Mix, sensing the tension but determined to stick to the plan, kept his cool. He leaned back slightly, giving Fang a playful glance. “Well, if you really want to know, Tan…”
He took a slow breath before continuing.
“Fang and I… we were close. Really close.”
Tan’s grip on his glass tightened slightly.
The kids, sitting silently now, weren’t so sure this was a good idea anymore.
Fang, still just going along with everything, chuckled. “Yeah, we used to hang out all the time. Always getting into trouble, right?”
Mix smirked. “More than that.” He turned back to Tan. “Actually… I was Fang’s first love.”
Silence.
Something in Tan’s expression shifted.
The sharp jealousy from before—
Gone.
Instead…
He just looked hurt.
He didn’t say anything.
Didn’t react.
Didn’t interrupt.
He just listened.
Listened as Mix told stories of their past.
Of how much fun they had.
How easy everything was.
How Fang used to look at him.
How he used to make Fang laugh.
And Tan just sat there, holding his glass, eyes lowered, nodding occasionally like it didn’t sting.
But it did.
Because this was something he never knew.
Something Fang never told him.
The kids were starting to panic now.
This wasn’t the reaction they expected.
They thought Tan would get jealous, maybe roll his eyes and pull Fang close, maybe kiss him in front of Mix just to prove a point.
But this?
This was different.
Daisy whispered, “Uh… this wasn’t the plan.”
Marc nodded. “Yeah, I think we should—”
Before he could finish, Tan suddenly stood up.
Not in anger. Not in frustration.
Just… quietly.
And with a small, forced smile, he said, “I should go check on something inside.”
Then, without another word, he walked back into the house.
Fang blinked, finally sensing something was off.
The kids all stared at Mix, wide-eyed.
Mix, realizing the situation had taken a very unexpected turn, looked at Fang and muttered, “Uh… I think I messed up.”
The kids gasped.
Fang just stared.
Tan walked inside, his chest feeling heavier with every step.
He shouldn’t feel this way.
But he did.
Because he saw it—
