"According to what, Bian?" Jian's gaze bore into him with quiet intensity. He had always known his brother was hiding something—a huge secret. Even in his past life, he had never managed to uncover it. How could he have known he was an alien before anyone else? How did he know about the gem on his forehead? So many things didn't add up, and now, standing before him, Bian seemed more distant than ever.
Suddenly, footsteps echoed in the hallway, snapping Jian out of his tangled thoughts.
He quickly released Bian's arm and helped adjust his clothes, all the while wondering what the hell was going on.
A few students passed by, carrying stacks of homework books, their chatter a dull background noise.
"Jian?" Rui's voice broke through the tension, concern lacing every word. He stood at the door, his eyes searching Jian's face. "Are you okay?"
Jian forced a smile, though his mind was still spinning. "Yeah, I'm good. The teacher asked me to go to the staff room. No idea why."
"Oh." Rui's gaze shifted behind Jian, landing on Bian, who was mumbling something incoherent under his breath. "He didn't cause you any trouble, did he?"
Jian glanced at Bian with a smirk, masking the unease in his chest. "No. Not at all."
Bian's lips trembled, and he kept muttering, his words barely audible.
"Is he... okay?"
"He's always like this." Jian patted Rui's back lightly, nudging him toward the hallway. "Go on, class is probably waiting for you."
"Sure. But... be careful." Rui's worried gaze lingered as he slowly walked away, glancing back over his shoulder.
The second he was out of sight, Jian grabbed Bian's arm again, this time more firmly. "Come on, brother. Let's go."
Without warning, Bian tightened his grip on Jian's wrist, almost painfully. His voice wavered, full of desperation. "How... how did you meet him? Why didn't I know?"
Jian rolled his eyes, more out of frustration than anything. He didn't have time for Bian's erratic questions. Not now.
They reached the staff room, which felt eerily quiet. Jian hesitated before knocking, his heart thudding in his chest. When he opened the door, his breath caught—his grandmother was sitting there, right next to his homeroom teacher.
"I'm out," Jian muttered, immediately turning to leave. This can't be good.
"Wait, Jian." The voice that called out to him was familiar—too familiar.
"Grandpa?" He blinked, confused. His grandmother's large frame had hidden his grandfather's slim figure from view. That's why Jian hadn't noticed him at first. "What are you doing here?" Frowning, he rushed to his side.
His eyes narrowed as he glanced between his grandfather and grandmother. Why are they here together? An uncomfortable tightness gripped his chest. What did she do to him? Why are they acting like this? I need to get him out of here, away from her...
With gentle but urgent hands, Jian grasped his grandfather's bony fingers. "Grandpa, let's go. We don't need to stay here."
"Jian..." His grandfather's voice was soft, almost pleading. "We need to discuss something. Let's go home. You too, Bian."
"Home? Where?" Jian asked, shaking his head in disbelief. "That's not home. Our home is at the construction site." His voice wavered, the thought of leaving it all behind making his stomach churn. The construction site was their sanctuary, their safe space. Why leave?
"Jian, please. Listen to me." His grandfather's words were heavy, filled with an emotion Jian couldn't quite place. Slowly, the old man pulled Jian into a gentle embrace, his frail arms trembling as he held him close. "You'll understand it all when we get there. Just... trust me."
Jian stood frozen for a moment, feeling the warmth of his grandfather's fragile body. But that warmth was overshadowed by the cold knot of uncertainty tightening inside him.