Knock! Knock! Knock!
Mu Zhe and Jiang Hai turned towards the main door. Started to think who the guest was. Lulu? Impossible. This is his house, it was impossible that he didn't have a key.
"Let me open it."
Zhang Yiran said as he quickly walked towards the main door. His face didn't look surprised at all, as if he knew who was coming.
"Here!"
Ah Fei said as soon as the door was opened. His face looked tired. Zhang Yiran smiled. Accepting the plastic bag from Ah Fei's hand.
"Thank you. Lulu will be back in a moment, let's join for dinner."
Zhang Yiran invited. Ah Fei agreed. With a frown he followed Zhang Yiran's steps.
"What is that?"
Mu Zhe asked eagerly as he saw the plastic bag in Zhang Yiran's hand.
"Fried chicken. Guess where it came from?"
Zhang Yiran asked as he showed the package to Jiang Hai.
"Chen family restaurant?"
Guess Jiang Hai. He really knows Ru Yi's cooking art. From the special aroma to the unique appearance, only Ru Yi has that privilege.
"Bingo."
Zhang Yiran said as he placed the package on the dining table.
"Sorry Ah Fei. Next time if he ask for something, you don't need to go if you're busy."
Mu Zhe said. Ah Fei shook his head. Zhang Yiran's proud smile widened. Showing off who is the master here. Mu Zhe rolled his eyes in annoyed.
"Mu Zhe, what time does Lulu usually return?"
Zhang Yiran asked. He didn't even care about the nauseated faces of his friends. He seemed impatient to welcome Lulu back. To see if Lulu still remembers the taste of his braised eggplant with meat.
Mu Zhe looked at the clock in his hand. Six o'clock in the afternoon.
"He'll be back in a moment."
***
The smell of nostalgia pierced the nose as soon as Lulu opened the door. The aroma that he miss so much. Lulu took a quick step into the kitchen.
"Lulu. Welcome home."
Mu Zhe said with a sweet smile. Lulu nodded then turned his gaze to Ah Fei, Jiang Hai and finally to Zhang Yiran.
Lulu's heart beat fast. His tears almost spilled. The dish in front of his eyes brought back beautiful memories of him and his mother.
Lulu quickly reached for his fork and enjoyed the braised eggplant with meat cooked by Zhang Yiran. Don't even care to greet the others. As soon as his tongue felt the warmth of his mother's nostalgic recipes, Lulu's tears spilled.
"I know you're touched by the taste, but don't cry."
Mu Zhe gently patted Lulu's shoulder. The boundary between them seemed to disappear without any trace.
"Who cooked this?"
Lulu asked while pointing to his favorite menu.
"Senior Zhang."
Ah Fei replied after seeing Zhang Yiran just stay silent and not move even an inch. Look like he also tries his best to holding his tears.
Lulu stared at Zhang Yiran without blinking. His mind couldn't fathom how Zhang Yiran could cook a menu similar to his mother's with the same taste.
"I haven't cooked this menu since you and your mama moved. But I'm grateful..."
Zhang Yiran's words stopped. There was a tremor in his tone. His eyes were already red from holding back his tears. His chest felt tight seeing Lulu's reaction.
"You still like the taste."
He continued. His lips were pressed tightly. Holding back the feeling that was increasingly pressing on his soul.
***
"Yaya. Don't stand here. It's dangerous. Wait at the dining table. It's will be done soon. After that we can eat together."
Zhang Yiran said while his hands were busy stirring the braised eggplant with meat, his little brother's favorite. His heart was worried when he saw his little brother standing on a chair too close to the stove.
"But..I'm hungry."
Yaya grumbled while rubbing his stomach that had been rumbling since before.
"Yes, I know. Just a moment. Wait for me at the table."
Zhang Yiran replied while pinching Yaya's nose. His younger brother was indeed spoiled by him. He was grateful that his father took him to see his stepmother that summer holiday. Only there, could he feel the warmth of a real family.
"It's done..."
Zhang Yiran said while serving the food at the dining table.
"Yay..."
Yaya cheered while clapping his hands. The joy was clearly radiating from hus face. Zhang Yiran smiled.
"Be careful, it's hot."
Zhang Yiran said.
"Emmm."
Yaya slowly blew on his food before feeding it into his mouth greedily. Hus cheeks puffed up as he chewed his food.
"Ah! Hot!"
Yaya blew out hot air from his stuffed mouth. Rice almost spewed out of his mouth.
"I told you, it's hot... Eat slowly."
Zhang Yiran said as he blew on the food in Yaya's bowl. Trying to reduce the heat so that his little brother could eat it easily.
"Delicious."
Yaya praised as he gave Zhang Yiran the thumbs up. His smile was wide. Satisfaction was clearly visible on his face.
Zhang Yiran also smiled. It was not in vain that he learned to cook from his stepbrother. Seeing the smile on Yaya's face really made his tiredness all this time pay off.
"Let's eat. I'm hungry."
Mu Zhe said. Zhang Yiran gasped. Smiled. Then he nodded.
All eyes were focused on Lulu. The braised eggplant with meat was just for him. If anyone wanted to take a little, Lulu would give them a death glare. He only gave Mu Zhe a spoonful and the rest was for himself. Zhang Yiran, who had worked hard to prepare the menu, also didn't taste even a bite.
Zhang Yiran looked at Lulu while resting his chin. Now he was sure that Lulu was Yaya. His beloved little brother. Now, all that was left was to stop his mother's madness.
After eating, Zhang Yiran washed the dishes with Jiang Hai's help. Mu Zhe, Ah Fei and Lulu were already hanging out in the living room and playing with Fantuan.
Hearing their laughter made Zhang Yiran smile to himself. His heart was happy. "I will end your suffering." That was Zhang Yiran's determination.
"Mu Zhe. Is there anything else you want me to help you with?"
Zhang Yiran asked as soon as he finished cleaning the kitchen.
"Hmmm..."
Mu Zhe thought for a moment.
"Nothing."
He replied.
"In that case, I'll go back first."
Zhang Yiran's words made Lulu feel restless. His heart felt heavy to let Zhang Yiran go.
"Ah Fei. You went back with Jiang Hai. I won't go back to the dorm tonight."
Zhang Yiran said.
"Again...?"
Ah Fei sighed. His face looked gloomy. Zhang Yiran knew that he was afraid of being alone, but he couldn't do anything. Not for now. He need to make his mother feel at ease to fulfil his plans.
"If you're afraid, sleep in Jiang Hai's room tonight."
Zhang Yiran said as he walked away.
"Wait!"
Lulu shouted. Zhang Yiran stop. All eyes were focused on Lulu. Waiting for what would come out of those thin lips.
"If you want...."
Lulu swallow his saliva. His words got stuck in his throat. Zhang Yiran turned around. Stared at Lulu's face.
"Err... you... you can... sleep here... tonight."
Finally Lulu managed to voice his heart's desire. Having a brother again made him feel warm.
Zhang Yiran's lips melted into a smile. "Ahhh... I remember that smile." Lulu's heart once again in a state of melancholy. Lulu quickly ran and hugged Zhang Yiran.
"I miss you."
Lulu said in his sobs. Everything he was carrying suddenly felt too heavy for him to carried its alone. It felt like all his strength was gone. He wanted to keep crying in that warm embrace. For a long long time.
"I miss you too. Please forgive me. I'm late."
Zhang Yiran hugged Lulu tightly. The little brother that he missed so much.
"Everything will be fine after this. I promise."
Zhang Yiran promised. Lulu nodded. Still crying in the arms of his brother who had disappeared without a trace for a long time.
"I forgive you. Just don't disappear again."
Lulu said as he tightened his hug. Zhang Yiran nodded.