As promised, Xiu Lin was accompanied to psychiatric clinic.
The boy underwent small sessions mostly to dispel his psychological shadows and cope with trauma.
After that, Gu Han took the boy to the mall. Bought him clothes, picking and picking what suits the baby as well as buying him shoes and necessities for school.
The baby was very smart. After taking a few test, he skipped a few grades and is now a year lower to Gu Han's class. It's also good, making the baby closer to him whenever break time arrives.
Xiu Lin just nodded obediently to everything, allowing his man to decide for himself. But he had to make sure he will pursue this body's wish in the future... well if there is.
The young man didn't want to close the case of his suicidal tendencies. But also didn't want to plan it yet. He noticed how Gu Han seemed to rely on him emotionally, so until his lover passes his psychological shadows, Xiu Lin will coax him well. Even if he has to attend school for his sake.
It didn't really take long for him to be admitted to the school. The process didn't even need a day and here he is... a small skinny baby standing in front of a classroom where many children are bigger than him.
Obviously, third graders are far bigger than five-year-old. Xiu Lin could only stand and stare back. But was mistaken to be overwhelmed.
The first few hours of class... didn't go well.
"Are you a girl or a boy?" As the question was raised to the unsuspecting child, Xiu Lin raised his big light eyes and looked at the girl who asked the question.
Xiu Lin wrote 'boy' on his note and showed it to her.
"But you look like a girl." She said as a matter of factly.
Xiu Lin shook his head.
But the girl did not stop to pester him. "I have new clips. I want you to try them." She demanded, she had eagerly wanted to try it on her doll at home, but seeing a life-size doll, she couldn't help but want to try it on Xiu Lin's hair.
Xiu Lin didn't know when he even abided, but he was already caught in the girls' hands as soon as the said clips were out.
The boy did not move when necessary, did not blink as if he was shocked from the sudden attack. He hugged his notebook in his chest and stood still like a doll until his bangs were pulled up and tied, revealing his white smooth forehead.
He really did look like a porcelain doll. Beautiful and delicate. Cute and good in anything. The girls really mistook him for a doll and literally dolled him up consciously or unconsciously.
Gu Han was looking forward for break for the first time.
As soon as the teacher finished class and left, he was the first one to run down to Xiu Lin's new classroom. As soon as he was close, he heard screams exactly to the class his baby belonged.
Worried, Gu Han paced quicker and reached the door. The girls surrounded someone, boys were laughing and even a stray sixth grader was aweing inside the classroom.
Worried, the boy pushed past the crowd and saw the baby timidly looking down, standing in the center of them all, wishing to get past them but was denied the exit access so there were little tears on the side of his eyes.
His bangs was tied up, revealing his cute face, there were also strawberry clips from the side of his hair and was forced to wear a blue dress that his classmate miraculously have.
Gu Han was stunned, his heart, unknown whether he should feel angry that the baby is being bullied or his heart would melt because the baby sells meng really well. But he seemed to have been stuck on the latter. The baby is really cute! Even when he was bullied, he still look really cute.
Xiu Lin couldn't look up from this humiliation. Looking down as he was forcefully turned into a doll by the older girls at the age of eight and couldn't help but feel his little pride shattering.
Even children can make fun of him now!
The moment he saw Gu Han in the group, he instantly ran to him and hugged his waist, burying his small face in the older boy's chest to hide his red cheeks.
Xiu Lin hugged him like his life depended on it. He didn't know why, but it seems like he was panicking not because of embarrassment, but fear. The childish mind that was suppressed on his subconscious started coming out, seeing flashbacks of those days he was forced to dress up in different kinds of dresses. When the man noticed the boy's body trembling in his arms dependently, he remembered one of the baby's fear.
"It's okay, Xiao Lin. Ge is here." Gu Han coaxed the baby, removing the dress that was topped on his uniform, giving it back to the girl classmates. Then he took off the clips one by one. Not one of them were able to refute as they watch the cold eyes and tyrannical demeanor we particularly showing when he saw the boy in front of him shaking.
When the things hanging from his body was removed only then did he started to calm down, looking up at Gu Han with tears in his eyes.
The feeling of weakness made Xiu Lin feel pathetic for the first time. Embarrassed and confused about the body's psychological problems, he suddenly fainted.
Gu Han caught him immediately, notes scattering from the boy's hand as he was taken away with urgency.
.
In the hospital bed, Xiu Lin slept with a small frown on his face. Gu Han stayed with him gloomily. Did he took the kid to school too soon? He thought that mingling with other children will make the baby more comfortable than staying with the old man. He didn't know his first day would turn out to be such a triggering experience.
Gu Han sighed, massaged the bridge of his nose and looked at the resting child on the bed.
The alive and breathing Xiu Lin compared to that boy of his past life. The baby has a lot more meat now compared to when he first met him being skin and bones. But the baby's eyes are still the same as when they left. There was no spark nor changes.
He leaned on the side of the bed, poke the center of the boy's forehead that was unconsciously frowning and sighed. "Baby, I wonder what will make you happy sometimes. I hope it's not too late." He mumbled.
The sleeping child snorts uncomfortable, moved his head a little before shifting to his side, facing the older boy. Gu Han helplessly sighed and teased the sleeping kid again, poking his soft cheeks while the boy weakly swatted his hand away only for his nose to be poke then Xiu Lin would hit it again, then to his chin. The dissatisfied sleeping child suddenly bit his finger, making Gu Han a bit surprised and pull his hand back.
But the shock turned into a fond smile as he watch the baby pout annoyed. He could only chuckle and watch him change face every few minutes. Which are very cute and funny.
Xiu Lin really never misses to sell meng whatever he does.