"Ahhh... I feel like I've finally gotten rid of the heavy rock that's been holding me back all this time."
Ah Fei said as soon as they left the exam room. Lulu smiled. His friend was a good complainer. But he never gave up. Only his mouth work faster then his hands and brain.
"You've worked hard."
Lulu said as he patted Ah Fei on the back.
"Congratulations, everyone."
Zhang Yiran said to Lulu and Ah Fei. They smiled. The final exam was over. Now they could take a break from studying. At least one burden was lifted.
They sat in the park enjoying afternoon tea like normally teenagers their age does.
Zhang Yiran walked to the edge of the park. Sitting on a bench while watching his friends' behavior from afar. The atmosphere seemed lively. Mu Zhe and Ah Fei looked cheerful. As if they weren't the ones who cried until their eyes were swollen yesterday.
Lulu turned around. Seeing Zhang Yiran walking away. Maybe something was bothering his feelings.
Lulu made his way over to his brother.
"Have you met dad recently?"
He asked. He knew Zhang Yiran still hadn't forgiven their father. However, to him, his father might had a reason for acting like that. Ru Yi's words before made him think about that. Deeply.
Zhang Yiran was silent.
"I used to hate dad too."
Lulu said.
"But, there must be a reason why he acted like that."
Lulu said as he sat next to Zhang Yiran. He didn't want his brother to continue hating their father. After hearing everything, he knew that both of their parents had sacrificed too much to ensure their safety.
"I know that."
Zhang Yiran replied.
"But... I don't know how to face him after what happening."
Zhang Yiran explained. Lulu was silent. Sipped his soda a few times and then said,
"We'll meet him together. We need to talk so that he can feel at ease."
Zhang Yiran was silent. For a long time. He still wasn't ready to face the man. However, he began to think about how much time he might have for them to be together? Zhang Yiran nodded. Not wanting to go through the regrets that had no way back.
Lulu smiled. He knew that their father felt guilty. That's why he tried not to clash with them. Only Bo Ya was the mediator. He needed to end it all. Their mother wanted them to live happily together.
Zhang Yiran turned his gaze to Mu Zhe. His friend seemed happy. He was teasing Jiang Hai and the others. Sometimes he would throwing a tantrums when his wishes were not followed by the others.
Ah Fei just smiled at his seniors' antics. Sometimes he seemed to laugh happily. Sometimes he would snapped and fight back. Zhang Yiran's heart was happy to see that.
Ma Yuan, maybe because he was the only adult among the teenagers, his didn't react much. Sometimes he could smile. And the rest was just silence.
"We have to end Li Yue's madness."
Zhang Yiran said. Lulu nodded.
"And we have to help Bo Ya and the others."
He said. His eyes were fixed on Mu Zhe's face. Memories of Mu Zhe crying until he fell asleep in his arms played in his eyes. He needed to end Mu Zhe's suffering as soon as possible.
"Hahaha..."
Zhang Yiran suddenly laughed. Lulu looked at his brother's face full with full of questions mark all over his head.
"What are you laughing at? What so funny?"
He asked. Zhang Yiran shook his head. Still giggling.
"No.. I just think that among us, Jiang Hai is the luckiest."
He said.
"Senior Jiang? Why?"
Lulu asked more puzzled.
"Because, his chosen one is a strong one."
Zhang Yiran said. Lulu nodded. Can't deny it.
"But... he's also the unluckiest."
Lulu answered.
"Hm..? Why?"
Zhang Yiran asked. He looked at Lulu face without blinking.
"Because until now Ru Yi still hasn't accepted him."
Lulu answered with a proud smile. Zhang Yiran nodded. Also carved a proud smile.
"But...have you expressed your feelings to Mu Zhe?"
Zhang Yiran asked. Lulu went silent. His smile died. He slowly shook his head.
"Haaaa... I haven't either..."
Zhang Yiran sighed as he leaned back. It felt like his entire soul and body had flown somewhere. The same with Lulu.
"You think... Zhou Jun and Teacher Ma..."
The two of them looked at Ma Yuan. Zhou Jun was never far from him. Always by his side, helping with whatever he needed. And every now and then Zhou Jun was seen hugging Ma Yuan's waist tightly. And Ma Yuan didn't refuse. In fact, he looked comfortable.
"Haaaa..."
The two of them sighed weakly. It turned out that Zhou Jun was the luckiest among all of them.
***
All eyes were focused on Fu Heng who back with his long hair and a few layers of makeup.
"I'm a little busy today. You guys... Ermmm... Just sit down. Make yourself at home. Don't be shy."
He said while carving a sweet smile.
"If you want a drink, there's soda in the fridge. If you want coffee or tea, you can make it yourself."
Fu Heng said again while pointing to the pantry behind his desk.
Fu Heng sat with sharp eyes focused on his computer screen. His Princess aura disappeared in an instant.
"Ten minutes. You have to finish everything in ten minutes."
He said. All eyes were focused on Fu Heng. Who was he talking to?
"Ten minutes!?"
A voice came from the intercom. Zhang Yiran looked at Lulu. Lulu did the same. "Bo Ya." Their eyes returned to Fu Heng.
"That's all I can do."
Fu Heng replied.
"Okay. We have to hurry. Get ready everyone! Phantom ready!"
A loud voice from the other end.
"Shadow ready!"
Another voice was heard from the other end of the line. "Ru Yi." All eyes were on Jiang Hai. Jiang Hai's lips were quivering. His heart was beating fast. Worried.
"Dolphin ready!"
The answer from another voice. "Ling Er." They looked at each other. "What's going on?"
"Phoenix ready!"
All eyes were on Mu Zhe. "Bai Lu." Mu Zhe swallowed his saliva which was starting to taste bitter.
"Black panther ready!"
"Li Feng." Everyone swallowed their saliva. They knew that they were on a dangerous mission.
"Chameleon ready!"
Fu Heng said. Fu Heng looked at the teenagers whose faces had changed color. White as sheet.
"Please wait."
His lips said silently. They just stiffened without reaction.
The atmosphere in the room was silent. Each one focused on each hearing from the intercom and the clock on the wall. Each one's heart was beating fast and cold sweat began to wet their bodies.
"Mission successful. All sweeper units back to the camp."
The words that brought the six teenagers back to life.
"Sweepers to the control center. Mission successful."
Fu Heng said, reporting to the control center.
"Haaa...."
Mu Zhe sighed in relief as his body slid from the chair to the floor. He was relieved that his brother was safe.
However, Jiang Hai was still not relieved. As long as he didn't see Ru Yi, he wasn't satisfied. He needed to see for himself that Ru Yi returned without a scratch.
"Hahaha...."
Fu Heng suddenly laughed. All eyes looked at Fu Heng with fiery gazes.
"Don't be angry. This is just stimulation. Not the real one. All of you won't be here if it was the real mission."
Fu Heng said, still laughing.
"You!"
Their voices were in unison.
"Why didn't you tell me earlier!?"
Mu Zhe shouted angrily while standing up straight. His eyes started to glaze over. His heart almost stopped beating because he was afraid that something would happen to Bai Lu. Fu Heng was stunned. His laughter died instantly.
"Mu Zhe. Calm down. Everyone is safe."
Lulu persuaded. Mu Zhe looked at Lulu's face. fiercely. His chest heaved violently. Tears quickly flowing down to his cheeks.
"But..."
He muttered in tears. Lulu quickly pulled him to his arms.
"Everything is fine."
He persuaded. Mu Zhe nodded. But his tears continued to flow without any sign of stopping.