The Song Household.
Song Jun was out in the backyard, hands fidgetting over something. He flipped the object to reveal a well made teddy bear. The boy used his small hands to hand sew the seam and close it up. He breathed out a sigh of exhaustion and held up his creation with delight.
"Sooo cute," he hugged it tightly.
Song Jun was made fun because of his natural talent in design and embroidery. Boys his age would point at him and call him names because of his 'girly' hobby.
For a while, Song Jun never left his home because of how traumatic the bullying had gotten. He stopped sewing for a time as well, conforming to peer pressure and not wanting to be seen as a girl. After his grandmother's death, however, he took up design again to honour her memory and wishes. Song Jun absolutely loved sewing things together and designing his own stuff. He felt accomplished and proud whenever he made something new.
One of the household's maids came by and bowed, "Young Master Jun, Master Chen is here."
Song Jun smiled so wide. 'Brother Chen is here!' he thought excitedly. His black eyes twinkled like stars and chubby cheeks bulged out in happiness. The maid tried but failed in hiding her smile. 'Ahhh, so cute! I want to pinch his cheeks!' The Little Dumpling realized that the maid was staring at him with smiling eyes and immediately straightened his face, putting on gentlemanly airs. "I'll be there in moment," he waved her off. The maid wanted to snicker at the change in behavior but bowed and walked off. 'I must act like a man, I must act like man.'
Song Jun repeated the mantra in his head, using his fingers to press down on his cheeks. "Stupid cheeks." Every girl who saw him would always exclaim and touch his cheeks. It was annoying! An image of a beautiful girl came to his mind then. Except her...he wondered where his pretty sister was now. Song Jun got up and dusted off the grass, packing his things away. 'Maybe Brother Chen will know.'
Song Chen was sitting on an armchair swiping his fingers away on his tablet. His eyes were focused on the email reports he was viewing. His sleeked-back black hair, assessing eyes and navy suit which hugged his slightly muscled frame, exuded a cool appeal that would attract any woman in Imperial. Song Jun walked into the living room dressed in casual attire. He forgot about his manners the second he saw his brother and ran over to hug him.
"Brother Chen! You finally decided to come home today!"
The man in question looked up and patted Song Jun's head, ruffling his hair. Although he didn't smile, it was his own way of expressing his care to the little guy. "I had time."
Song Jun flashed him a cute smile and thought of something. "Brother Chen, remember the girl I told you about? Have you found pretty sister yet? I want to see her!"
Song Chen recalled the incident in which Song Jun ran away from home. He remembered his little brother saying something about a girl who rescued him, but he pushed the detail out of his mind then. Who knew what type of woman she was? She could've been using Song Jun for her twisted exploits so he had no reason to go looking for her. Song Jun was still too young and didn't know the terrifying faces behind people's fake smiles. He wouldn't give her a chance to contact Song Jun.
"I'm sorry, I couldn't find her. Maybe you shouldn't get involved with her. She could've been using you."
"But she wasn't! Pretty sister isn't like that! Stop badmouthing her or else.. o-or else, I-I won't talk to you! Hmpf." Song Jun angrily pouted and folded his clenched fists, looking away from him.
Song Chen rubbed his temple exasperatedly. "Ha. Don't be like that. Okay, I'll try to find her. Are you still angry?" He couldn't withhold information from this little guy forever, otherwise, he'd just keep bugging him about it. What surprised the most was that his brother seemed to really like this girl. Song Jun was usually neutral with strangers, maybe this girl was worth checking out.
The boy jumped up in joy and fist bumped his hand in the air. "YES! Thanks, Brother Chen. I can't wait to see pretty sister." 'And to pair her off with you, brother.'
Song Chen felt an odd chill from his younger brother and shivered. 'Probably my imagination,' he brushed it off.