Lulu staggered towards Mu Zhe who was sitting on the bench waiting for him.
"Mu Zhe..."
Called Lulu. Mu Zhe raised his face. His heart felt like it was being cut when he saw Lulu's lifeless face. Mu Zhe pursed his lips.
"I'm tired..."
Lulu complained while sitting next to Mu Zhe. Slowly he rested his head on Mu Zhe's shoulder. He close his eyes tightly. It felt hot.
He didn't know what to do. So many things were happening at the same time. And it was too fast for his brain to digest it all.
The sadness of losing his mother was not yet over. Then he also found out that the mysterious uncle who he thought to be her mother's lover, who always visited and helped them in secret, was his biological father.
And what was even more surprising was that Zhang Yiran was his biological brother who was kidnapped fifteen years ago. All this time he only knew that Zhang Yiran was his stepbrother. Why did everyone want to keep secrets from him?
What was more and more surprising was how much his brother suffered until he vomited of blood. What really happened? Lulu's brain failed to digest all of that.
Mu Zhe tightly held Lulu's hand. Trying to give strength to his junior. He knew that Lulu was not as strong as he showed. He wanted at least once, for Lulu to show his weakness to him. Give him space to be a shoulder for Lulu to lean on.
"You all go back first. Let me wait and take care of everything here. After all, you have school tomorrow."
Bo Ya said as he walked over with Ma Yuan who came as soon as he received the news from Zhou Jun.
Lulu opened his eyes. Stared at Bo Ya's face. He knew that Bo Ya was also tired. Even though Bo Ya didn't show it, Lulu knew. Because he also tired.
Lulu looked at Mu Zhe. He knew Mu Zhe must be tired. He began to feel guilty for dragging Mu Zhe into his family's problems.
"Okay. If papa and my brother are awake, please call me."
Lulu said. Bo Ya smiled bitterly and nodded.
"Don't think about all that. Just focus on your studies."
He said. Lulu nodded. Gently patted Mu Zhe's arm before standing up and being followed by Mu Zhe.
"Tonight you sleep at Ma Yuan's house. That's safer."
Bo Ya said. Ma Yuan nodded. After hearing Bo Ya's reasons earlier, Ma Yuan agreed to take Lulu and the others under his protection. Especially after seeing for himself how Li Yue was towards his students the other days.
"But.."
Mu Zhe remember about Fantuan. There was no way they would let Fantuan wait at home alone. His mind began to imagine Fantuan's sad face.
"Go back and get what you need. Don't delay. Remember, now is not a safe time for all of you."
Bo Ya's message. If it weren't for Zhang Yiran and Zhang Zhiqi needing to be treated, he himself would have taken on the responsibility. Mu Zhe nodded. Starting to remember Li Yue. About her killer aura. Mu Zhe's body started to shiver when he remembered all that.
"Be careful everyone. Ma Yuan. Sorry to bother you."
Bo Ya said as he gently patted Ma Yuan's shoulder. Ma Yuan nodded.
On the way, everyone was silent. Mu Zhe's hand couldn't let go of Lulu's hand. He wanted Lulu to know that he was the only shoulder for Lulu to lean on at that moment.
Jiang Hai was busy typing a message on his phone. Informing someone of any updates on the matter they were facing. Hoping that the person wasn't too worried and acting out of control.
Ah Fei sat quietly while hugging his school bag tightly. All this time he had been jealous of Zhang Yiran's happiness. However, he began to feel guilty accusing Zhang Yiran of being a spoiled child who got everything without any effort.
After seeing everything that happened to his senior, Ah Fei was determined to be Zhang Yiran's support in achieving happiness and forgetting all the suffering he had endured all this time.
Zhou Jun drove while his eyes watched the reactions of his friends in the back seat. Everyone looked gloomy. His heart felt heavy seeing their sullen faces. But he didn't know what to do.
Zhou Jun watched Ma Yuan's face next to him. His gaze seemed to be cast far out the window. Zhou Jun tightly held Ma Yuan's hand which was starting to turn cold. He didn't know if it was because of the air-conditioning or because of his fear.
Ma Yuan turned around. He looked at Zhou Jun who seemed to be focused on the road in front of him. Ma Yuan returned Zhou Jun's handshake. Telling him that he was fine. Zhou Jun smiled. His heart was relieved.
***
"Tonight, you guys sleep in my room."
Zhao Jun said. The others nodded.
"Then where do you want to sleep?"
Jiang Hai asked. Feeling uncomfortable letting Zhou Jun sleep in the living room when they could sleep in a comfortable place.
"I'll sleep in his room."
Zhao Jun said while pointing at Ma Yuan. "Ha!?" Mu Zhe and Jiang Hai looked at each other. "Do you really hate Teacher Ma?" Zhou Jun just smiled.
Ma Yuan's face was starting to tighten like a rusty screw. It felt like there was a secret that Zhou Jun was keeping. Especially when Mu Zhe was there. His heart really felt uncomfortable.
"Come on."
Zhao Jun said as he pushed Ma Yuan out of his room. With a forced face, Ma Yuan agreed. However, he managed to glare at Mu Zhe. Mu Zhe just smiled.
"Go to bed early, everyone. If you want to drink, just get it in the kitchen. Don't be shy. Just make it like your own home."
Zhao Jun said before closing the door. Mu Zhe and Jiang Hai looked at each other. "What happened?" Jiang Hai shrugged his shoulders.
"You and Lulu sleep on the bed. Let me and Ah Fei sleep on the floor. Okay Ah Fei?"
Jiang Hai made a suggestion. Ah Fei nodded in agreement. Seeing Lulu's lifeless face, he wanted Lulu to get all the comfort he needed and he also knew that only Mu Zhe could give Lulu peace of mind in all things.
After the lights went out, Lulu began to shed all the sadness he had been holding in since before. His mother's smile lingered in his eyes. The memories of their time together slowly became a knife that pierced his heart without sympathy.
Mu Zhe, who heard Lulu's cries, slowly turned his body to face Lulu.
"Let it all go. Don't keep it to yourself."
He whispered while hugging Lulu tightly. His tears also flowing through his cheeks.
"I'm scared Mu Zhe."
Lulu whispered while hugging himself tightly.
"Don't be scared, I'm here."
Mu Zhe replied while stroking Lulu's hair. "Mu Zhe. I'm scared that something will happen to you too. What should I do...?" Lulu returned Mu Zhe's hug.
Fantuan, who was sleeping soundly on the edge of the bed, also woke up hearing Lulu's sobs. Slowly he approached his papa. Gently licked his papa's cheek with love.
Below, Ah Fei hugged his pillow tightly. The tears he had been trying to hold back from earlier were finally flowing. He didn't expect that senior Zhang, who was so calm on the surface, was in unbearable pain.