Semester break had begun. All seven teenagers and one teacher were back in what Ru Yi had built — training ground, purgatory, whatever name you gave it. Pushing harder than ever before.
Days spent in mud, crawling under barbed wire, hauling tires, tangled in nets, climbing walls that seemed to reach the sky. They fell, they got up, and they did it all again — until the sun went down.
"This isn't summer camp. This is hell."
Mu Zhe groaned, flopping onto a bench in the locker room once training ended. The others smiled, glancing his way. Spoiled thing… how is it you and Bai Lu so different? they wondered quietly.
"It's alright. We get two days off tomorrow."
Lulu sat beside him, soft and steady. Mu Zhe lifted his face, studying him — how could he bear all this so calmly?
His gaze drifted to Zhang Yiran instead. Calmly undressing, ready to shower — until something caught Mu Zhe's eye. He sat up quickly and walked over.
"What's this?"
He touched the long scar across Zhang Yiran's stomach. Everyone drew near, curious.
"Oh. This? Just an old wound."
Zhang Yiran pulled a towel over it, shutting the past away.
Ah Fei froze, staring. Why had he never noticed? He'd seen Zhang Yiran shirtless before — many times — yet never once seen it. His fingers tightened around his towel.
"Come on, let's go. Ru Yi will be here soon."
Zhang Yiran moved to lead the way. They nodded, but the questions hung thick in the air. He hurried toward the showers before Ah Fei's quiet look could undo him.
Mu Zhe turned to Lulu, eyes asking. Lulu gave a small, gentle shake of his head — don't push.
Mu Zhe pouted, not satisfied.
"Let's wash up first. When Zhang Yiran's ready to tell us, he will."
Lulu soothed him. Something told him Mu Zhe's sulking was growing sweeter, clingier, needing more of his attention — and he loved it. Yet fear pricked him too: what if one day he was the one who hurt the boy he loved?
Mu Zhe huffed but obeyed — snatched Lulu's towel, shot him one sharp look, and marched off with the others.
"Was that mine?"
Lulu asked Jiang Hai. Jiang Hai shrugged, grinning.
"Good luck."
He patted Lulu's shoulder and followed the rest, leaving Lulu standing there, blinking.
Weekend.
Lulu shadowed Mu Zhe's every step as they wandered the town. Shop after shop — in, browsing, out again. He'd lost count how many places they'd been. His eyes never left Mu Zhe, keeping him safe. Li Yue was still out there, waiting to strike. They couldn't be careless — not for a moment.
His father and uncle had secured their protection, yes. But protecting Mu Zhe? That was his duty.
"What caught your eye?"
Lulu asked as they paused by a hair-accessory stall.
"Do you think… this is pretty?"
Mu Zhe held up a butterfly hair clip.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
Lulu's heart raced. He remembered buying birthday gifts for Bu Mi. Remembered the clip he'd kept tucked away — the one he'd once placed in Mu Zhe's hair.
"Lulu?"
"Ah — sorry."
Lulu came back to himself.
"Is it pretty?"
Mu Zhe pouted.
Lulu smiled. He took the clip gently and fixed it in Mu Zhe's hair.
"Beautiful."
Mu Zhe stared, frozen, mouth slightly parted. Lulu swallowed hard — those soft lips… he wanted so much to kiss them.
"Ahem — let's get something to eat. I'm starving."
He paid quickly, desperate to hide how much he wanted him.
Mu Zhe stood still, heart hammering — thump-thump-thump — fast, wild, like it might leap right out.
Lulu noticed he'd fallen behind. Turned, smiling.
"Mu Zhe?"
"Ah!"
He jumped, snapping his mouth shut — face burning red, all the way to his ears and neck.
"Come on."
Lulu's voice was soft, tender.
"Okay."
Mu Zhe looked down, hurrying to catch up. What is happening? Does he feel it too? Is this love? God… if this is a dream, please don't wake me.
Lulu glanced sideways — saw those bright tomato-red ears, and smiled.
"Watch out!"
Lulu pulled him fast into his arms as two children darted past. Mu Zhe stumbled — again, lost count how many times lately.
He looked up — and his heart answered Lulu's, beat for beat, fast and wild as one.
Drip. A drop. Drip. Another. Blood trickled from his nose.
"Ah — your nose!"
Lulu wiped it gently with his sleeve — but it kept flowing, fast and unstoppable. Panic rose in him. Bai Lu hurried over.
"What happened?"
Mu Zhe shook his head quickly, face flushing deeper — embarrassed, so embarrassed if everyone knew.
Behind them, Jiang Hai, Zhou Jun, Zhang Yiran and Ah Fei smiled knowingly. Especially seeing that lovely butterfly clip shining in his hair.
"Looks like someone's just a little too excited about their first date."
Zhou Jun whispered.
"Date?"
Ma Yuan leaned in.
"Ours?"
Zhou Jun turned to him, soft and sure.
"We never needed one single date. Because my love for you… has no expiration date."