptoed toward his room — then stopped. He turned back, looking at his father.
"Papa… can you open the door for me?"
Ruan Xi smiled, touched. He followed him in. Fu Heng laid Jonathan down — slow, careful.
"Papa…"
"Yes, my love —"
"Shhh!"
Fu Heng pressed a finger to his lips, eyes wide and serious. Ruan Xi nodded, lowering his voice.
"What is it?"
"Jonathan will stay with us forever… won't he?"
Hope shone bright in his eyes.
Ruan Xi froze. He didn't know what to say. Things with Qihan were still unclear. And here was his twelve-year-old son asking for something so big.
He couldn't bear to break Fu Heng's heart. His son never asked for anything — he simply accepted whatever came his way. But this… this was different. Ruan Xi nodded slowly. How do I tell Qihan about this? Why… of all people… did it have to be Jonathan you wanted?
"Thank you, Papa."
Fu Heng kissed his cheek, beaming.
"Sleep now."
Fu Heng curled up beside Jonathan, wrapping his arms gently around the smaller boy. Ruan Xi tucked them in, turned off the light, and slipped out.
He sank down, head in hands. What am I to do…? He glanced at Qihan asleep on the sofa, looking worn out. Sighed again.
Morning come.
"Good morning, little one."
Jonathan's eyes flew open — wide, confused.
"Papa…?"
Tears welled.
"Shhh… your Papa's still asleep. Don't cry. You'll play with me today."
Jonathan bit his lip, holding back tears.
"I'll take you to him. Don't cry."
Jonathan nodded, wiping his eyes. So cute… Fu Heng's heart melted.
"Come on."
He lifted Jonathan and carried him to the living room — empty.
"Where is everyone?"
"Eat your vegetables, okay?"
A voice from the kitchen.
Fu Heng stepped in to find Ruan Xi preparing breakfast for four.
"Papa. You're not working today?"
Fu Heng asked.
"Papa!"
Jonathan reached out at once.
"There's my boy."
Qihan took him into his arms, brushing away the last traces of tears.
"Fu Heng — go shower. Get ready for school."
Ruan Xi said. Fu Heng pouted.
"Papa … can't I —"
"School now."
"But —"
"Jonathan isn't going anywhere. Go."
Fu Heng's heart sank. He wanted to stay, to make sure they wouldn't be gone when he came back.
"We're not going anywhere. Promise."
Qihan smiled softly.
"Come home and play all you want."
"Really?"
Fu Heng's face lit up.
"Really."
"Pinkie promise?"
Qihan linked his little finger with his.
"Pinkie promise — if you lie, I'll cut your finger, punch you ten thousand times, and make you swallow a thousand needles…"
And so it was sealed — a promise that Qihan would stay with them, forever.