'Too bad, next time,' Jet thought as he walked back to his studio. 'It was just starting to get interesting meeting you.'
Jet glanced at the clock as he entered his studio. It was almost 5 p.m. Had he really spent hours talking with Han? It had felt like minutes.
A soft buzz pulled him out of his thoughts. Checking his phone, he saw a new message in his family group chat. It was from his sister, Minah, reminding him about his dinner celebration. Jet smiled and quickly sent a reply with a smiling emoji before heading off for a shower.
—
Meanwhile, in Han's car...
"Did my mother call?" Han asked, gazing out of the window as the city lights passed by.
"Yes," Victor said. "Mrs. Yau called and insisted I bring you home immediately."
"Why?" Han asked, though he had a sinking suspicion about the answer.
"She's set you up on another date," Victor said carefully.
Han sighed deeply, rubbing his temples as a headache crept in. "Again?"
This wasn't the first time, nor the second—it was the twenty-seventh time his mother had done this. He understood her intentions clearly. Being her only son, she desperately wanted to see him settle down, get married, and give her grandchildren.
But Han wasn't interested, and he doubted tonight would be any different.
—
Later that evening,.Jet walked into the western-style restaurant with his family, the scent of freshly baked bread and herbs greeting them as they were seated. His sister, Minah, had made the reservation, and the three of them ordered quickly.
"Thanks for the meal, little sis," Jet said with a smile as he took a bite.
"You used to treat me whenever I won," Minah replied with a grin. "Now it's my turn to treat you."
"What did you do after the competition?" Von asked curiously. "I saw you talking to someone."
Jet froze for a moment before casually answering, "I called Han over to support me at the competition."
Von's eyes widened. "So, you actually texted him?"
Jet nodded as Minah perked up, her curiosity piqued. "Wait—what's happening?" she asked, glancing between her brother and mother.
Von quickly explained, filling Minah in.
"Hold on," Minah said in disbelief. "The actor gave you his number, you invited him to the competition, then brought him to your house—and you didn't tell us?"
Jet nodded awkwardly. "I thought he'd be more comfortable without too many eyes on him."
Von smirked knowingly. "So, how did the date go?" she teased.
Jet nearly choked on his water, while Minah turned to their mother in equal disbelief.
"It's just a joke, don't be so dramatic," Von said with a laugh, taking a bite of her mashed potatoes.
"It wasn't a date," Jet muttered, shaking his head. "But I think it went well. We talked, shared a few laughs, and had some food."
"Sounds like a date to me," Minah said flatly, making Jet groan in defeat.
Jet threw his hands up. "Fine, think whatever you want."
Von and Minah exchanged amused looks as Jet went back to his food, silently vowing not to bring Han up again anytime soon.
—
Han sat across from his mother, arms crossed as she fixed him with an expectant look. The room was filled with a tension that only long-standing family arguments could create.
"Mum, you can't keep doing this," Han said firmly. "Setting me up with strangers isn't going to solve anything."
His mother's gaze softened, but her voice remained resolute. "I just want you to find someone, Han. You're my only son, and with the way you live, your father and I are scared you'll let life pass you by without ever building a family."
Han leaned back, pinching the bridge of his nose. "And forcing blind dates on me twenty-seven times is your solution?" He exhaled. "Look, if I agree to settle down, will you stop this?"
Mrs. Yau's eyes lit up, but she quickly tempered her excitement. "It depends. Are you actually serious about seeing someone?"
Han hesitated before leaning forward. "If I promise I've been talking to someone, will you let me handle this on my own?"
She tilted her head skeptically. "Someone? Who? How long? Do I know her?"
Han raised a hand to stop her barrage of questions. "I'm not telling you anything. Not yet." He held her gaze, his voice steady. "But if you keep meddling, I'll refuse to marry at all. No grandchildren, no continuing the family name. Your choice."
Mrs. Yau stared at him, weighing his words. "You're serious?"
"Dead serious," Han replied without flinching.
She sighed, leaning back in her chair. "Fine, I'll stop—for now. But I want to meet this person soon, Han. You can't expect me to just sit back forever."
Han gave her a small nod, hiding his relief. "You will. When the time is right."
As his mother nodded reluctantly, Han's mind raced..'Sorry, Jet,' he thought wryly. 'You're about to become my unintentional shield.'
"Thank you, Mum," he said aloud, keeping his tone polite.
"For now, Han," she warned, her eyes narrowing. "But don't think you've won this negotiation entirely."
Han smiled faintly. "Wouldn't dream of it."
—
Jet lay awake in bed, his phone in hand, aimlessly scrolling through social media. Memes filled his feed, keeping him entertained until a notification popped up—a text from Han.
"When's the next time you're free?"
Jet smirked at the message, quickly typing back.
"You're fast when it comes to booking me."
Han's reply came almost immediately.
"I owe an apology to the Alpha I left hanging midway through our conversation."
Jet chuckled, shaking his head as he typed.
"This weekend. Got something in mind?"
"Maybe," Han replied.
Jet texted back, grinning. "Can't wait,"
"See you."
Jet let out a soft sigh, reading over the exchange again. In his mind, every message carried Han's voice—deep, mysterious, and strangely familiar. It reminded him of Zhao Han's, but no... it couldn't be.
Jet yawned, his eyes growing heavy as he placed his phone on the nightstand.
'You know something, don't you?' he thought before finally falling asleep.