Cheng Ru Shi's POV
I snapped out when I felt something is tugging my shirt.
"Big brother please help. It hurts"
"Oh sorry, sorry. Where does it hurt?"
"There"
He pointed out his knees. It has a small cut with a bit of scratches. There's a little blood coming out.
"Can you stand up?"
"No"
"Will you let this big brother carry you then?"
"Carry? Like a bridal carry?"
"Haha is that what you want?"
"No"
He blushed a little.
"Then how about a piggy back ride?"
"Really?"
"Yes. Come I'll take you home"
I help him stand up for a second. Then I squat down facing him my back.
"Hop in"
He then back hugged me while he lean his head to my shoulder.
I stand up. Adjusting the his weight.
"Where's your house?"
"Just walk straight and when you see a big tall tree, you can see my house next to it.
I slowly started to walk out of the forest.
"What happened? How did you get those wounds?"
I can feel his breathe in the back of my ear.
"I saw a bunny when I was sitting in the swing. I was going to chase after it but a trunk caught my feet and I stumbled over the bush"
I look at his knees. There's a faint sweet smell coming from it.
"What's your name big brother?"
"Ru Shi. What about yours?"
"My name is Xaoi Shing. I'm 10 years old"
"Haha you're pretty cute"
"No, I'm not pretty. Only girls can be called pretty. I am handsome"
"Is that so? Okay then, you're pretty handsome"
"Big brother, are you bullying me?"
"No"
"Then don't call me pretty"
"Hahaha okay sorry sorry"
We continue to talk random things on the way until I saw a big tall tree. It's not just big, it's huge. It's my first time seeing a huge tree. Behind the tree is a house. A simple house made if wood with a beautiful garden infront.
"Is that your home?"
"Yes"
I continue to walk until we reach the front door.
"You can put me here big brother"
"Are you sure?"
"Yes"
I bent down to let him off my back.
"Would you like to have some drink, big brother?"
"Is that okay?"
"Sure. Since you help me earlier. My mother said that if someone help you with pure intent, you must pay him in return because he will be your lifetime benefactor"
"Really?"
"Yes, that's why I'm thankful because you help me"
"What I'd I'm a bad guy?"
"I don't think you are. Is there any bad guy with a handsome face?"
I blush for a second.
"Uhuh! So big brother, please come in"
He open the door and went in before me. The first thing that caught my eyes is a big painting of a dragon in the wall. Big enough to occupy the whole space wall. There's also a figurine of a fairies and other creatures.
The house looks small in the outside but when your inside, in it unbelievably spacious enough for a 4-5 family members.
Little Xaoi Shing went to the kitchen while I remain in the living room still looking around.
Then he came back with a glass of orange juice and a glass of milk.
He handed me the glass of orange juice.
"Thank you. Anyway, can I call you Shing-er?"
"Ofcourse, big brother"
"Where's your parents? It's too quite in here. Are they somewhere near hear?"
"Oh my parent? They're in in the city buying the things they needed"
"And they left you here? Alone?"
"I'm used to it. They taught me how to be independent and I understand why they do it. The world outside is so cruel. A lot of bad things happen in there. It's for my own safety to stay here"
"Aren't you scared alone here?"
"No. My cousin sometimes visit me or babysit me"
A moment of silence filled in the room before I glance at my wrist watch.
"I think I need to leave"
"Are you going home now, big brother?"
"Yes, there's still somethings I need to do at home"
"Will you come here tomorrow?"
"Ofcourse. I will visit you"
"Is that a promise?"
"Promise"
We made a pink promise. He walk me out the door. I walk further enough from the house when he shouted.
"Goodbye big brother. Take care on your way home. I'll wait for you"
He said waving his hand.
A sudden pain pierce into my heart. I feel like I don't want to leave him alone. I want to keep him. Hide him. I want to own him.
I wave him back before finally leave out of the forest.
...
In the evening
(Old Cheng's manor)
The party finally ended. I rush to my room to take a rest. Take out the coat then throw it somewhere, loosen the neck tie and lay down into my bed. That was exhausted. I feel like my mouth is going to stiff from constant smiling. Tsk. That old man's a total jerk.
(I wonder what Shing-er's doing right now? Is he okay? Does he felt bored? I can't wait to visit him tomorrow hehe)
I close my eyes with a smile in my lips.
....
~one week later~
I saw my father in the living room drinking coffee while reading a news paper. When he notice me, he took a glance and went back reading.
"Did you already packed your things?"
"Yes. Ummhhh father, can I go outside for a minute? I promise I'll be quick"
He put the coffee to the table before looking at me.
"Fine, be sure to be here an hour before our flight"
"Yes. Thank you father"
When I got my father's approval, I run straight to Shing-er's house only to find his mother watering the plants.
"Good morning, Mrs. Xaoi. Is Shing-er in there?"
"Good morning, Ru Shi. Yes, he's inside waiting for you. Just go in"
"Thank you Mrs. Xaoi"
I bow a little to her then she gave me a sweet smile in return.
I head inside the house looking for Shing.
"Shing-er? Shing-er, I'm here"
"Big brother you're finally here"
He run towards me with a wife open arms that I happily accept.
I give him a big big hug.
"What took you so long? I thought you never come. I thought you don't like me anymore and is tired of me"
"I would never do that. I like Shing-er very much and I won't get tired of you. I'm sorry if I'm late"
"You have to compensate me"
"How would you like me to compensate you?"
"You have to play with me all day"
He said with a very bright smile. If only I can keep those smile. If only I can protect those smile. If only I can.
"About that.. ammh Shing-er, I have something to tell you"
"What is it?"
I took a deep breath. My heart is beating faster.
"I'm...I'm going back to N Country"
He look at me with a confused eyes then suddenly a tiny drops of water come out from it.
"Going back? Are you not coming here anymore? I knew it. You don't really like me. You don't really want me. You... you're lying"
"No, no that's not what I meant. I...I mean I have to back because I need to finish my study but I promise I will be back here. I'll come back for you. Stop crying now okay?"
"Really? You will?"
"Yes. I will visit you here every summer. We will play all day and eat delicious foods"
"But...but I will miss you"
"I will miss you too..so much that it hurts me leaving you behind. If only I can take you with me"
"Promise to be back okay?"
"Yes and to prove it. Here"
I handed him the box. Well the box is better than his hands.
"What's this?"
"Open it"
He open the box. A crying face earlier suddenly change into a smile.
"Wow. It's a bracelet. It's so beautiful. Did you make it big brother?"
"Yes. Do you like it?"
"Yes"
"Here, I'll put it on to you"
I took out the bracelet out of the box and put it in his wrist.
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To Be Continued
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