"So..I need advice. But I don't need anyone judging me or thinking I'm weird,"Jian said while sipping her bubble tea.

"And you came to me? "Chenle asked while narrowing his eyes.

"Because you are the most logical one out of our group. And can keep secrets. So help me."

Jian had called Chenle out to a bubble tea shop near his house to help her with something. Chenle was really interested to know what she needed help with so he came.

"Fine tell dad everything, my daughter,"Chenle said.

Chenle has a weird habit of calling himself everyone's dad. He once even wore a grey wig and mustache and sent the picture in their group chat saying he's everyone's dad. Jian sighed remembering it and thinking that he's the only person she could ask advice to. No one in her small group of five is normal.

"So..hypothetically a girl..likes a man almost a lot older than her."

"Oh scandalous. Tell me more,"Chenle said while sipping his tea.

Jian sighed,"Can you be serious right now? So yeah..she likes him like a lot. He has helped her through some shit no one else can. Day by day it is hard for her to control her feelings around her. She wants to tell him. But there are a lot of problems over here. He might see her as a...I don't know..child?"

"Why would he see her as a child?"

"Umm..well, they have a slight age.. difference between them."

"How many years? 4? 5?"

"Umm..a bit more than that..about a decade or some.."

"Holy shit Jung Jian, that shit ain't a slight age difference. That's..kinda..weird?"

"No it honestly is not that weird. She has never seen him as someone that older than him."

"What about him?"

"That I don't know. It's complicated? Sometimes she thinks he likes her, sometimes it seems like he..well doesn't."

Chenle sighed and rubbed his chin thinking.

"It's my friend's situation by the way, not mine."

"Yeah Yeah, did your friend try to leave subtle hints his way?"

"Well, she tried. But her form of flirting is insulting. She tries to do something but she ends up insulting him and that ends in them fighting like children or him sulking in the corner."

"I see."

"And she has been trying to ignore him but that doesn't work. He makes his way in somehow. All of it so complicated. Doing what would be best in this situation? Confessing? Or hiding the feelings so it doesn't ruin their friendship? But it is getting really hard for her to contain her emotions."

Chenle thought for awhile and then gave genuine advice,"I really think confessing would be best. If he rejects her she can move on slowly. But if she doesn't, she might regret it in the future about the shot she might have had."

"You think?"

Chenle nodded.

Jian was deep in thought and sipping her bubble tea.

"So..I can guess that your internet friend also have her csats in a week. In that case I think for now she should study for the exams now and think about Baek..I mean her ten year older crush later."

Jian didn't hear any of it. She was deep in thought. Chenle was waiting for an answer but when she looked up she hit him with something.

"There's another problem. He's..kind of.."Jian was looking for the right adjective,"..dangerous?"

Chenle frowned,"Dangerous? What kind of dangerous. It better not be some weird sexual sh.."

"Oh my God, it isn't. Umm..he kind of may or may not have police chasing him all the time."

"What?"Chenle was beyond confused,"What kind of dangerous?"

"Like..police might chase his ass all the time dangerous. She is worried that police might come and take him away forever."

This time Chenle really started thinking. He was definitely sure that Jian was talking about her and Baekhyun's situation not so sneakily. He always knew Jian had a crush on Baekhyun and at first he was certain that this story is totally their's including the age gap and all. Until she said that 'he is dangerous'. There's no way Baekhyun can be dangerous and have police chase him. He's like an energetic puppy who is somehow older than them. If police were chasing him for a crime what would his crime be? Being too cute?

All of that makes Chenle think that Jian really is talking about one of her internet friends.

After thinking for awhile,"If he's dangerous I don't think she should risk it. She also might get pulled into his shit."

"Yeah..But..as long as she's not telling him she won't feel at ease though. She also thought about hiding all of it. But her heart just won't let her. She's not confident that she can live on with this burden but she also doesn't want to ruin their friendship. It's just...all bad,"Jian sighed as if she was the one feeling all of it.

"Is it safe for her and her family if he gets caught? I mean won't they be dragged into his mess?"

"Well..I'm not sure. They might be."

Chenle thought seriously for sometime and then seriously said,"I think it's better to stay away from him and not attach herself more.."

"But she has already attached herself to him to the point of losing her mind and as long as she doesn't tell him she won't feel free. She would feel a huge weight on her heart. She can't live like this forever."

"Then I'm conflicted Jian. I'm also torn. I really don't know what to say. I'm sorry I'm no help this time but tell your friend to do whatever her heart desires. But also to be careful of not being mangled in his crimes. And there's also not surety that he's gonna accept her anyway given the age gap."

Jian nodded, still deep in thought.

"And why did she fall for a ten year older criminal anyway. That screams daddy issues to me. And this is not even some time of kdrama shit."

Jian wasn't paying attention to any of it. Chenle kept talking about how dangerous this situation might be.

Jian was pulled back out of her trance when her phone buzzed.

She opened the message she received,"Oh, it's from Jaemin. I was supposed to study with him today. Our exam is awfully near. I will have to go now. Thank you so much, Chenle."

"Most welcome, my daughter. But ask your friend to be careful."

Jian was walking her way to Jaemin's house where they would study till evening. She was thinking about her conversation with Chenle. She knew deep down in her heart that she wouldn't feel relieved as long as she doesn't. These days when she's near Baekhyun she feels like her heart would burst. She can't continue feeling like that. After the talk with Chenle she is even more confused. She wants to confess but there's so many factors. Baekhyun and her bond, his crime records, him being so much older than her, she not knowing how he even feels about her...so so much.

Ahhhhh!

As Jian reached the front of Jaemin's house she saw something that made her blood boil. She saw Minhee snooping around Jaemin's house trying to peak inside. She doesn't know what is up these days but Minhee has been again boldly trying to get in touch with Jaemin. Jaemin has been ignoring all her advances, which she is proud of, but these advances are making Jian lose her cool and 'adult ness' in her. There are two people in the world that she won't ever tolerate and won't take any shit from. One is Aron and second is Minhee. She just hates both of them with her entire soul.

When she saw Minhee she started singing loudly getting Minhee's attention.

Let me tell y'all a story
Bout a mouse named Minhee
Yeah, Minhee was a mouse
In a big brown house
But fuck that little mouse
Cause I'm an albarouz.

Minhee wasn't expecting to see her. She widened her eyes when she did and quickly ran far from her. She has been oddly scared of Jian, especially after Jian beat up Her bully friends so all her advances towards Jaemin were when Jian wasn't around.

Jian and Minhee were currently standing at the same road in front of Jaemin's house far apart from each other.

"So..how many times do I have to tell you to get in your thick head to stay the fuck away from my best friend?"Jian asked loudly so the sound reaches her.

"You little bitch, Mark my words. I will soon teach you a lesson for wrecking my home. You don't even know what is coming your way and how much I know. Brace yourself, bitch."

With that Minhee ran away.

Jian cupped her mouth and shouted,"I will be waiting!"

And then Jian went inside. Jaemin's mum warmly welcomed her and she quickly went to Jaemin's room where she saw him writing something with utmost concentration.

"Sup?"Jian asked,"You promised to not start studying till I come."

"I am not studying, I am planning."

"What?"Jian asked while sitting next to Jaemin.

"I have decided if I get into a good college I'm gonna give myself a present. The present is I'm gonna ask everyone that was ever mean to me to 'screw off'."

"Woah..that's big."

Taking in consideration what that Jaemin is the nicest guy and never tries to offend anyone..this is huge.

"Yes..thinking about it motivates me. You should also treat yourself to something if you get in your desired college."

Suddenly a light bulb went off in Jian's head. This is great idea. When her results are gonna be announced, her grandma's surgery would be over and if that time she gets into her desired college she is gonna confess no matter what the consequences may be. It is her present to herself and if she doesn't..she won't ever confess and risk her friendship with Baekhyun or be at the risk of being pulled into his world of crime.

"You bet I'm gonna give myself a treat if I get into that college,"Jian smiled. And then realized if she wants it to be true she would have to study her ass off for the next seven days. She got her books out at the speed of lightening and started studying. Jaemin was confused. But he also started studying anyway.

That night Jian was walking home. Jian and Jaemin were in a trance and studying way more than they planned on doing. And then Jaemin's mom fed her so much food, her stomach is really full. It is 10:45. Grandma must've already gone to sleep. Baekhyun must be in his room playing PubG. She can't wait to go home and go to sleep.

What Jian saw in front of her house shocked her. Baekhyun was sitting at the front porch, waiting. He got up when he saw her.

"Why are you so late, Jung Jian? And why is your phone not reachable?"Baekhyun asked, worried.

"Oh the battery is finished and Jaemin and I were too immersed in studying. I'm sorry..I should've informed that I'm gonna be late,"Jian said,"How long did you wait out for?"

Baekhyun frowned,"Who said I waited for you? I was sitting out cause..cause..well..the Stars looked nice."

Jian looked up to see a complete starless sky and smiled.

Sure.

Baekhyun gulped and quickly changed the topic,"Come in. I will get you dinner."

Baekhyun quickly got in. Jian followed him and locked the door behind her when he went to the kitchen to serve dinner.

"Baekhyun, it's okay, I'm very full tonight.."Jian said while taking off her shoes. But when she looked up she saw Baekhyun putting two plates on the table, meaning he has also not eaten and was waiting for her to eat with.

"Huh?"Baekhyun peeped from the kitchen,"Did you say something?"

Jian smiled,"I was just saying give me food quickly, I'm freaking starving."

"Oh yeah yeah, you go quickly wash up and you'd find dinner ready!"

"Okay!"

After washing up and serving both of them sat at the table and enjoyed the dinner while chitchatting like usual.

"So your exams are so near, it feels unreal,"Baekhyun said.

"I know right."

"How's your list going? Of the things you wanna go after exams?"

"The list is huge. Really huge."

"Don't worry. You will be able to do all of them after exam. So for now just concentrate on your exams."

Jian smiled,"So will you help me fulfill my list?"

"Of course."

I have another reason to do well in my exam then.

Finally the day of the exam had arrived. Every examinee was tensed, the whole Korea was tensed. It was Korea's most important exam after all. Families were coming to drop off their sons and daughters to the exam center, praying for the best. Examinees were studying till the last minute, also praying that they get all the questions right.

Both grandma and Baekhyun came for Jian to drop her off, Jaemin's whole family came with him. Jian didn't know what to feel. She feels numb. She can hardly process what's going on. This is the most important exam of her life. She studied so hard for this. What if she busts it?

Right before going into the center, Baekhyun held her hand and fixed her parka, reassuring her,"Don't think about anything else. Don't be pressured. Give your best. Just know that no matter what happens after the exam, we are with you."

Jian smiled slightly,"Pray for me."

Baekhyun smiled,"Always."

The whole exam felt like a trance. Jian really didn't think of anything or anyone else. She just looked at the questions and solved them the way she learnt too. She was so immersed in the questions at one point she thought she was completely alone in this exam hall. No one else was there, only her, with the question paper she knows how to solve. It was hard for her to get out of the trance even after the exam.

She saw Baekhyun's anxious eyes when he saw her come out of the exam with her emotionless face,"How..was it?"

That was when Jian's trance was broken. Till now she didn't even think how the exam went. But now as she looked at the questions and thought,"I think...I did..well."

"Well?"

"Yeah. I don't think I have any regrets."

Baekhyun's anxious face turned into a big smile,"That's a great news then!"

Jaemin also came out soon and seems like his exam also went well. Jian was glad to hear that.

"I'm so glad that this is over. I've studied so much for this now I'm not gonna study for at least a year,"Jaemin said.

"Same,"Jian said,"I've worked so hard, I'm traumatized."

"Well..now the trauma is over. Let's go home now. A big surprise is waiting,"Baekhyun said.

"What?"Jian asked.

"Remember your list? On your list it said you wanted a big family feast after your exam. Time for a family feast. Chenle, Taehyung and grandma are already home preparing the feast. Let's go!"Baekhyun said and offered his hand to Jian. Jian held it while smiling and then held Jaemin's hand with another,"Let's go! Three cheers to freedom!"

"Hip hip hooray!!!"

The following month was nothing but a dream. Full of happiness, family and loved ones. If Jian had to choose the happiest part of her life, she without a doubt would choose this month. Who knew that Jian would remember a cold winter in Seoul as the warmest days of her life?

Baekhyun had made it his mission to fulfill all of her wishes that she wanted to do after her csats. From family feasts, to watching fireworks by the Han river, to watch view from the Namsan tower, to go to Lotte world, to cycle around the entirety of Goyang, to watch movies all night, to eat so much delicious food, to attempt on cooking a homemade meal, to volunteering in so many animal shelters. She did everything thanks to Baekhyun. For somethings the others joined but for the most part she did all of it with Baekhyun. It was like a month full of adventures, craziness and laughter. Jian also got back to playing video games all night and all day like she used to. Her mission is to defeat Baekhyun once because he somehow always defeats her which is unacceptable to her.

In this month even though so many happy things happened, one slightly tensed moment was also there. Grandma managed to get her surgery fully. It was a completely successful surgery but at a point doctors were scared that she might not make it. Jian was losing it at that time. But Baekhyun was there for her all the time. Now grandma's surgery is done but she is still in the hospital under the doctor's care. Jian's father has been contacting Jian a lot about this surgery. Jian has been keeping the conversation short but giving him all the necessary information about the surgery. He wants to come to Korea for the surgery but he can't because he is stuck with work. Surprisingly Jian's father has been trying to talk to her more and more these days. Jian wasn't having it. She wasn't going to let her dad ruin her happy month. So she is just staying within giving him updates on grandma.

The day of the results was coming close. Jian was getting a bit anxious but Baekhyun was there to tell her everything was gonna be okay. And also there were a few things left to do in her list. One of them being getting drunk. Tonight was the turn for that.

Grandma was at the hospital and she has no idea about this. Baekhyun has gone out and brought a lot of soju, beer, wine, champagne, hard liquor, everything he could find. He wants Jian to know the taste of all it so no one tries to scam her in the future. He also wants to know which one she likes best.

Jian was amazed to see so many different kinds of bottles standing on the table.

"Woah! What's all this?"Jian asked.

Baekhyun smiled and asked her to sit down while he introduced her to all the different kinds of liquor. After that was done he also sat down and said,"Let's start, shall we?"

They started with soju which Jian already knew and liked. Then they slowly moved on to the others. As the night progressed they got more and more tipsy. Baekhyun's plan was to drink less so he doesn't get drunk before her. But that didn't happen. He also let himself go knowing it is safe to let himself go in front of her. They drank, watched movies, played games, sang out loud did so many things. Truly one enjoyable night.

At one point Baekhyun got so drunk he blacked out. When he woke up he saw Jian also sitting at the table beside him with her head down on the table also blacked out.

He smiled. She also had fun tonight. She smiled more than usual. Is it because of being drunk? She has a surprisingly high tolerance of alcohol. God knows how much she drank to get this drunk. Baekhyun slowly stretched his shoulders and neck and got up. He slowly held her shoulders and lifted her off the chair and slowly took her to her bedroom and placed her on the bed. He then tucked her under a blanket.

He looked at her innocent sleeping face for sometime and smiled. By seeing her innocent sleeping face who could tell that she has such a dynamic personality?

Baekhyun ruffled her hair and turned around to go and clean up the mess they caused but Jian held his hand and stopped him. Baekhyun turned around to check if she's still awake but her eyes were closed.

"Baekhyun-Ahh??"She called in a jumbled drunk voice.

Baekhyun smiled, she's talking in a drunk state. It would be fun to hear what she says.

Baekhyun sat down on the floor beside her bed, not leaving her hand,"Yes?"

"I..hate you. I hate you so so much."

Baekhyun chuckled,"Why?"

"Because I want you to be by my side forever."

That warmed Baekhyun's heart,"Dont worry Jian. I will be by your side forever."

"But..they might take you..from me."

Baekhyun frowned,"Who?"

"..them. The police. The government, the intelligence agency.."

Baekhyun's expression changed.

Jian continued,"I can't live in constant fear of them taking you away. I want to be happy completely. I want to roam around freely with you."

Baekhyun had noticed the past month how she suddenly grabs his hand in fear when she sees a police officer. Now he knows it was because she was afraid of them taking him away. Baekhyun's heart felt weird. He didn't want Jian to feel such way. He wanted her to be happy. He understands her fear especially while the police is going around searching for the person who stole Miri's ring. He had to go to Seoul in completely disguise. Now he knows that bothered Jian. That saddened her.

Baekhyun sighed and showed a sad smile. Jian had stopped talking. Looks like she's in deep sleep. Baekhyun slowly let go of her hand and placed it on her bed and went to clean up the mess of a dining room they created. He also has to clean the mess his mind is in and do a lot of thinking.

After doing a hell lot of thinking and pretending he is okay in front of Jian the next morning, the next night Baekhyun snooped out of the house in full disguise at night when Jian was sleeping and went straight to Seoul. Even though it was off limits for him right now. Anything for Jian.

Yunho was shocked to hear a doorbell at 3 am in a cold night. He was more shocked to see the person that came to see him so late at night. Baekhyun had a smile on his face as if him coming to Yunho's house right now was so normal.

"Byun Baekhyun What the fuck are you doing here? Didn't I tell you you can't come to Seoul for the time being?"

The police aren't on to Baekhyun yet. But it is good to be safe then sorry, right? And Yunho would never want to lose Baekhyun to the police as he's so precious to him and also because how afraid Baekhyun is of being locked up.

But something in Baekhyun's face looked different tonight. Something wasn't sitting right. Baekhyun smiled and pushed past Yunho and came in his home,"Woah hyung, your home is the same, nothing changed."

Yunho closed the door,"Why are you avoiding the question, what the exact hell is up?"

Baekhyun turned around and said,"I would tell you everything! But first you do sit in the balcony. I would bring both of us coffees! It's been so long since I've seen the view of Seoul from your balcony."

"Baek.."

"Just go!"Baekhyun said and pushed Yunho in the balcony while he went to make coffee in Yunho's kitchen.

Yunho sat in the balcony anxiously. Something is very wrong. He can totally feel it.

Soon Baekhyun came with two cups of coffee and sat at the chair beside him. They both sipped their coffee and looked out of the balcony.

"Ah! Feels nice. Just like old times,"Baekhyun said.

"Yeah, you're right. Just like old times."

Baekhyun stayed quiet for sometime. Yunho knows Baekhyun is thinking of what to say. By the atmosphere Yunho knows what he might say. He knows if Baekhyun says it there's no going back. He is also preparing himself to hear it and digest it.

"Hyung."

"Hmm?"

"Do you remember the night we met?"

"How can I not?"Yunho chuckled. He's right. Baekhyun is going to say what he thought he would,"So much happened that night, right?"

Baekhyun nodded,"Do you remember that night after we met, I saved your life you took me in and promised me that because I saved your life you are going to fulfill one of my wishes?"

Yunho nodded. He remembers it clearly. How in that rainy night, Yunho was running away from his enemies all bloodied up, almost defeated. How suddenly a twelve year old with smiley face and lonely eyes saw him and helped him hide and fearlessly distracted the enemies, how twelve year old Baekhyun saved his life that night. Yunho had promised to give him whatever and whenever he wanted in return of saving his life.

"You've given me shelter, raised me, loved me, did so much for me. You were the best guidance and older brother I could've asked for. You changed my life. Yet I'm here ungratefully asking for that wish after so many years..I'm sorry. But that is the only thing I can do now. Otherwise you won't agree."

Yunho sighed.

Baekhyun smiled,"You see..hyung..I started stealing not only because I was good at it but also I thought it would help me get rid of the loneliness and emptiness I felt inside. It was fun but it never honestly filled the void inside of me."

Yunho nodded.

"But she did. Meeting her changed my life and changed me. I for once really have someone that makes me happy and makes me want to protect her with my life."

Yunho knew this was coming ever since he saw Baekhyun with that girl. There was nothing he could do to prevent it no matter what he tried.

"So what's your wish..Byun Baekhyun?"Yunho asked.

Baekhyun smiled,"I want to leave the old me behind..start afresh. I want to..be happy and make her happy. I want to turn myself in," Baekhyun looked at Yunho,"Please let me do it."

Baekhyun further added,"I will take the fall for all of my heists myself. None of you would be dragged in. Trust me."

"I trust you."

"So..?"

Yunho sighed again,"I thought you found your freedom more important than anyone's life? I always saw you as a free bird. How do you think I would feel after seeing you locked up in a tiny cell? Are you even gonna be okay?"

"It's gonna be a bit scary but..I just found someone who is more important than my freedom,"Baekhyun smiled.

"Does she even know what you are up to? Or did you take the decision by yourself?"

Baekhyun smiled and looked away,"She doesn't know."

"How do you think she would feel that you're pulling this shit because of her?"

"It's..it's..the best for everyone."

"So when are you planning on doing this?"

"Soon,"Baekhyun then looked at Yunho again,"So would you let me, hyung?"

There's no way Yunho can stop him once he's made a decision. It has always been like this. He has always been a little brother to Yunho, whom he has spoiled a little too much. Knowing this would be harmful for his gang, he still couldn't stop Baekhyun. If Baekhyun thinks it's the best for him. It is the best for him.

"Okay. You can if that's what you want."

Baekhyun smiled ear to ear,"Now that's my hyung!"

Yunho smiled seeing Baekhyun so happy and relieved.

There's no way an elder brother can win against the younger one.

___________________________

A/N:

Hey loves!! 💜

Looks like someone's tryna surrender.

Also the book's about to end. I'm low key gonna miss this book.😭🥺