Title song:

Rose - Lee Hi

Chapter 3: Another Encounter.

“So I heard Chen and Kai-hyung are coming back.”

“When did they say they’re coming back?” Tao asked.

“Next month… I think.” Sehun replied, turning his eyes from his phone to look towards the driver’s seat. “Right, hyung?”

After the small scene caused by Sehun and Jaera—unknown to Lu Han and Tao—the three boys eventually went home, with the oldest Chinese driving the younger ones home.

“I don’t know and I don’t really care.”

“That’s harsh,” Tao said, clutching his chest while acting like his hurt. “You really hate Chen-hyung, huh.”

Upon hearing Tao, Sehun immediately burst out in laughter. “Dude, it’s not Chen-hyung.”

“Then it’s Kai?”

Lu Han ignored Tao and kept his eyes on the road as Sehun did the same while fiddling with his phone.

“So it really is Kai…”

Hearing Tao’s remark, Sehun turned to look at Lu Han as the latter did the same, causing the two of them to snicker.

“What’s wrong with you two?!” Tao cried, irritated by the two.

Ignoring Tao’s query, Lu Han just chuckled while Sehun muttered to himself. “It’s not Kai-hyung either.”

It was Friday and it’s only 8:30 am but Lu Han’s already at his desk, checking all the folders and papers scattered around. Lu Han didn’t really want to go to work, but he needed to finish all the paper works he had left last night. In all actuality, all his paper works were already done. He had already finished checking up on them the day before yesterday, and the only thing he needed to do was to finalize the arrangements with the old hag that he had met in the last meeting. Seeing as he hated her—more like disgusted with her presence—Kris offered to make the arrangement with her himself, in exchange that Lu Han will do all his remaining paper works.

Doing all the paper works that his brother has is a pain in the , but meeting with the old hag and getting ually harassed by her wrinkled eyes is surely harder.

“Aish, that annoying dragon.” Lu Han mumbled, flipping through the envelopes on his desk. So far he managed to do about half of the paper works.

As he was busy going through the documents, his phone suddenly buzzed, signalling for a phone call.

“Hello—“

“Oi! Let’s go out!” The caller said excitedly, not even letting Lu Han finish speaking. “Well, I mean not right now, but later this evening.”

“I’m busy.” Lu Han replied plainly.

“My friends opened a new club downtown right beside 7Eleven. Let’s go out later~”

“Baozi, I already told you I’m busy.”

“You little—Hey!”

His friend, Xiumin, hates it when Lu Han calls him Baozi as it means buns in Chinese. Xiumin is older than him and Kris but quite frankly, he looks even younger than Sehun. He’s one of the very few Korean friends that he has, and although Xiumin’s a happy-go-lucky kind of guy, Lu Han admires him greatly.

Upon hearing Xiumin’s rants over the phone, Lu Han can’t help but chuckle.

“Meh, you’re no fun. I’ll just drag Lay to the usual then.” Xiumin said in a bored voice. “Let’s just try out the new club when you and Kris are available.”

“Why, what’s Kris doing?”

“How should I know? He wouldn’t answer his phone. You’re his brother, shouldn’t you be the one to know what that kid’s up to? Geez.” Xiumin said as Lu Han kept a blank expression. “I’m off to play! Bye!”

Ending the call, Lu Han dropped his phone on the table and sighed. Here comes work again.

As if on cue, his phone suddenly buzzed again. “Hello?”

“Lu Han, come here in Dad’s office.”

“Why?” Lu Han asked, annoyed by the fact that Kris is asking him to talk to their dad.

“Dad wants to talk to you.”

“Well, I don’t.”

“Lu Han.” Kris said in a hard tone, making Lu Han roll his eyes.

“What?”

“I’m not asking you to do this for me,” Kris started as Lu Han turned to look at the picture frame on his desk where their family picture is placed. “Do this for mom.”

After knocking thrice on the door, Lu Han entered the office and saw Kris standing in front of their dad’s desk.

“Lu Han.” Kris called, turning to face him as he only nodded.

“Father, you called for me?” Lu Han asked, walking towards his dad and beside Kris.

“Ah, yes.” Yi Han, their father, said, clasping his hands together in a smile. “That is because the Kims are coming back.”

Breathing heavily, Lu Han kept his blank expression on. He knew the real reason why his father wants to talk to him and conversing with him now, he just proved himself right. He really is a genius.

“So I’ve heard.”

“Good. Did you miss them?”

“Them?  Or do you mean to say her?” Lu Han asked sarcastically. “I perfectly well know who you’re talking about.”

“Lu Han.” Kris warned, trying to stop Lu Han from being disrespectful, but the latter just ignored his attempt.

“Then much better, and I expect for you to assist her once they arrive here.” Yi Han said strictly, his intimidating stare focused on Lu Han. “There’s still a month away before they arrive so prepare for it. By the time she reaches the age of eighteen—“

“By that time there won’t be any arrangements for the two of us.”

Hearing Lu Han’s interruption, Yi Han straightened his sitting position and cleared his throat.  “Lu Han, this decision has been made by both families, so you have no say in this.”

Upon hearing his father, Lu Han can’t help but snicker mockingly, raising the confusion for both Yi Han and Kris.

“I’m afraid you are mistaken, father.” Lu Han said scornfully. “This is my life and I’ll do as I please with it. You’re the one who has no say in this, father. I refuse to be anybody’s puppet.”

“Lu Han!” Kris scolded for the second time but Lu Han still didn’t listen.

“Now if you’ll excuse me.”

Giving one last cold stare at his father, Lu Han turned to his back and left the office with no words. Kris heaved a heavy sigh while rubbing his temples in frustration for Lu Han is really becoming out of hand.

“Excuse his behaviour father, he’s just—“

Yi Han raised his hand signalling for Kris to stop. He then turned to his back and looked at the window slowly. “Don’t worry about it, Kris. I’m sure, he’ll give in eventually.”

“Oi, are you sure with this?” Jaera asked as Baekhyun only nodded reassuringly.

“Definitely.”

“I feel like a e.”

“I feel like we’re selling her off.” Chanyeol second the motion, eyeing Jaera up and down while havi