Jet smiled faintly, brushing her words off. “He’s just a friend. I don’t think there’s anything for me to worry about.”

Li didn’t push further, though her thoughtful gaze lingered on him for a moment longer. “If you say so, little brother,” she said finally, patting his hand before standing. “Get some rest. You’ve been up far too late.”

—-

The late morning sunlight streamed through the windows as Jet finally made his way downstairs, his steps sluggish from oversleeping. His niece, Meixuan, squealed with delight at the sight of him and ran straight into his arms.

“Meixuan!” he exclaimed, lifting her up and spinning her around. Her laughter filled the air, lifting his mood.

As he settled her on his hip, Jet glanced around to find the house quieter than usual. Feng Zhi had already set off on his journey back home, and Feng Jian and Feng Bo were at the market, likely making last-minute purchases before they, too, departed.

Jet sighed in relief at the relative calm—it was the weekend, meaning he had a free day. After a light breakfast, he found his mother in the kitchen.

“Mother, may I go out this afternoon? I’ll be meeting them again.”

His mother raised an eyebrow but nodded approvingly. “ Go ahead, but be back before dinner.”

Jet smiled, thanking her before heading to his room to prepare. As he passed through the hall, he nearly jumped at the sound of his brothers’ voices behind him.

“Someone you’d be meeting, eh?” Feng Kian smirked, leaning casually against the doorframe. “Who might that be, Jet?”

Jet froze momentarily, schooling his expression into calm neutrality. “Just a friend,” he replied smoothly.

Feng Bo stepped closer, crossing his arms. “A friend, huh? We’re curious about this ‘friend’ of yours.”

Jet’s heart raced as he remembered the teacher’s cryptic advice and Li’s subtle warnings. He couldn’t risk raising their suspicions further. “It’s not what you’re thinking,” he said with a light laugh, brushing off their curiosity. “Just someone who’s been helping me with my lessons. I’ve been falling behind in class.”

The brothers exchanged knowing glances but didn’t press further, though their expressions made it clear they weren’t entirely convinced.

“Well, don’t get into trouble,” Feng Jian finally said, stepping aside to let him pass. “Father won’t take it lightly if you do.”

“Of course not,” Jet replied, maintaining his calm demeanor as he headed toward his room.

Once outside, Jet exhaled shakily, trying to steady his nerves. His brothers’ probing questions had unsettled him more than he’d anticipated, but he couldn’t let them stop him.

The winter air was crisp but mild, the kind that wrapped around you gently rather than biting. Jet walked along a familiar road, the one he often traveled with Han, leading from the village to his house.

Dressed in a light blue and white winter coat, he blended easily into the snowy surroundings, though the villagers still noticed him. They were quiet, thinking that he belonged to him. No one dared approach—except one.

“What are you doing here?” Xiao Yu stepped in front of him, blocking his path with a glare.

Jet blinked at her sudden appearance but maintained his composure. “Good afternoon. I’m here to visit Han.” His tone was polite, despite her hostility.

“Again?” she scoffed, giving him a pointed once-over. “Don’t you know not to bother people when they’re busy?”

“Of course—”

“And,” she interrupted, her eyes narrowing, “you shouldn’t meet someone who already has a mate.”

Jet’s curiosity piqued. “Oh? Who might that be?”

“Me,” Xiao Yu declared, her tone brimming with confidence.

Jet fought back a smirk, amused by her boldness. ‘Too confident.’ He took a step back, feigning retreat. “I see. My apologies for intruding. I’ll head back now.”

Xiao Yu scoffed again, clearly satisfied, and watched him turn around. Jet strolled away, suppressing a chuckle. “Great, now I can’t go to his house,” he murmured to himself, shaking his head.

Then an idea sparked. Smiling, he changed course, his feet carrying him toward a different destination—the waterfall with the pavilion.

Navigating the trail Han had once shown him, Jet moved slowly, the snow crunching softly beneath his boots. After a while, the sound of rushing water greeted him, and he looked up to see the pavilion perched above the cascade.

There, sitting alone, was Han, focused intently on carving a piece of wood. Jet’s grin widened as he climbed the small hill leading to the pavilion, his excitement outweighing the slippery path.

His footing faltered near the top, and he slipped, arms flailing to regain balance. Before he could hit the ground, Han was already rushing down, his reflexes swift as ever, catching Jet just in time.

“Always there to catch me, aren’t you?” Jet teased, his grin wide despite his stumble.

“Of course,” Han replied, his own smile warm and steady.

Their laughter rang through the snowy clearing, light and unrestrained, as they tried to pull themselves upright. But the slippery snow had other plans, sending them tumbling down together in a heap.

Each attempt to stand turned into another slip, their laughter growing louder with every fall. Eventually, they gave up, collapsing back into the snow with matching smiles.

The cold bit at their cheeks, but neither seemed to mind. They sat side by side at the pavilion, their breath forming soft clouds in the crisp air. The serene hush of the winter landscape surrounded them, the steady murmur of the waterfall providing a calming backdrop.

“Such a beautiful place, yet no one visits,” Jet sighed, his gaze sweeping across the tranquil scenery.

“It’s deep in the forest, off the usual paths. No one really knows about it,” Han replied with a small smile. “Though, I do have a shortcut.”

Jet pondered this for a moment before his face lit up with an idea. “If no one really comes here, why don’t we make it our spot? We can meet up here every day before heading elsewhere. We could sit and read, or practice swordsmanship by the waterfall. What do you think?”

Han’s eyes softened. “That sounds perfect. A place just for us.”

“And how’s your sword practice coming along?” Han added with a teasing edge.

Jet let out an awkward laugh, scratching the back of his head. “Let’s just say... I might need a refresher.”

Han chuckled, shaking his head. “Alright then, let’s go. I can’t let my student forget the basics.”

He led them both down to the flat area near the waterfall, where the ground was clear of snow. Han demonstrated the movements with precision, and Jet tried to mimic them, stumbling slightly but determined.

“So be it,” Han said with a grin, pausing to watch Jet try again. “This is our spot. And now, let’s see if it’s as great as you say it’ll be.”

Jet grinned back, “Fine by me!”