The end of winter was approaching, the winds blowing their last breath before spring arrived.
That day, Mrs. Yau acted strangely. She was suddenly calm and collected—unlike her usual fierce, impatient self who wanted everything done immediately. She told everyone to relax and do their best, but the increased dosage of her medicine didn't go unnoticed.
"Ma'am, we've done everything we could, but it seems their popularity has completely died online. There are no more videos of them," AJ reported.
Mrs. Yau took a slow drag from her cigar, exhaling before replying, "My dear girl, it's fine. It's frustrating that the tracker died, but get someone to replace it soon." She leaned back in her chair.
A sudden knock on the door interrupted them. Victor entered, and AJ clicked her pen, discreetly recording the conversation. She took a step back, keeping her head down.
"Mrs. Yau, I have an idea," Victor said, exhaling smoke. "I want to start rumors."
Mrs. Yau pulled her cigar away, turning to him sharply. "Are my ears deceiving me, or am I hearing exactly what I don't want to hear?"
"Mrs.—"
"No! Victor, I've told you many times—no!" she snapped. "If rumors start and fans turn away, Han will lose money. No more fame. No more income."
"I don't care about the money—I want him!" Victor shot back.
"You don't care, but I do." Mrs. Yau's gaze was cold. "How do you think I got where I am? I married a rich man I didn't love, ended up with a child who was useless—until he started making me money. That's how we're here. That's how you grew up instead of dying in the streets with the rest of your family."
Victor clenched his fists. "It might cost a little money, but if Han cares about his reputation, he'll leave that man."
For a brief moment, Mrs. Yau considered pressing the lit tip of her cigar into Victor's hand—just to see if he'd flinch. But he wasn't even worth that much effort. "No means no. I'm not taking that risk. And if I see anything online, I will be the one to ruin you." Her voice dropped, dangerous and final. "Now get out."
Victor huffed, turning on his heel and leaving.
Mrs. Yau turned to AJ, her expression still tight with irritation. "And what are you standing around for? Out!"
AJ silently exited the office, sending the recorded conversation to Han as soon as she stepped outside.
—
At Han's house, he and Jet listened to the recording together.
"Crazy woman," Jet muttered.
"She's taking more than usual now…" Han murmured, setting his phone down. "And starting rumors just to get rid of you? That's a new low."
Jet shook his head. "Never loved you, never loved your father… Poor thing." He leaned his head on Han's shoulder.
Han didn't reply. Even though Mrs. Yau had forbidden it, Victor clearly wasn't listening. A post had already surfaced—a blurry photo of them walking down the street, captioned: Doesn't the guy on the left look like actor Yau Han?
Jet rolled his eyes. "That's the best he's got?"
Han chuckled. "Now we just wait for the detectives to dig into it. The fans find information really fast, to be honest. It's scary sometimes."
Jet chuckled. "When you're obsessed with someone, you'll do anything for them. I'm hungry now."
"Well, what do you want to eat? Home-cooked food or eating out tonight?"
"Outside. I'm tired of eating the same thing every time I come here," Jet joked. "But it's still delicious once in a while."
"Alright, alright. I won't take your compliment this time."
Jet smiled at Han before grabbing his car keys to get food for both of them. Han smiled softly as Jet ran off, then closed his computer with a sigh.
'For a thousand years, I've searched for you. Now, I want to love you a thousand times more than before,' Han thought.
—
"...Look at that," Jet mumbled, looking at the screen.
It was the next morning and Jet woke up early to see the comments but discovered a whole book had been written about this ship. The fans took a look at the picture and found photos that showed it looked like Han but who was the man beside him?
Theories shot up everywhere about him and Jet read it with all his focus, not even skipping a word.
"What are you doing so early?"
Jet jumped hearing that voice, surprised as he was too immersed into the mystery. "Well, that post went viral that's all I can say, and there are a lot of theories about it."
Han raised a brow, walking over to the living room to check it out. He sat down on the ground next to Jet to read the comments. Who knew just a few hours of sleep, fans all over the world worked to find information?
Jet turned on his phone, scrolling his social media. "Erm… Han," he called.
Han turned to him, curious.
Jet pulled out his phone right in front of him, Han taking out his glasses to look at it more clearly.
Jet blinked, "You have glasses?" he asked, surprised.
"Don't you think reading or writing so much will affect your eyesight?" Han replied, turning his focus to him.
Jet took a moment before looking at him, "So, you actually can't see things clearly? But you never wear glasses–how?"
"Contact lenses, babe," Han answered. "You just never see me take it off because you're already asleep by then,"
Jet frowned. "Asleep? We don't even live in the same house—"
Han adjusted his glasses, barely glancing at him. "Mm. But I still need to see clearly."
Jet squinted. "See what?"
Han scrolled lazily through the screen, voice calm. "Your face. Every reaction. Every little sound you make." He let a small pause settle before adding, "I like to see it clearly."
Jet felt the heat rise up his neck. "You—" He shut his mouth, realizing Han wasn't even looking at him, as if he hadn't just said something that made Jet's stomach flip.
That bastard.
"They're fast at finding similar photos and making up theories, but still," Han handed Jet back his phone. "Figuring you out is still a tough one."
Jet shrugged, opening a few images people had commented on, chuckling as he saw them. "Suddenly, I'm a celebrity just because of my eyes in a photo."
Han chuckled and nodded. "And suddenly, I'm dating a celebrity. Isn't that awesome?"
Jet rolled his eyes and kept scrolling through his social media. Han peeked, already knowing what he was looking at.
"I guess you're a little obsessed with it," Han said. "With me."
Jet turned off his phone. He knew exactly what Han meant—his entire feed was full of him. Jet couldn't even explain himself anymore.
"Ashton Niche, Caleb Rowanni," Han muttered the names. "It's kind of sad they couldn't guess yours."
Jet shook his head. "That's how it should be, right? Celebrities with other celebrities."
After that sentence, doubt settled in between them.
"What do you mean by that?" Han asked, a hint of worry in his tone.
"It's nothing," Jet brushed it off. "Let's get back on track."
Han didn't buy it. His eyes narrowed as he leaned closer. "No, really. What do you mean by that?"
Jet kept his expression neutral, scrolling past another ridiculous theory online. "Just saying, it's easier for people to accept when celebrities date each other. They like things that fit their fantasy."
Han exhaled through his nose, watching him carefully. "And what, you think us being together doesn't fit that?"
Jet's grip on his phone tightened slightly, but he didn't answer. He didn't have to.
Han reached out, tilting Jet's chin up so their eyes met. His voice softened. "They don't get to decide what's real. We do."
Jet let out a small chuckle, shaking his head. "I know, I know. It's just… funny, I guess."
Han didn't look convinced, but he let it go. For now. "Let's just focus on handling this mess first."
Jet nodded, pushing aside the doubt creeping in. "Yeah."
—
"Finding you, Ron, is going to be easy," Victor muttered at his computer.