THE REAL PROTEGE-Chapter 486: THAT WASN’T GRIEF. THAT WAS LONGING

The Lingering Gaze

Later that night, Mushu deliberately sat at the desk, pretending to check emails, while keeping Sisu in his peripheral vision.

While Sisu lay on the bed, blanket clutched to his chest. He turned his head. His eyes flicked toward Mushu. At first, it was subtle — a glance, quickly withdrawn. But as Mushu remained motionless, Sisu’s stare lingered.

His gaze followed Mushu’s shoulders, noting the muscles tensing with each keystroke, even as his steady composure remained. Sisu’s lips parted, breath unsteady.

Mushu suddenly looked up. Their eyes met.

Sisu froze, face burning. He jerked his gaze away and fumbled with his blanket, pretending to adjust it. His movements were clumsy, betraying panic.

At that moment, surprise jolted Mushu’s resolve. His heart skipped a beat, a jarring realization emerging just beneath his calm.

’That wasn’t grief. That wasn’t sorrow. That was... longing.’

Mushu’s Realization

At breakfast, Mushu noticed Sisu’s eyes flick toward him with each word, his cheeks flushed when their hands brushed as they passed dishes.

During training, Mushu corrected Sisu’s stance with a light touch. Sisu stiffened, breath caught, eyes darting away.

Mushu’s stoic mask cracked. Ling Li’s words and Shi Min’s smirk returned.

’Could it be true? Does his heart... beat for me?’ Mushu felt tightness in his heart. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

That night, Mushu lay awake, staring at the ceiling as Sisu’s soft breathing filled the room. Mushu’s mind was restless.

’I’ve faced armies without fear, endured wounds without flinching. But this truth terrifies me. If he truly feels this way, what am I supposed to do? I cannot return what I do not feel. Yet I cannot hurt him. He is my brother. He is family. Now he is a puzzle I cannot solve.’

Mushu turned his head slightly. Sisu was curled beneath his blanket, face half-hidden. Yet Mushu saw it again — the subtle flush on Sisu’s cheeks. He noticed how Sisu’s gaze lingered when he thought Mushu wasn’t watching.

Mushu closed his eyes, awareness blooming into helpless sorrow. The full weight of Sisu’s hidden feelings settled heavily on his chest.

"Ling Li and Shi Min were right. His heart trembles because of me. And I... I am helpless."

Mushu’s Breaking Point

The following evening, after hours of restless pacing, Mushu could no longer contain the storm inside him. He had seen Sisu’s lingering gaze, felt his trembling presence, and remembered Ling Li and Shi Min’s hints. His stoic mask was cracking.

He left the quiet hallway behind and walked slowly to Ling Li’s study. The door creaked open, revealing Ling Li seated at her desk, her aura calm yet commanding. The faint glow of her qi shimmered around her, a reminder of her strength.

Mushu bowed deeply, urgency in his voice.

"Madam... I need to speak with you. Alone."

Ling Li looked up, sensing the weight in his tone. She gestured for him to sit and sent Butler James out.

"Speak, Mushu. What troubles you?"

The Confession

Mushu sat stiffly, his fists clenched on his knees. His voice trembled, a rare crack in his usual composure.

"I tried to observe Sisu, as you advised. And I saw it. His eyes... they linger on me. His heart trembles not from grief, but from something else. Something I cannot name, but I fear I already know."

Mushu met Ling Li’s eyes, confusion flickering beneath his sharp gaze.

"Madam... what should I do if his heart truly beats for me?"

Ling Li’s Wisdom

Ling Li’s expression softened as she leaned back, eyes full of compassion.

"Mushu, you have mastered war, but this is not a battlefield you can conquer with strength. If his heart beats for you, it is not something you can fight. It is something you must handle with care."

She paused, voice steady.

"Do not shame him. Do not break him. His feelings are his burden, and perhaps his gift. You cannot return what you do not feel, but you can give him respect, kindness, and protection. That is what he needs most."

Mushu’s jaw clenched, voice low.

"But Madam... I feel helpless. I cannot return his feelings. Yet I cannot hurt him either. He is my brother. He is family. And now... he is a puzzle I cannot solve."

Ling Li reached across the desk, her hand resting lightly on his arm.

"You do not need to solve him, Mushu. You only need to stand beside him. Let him find his own path. If his heart beats for you, then let it beat. Do not crush it. Do not run from it. Be the brother he needs."

Mushu bowed his head, his stoic mask shattered. For the first time, he felt truly vulnerable.

"I can fight armies. I can endure wounds. But how do I face this? How do I face him?"

Ling Li’s voice remained calm, resolute.

"Face him with compassion. That is all the heavens ask of you."

The study fell silent, the weight of unspoken truths pressing down. Mushu rose slowly, his heart heavy, his mind clouded. He had faced countless battles, but this — his brother’s hidden love — was a war he could not win, only endure.

Mushu’s New Approach

The next evening, Mushu entered their shared room with a quiet determination. Ling Li’s words echoed in his mind: "Face him with compassion. That is all the heavens ask of you."

Instead of keeping his usual distance, Mushu softened his presence. He placed a bottle of water on Sisu’s nightstand, neatly adjusted the blanket, and spoke in a calm tone.

"You’ve been restless these past nights. If you need anything, please let me know. I’ll take care of it."

Sisu blinked, startled. His heart leapt at the unexpected tenderness. His cheeks flushed, and he quickly looked away.

"Ah... thank you, Big Brother."

Protective Gestures

At breakfast, Mushu pulled out Sisu’s chair, placed food on his plate, and then served himself.

"Eat more. You need strength."

Sisu’s chopsticks trembled. His chest tightened. ’He’s... caring for me. Could it mean...?’

During training, Mushu slowed his pace, shielding Sisu from more brutal sparring blows.

"Don’t push yourself. I’ll cover you."

Sisu’s breath caught, his eyes shimmering. ’He’s protecting me... like more than a brother would.’

At night, Mushu deliberately sat closer and spoke softly.

"You don’t have to hide under the blanket. I’ll keep watch. Sleep peacefully."

Sisu’s heart raced, his body trembling under the weight of unspoken desire. ’He remembers... he cares... does he feel it too?’