In the Li household, breakfast was war—just disguised under tablecloths and porcelain bowls.
This morning, Ichiro came down early, sleeves rolled up, hair immaculately styled. He smiled sweetly at the elders, greeted everyone by name, and personally served Jin a glass of juice.
"Here, brother. Orange juice. Just like you like it."
Jin took the glass slowly.
[Why does it feel like I'm being served cyanide in a wine glass?]
He didn't drink it.
Across the table, Qiaoqiao watched everything—eyes sharp, mouth shut.
She remembered his thoughts.
She remembered Ichiro's mask slipping when Jin wasn't around.
She'd stayed up last night replaying every moment she had ever defended him.
---
30 Minutes Earlier – Private Kitchen Talk
Ichiro cornered her just before breakfast.
"Sister Qiaoqiao," he said, voice gentle. "I'm worried about Brother Jin. He's been… unstable lately."
"Unstable?" she repeated, cold.
"Yes. Always muttering to himself. I found one of my projects deleted yesterday. The file name was changed to 'Trash_by_FakeYoungMaster'..."
Her brows furrowed.
"That sounds—very specific."
"Right?" He nodded, feigning concern. "I didn't want to say anything. But I think he's struggling mentally. Maybe some trauma. I just want to help him… before he hurts himself. Or others."
Qiaoqiao had nodded slowly then.
Now, she looked across the table at Jin—who was cutting toast like a bored god.
[He's laying it on thick today. What's next? Planting drugs in my drawer? Wait, don't give him ideas.]
Ichiro sat down beside her. Too close.
She inched away.
---
The Setup Begins
As breakfast ended, Ichiro "accidentally" dropped a USB on the floor.
"Oh—brother, that's yours, right?"
Jin picked it up. "Never seen it."
"But it has your initials on it."
Everyone looked over. Grandma Li squinted.
"It says… 'J.K.'"
"...My name's Jin Li."
[This guy can't even get my fake initials right.]
[Was the goal to look suspicious or mentally challenged?]
Lianhua: "...I can't believe I ever believed that snake."
Meimei: "Even his lies are low-effort now."
Qiaoqiao: "I… might owe Jin an apology. Eventually. Maybe."
---
Private Garden – Later
Jin stepped out for air. The morning sun was warm. His mood wasn't.
Ichiro followed after him, face changing the moment the adults were out of sight.
"Feeling clever, fake brother?"
Jin didn't even blink. He leaned on the railing, stretching.
"You dropped your USB. Hope it doesn't have any stolen essays."
"Careful," Ichiro hissed, tone sharp. "Push me too far, and I'll make sure they throw you back into the gutter you came from."
Jin turned his head slowly.
[There it is. The unfiltered face.]
[Looks like a wet chihuahua threatening a pitbull.]
He gave Ichiro a lazy grin.
Then punched him across the face.
Ichiro staggered back, clutching his cheek. "Y-You psycho—!"
[Therapy through knuckle sandwiches.]
Jin rolled his shoulders. "Slip again and I'll break the other side too."
---
Later – Secret Family Group Chat
Meimei: "He HIT him!"
Qiaoqiao: "And I enjoyed it."
Lianhua: "I'm making popcorn."
Father Li: "…I think I believe Jin now."
Grandma Li: "That Ichiro boy looked like he was about to cry."
---
Ergouzi: "That was so satisfying I want to replay it in slow-mo."
[Jin]: [Still holding back. He deserves worse.]
Ergouzi: "Want me to prep a training montage?"
[Depends. Does it include punching green tea out of people?]
---
Next Chapter:
Chapter 21 – Another Sister, Another Tea Cup to Break