Sorry

JUNJIE

Zian: Coffee at Ning's. 2PM.

Me: Busy.

Zian: Wasn't asking.

Me: I'm not your dog.

Zian: I'll tell your brothers the truth.

Me: What time did you say? 2? I'll be there.

Zian: Good boy. Woof.

Me: Middle finger emoji

And that's how I ended up at Ning's café.

I'm in the queue when I spot a familiar set of chestnut waves. There she is. Talking about my balls. Again? Seriously, my balls must be living rent-free in her head.

Her face goes from cheerful to pinched as soon as she sees me. Now, I'm not usually the kind of guy who likes embarrassing women, but this is Yiren. We've got history, and it's basically a law of nature that we tease each other. But today, there's a sharpness to her words. Her usual fire feels more like a sword, ready to cut.

I could fire back, but her wide eyes, the way she bites her lip, the tension in her knuckles as she grips her apron—something's off.

I glance over at Yiren as she works through her orders, her shoulders slumping. She looks up, our eyes meeting for a second, and there it is: something's definitely bothering her.

"Sorry, I'm late. Did you order?" Zian's voice cuts through my thoughts.

"No. Yes."

"No or yes? Pick one."

"Yes."

My eyes flick back to Yiren, and—definitely not looking at that pen between her red lips—our eyes meet again. She quickly scribbles something on a napkin. The server delivers my order, with a little extra: churros and hot chocolate.

I unfold the napkin, and a simple note stares back at me:

Sorry :)

My mouth twitches into a grin. I glance back at Yiren, and she silently mouths, "Uncle Juju."

I reply, 'Rabbit,' and she suppresses a smile.

"She's hot, isn't she?"

"Yeah—wait, what?" I keel forward, clutching my knee after Zian kicks it under the table. "What the f—dude?!"

"What the f—are you doing, dude?" He eyes low on me. "I can read the subtitles on your face."

"Corrupt mind," I mutter, shaking my head before noticing his hospital scrubs. "You're in scrubs."

"Because I have surgery later. Then I'm off to Baltimore for a three-day medical conference."

A pit forms in my stomach. I don't even want to ask, but I do anyway. "Who all attending?"

"Dr. Wang Shi is one of the chief doctors."

I drop my head onto the table. Great. Bro Shishi's coming to America. Which means there's no running from him anymore.

"That's not the worst news," Zian adds, clearly enjoying himself.

I give him a death glare. He loves this drama way too much, and I bet he is here delivering the news to not miss my expression.

"Your entire family is coming here."

*******

"I don't want to be your friend anymore," I groan, feeling the onset of a headache. Zian's obnoxious coffee slurping isn't helping. "You can't be a royal."

"Dude, you're acting like your family's some evil empire."

"They're not evil. They're crazy," I snap, turning toward the window to compose myself. "And they love me too much to leave me alone."

"Then go back. You're killing yourself here."

I look at him—my best friend, who's stuck by my side these past months. Without Zian, I wouldn't have survived this exile. I've never had to be away from my family for this long. They've always been just a call or a hug away. And now, they're coming. Not for a reunion—but to drag me home and demand answers.

The real home.

"No," I say, putting down my coffee. "I'm not going back until I'm ready."

"And when's that?" Zian presses.

"I don't know!" I snap, frustration bubbling over.

"Stop running like a coward." His voice matches my intensity.

I glare at him. "Are you doing this for me or for yourself?" He's always idolized my eldest brother, the world-renowned surgeon he wants to work under. A chance he gave up to stick with me.

He shrugs. "Maybe both."

"I hate you."

Zian smirks. "I've got an idea for your problem." He leans in, tapping his fingers together like a cartoon villain. "Desperate times, desperate measures."

"I don't like this already."

"Just listen—Juju."

My foot collides with his knee.

"A desperate situation calls for desperate measures," Zian repeats, rubbing his leg. "Get a fake girlfriend. Put on an act."

"Seriously?" I stare at him. "That's your big plan?"

"Got a better one?" He holds up a finger. "One, it gives you a legit reason to justify your stay in the U.S. Two, it'll shut down your family's concerns. Three—and most importantly—'she' will stop harassing you once she thinks you've moved on."

"When you put it like that…" I groan, dragging a hand over my face. "I sound pathetic. But I'm not desperate enough to rent a girlfriend."

"Treat it like a business deal," Zian advises. "You're letting this situation drive a wedge between you and the people you love for something you didn't even do wrong."

He has a point. All I did was confess my feelings to someone, and I've been paying for it ever since. But faking a girlfriend? That's just digging a deeper hole.

"No," I decide. "I need a real solution, not some lie."

"Jun," Zian says, "either you follow my advice, or your brothers will dig into your life. They're already suspicious."

That makes me freeze. "Did they ask you anything?"

"Not directly," he says, shaking his head. "But they're not idiots. They're suspecting something."

I drag both hands through my hair. If I could turn back time, I'd erase that one day, that one moment, from my life completely.

"I'm not some regular guy, Z. This could backfire."

"You've got lawyers for that. Have her sign an NDA. Keep it clean."

He gives me a look that tells me he knows I'm considering it. And yeah, I am. Desperate times, right?

"And then what?" I ask, resigned.

"Stage an epic breakup," he says casually, as if it's the easiest thing in the world.

Just then, a voice interrupts. "Hey, we're closing soon. Need anything else?" It's Yiren.

"Hey, Yiren bear," Zian greets her with a grin. "Working on a Monday, huh?"

She pauses, her eyes flickering between us. "I, uh… resigned/terminated."

"Can't be both." Zian arches a brow.

"Forced resignation."

"Ouch."

I can't help but eavesdrop now.

"It's fine," Yiren says, trying to sound not bothered. "I've got a few interviews lined up. I'll be back on track in no time."

That smile of hers? Not real. I've known her long enough to tell she's putting on a front.

"Axis Architecture is crazy for letting you go," Zian says.

She offers a weak smile, finding her shoes suddenly very interesting. When is the last time I see her this vulnerable? Never.

I glance at my phone, pulling up Axis Architecture's page. Who's running this circus? I've seen her work on Zian's penthouse, and it's brilliant. This doesn't make sense.

"Can you help, Yiren?" Zian asks. And i look up from my phone to catch their conversation. "It's last minute, but I need the house childproofed by the end of the week."

She bites her lip, thinking. "I'll see what I can do. I'll call some suppliers. But i need to see the amount of work to be done."

"Thanks, babe. I'll message you the details." He kisses her cheek and pulls her into a hug. This time, her smile is real.

My eyes land on Yiren again. She catches me staring. "I know I'm irresistible, but you can blink, you know."

"Don't flatter yourself," I retort, looking past her. "I was looking at your sister."

"Hi, Ning!" I wave.

Ning waves back with a smile from behind the counter, muttering something I can't catch.

Zian grabs our coats and drags me out of the café. "Fkng kids."

*******