Unsaid Love Story

Chapter 21

With eyes rimmed with red, Zhan stands near the window and watches the birds chirping outside. He is exhausted and numb, having shed more tears than he could count last night. Despite this, he drags himself to start the day ahead. There isn't anything new he hasn't heard before, except for... one thing, so he shouldn't be bothered and should just keep going.

As he walks out of his room, he is suddenly grabbed by the shoulders with enough strength to make him wince. He looks up, placing his hands on hers. "Mom?"

"Shh!" Ziyuan hushes, making sure she isn't interrupted. "Take Cheng to Huayan Temple. There, when a pretty lady approaches you two, you should excuse yourself and let Cheng be with her."

Zhan's eyebrows furrow until he realizes what she is up to. Not wanting to be a hindrance to her plan to find a mate for her son, he nods in agreement.

"Be grateful for my approach to you. Don't disappoint me," Ziyuan mutters, giving him a stern look before releasing her grip on his shoulders and walking down the stairs to the kitchen.

Taking deep breaths, Zhan thinks about her plan and finds ways to execute it. It's not easy to drag Cheng anywhere unless the alpha wants to, so he needs to find a valid excuse. When an idea lights up in his mind, he convinces himself to be sure and walks toward Cheng's room with determination.

"Brother," he greets.

"Do you need anything, Zhan?" Cheng looks up from where he is sprawled on the bed, holding his phone above his head as he watches clips of their concerts.

"I just want to visit this Huayan Temple. Can you please take me there?" Zhan asks, a hopeful look in his eyes.

Cheng flops onto his belly and raises an eyebrow. "Why do you want to go there all of a sudden?"

Zhan hesitates for a moment before answering, "I want to pray for our upcoming tour and concerts. Also, I heard they have some ancient artifacts and relics that might inspire us for our performance."

Cheng doesn't buy any of it, so he scrutinizes Zhan's eyes, trying to find the real reason. But his little brother turns to the other side, pretending to check the floor or admire the wall, so with curiosity, he agrees, "I'll come with you."

Together, they head to Huayan Temple, one with curiosity and the other with responsibility. The first thing that hits them is the massive golden Buddha, which dominates the skyline against the backdrop of misty gray skies. Next, the locals are lighting bundles of incense, and monks are moving with purpose between the halls.

The real highlight is the integration with nature. As they follow the slope of the mountain, creating a layered, terraced effect, they feel like they're climbing deeper into a forest rather than a building.

Walking down the shaded paths to Huayan Lake, also known as the Heavenly Pool, they admire the plum blossoms and green pines until a 25-year-old beta girl approaches them. "Hi, do you know where this Huayan vegetarian restaurant is?"

"Ask another," Cheng replies.

The girl hesitates, "Um, I-I..."

Zhan can see the helpless look on the girl's face at his idiotic brother's reply. Well, he has to applaud that she doesn't run off yet. Thinking of a way to help her, he turns to Cheng and requests, "Brother, I think we can help her. How can we trust a pretty young lady to another?"

Cheng looks at Zhan suspiciously for a minute but doesn't say anything in return, as he goes along with it.

The three walk toward the restaurant until a chance appears in front of one to take and escape, so it does. But if it knew what would happen next, it wouldn't dare. Anyway, who can stop fate from moving to the next level in a game that can test... Does it say brotherhood?