Ji Wei got home and saw his sister at a corner sobbing.
" Jie, what's wrong?"he asked as he rushed to her.
" They're bringing it.." she responded as she really couldn't speak up.
" Bringing what?"
Xing Li was finding it difficult to talk to him. Her brother might.... No, her brother will do something rash.
" Jie.." he called. She didn't give in. Ji Wei had already guessed something was amiss.
He ignored her and went inside.
" The thief is here" uttered the Town bully.
" Dad, what's going on here?"
" Can't you see? Your sister is getting married tomorrow" he announced with great excitement.
" Married?"
*?" "Any problem with that?" His mom also, added.
" How can you? Thought the marriage isn't due, you gave my sister a chance to think about it, didn't you?"
" But we can't let her be influenced by a thief like you"
That word pierced his soul deeply. He scoffed. " A thief like me? " He jiggled
" Or, aren't you?"
" Well, mom,why are you still having me here? " He questioned. She smeared
" Aren't you in the same favor? Stealing and eating from it...."
" It's different..."
" How's it different...?"
" You're... You're..." She stammered.
Ji Wei let out a huge sigh feeling dejected and paranoid. For some reason, began to compare his parents to the shameless girl he has spent the night with.
Speaking of which, he heart pierced the more.when he realized that instead of scolding him calling him names for not returning home, they accused him. Cursing at him for being a thief.
With a dejected scoff, he smiled vigorously.
" As expected from greedy people." He mumbled to himself not knowing it was quite loud.
" You..."
" Me, what?" He asked in further annoyance." Let me make this clear, unless you kill me, I'll never allow you marry my sister to that glutonic bully" his last word came as a plain pure threat which they three had the hunch it not empty. With the death stare he knew he didn't give enough, left to comfort Xing Li.
" Jie" he called forging a smile.
" Are you okay?"
" Yeah I am" he proudly said.
" I heard the heated argument with our parents. Are you really that determine?"
" Of course I am"
" You can just let this go let me marry him for your sake. I want you to..."
Ji Wei said nothing looking around seeming to look for something
" What are you looking for?"
" Something Sharp " he responded.
" Why all of a sudden?" She asked with a confused look.
" So, you can kill me. Don't worry, I'll plead with the maker not to blame you, that I killed myself by myself "
Xing Li let out a dissatisfied smile.
" Why should I kill you?"
" Simple! I would rather die than watch you get married to a scumbag "
Xing Li really can't imagine her 18 years old brother, is now matured enough to threaten her with his precious life.
" The marriage is early in the morning. What can you do?"
Ji Wei smiled.
" Jie,"
" What are you thinking about?" She noticed the cunning smile in his face.
" Mind spending time with your brother in the fields than your imaginary suitor?"
" Mmmh" she nodded.
"Then let's go" holding her hand, they both ran out of the shabby house.
In the local market.
" Are we buying food stuffs? But I think we have enough for just...."
He chuckled.
" We're here to book tickets "
" What? For what?"
" Our train to Shanghai"
" Shanghai? Not Beijing?"
She was stunned. Shanghai? That wasn't what he boasted about. The thought made her, give him an interrogative look
" What are you thinking about? Someone told me this morning that only the rich and wealthy lives there, Shanghai is more suitable for all classes." He explained.
Suddenly, like a strike of lightning bolt, she asked questionably
" Where were you last night?"
" Ugh... Jie... I was...I.." he stammered.
He just couldn't be brave and bold enough to say anything. " Last night, I was.." he choked.
" Did you steal again?"
Ji Wei gave his sister a confused look.
" You knew?" He never told her sister and she's not the type of girl who dotes on rumors. She'd love to see with her own eyes than believe in mere words of ruthless gossipers. Did she really care about the rumors? Even if he was a thief, the last thing he wanted was her sister doubting him , believing the rumors, instead of him even though the rumors were true.
" I've always seen you" she replied cutting his thoughts short.
" Huh?"
" I've never believed the rumors. I know you were one the first day you were accused" she replied again, leaving him speechless.
" But why?...."
"I thought you really needed me." Her words penetrating him.
" Jie.."
" You really needed me, like I needed you always. Besides, those you stole from are either those who looked down on you or the rich proud jerks. "
" At least, you should've scolded me"
" I should've, but I chose not to... Those guys looked down on you I would have done something worse if you told me the names of those people. And you really to elope. Not for yourself, but for me. You didn't care about how bad and irritating they're to you you can always endure. But just for me, you were ready to become the flawless thief."
If Ji Wei was just a statue, then, he's sure that his sister's words really penetrated instead of him, that he almost shed tears.
" Jie" he called tearfully and not minding where he is, he hugged his sister tightly.
Xing Li smiled at him and chuckled
" You're still a child."
" So what if you're twenty two, you need to take good care of this eighteen year old boy"
" Am I the one taking care of you or you?" She asked smiling.
" We're" he responded still hugging her tightly.
After a few minutes, she decided to break free.
" Alright. You still haven't answered my question"
" I didn't steal this time, it was given to me"
" By who?"
" A lady. " He snapped his finger seeming to be forgetting something.
" She also bought new phones for us and opened a bank account for us"
" What? Are you sure you didn't steal?"
He frowned " I swear, I didn't steal it"
" Then, what did you do for her to give you all of these expensive things?"
He dared not say anything. That was a complicated night, and the incident shouldn't be a topic to him. " I just helped her, that's all "
" To this extent?" She gave a doubting look.
How can he really say that at his young age, that he has slept with a girl and she paid him for the night? " Jie, you will kill me "
" Jie, let's not talk about this things . What matters is that, we are leaving this place" he replied feeling an invisible swear on a cool day.
" I'll always wait for you to open up the thing you want to conceal from me. I'll wait patiently, so, loosen up and let's hurry" she ensured patting his head.
He knew his sister will never speak of it.
When she says that, she knows how difficult it is and would wait until the air is cleared. But if she said nothing, then be ready to spill it out any moment from her thinking, cause the way she would snatch it out of your mouth, you the concealer can never even in your wildest dream.