I'll be back for you

A gray, thumb-shaped backpack, with two big zippers for the main pack and one zipped pocket at the front. There's not much inside it, only important documents. A passport which serves as an identification card, a small notebook which serves as a daily routine guide, a black pen, a phone, two canned goods, and an envelope with around 300 rmb inside.

"So, my stupid little brother was serious all along. You are going to leave." Ye Xiu says as he examines the contents of his younger brother's pack under his bed.

Ye Xiu likes teasing his younger brother but despite that, he can't wipe off the feeling of concern he has on his chest. He's worried about his younger brother's chances of survival when he leaves. He's sure that it's because of how pressured he feels in the household, with all the lessons and his father's strictness and stuff. Looking at it, his brother is really smart to be honest the only problem is that he lacks confidence in himself. He's also a little impatient when it comes to waiting for the results of what he's been doing.

There was one time when he had piano lessons in the past. He was able to pick up almost instantly what the instructor was trying to teach him. The instructor even said that Ye Qiu has a future as a musician. He said that he has sensitive hearing which is an advantage as a musician. The problem was Ye Qiu grew impatient. He wanted to be a pro immediately because he wanted their father to notice him, to give him the attention he wanted. Not because he was desperate for that attention but because he wants his father to notice his talent just so he could stay away from the business management route his father built for him and his brother.

He poured his time and his effort in learning a specific piece in the past just so he could show it to his father, to prove himself that he is a natural born musician. Yet, even though he was able to present the piece flawlessly, perfectly, his father didn't even bat him an eye. He even told Ye Qiu that his piano lesson was enough, that he's perfected it and that he would be able to use it in the future in entertaining other businessmen.

Just with that, Ye Qiu grew frustrated, he did everything he could just so he could stray away from the path that their father has set up for him. A specific question kept replaying in his mind every single time, why does he expect so much from me? Why does he act as if I'm the only one whose to inherit the family business? What about Ye Xiu? What about my twin? What did Ye Xiu do to be invisible in father's eyes? What? Why?

He chose to leave his brother for a moment, in case he changes his mind about leaving. Then, as he turns to the corner which leads to the stairs, he hears two men are standing inside a dimly lit room, the door slightly open just enough that Ye Xiu could hear the voices inside the room. He stops in just by the door, listening to what these two men are talking about in the middle of the night.

"Xiansheng, I have bad news for you. It's about your son Ye Qiu…" one of the men says. He seems to be bowing his head just a little. Ye Xiu isn't sure which of their family's servant the man is, he can't make out any of his features given the limited source of light in the room.

"Why? What seems to be the problem?" the other man asks. Ye Xiu immediately recognizes the man as his father. A glass in hand, his gaze is fixed to the window of the room, looking at the dark garden outside.

"it's just that, I noticed that he seems a little stressed. He's not showing any interest in what he does and he's been staring out the window much often these days. I'm terrified that might do something reckless, like run away from here or something more terrible than that." The servant reports. Ye Xiu, kneels down by the door. Continuing his mission of snooping in this conversation.

"If he does so, then it just shows how week his spirit is, that he is not ready to take on such family issues. He's still not that ready to face the outside world, the terror of the real world. If he ever runs away, if he ever dares to take one step out of this household, I will take him by the neck and drag him back in and lock him up in his room until he begs me otherwise." Their father responds emotionlessly. Though, Ye Xiu knows that he can do it, he will do it.

All this time, Ye Xiu has always known that his father would choose Ye Qiu as his successor without a second thought. The lessons he's been receiving is just something that his father did for him, like a favor, if he could give it a word. Ye Qiu is smarter, he's able to achieve their father's expectations, and does whatever he tells them without question, in front of him that is. When he's with Ye Xiu, he would nag about their father, asking why he'd expect too much from him.

Because you're a showoff, Ye Xiu would think. Ye Qiu would nag his mouth off but he'd still do what their father has ordered him too. Ye Xiu would too, somehow, but Ye Qiu would always produce exceptional results.

His father's words make Ye Xiu's concern for his brother's safety grow more inside his chest, he's also furious of his father. Ye Qiu's his own son for god's sake! His flesh and blood! And yet he's willing to treat him like a pig if Ye Qiu displeases him.

He stands up and runs back to their room. He slowly opens the door and tip toes his way in. he grabs the backpack under his brother's bed and writes a note on their study table. He signs it and leaves. He knows that if he would be the one to run away, their father wouldn't care, not one bit. Their father wouldn't even bother asking where he is, which has always been a good thing for him.

Heavy footsteps can be heard outside the twins' room and the door suddenly opens with a loud bang. Ye Qiu jumps awake, his eyes still heavy with sleep as he slowly rubs it off.

"Ye Qiu, what's this I heard about you? Are you planning to run away? Do you plan on doing something stupid? Then feel free to do so. You keep giving me problems in my life. Have you ever thought that what I'm doing is for your sake? Yours and Ye Xiu's!" his father's voice sounds like a loud roar as he steps inside the room. Ye Qiu immediately felt himself straighten his back and feel fully awake.

Meanwhile, Ye Xiu is already standing outside their gate. Looking at the empty street up ahead not knowing where he's headed. He isn't prepared mentally on what he's going to do. Fear for his brother's safety is what has driven him to do such a reckless action. His cool attitude disappeared as soon as he heard their father's plan if ever Ye Qiu was the one to run away from home.

Whatever the circumstance, Ye Xiu is able to maintain his cool. To remain calm whatever happens around him. He doesn't panic because he knows that doesn't help in solving the problem at hand. This is the only time that he actually lost his cool. He himself didn't expect it earlier. All he could do right now is laugh at himself for his impulsive choice.

Don't worry Ye Qiu. I'll be able to find a way so both of us could leave that stupid house. I promise I'll come back for you. Let me just borrow your things for now. Just sit there and wait for me, okay?" he recalls his note and smiles as he walks on to the empty street.