The Butterfly Hair Clip
The curtain quickly fell on the national competition. Qin Mudong won the gold medal with an overwhelming lead and secured a guaranteed admission to one of the country’s top universities—Che University.
No.1 High School even made a huge banner to celebrate him, hanging it at the school’s main entrance, and created a display board to showcase the achievements of this outstanding student. Every time Lu Xingjia walked by, he couldn’t help but glance at it several times and smile proudly.
After the competition, Peng Huarong, a professor at Che University, officially extended an invitation to Qin Mudong, hoping he could join his research team as an undergraduate researcher. Qin Mudong agreed.
For a high school student to join a top university professor’s research team—especially through a personal invitation—was a major achievement. Although both Peng Huarong and Qin Mudong were low-key, the news spread quickly among students and parents at No.1 High.
Some were shocked, others filled with admiration. Even the students in the physics competition class gained a new level of respect. As Qin Mudong’s guardian, Pu Shulan contacted Peng Huarong, expressing a desire to meet with him.
She said she hadn’t paid enough attention to Qin Mudong before and wanted to make sure everything was handled properly this time.
Peng Huarong completely understood. To show his sincerity, he immediately booked a ticket to visit Xingjiang personally. When he informed Qin Mudong about it over the phone, Qin Mudong was silent for a moment.
“What’s wrong?” Peng Huarong noticed his hesitation. “Is it inconvenient? Or…?”
“…No,” Qin Mudong pressed his fingers to his brow, suppressing a subtle wave of irritation in his heart. “You’re very welcome.”
That evening, Qin Mudong waited for Lu Xingjia outside the school gate, pulled him into the bushes, and kissed him over and over. Their lips and tongues tangled as he held him tightly, like a wounded little beast.
Lu Xingjia immediately sensed something was off and asked, “What’s wrong? Did something happen?”
Qin Mudong rested his head on Lu Xingjia’s shoulder, silent for a long while, then muttered, “it’s nothing.”
He didn’t know how to describe the subtle feeling inside—like something was about to rise to the surface, like a raging fire ready to burn through paper. But he still didn’t want to believe it.
The scales in his heart wavered endlessly before finally settling.
He thought, since he had already decided to trust Pu Shulan, then he should trust her once more.
At the very least, he still had his star.
With that thought, Qin Mudong tightened his arms around Lu Xingjia.
This didn’t look like “nothing” at all.
Thinking of their past life, Lu Xingjia’s heart clenched painfully. He tried several times to gently probe for answers, but Qin Mudong remained silent.
Left with no other choice, Lu Xingjia sighed lightly and changed the topic.
He forced a smile and said in a cheerful tone, “Are you free the next few days? My mom said she wants to invite you over for a meal!”
If he couldn’t get an answer, he’d just stay by his side. That was better than leaving him alone.
Qin Mudong paused, then answered, “Any time except Saturday morning is fine.”
A flicker of realization flashed through Lu Xingjia’s mind. On the surface, he remained calm, arranging to have dinner together on Sunday. They kissed and hugged for a while longer before heading home.
Something was definitely happening on Saturday morning.
Sitting in his study area, Lu Xingjia thought to himself:
He had to find a way to stay with Qin Mudong—or at least meet him that morning.
What could he do, really?
“Jia Jia, it’s already midnight, time for bed!”
He Xi’s voice called from outside the door.
In that flash of a moment, Lu Xingjia suddenly remembered something.
He responded with a quick “okay” and opened his desk drawer, pulling out a beautifully packaged box.
It was the butterfly hair clip they had bought together last time. He had already given He Xi hers, while the one meant for Pu Shulan had been brought home but never delivered—he kept saying he’d bring it to Qin Mudong but always forgot. Now, it turned out to be the perfect excuse.
Lu Xingjia held the delicate box in his hand, still full of worry.
Time shifted to Saturday.
Zhaohe Restaurant—one of Xingjiang’s most famous fusion restaurants combining Chinese and Western cuisine—was known for its creative dishes and stylish decor. It was a top choice for locals when entertaining distinguished guests or friends.
Qin Mudong was still living alone in the old house. At the agreed time, he changed into a black tracksuit and wore a black baseball cap, hoping to show respect and importance for the meeting.
He was already handsome, and in this outfit, he looked even more striking. So much so that when he walked through the door, the hostess was momentarily stunned before regaining her composure and greeting him with a standard smile: “Hello, how many in your party?”
Qin Mudong gave the table number. But when he was led to the table, he suddenly realized there were two people already seated there.
In addition to Pu Shulan, his so-called “younger brother,” Hou Ruicheng, was also there.
Qin Mudong’s expression instantly turned cold.
“Mudong, over here!” Pu Shulan spotted him right away and waved affectionately. Without saying a word, Qin Mudong sat across from them, his eyes cool and distant.
At first, Hou Ruicheng could still meet his gaze, but within five seconds, he dropped his eyes and looked away.
The atmosphere turned awkward. Pu Shulan cleared her throat twice, forcing a bright smile onto her face. “Oh, here’s the thing—you both study physics, right? Your little brother also started competitive physics this year, so I figured you’d have something to talk about. That’s why I invited him too. It was last-minute, so I didn’t get a chance to ask you. You’re not mad, are you?”
As she spoke, she tugged at her son’s sleeve. “Xiao Cheng, why are you being so rude? Say hi to your brother!”
“Mom!” Hou Ruicheng frowned, calling out with some impatience. But when he caught Pu Shulan’s eye, his tone softened, sounding a little aggrieved: “…You pinched me too hard.”
Pu Shulan glared at him and let go, then turned back to Qin Mudong. “Mudong, your brother’s just immature. Don’t take it to heart. He doesn’t say it, but deep down, he really wants to get close to you.”
“……”
The agitation in Qin Mudong’s heart intensified. He turned his eyes away and pulled his cap lower over his face but said nothing more.
Peng Huarong’s train was delayed, so only the three of them were at the table for now. Perhaps sensing his displeasure, Pu Shulan didn’t continue the earlier topic. Instead, she asked about his grades and daily life, then inquired about Peng Huarong’s food preferences. Meanwhile, Hou Ruicheng sat there silently playing mobile games.
She asked a question, Qin Mudong gave a short answer. But each response added to his irritation.
To be fair, there was nothing inherently wrong with Pu Shulan’s actions. She just wanted to use this meeting to introduce Hou Ruicheng to Peng Huarong.
Professor Peng was a major figure in the physics community. Having that connection could make things much easier for Hou Ruicheng in the future.
Qin Mudong tried to calm himself down internally: She loves her other son—there’s nothing wrong with that. Isn’t she also showing concern for you?
This kind of relationship was already pretty good. He didn’t need to be so petty.
But the irritation just wouldn’t go away.
Just then, his phone vibrated twice in his coat pocket.
Qin Mudong casually pulled it out and saw it was a message from Lu Xingjia.
[Will you be done by late morning? I just remembered I haven’t given you the hair clip we bought. After you’re finished, I’ll come find you!]A large chunk of the irritation in Qin Mudong’s heart instantly vanished.
Just trust a little more, he thought. It’s okay.
Wasn’t Lu Xingjia the best example? He had given his heart to him, and Lu Xingjia had returned it sincerely.
Qin Mudong tapped on the screen a few times and replied:
[Have you eaten? I’m at Zhaohe Restaurant—want to join?]There was no hidden meaning. He just suddenly wanted to see him.
Lu Xingjia hadn’t expected an invitation and quickly accepted. He grabbed his jacket and rushed out, carefully carrying the delicate jewelry box the whole way.
Zhaohe Restaurant wasn’t far from his house—just a 20-minute ride. After getting off the bus, Lu Xingjia texted:
[I’m here! Which table are you at?] [I’ll come get you.]Qin Mudong replied and got up to go downstairs.
Dressed all in black under the bright midday sun, he stood out strikingly. As soon as he stepped outside, Lu Xingjia spotted him and waved before hurrying over.
“Here, I’ll give this to you first. Otherwise, I’ll forget again,” Lu Xingjia handed him the box he’d been carrying the whole way and casually asked, “Who are you eating with?”
“Professor Peng.”
Before Qin Mudong could finish the sentence, Lu Xingjia’s eyes lit up. “Professor Peng is here?! When did he arrive?”
Qin Mudong paused, then finished the rest of the sentence:
“…And my mom. And her other son.”
He stammered for a moment but still called out that title, then explained in a low voice, “She said she wanted to talk to Professor Peng in person, so that’s why he came.”
“…I see,” Lu Xingjia suddenly felt a wave of panic rise in his heart, and all his previous unease and anxiety surged back at once.
But now wasn’t the time to dwell on it. He took a deep breath and forced himself to suppress the emotions flooding his chest. “Let’s go in first.”
Qin Mudong nodded slightly and walked into the restaurant with him.
“Mom, I hate him!!!”
Just as they were about to reach the table, a boy’s sharp cry suddenly rang out.
Qin Mudong’s steps halted.
Lu Xingjia’s eyes sharpened. Quick and instinctive, he pulled him into a nearby empty table and sat him down, then made a “shhh—” gesture toward the hostess who was leading the way.
The hostess wasn’t sure what exactly was happening, but the plea in Lu Xingjia’s eyes was unmistakable. She hesitated for a moment, then pretended not to notice and returned to the front desk.
The restaurant’s layout was semi-enclosed, with joined sofa chairs acting as partitions. The two people at the table didn’t notice the commotion nearby.
Pu Shulan gently patted her son’s shoulder and coaxed him in a soft voice, “Be good, Chengcheng. Mom understands. Just bear with it a little longer, okay?”
“What do you understand?!” The boy angrily shook off her hand. “If you understand, why did you still make me come?! Didn’t you see the way he looked at me like he wanted to eat me alive?! He even hit me before! Mom, did you forget?!”
Hou Ruicheng grew more agitated as he spoke, yelling, “You keep telling me to put up with it, but you’re so kind to him! Asking how he’s doing, more attentive to him than to me! I think you like him and not me!!!”
“How could that be, my sweet boy, my dear Chengcheng,” Pu Shulan grabbed his hands and placed them on her lap, soothing him in a soft voice. “You’re the only son I need. You’re my only son! If it weren’t for the fact that you’re in the competition track, if it weren’t for your sake, I wouldn’t even say a word to him.”
Hou Ruicheng couldn’t shake off Pu Shulan’s hand and could only listen as she continued, “My good boy, think about it. If you can get on good terms with him, won’t there be tons of benefits for you? In the short term, he can recommend you to that famous competition teacher. Then you won’t have to worry about your competition results. And in the long run, if he gets into a research institute, adds your name to his papers—it’s just a matter of one sentence.”
Qin Mudong stared fixedly in that direction, his fingers gripping the delicate gift box so tightly that his knuckles turned white.
He could even accept being used by her—as long as there was even a shred of sincerity.
But he hadn’t expected that even that shred of sincerity was too much to ask for.
Anger, disappointment—an indescribable storm of emotions churned in his chest.
Falling, drowning—it felt like he was being dragged back into a bottomless, suffocating swamp.
There was nothing left. Everything was fake. Even that trace of tenderness was an act. He had nothing. He would never have anything.
Qin Mudong gasped for breath, reaching out to grab the glass beside him, about to throw it.
Lu Xingjia’s heart skipped a beat. He quickly caught his hand.
Qin Mudong’s hand was ice cold, like it had fallen into a frozen abyss. But Lu Xingjia still wrapped his hands tightly around it, first taking the glass from his palm and setting it aside, then using his own warmth to gently warm his hand.
“Mudong Ge, Mudong Ge,” Lu Xingjia softly called his name again and again. “I’m here. I’m right here.”
…He still had his star. His star was real, wasn’t it?
After a moment, Qin Mudong’s body stiffened. He shut his eyes in agony.
Meanwhile, the conversation between the mother and son continued.
Hou Ruicheng seemed swayed by her words. After a pause, he awkwardly asked, “Really… are the benefits really that good?”
“Of course,” Pu Shulan nodded without hesitation, continuing to persuade him. “And don’t be fooled by Qin Mudong’s cold exterior. He’s actually very lonely inside and values emotions deeply. As long as you treat him a little nicely on the surface, he’ll give you his whole heart. Once you get a hold on him, his papers, his reputation—all of it will be yours.”
Hearing this, even Lu Xingjia couldn’t help but shiver violently. He didn’t even dare imagine how hurt Qin Mudong must be.
She was Qin Mudong’s biological mother!
He remembered what He Xi said—“Even a vicious tiger won’t eat its own cubs.” But why was it that, as a mother, Pu Shulan could treat her own son so mercilessly? Treat his tenderness as a tool to be used?
Just because she had no feelings for her ex-husband, did that mean she could be so irresponsible toward her own son?
No—it wasn’t just irresponsibility. She didn’t even see Qin Mudong as a person!
Lu Xingjia couldn’t take it anymore. He was about to rush out and scold Pu Shulan fiercely, but to his surprise, someone else stood up before he could.
The man walked directly over and stood in front of Pu Shulan.
“Absolutely not!” Peng Huarong stood tall, his body trembling slightly with anger. His voice was firm and powerful, each word full of righteous fury. “Before doing science, one must first learn to be a decent human being. Anything stolen will never truly be yours.”