Zhao Xin leaned against the kitchen counter, a smug look on his face as he popped a red hawthorn candy in his mouth. "Even the purple ones?" he said with a chuckle, watching Venus Lin Yue narrow her eyes at him. She clearly didn't know how to play in the big leagues.
Venus crossed her arms. "Fine. But if I win, you have to clean the courtyard for a week."
"And if I win," Zhao Xin said, his voice low and teasing, "you have to spend a night out with me."
Her face froze, and she blinked. "Wait... what did you say?"
"You heard me," he said casually. "No mention of a date. Just a night out. A deal's a deal."
She hesitated. "You do realize I'm with Gao Tianyu, right?"
Zhao Xin smirked. "Not like I care."
"Do you care about anything?"
"Not really."
She shook her head. "That's just sad."
"Maybe. Or maybe I'm just smart enough not to get too attached."
Later, she returned with her laptop, confident. "Hope you're ready to lose. I've got a whole bag of dried plums with your name on it."
But Zhao Xin's grin only widened. She typed "Olympic cloud leaping" and within seconds, her proud expression vanished.
"It's... a real thing," she muttered.
"Told you. Next time, believe me."
She stared at the screen, eyes stormy. "I don't trust people."
"That's a shame," he replied. "But maybe I'll change your mind."
"Unlikely."
He gave her a light nudge on the chin. "I like challenges."
Zhao Xin left her to brood and headed to find Jerry xin, his young stepbrother. The boy was sitting cross-legged, looking at a book about castles made of sand.
"Papa helped me build a big one by the sea last spring," Jerry said. "Before he went on his long patrol."
Zhao Xin's chest tightened. The boy was talking about Zhao Xin's father, the pack security leader, Zhao Diwen. Though not Jerry xin's real father, the boy had taken a liking to calling him that. Maybe it shouldn't surprise him, but it always hit him hard. His old family was being replaced—quietly and steadily.
"Let's build a new one," Zhao Xin offered. "Ask your mom if you can go down to the riverside with me."
Jerry lit up, dashing out of the room.
The riverbank in Kunming was alive with sunlight and buzzing insects. Soon, Julian Zhao Xin and Jerry were surrounded by a small army of children from nearby homes, all eager to help build what became a full sand fortress—moats, towers, tunnels, and even a muddy gate.
"That's my big brother," Jerry proudly told a curious boy.
When they finished, Zhao Xin carried his little brother into the cool shallows, teaching him how to float on water while swimming. Jerry clung to his neck afterward, whispering, "I'm glad you're my brother, Zhao Xin."
Zhao Xin paused. "Me too."
He was the only male figure in the boy's life now. The only one left in their part of the Silver Claw Pack.
Back home, Zhao Xin noticed the FedEx envelope from his grandmother—once thrown in the trash—now open and resting on his pillow. He cursed under his breath. Venus definitely had something to do with this.
He found her sprawled in the sitting room, watching a wuxia drama and snacking on lotus crisps. Her braid fell across her shoulder, and her shirt bore the symbol of her old school, Fremont Academy, now long behind her since she transferred to the medicine program in Kunming.
He held up the envelope. "Why did you dig this out?"
"You lied. It wasn't about some dumb trampoline team. It's from your grandmother."
"So what?"
"You didn't read it."
"I didn't need to."
"You should. She's sick, Zhao Xin. Maybe dying."
"She never cared about us. Why should I care now?"
"She's your blood. That should mean something."
"Not in this pack."
He stormed into the kitchen, throwing the envelope into the trash again.
Jerry walked in, sensing tension. "Why are you and Auntie Venus arguing?"
"We're not. Just debating." Zhao Xin handed him a green smoothie. "Want a snack?"
The boy stared. "It's green... like grass juice."
"It's healthy."
Venus laughed as she pulled out a stash of sweet bean cakes. "Zhao Xin, no pup wants to drink that mess. Jerry xin, come here—I'll make you something real."
She created a gooey treat with red bean paste and sesame cookies. Jerry looked from the smoothie to the cookies, then simply grabbed a piece of cheese from the fridge.
"I'll just eat this," he said. "Bye!"
Zhao Xin watched Venus devour the rejected cookies with exaggerated delight, every moan deliberate. It made his wolf stir. The sound was dangerous.
Then she fished the envelope out again and thrust it at him. "Read it."
"Drop it."
"She wants to see you. You don't have to forgive her. Just... go."
"I don't care," Zhao Xin muttered.
He left it on the counter.
Later that evening, Jerry xin ran outside when the fireflies began glowing. Zhao Xin brought a jar so he could catch them.
"Why do you always argue with Auntie Venus?" the boy asked.
"It's fun," Zhao Xin said.
"My mom says when a girl argues with a boy a lot, it means she likes him."
"Your aunt doesn't like me."
"Do you like her?"
"Of course. She's family."
"But if she wasn't?"
Zhao Xin hesitated. "Sometimes girls are like spicy hot pot. Looks great, tastes great, but if you're not careful, you'll burn your tongue."
"So Auntie Venus is spicy hot pot?"
Zhao Xin chuckled. "Exactly."
"I don't like when my tongue burns," Jerry said and turned his attention back to the fireflies.
Venus soon joined them, walking through the misty yard. Her long legs moved smoothly in a fitted pink dress. Her dark hair shimmered under the moonlight. She looked nothing like the hoodie-clad girl from earlier. The scent of her wolf, soft and wild, brushed against Zhao Xin's senses.
Which version of Venus was real? The guarded medicine student in loose clothes, or the confident woman who could stop hearts with a glance?
Zhao Xin wasn't sure. But either way, she was dangerous.
Just like spicy hot pot.