Chapter 6

Twenty Years Ago

The scorching sunlight was thoroughly blocked by the floor-to-ceiling windows. The spacious banquet hall in the grand Western-style mansion was decorated everywhere with big red “Shou” characters, filling every corner with festive cheer.

Wen Chaosheng wore a children’s sun hat and timidly hid behind his parents, stealing glances at the unfamiliar faces around him. His little hand clutched the strap of his backpack tightly, as though that simple grip could summon a shred more security in this strange new place.

“Shengsheng, don’t hide. Come say hello.”

Song Xuelan gently took her son’s small hand and drew him forward. “This is Grandpa Xi.”

The host of today’s longevity banquet was Elder Professor Xi Xishan, a renowned master in the world of traditional Chinese painting.

Xi Xishan usually shunned extravagance, but with his sixtieth birthday upon him, his daughter and son had insisted on hosting a celebration at home. They had invited only a select few close friends and family.

The Xi and Wen families were old family friends, going back generations.

Just on the drive over, Wen Chunshen and Song Xuelan had taken turns coaching him on the proper birthday greetings.

Buoyed by his parents’ encouraging looks, Wen Chaosheng bowed politely to the guest of honor. “Hello, Grandpa. I wish you good health, fortune as vast as the Eastern Sea, and a lifespan surpassing the Southern Mountains.”

Nerves made his voice soft and quivering.

Xi Xishan adored children and beamed back at him. “Well, thank you, Shengsheng. My, how you’ve grown in the blink of an eye.”

Before the words had fully faded, a voice piped up from nearby. “Dad, I brought Xiao Zhui down.”

A big figure and a small one approached.

Wen Chaosheng ducked behind his parents once more, then cautiously peeked out for another look.

The boy who had been brought along was noticeably taller than him, strikingly handsome, dressed in a cool outfit. But right now, he was pursing his lips, his brows furrowed in clear displeasure.

“…”

Wow, he looks kind of scary.

Probably packs a real punch.

Wen Chaosheng’s mind wandered to silly fears as he quietly watched the adults chat.

Xi Quxin stepped forward to give Wen Chunshen a hug, ribbing him good-naturedly. “Big-shot director, we finally lured you back from Haishi City! You and your wife—how many years has it been?”

The two men had been childhood pals, and their wives, Shen Ruo and Song Xuelan, were best friends too. Back in the Imperial Capital, their families had been thick as thieves.

That changed when Wen Chunshen and Song Xuelan relocated to Haishi City for his film career. Visits grew rare, but the affection never faded.

“Aren’t we here now?” Wen Chunshen clapped his friend on the shoulder, then eyed the boy at his side. “This must be Xi Zhui. What a handsome kid—he’s got your looks.”

“…”

Xi Zhui had been deep into a game upstairs, right at the exciting part, when he’d been summoned below. His mind was still on the outcome, leaving him distracted.

“That’s right, Xiao Zhui.” Xi Quxin prompted. “This is Uncle Wen and Aunt Song. Say hello.”

Ever polite, Xi Zhui offered a greeting. “Hello, Uncle. Hello, Aunt.”

Song Xuelan watched the confident little boy, affection lighting her eyes. “If I recall, Xiao Zhui is a year younger than Shengsheng? And already this tall!”

Shen Ruo remembered precisely. “Less than a year apart. Yours was born in December, mine the following November—both on the twenty-second.”

With birthdays so late in the year, neither boy had turned a year older yet. By traditional count, they were seven or eight, with real elementary school looming after the summer.

“…”

Xi Zhui hadn’t noticed the other child amid the adults until then.

Those big eyes were so bright and dewy, blinking away. The skin was pale, and the curls peeking from under the hat reminded him of a fancy doll in a shop window.

Lost in the thought, he felt Shen Ruo pat his back. “Xiao Zhui, go on and call him Brother.”

“No way.”

Xi Zhui rejected it coolly, sizing up Wen Chaosheng. “He’s so small. Looks younger than me. He should be calling me Brother.”

Wen Chaosheng didn’t dare argue, brooding inwardly.

He wasn’t small at all!

The doctor at his pre-vacation checkup had said his height was perfectly normal!

Xi Quxin tsked at his son. “Mind your manners. If I say call him Brother, you call him Brother.”

Wen Chunshen waved it off casually. “No big deal. Don’t force it. They’re close in age—once they get to know each other, names will do fine.”

Elder Xi nodded in agreement. “Exactly. They’ll be thick as thieves before long.”

“Xiao Zhui, Shengsheng is our guest. A little kid like him will get bored down here. Why don’t you take him upstairs to play for a bit?” Shen Ruo crouched to her son’s level. “Grandpa’s cutting the cake soon. I’ll send someone to fetch you both, okay?”

Xi Zhui glanced at Wen Chaosheng’s fair, delicate face. For once, his usual standoffishness didn’t kick in. “Fine.”

Xi Zhui was game, but Wen Chaosheng felt a wave of reluctance.

New places already made him jittery. Now he had to leave Mom and Dad for the upstairs with this Xi Zhui, who seemed like trouble? What if the boy roughed him up?

Wen Chaosheng mumbled uncertainly. “Mom, I…”

Song Xuelan removed his sun hat, revealing a mop of fluffy curls, which she gently smoothed. “It’s okay, baby. Summer vacation’s almost over—you’ll be starting elementary school soon. You can’t hide behind Mom and Dad forever.”

“Besides, you promised me you’d try making new friends, remember?”

Wen Chaosheng fell silent and didn’t venture closer to Xi Zhui on his own.

Xi Zhui, still fixated on his unfinished game, itched to head back up. When Wen Chaosheng dawdled, he simply grabbed the boy’s wrist. “What, not thrilled I’m showing you around? Let’s go!”

With that, Xi Zhui towed him briskly toward the stairs, wrist firmly in hand.

“Hey! Y-you…”

Wen Chaosheng’s ears flushed crimson as he stumbled after, forced into the pace.

Xi Zhui’s grip was ironclad. A quick tug failed to free him, so Wen Chaosheng pumped his short legs to keep up.

“Xiao Zhui! Slow down, you two! Don’t trip!”

Shen Ruo chuckled at the fleeing pair, then turned to her friend with a quiet murmur. “Shengsheng seems awfully shy, doesn’t he?”

“Don’t get me started. It’s my fault—his dad’s too. Always so wrapped up in work, we weren’t paying attention.”

Song Xuelan sighed and explained. “Back in kindergarten, two older kids from the senior class bullied Shengsheng. Stole his snacks, his toys—he was too scared to make a peep.”

The worst incident left bruises on his waist and back. Only after his parents alerted the teachers and reviewed the security footage did the truth come out.

Shen Ruo gasped. “Oh no.”

Song Xuelan went on. “Shengsheng’s always been more reserved than most kids. After that, he clammed up around new friends entirely—especially ones bigger or stronger than him.”

Shen Ruo patted her arm. “He’s still young. Just guide him gently. As long as he’s happy and healthy, that’s what matters.”

“Mm.”

…

The Xi family had produced artists and scholars for generations. It was Xi Quxin who had branched into business, building a comfortable fortune.

Xi Zhui was the real deal—a little young master of Imperial Capital high society. Since he could remember, he’d had his own enormous bedroom, cleverly zoned into separate play areas.

No sooner had he ushered Wen Chaosheng inside than shrieks erupted from the game room to the left.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa! I’m losing—I’m losing! Zhao Ye, get over here and help… Hurry, hurry!”

“Aaah, where’s Xiao Zhui? Why isn’t he back yet?”

A cold, mechanical “Game Over” promptly silenced the frantic pleas.

Xi Zhui released Wen Chaosheng’s hand and strode over. “Knew you’d blow it without me!”

“…”

The sudden absence of that firm hold left an odd void, like a missing safety net.

Wen Chaosheng hesitated, then trailed after him a few steps. Up close, he finally glimpsed the scene in the left room.

A massive LCD screen displayed some sort of obstacle course game. Two boys about their age were there.

One, clad in a pink cartoon tank top, sprawled on the carpet amid piles of open snack bags.

The other wore a black short-sleeved shirt and sat cross-legged on the sofa with perfect posture, looking a bit like a foreign kid.

At Xi Zhui’s voice, Pink Little Vest whipped around. “What were you doing downstairs?”

“Ta-da.”

Xi Zhui stepped aside to reveal Wen Chaosheng. “Mom made me bring him along to play. He’s called…”

The name escaped him, so he glanced expectantly. “What’s your name?”

Cleared of the human shield, the two boys in the room turned to stare in unison.

“…”

This was it. Done for.

Would they all gang up on him?

Wen Chaosheng froze in place, his small frame ramrod straight with tension. “I-I’m Wen Chaosheng.”

“Hey!” Pink Little Vest greeted him with infectious enthusiasm, game controller in hand. “Wanna play?”

Wen Chaosheng exhaled inwardly in relief and shook his head. Games held no appeal.

Recalling his parents’ instructions, Xi Zhui asked uncertainly. “So what do you want to do? Mom said I have to entertain you.”

“…”

He didn’t need entertaining—just no roughhousing.

Wen Chaosheng kept that thought to himself, his eyes darting about the room.

They soon lit on a bookshelf in the far right corner, lined with story picture books—many titles his family didn’t have!

It was like stumbling on buried treasure. His eyes widened. Holding back his shy excitement, he pointed timidly. “Can I… read a book?”

“You want to read?”

Xi Zhui was sure he’d misheard.

What kid skipped games for books? For real?

“I-is that not okay?”

Wen Chaosheng’s voice came out soft, his eyes brimming with nerves, lashes fluttering.

To Xi Zhui, he resembled that window doll even more. “Do whatever.”

“Thank you.”

Elated by the permission, Wen Chaosheng brushed aside his lingering fears. Xi Zhui probably wouldn’t hit him after all!

“…”

Under Xi Zhui’s watchful eye, Wen Chaosheng shuffled over at a turtle’s pace.

He scanned the custom shelf, pitched at his height, and carefully selected his favorite story picture book. Climbing onto a chair, he settled in obediently.

The desk was buried under a chaotic jumble of racing building blocks—no room to set the book down.

Unwilling to disturb anything, Wen Chaosheng balanced the picture book on his knees and reverently turned to the first page.

Meanwhile, Pink Little Vest hollered, “Xi Zhui, come on—game time!”

“Coming.”

…

They cleared another level.

Xi Zhui set down the controller and immediately glanced outward.

Wen Chaosheng hadn’t budged, still sitting bolt upright, head bowed over his book. On the back of his head, a little cowlick stood pert and curly, like a tiny spring.

Xi Zhui couldn’t help stealing a few more glances. He itched to reach out and give those cheeks a poke, but he’d completely lost interest in the game. “I’m tired,” he announced. “Time for a break.”

Wen Chaosheng, seated at the desk, was utterly lost in the story’s world, oblivious to the commotion in the game room.

It wasn’t until Xi Zhui bent down beside him that he piped up. “Hey, is it really that good? Doesn’t it get tiring keeping your head down like that?”

“…”

Wen Chaosheng jolted in shock, yanking himself back so hard that the chair back slammed into him with a thud. “Oof.”

Xi Zhui shot upright, frowning in regret. “Why are you so jumpy? I wasn’t trying to scare you.”

Wen Chaosheng scooted back a little farther. “Oh.”

He had just reached the part where the villain showed up when Xi Zhui’s face suddenly loomed into view. How could that not startle him?

It was totally Xi Zhui’s fault!

Wen Chaosheng didn’t dare voice the thought. He simply clutched the unfinished picture book tighter, terrified the other boy might snatch it away. “I-I haven’t finished it yet.”

“Here. Your drink.”

Xi Zhui passed him a glass of fresh-squeezed mango juice, sweeping the jumble of building blocks aside on the desk to clear a spot for Wen Chaosheng. “Put the book on the table to read. That posture’s no good for you.”

Wen Chaosheng hadn’t expected Xi Zhui to spare him a thought like that. Shock rippled through him. “Thank you.”

He really is a good guy!

Wen Chaosheng sealed the conclusion in his mind. He obediently lifted the mango juice for a sip, then set the picture book from his lap onto the desk.

To head off any complaints about his posture, he made a point of straightening his little back, ready to dive back into the story—

The next instant, a servant’s voice rang out from the doorway. “Little Young Master, they’re cutting the cake at the longevity banquet downstairs.”

Xi Zhui called back. “Oh, got it.”

Wen Chaosheng hadn’t realized it was time to go down so soon. The book wasn’t done, and neither was the juice.

Anxiety bubbled up. He grabbed the glass and chugged a huge gulp, his cheeks bulging like a chipmunk’s.

“If you can’t finish it, leave it. It’s not a big deal.”

Xi Zhui rounded up his friends in the game room and headed out, pausing to nudge Wen Chaosheng. “Come on, downstairs.”

Grandpa was cutting the cake at the longevity banquet. They were just kids—they couldn’t keep the adults waiting. It would be rude.

“Oh.”

Wen Chaosheng set the glass gently back on the desk. He eyed the half-full juice with deep regret and let out a sigh.

“Sorry, mango juice. I just couldn’t finish you.”

After his heartfelt apology to the drink, Wen Chaosheng tucked the picture book back onto the shelf. On his way out, his gaze fell on the desk, now even messier than when they’d arrived.

“…”

So small a body, so mighty a compulsion to tidy.

Wen Chaosheng wavered on the spot for two seconds before climbing back onto the chair. One by one, he gathered the racing building blocks into their proper bin.

Only when it was done did he dash out in a panic.

—Bang!

He smacked right into someone at the doorway corner.

Wen Chaosheng grunted, clutching his forehead. Looking up, he saw Xi Zhui.

Xi Zhui rubbed his arm, brow furrowed. “Wen Chaosheng, are you a little turtle or something? Why so slow?”

He had already made it to the first floor and realized Wen Chaosheng hadn’t followed, so he’d doubled back. He hadn’t expected the kid to still be emerging from the room.

Xi Zhui amended it. “Actually, you’re slower than a little turtle.”

In that much time, a turtle could have crawled all the way to the stairs.

“…”

Why call him a little turtle?

He was only slow because he’d tidied up the blocks!

Wen Chaosheng clenched his little fist in frustration, though he didn’t dare throw a punch.

“I—”

He drew a deep breath. Facing the boy who towered half a head taller, he delivered what he believed was a bold, powerful comeback. “I’m not a little… turtle!”

“…”

Fine, whatever.

If you’re not, you’re not.

So why did it sound like he was whining so adorably?

Xi Zhui eyed the suddenly cute Wen Chaosheng in bewilderment but softened his tone anyway. “Come on, hurry downstairs. Cake time.”

Wen Chaosheng, in innocent triumph, assumed his retort had won the day. He beamed. “Mm!”

To prove once more he wasn’t some poky little turtle, he sped up, beating Xi Zhui down the stairs.