Yangyang chuckled, pulling his arm tighter around Amari's shoulders. "What a small world. I feel like everywhere I go, someone knows my A Li. How is it possible for someone so cold and grumpy to have so many friends?"
Amari poked him in the side and frowned. "Coincidence."
"A lot of coincidences..." Leaning in closer, Yangyang lowered his voice. "I think we'll have to count them up later. Maybe it's fate..."
"Stop being ridiculous."
"Am I? I don't think so." Swinging the bag in one hand as he walked caused Amari to sway a little with him. After another block, he stopped. "Here we are!"
The boy looked out across the street, then back at the building. He could smell food cooking and hear voices chatting, so it seemed like the bottom floor was a restaurant. It wasn't a very tall building, he guessed only a few stories, but it seemed like a nice location.
"You live across from the park? That's really nice."
"Isn't it?" Yangyang took his hand and led him to a side door. "My grandfather used to own the whole building and run the restaurant downstairs. After ba got sick, he couldn't keep it going by himself, so he leased it out. Which is good, because ma doesn't have to work, and can live off the rent instead."
"That's nice for her, to be able to stay home with her kids."
With a chuckle, Yangyang put his arm around Amari, giving his shoulders a quick squeeze.
"Why's that funny?"
"All of my other friends say things like 'Oh, how great that she doesn't have to work' or 'Wow, it's like free money,' but you say 'How nice that she can spend time with her kids.'"
Amari didn't really understand, which obviously showed on his face, because Yangyang chuckled again.
"You're just kind-hearted, that's all. Compared to money, your first thought was family. It's sweet." Amari felt his cheeks warm and turned his face away. "You know... I thought I'd be terrified to bring you here, but I'm not nervous at all. It's strange, this feeling." Yangyang pulled him back to rest their foreheads together for a moment. "Thanks, for giving me a push. I'm really glad you're here."
Amari flushed more, but he smiled wide. "Yeah. Me too."
"Alright, let's do this." A warm hand grabbed his and led him into the building. "The family that runs the restaurant is on the second floor, and we're on the third."
They walked up the stairs and Amari felt his heart jump into his throat as Yangyang opened the door to the apartment.
"We're home!"
He was hit instantly with the familiar smell of sandalwood, then other familiar smells, like cooked rice and spices - things he remembered from living with his aunt and uncle. He had only just walked in the door, but it gave him a comforting feeling of home.
"Lili!" Rushing over, Yinyi leapt on him to give him a hug. "I haven't seen you in so long! And you were so mean to me the last time we talked." She released her grip and gave him a light punch in the shoulder. "I'm still mad about that. I was just trying to be a good sister, yeah?"
Amari frowned at her. "How's that being a good sister? And I was the one who was hurt. Why are you mad?"
"Ah, whatever," said Yinyi, blowing it off. "Your jie forgives you."
"Duōxiè Yin jie," he replied, his thanks laced with sarcasm, and she rubbed his head with a giggle.
"You cut your hair. Why?"
"I dunno. It was too long." He scratched the side of his head, suddenly feeling a little nervous again. "Isn't this rude, just standing in the doorway?"
Yinyi rubbed Amari's head again. "Ma's in the back room, waking a certain someone up..." Her tone teased playfully and she grabbed the bag of bāozi from Yangyang. "I'll take these."
Instinctively removing his shoes, Amari paused, not sure where to put them, so Yangyang grabbed them and set them by the door.
"We have a large mat to the left."
"Oh, thanks." He felt awkward, being in a new place with no idea of the layout. "I'll probably... need you to help me around at first."
"Of course. I'll give you the full tour later."
After a quick nod, he let his eyes wander. He could tell they were standing in a large open room, and the door they came through was set in the middle. There was something else to the left, further back - a kitchen he guessed. That was how apartments were usually set up. Ahead was black - probably a hallway to the other rooms. A moment later, he saw a figure head toward them from out of the dark.
"You're back?"
The voice was low but sweet - somehow gruff and feminine at the same time. The figure approached and Amari found she wasn't much shorter than him, maybe only an inch shorter than Yinyi.
"You must be the Xiao Li I've been hearing so much about."
Amari gave the woman a low bow. "Āyí hǎo. I'm Amari, but everyone calls me Xiao Li or Lili. Hěn gāoxìng rènshí nǐ." He was beyond nervous saying even the simple 'nice to meet you', but he wanted to show her he wasn't completely foreign to her world.
"Ah, pǔtōnghuà ma?" He hoped that her voice matched her face and she was impressed.
"Uh, my pronunciation isn't very good." Rubbing the back of his neck timidly, he rose from the bow, but continued to look down, not sure what to do with his blank gaze. "But, I understand it pretty well."
"How did you learn Chinese?" Although she was making conversation, he could tell from her tone that something was bothering her. "Are you studying it, or..."
He shook his head. "I lived with a Chinese couple for about a year, down on Canal Street. The Zhangs? They own the little pottery and cookware store next to the hotpot."
"Ah, alright. I know that place." There was a short, awkward pause. "How did you end up staying with them? An exchange program or something?"
"Oh, no." Amari giggled at how ridiculousness that sounded, but quickly swallowed to stop himself, not wanting her to think he was laughing at her. "I was homeless, and Zhang āyí took me in."
He said it without thinking and immediately regretted his words. Since when did he ramble when he was nervous? His face grew hot and he twisted his fingers nervously. "Uh, sorry. People tell me I'm too blunt."
"No, no. That's alright. We are who we are, yes? It was very nice of them to let you stay."
Feeling a small smile returning, he gave her a nod. "They're kind people. Like family."
After a moment of silence, the woman cleared her throat. "So, excuse āyí for being forward, but are you very nervous? Why do you keep looking at your feet?"
"Ma..." warned Yangyang in a low voice, but Amari squeezed his arm to quiet him.
"No. Sorry." He looked up, but kept his eyes to the side. "I'm visually-impaired. People tell me it's strange when I look at them, since I can't make eye contact... So, I usually just look down or away. I didn't mean to offend you."
"Ah, no Xiao Li, of course not!" The woman reached out and gave him a soft pat on the shoulder. "I was just hoping I wasn't making you nervous. No need to worry about those things here."
Amari's smile crept back and he bowed his head. "Thanks."
She gave him another pat, then reached over to Yangyang. "What are you doing just standing in the doorway? You should make your friend comfortable." She pulled at her son's arm. "I made some tea and I'll put out the food you brought in a minute. I tried to wake the little monster up, but-"
"Ba!"
A small breath caught in Amari's throat at the sound. ::A son?::
The high-pitched shout came from the back of the hallway and he could hear footsteps. Then he saw a small shadow emerge, rushing toward Yangyang.
"Ba, you're home!"
::A son? Yangyang's secret was a kid?::
With an exaggerated groan, Yangyang picked the little figure off the floor into his arms. "Did you have a good nap?"
"Ēn," confirmed the high voice. "Is this your friend?"
Yangyang grunted and moved next to Amari until they were close enough for him to feel the warmth radiating from both child and father.
"You're ba's friend?"
He smiled softly and nodded. "I'm Amari. It's nice to meet you." Holding out a hand, he felt a tiny one take hold, and he shook it lightly. "Nǐ jiào shénme míng zì?"
"I'm Li Tai! Ba calls me Taitai. You can call me that too."
Amari let out a small giggle at the child's excitement. "Your ba calls me Li, so I guess you can just call me that. Ní jǐ suì a?"
"Zhège!" There was a small rush of air as the child stuck a hand in his face.
"Taitai... Actually, I can't see that. Can you tell me your age instead?"
"You can't see it? Why?"
"I'm blind, so I can't see you or your hand." He held his palm out. "So you've gotta tell me, or I can feel your fingers."
Taitai slapped Amari's hand with his own, fingers spread open. "I'm five!" The child giggled happily, making Amari's smile widen.
"Wow. So did you start kindergarten this fall?"
The small hand hadn't moved from his palm and there was a pause, followed by a light chuckle from Yangyang.
"Taitai, you have to talk to him. He can't see you nod."
"Oh yeah. Sorry." Amari shook his head at the apology, still smiling. "Ēn, I go to school. I go for half a day. For four days."
"Yeah? Do you like it? I missed my nǎinai when I started going to school."
There was another pause and Amari heard Yangyang chuckle again, so he imagined the child was nodding.
"Yeah, but it's also real fun." There was an eagerness in the child's voice, and Amari could tell this would be a long story. "There's this boy in my class..."