42 Vinegar (1/2)

She looked up to see a small handsome little boy. His phoenix eyes were full of nervousness and hostility.

He stared at her as if seeing something beyond her. He didn't question her hair or her eyes but he seemed to be searching for something. Far a familiarity. He looked down at the letters and back at her realizing something. His stiff body relaxed and his eyes became teary and he neared her to make sure it was the person his heart was yearning to meet.

His weak childish voice rang out in her ears, ”Who are you?”

Fan Daiyu broke out of her daze. This small boy looked like Nuwa Yenay and Fan Ying a bit but she could see many of her own features in him. But… that didn't make sense unless this little boy was also her brother in the other Fan Daiyu's life. She stared at him a bit longer before taking in a breath.

”I'm Fan Daiyu.”

At the sound of that name, the little boy threw away all his defenses and jumped into her embrace.

Fan Daiyu couldn't comprehend what was going on but his hug made her tear up too.

[At least one of them can be saved.]

-Fan Ming-

[Silver Hair… Eyes never seen before…. Sadness…. Love…. Heartbreak… Strength… Motivation….]

Just but staring at her for a few second, he had already seen through her as if he had known he all her life. As he stared at her, he could feel his heart warm with an inexplicable emotion.

He should have been mad at her for trying to take his only hope away. Those letters were his truth, his belief, his religion. He lived on learning from his missing sister. She was the one that helped him see through his father and protect himself. She led him to his growth as the years passed. She was his idol. Although she was never present and no one else knew of her existence except for those few locked away, she was always there with him in those letters. He could feel her mourning as the days passed on but he could also feel the love she had for them.

Every day he would visit the forbidden room and the prison courtyard. Every day he discovered the reason behind the gloom enveloping such places. They were still mourning her despite all the years that had passed. It was like they couldn't move on but they couldn't disappear because of her. He knew they still had hope in seeing her again but he never knew how she disappeared. He would follow the handsome tall boy at times as he cried at the tomb.

Little by little, he would learn a bit more until he finally discovered the truth behind his father's true personality.

He was cruel but he never did anything to him but he still seemed cautious.

Now seeing that girl before him caused him to tear up. He understood why now.

His father neglected him because he looked like her, because he was talented, because he grew to be a reflection of her. But, they weren't the same. She was worse off and she was never the one at fault. He understood well.

His father took him out for appearances but would abandoned him whenever they arrived to the place they were going. When it was time he would come back and look like a devoted parent when in reality he never truly did anything except acknowledge his existence. He was neglected but he didn't really care. His twin sister on the other hand, was spoiled rotten. She would bully him and blame him in the end. His father had seen it happen but he only took it out on him.

He wasn't worth much because he looked like his eldest sister?

[What a cruel man.]

His eyes teared up but he held them in. It was fine if he was like his sister. He needed to be strong to at least live up to that position. He looked at her already knowing the answer but still asked.

”Who are you?”

Her stare wasn't uncomfortable but natural.