Chapter Twelve: Brotherly bond and Crushed Pen

The dorm room was dimly lit as the first light of dawn crept through the windows, signaling the arrival of a new day. At 5:00 am, Yue awoke, his mind still cloaked in the remnants of sleep. However, he was jolted into full wakefulness when he noticed Alexander sitting on the floor, seemingly lost in thought.

"What are you doing?" Yue questioned, his voice carrying a hint of surprise.

Alexander, looking somewhat like a ghost in the early morning light, responded in Russian, "Как я могу спать, если всю ночь думаю о тебе и твоих сексуальных ножках?" The words spilled out in a language unfamiliar to Yue, leaving him perplexed.

Not understanding the meaning, Yue shrugged off the comment and proceeded to prepare for the day. He took a quick bath and set about making breakfast. Alexander, still seemingly haunted by thoughts, followed suit, taking his turn in the bathroom before joining Yue for the morning meal.

As they sat at the table, the atmosphere felt unusually heavy. Alexander, visibly drained and lacking his usual energy, sighed, his thoughts seemingly preoccupied.

Yue, sensing the shift in mood, decided to break the silence. "You seem off today. What's on your mind?"

Alexander, looking downcast, replied in English this time, "I couldn't sleep. My mind was racing all night. It's like... I can't stop thinking about you."

Yue raised an eyebrow, a mixture of surprise and skepticism on his face. "Thinking about me? What's there to think about?"

Alexander, struggling to find the right words, hesitated before continuing, "I said something weird earlier in Russian. Forget about it. It's just... I can't get you out of my head."

Yue, still puzzled but noticing the sincerity in Alexander's expression, sighed. "You need to get some sleep. You're not functioning properly."

In an attempt to lighten the mood, Yue reached for a small container on the table, revealing a leche flan he had prepared the night before. He pushed it toward Alexander and said, "Here, eat this. It might help."

Concern etched on Yue's face, he sighed and decided to take matters into his own hands.

"You look like you need this," Yue said, handing Alexander a plate with a perfectly prepared leche flan.

Alexander, visibly touched by the gesture, managed a weak smile. "You made this for me?"

Yue nodded, "Last night. It's your energy boost for today. Eat up."

As they sat across from each other, the atmosphere held a subtle shift. Alexander, though still a bit fatigued, felt a warmth in the simple act of sharing a meal prepared by Yue. The dorm, once quiet, became a space for a different kind of exchange.

"You're not much of a morning person, are you?" Yue remarked, attempting to lighten the mood.

Alexander chuckled, "Not really. Mornings and I have a complicated relationship."

Yue, his icy demeanor momentarily melting, added, "Well, consider this your wake-up call."

Alexander, his energy seemingly drained, managed a weak smile as he took a bite of the leche flan. The rich, creamy dessert provided a momentary distraction from the weight of unspoken words lingering in the air.

As the school day began, Alexander effortlessly navigated the bustling halls, greeted warmly by classmates and acknowledged by friends. On the other hand, Yue, ever the enigmatic figure, chose to sit in solitude around a corner, seemingly uninterested in the jovial atmosphere that surrounded his peers.

Amid the lively chatter, a message notification popped up on Yue's phone. It was from his older brother, Zhang Ying, who casually inquired, "Stopping by at the school. What do you want me to buy?"

Yue, feeling a bit sassy, replied, "Chocolate ice cream in a carton bowl with a spoon. Make it snappy."

Meanwhile, Alexander observed the animated scenes around him, wishing that Yue would join in the camaraderie. Unbeknownst to him, Yue's brother, Zhang Ying, had arrived with the requested treat.

As Ying approached the classroom window with a carton of chocolate ice cream, Yue caught sight of him and a mischievous grin spread across his face. Abandoning his seat, Yue strolled out of the class, leaving a perplexed Alexander behind.

Yue met his brother with an air of casual confidence. "Took you long enough. Where's my ice cream?"

Ying, amused by Yue's sass, handed over the carton with a playful smirk. "You're too demanding for someone who looks like they haven't smiled in a century."

Yue rolled his eyes, "Smiling is overrated."

As they shared a brief exchange, Alexander couldn't help but steal glances from the classroom window, a tinge of jealousy flickering in his gaze. The sight of Yue, animated and sassy with his older brother, sparked an unexpected emotion within Alexander.

Meanwhile, the classmates who witnessed Yue's interaction with the handsome stranger couldn't help but wonder about the mysterious connection between them. Alexander's sudden change in demeanor didn't go unnoticed.

Haoran nudged Xiao and whispered, "Looks like 'SoMeOnE~' have some unexpected drama today. What's with Alexander's face? He's usually so carefree."

Xiao, with a mischievous grin, replied, "Seems like someone's not too happy seeing Yue enjoy ice cream with a stranger."

As Yue and Ying stood outside the school, the atmosphere between the brothers shifted. Ying, displaying a rare moment of affection, enveloped Yue in a warm hug. Unexpectedly, he planted a playful kiss on Yue's cheek, an action meant to evoke a sense of sibling camaraderie.

The tender moment sent a ripple through Alexander, who observed from the window. Gripping his pen, he unintentionally crushed it in his hands, the sight of Yue receiving such affection from his brother fueling an unexpected surge of jealousy.

Yue, seemingly unfazed by the display of affection, retrieved his ice cream and returned to the classroom. The once sassy and animated demeanor gave way to the familiar icy exterior. Alexander, still grappling with his emotions, couldn't help but feel a twinge of disappointment.

The classmates, witnessing the exchange from afar, were intrigued by the sudden shift in dynamics. Haoran, curious, nudged Xiao and remarked, "What just happened out there? That guy and Yue seem close."

Xiao, keen on gossip, replied, "Yeah, did you see Alexander's reaction? And what he did to his pen."

The news of Alexander's jealousy spread like wildfire among the classmates, creating an atmosphere of curiosity and speculation. Whispers and hushed conversations ensued as they tried to decipher the complexities of the Frosty Alliance.

Inside the classroom, Yue resumed his stoic demeanor, quietly enjoying his ice cream without a word. Alexander, attempting to conceal his emotions, avoided eye contact with Yue. The tension in the air was palpable, and the unspoken feelings between them lingered like an unresolved melody.

Haoran, seizing the opportunity, approached Alexander with a teasing grin. "What's eating you up, Alex? I've never seen you so riled up. Something happen out there?"

Alexander, still processing his emotions, dismissed the question with a forced smile. "Nothing. Just stressed about assignments."

Sensing the tension in the air, Yue decided to break the silence that hung between him and Alexander.

With an air of nonchalance, Yue looked at Alexander and asked, "Want some ice cream? I can get you one."

Alexander, his pride wounded and jealousy still lingering, retorted, "I can buy ice cream a hundred times better than that."

Yue, with a cold tone, responded, "Suit yourself. Just offering."

As the lunchtime bell rang, Alexander joined his friends as they headed to the usual spot. Secretly, his eyes scanned the room, searching for Yue. The solitary figure always caught his attention, a mysterious enigma that beckoned further exploration.

Yue, as expected, sat alone, his lunch a solitary affair. However, an unexpected interruption occurred when a guy approached and boldly took a seat beside him. Perplexed, Yue glanced at the newcomer and asked, "Who are you?"

The guy, revealing a mischievous smile, responded, "It's me, your cousin Ran. I'm in disguise. By the way, your father is back. Be prepared for what comes next."

Yue, taken aback by the unexpected news, stammered, "What? How? My brother didn't say anything."

The conversation between Yue and his disguised cousin continued, veiled in secrecy and family intrigues. Meanwhile, Alexander, observing from a distance, couldn't shake off the feeling of jealousy that stirred within him. The unknown aspects of Yue's life seemed to unravel before his eyes, and he yearned to be part of the conversation.

Unable to contain himself, Alexander decided to intervene. He walked over to Yue and his cousin, wearing a friendly smile but with a subtle undercurrent of possessiveness. "Hey, am I interrupting something?"

Yue's cousin, Ran, shot Alexander a sly grin, acknowledging the unspoken tension. "Not at all. Just catching up with family matters. You must be Alexander, right?"

Alexander, with a nod, responded, "Yeah, that's me. Alexander Zhao. And you are?"

Alexander, still holding onto Yue's uniform, couldn't hide the jealousy in his eyes. The unspoken connection between Yue and Alexander seemed to intensify in this moment.

"Ran, Yue's cousin," Ran replied, maintaining an air of mystery.

Yue, feeling the pull of conflicting emotions, glanced at Alexander. "What's the big deal? It's just my cousin."

Alexander, his grip on the uniform tightening, retorted, "Just your cousin?."