It’s Not Hide and Seek

Under the pitch-black night, a thick canvas of clouds hid the bright moonlight and the closely shut curtains didn't let a single ray of light enter the room. 

A young boy looked down without expression as he curled up in a corner. He couldn't even see his fingers and the fear of the unknown crept over him like a beast from the abyss, dragging him into the darkness little by little as it slowly swallowed him. 

"Sangsang is five years younger than you, I told you to take care of her the first time you came into the Huo family." 

"She's different from you. If you can't even take care of your younger sister, how can I pass the Huo family into your hands feeling assured?" 

Grandpa Huo waved his hand to emphasize his points, his cold and unconcerned expressions made it look like he was looking at an insignificant ant. 

"Housekeeper, take him away. Let the young master think calmly about what he should and shouldn't do." 

Huo Chenyu looked down numbly with dark and gloomy expressions as he sat motionlessly in the corner. 

He knew that it was useless to feel scared. 

Old Master Huo would let him out the next day anyway. 

In the silent room, the young boy closed his eyes. This place was so oppressive and he felt like he was choking, making it difficult for him to breathe. 

He had claustrophobia. 

Old Master Huo knew about this and that's exactly why he shut him in here. 

In the still of the night, there was only the endless darkness and gloominess, until...

a sudden and tiny click of the door opening. 

"Brodda!" 

A crispy voice entered his ears exceptionally clearly in the lightless room. 

Huo Chenyu, who was leaning against a wall, opened his eyes slightly and looked up blankly. 

His pitch-black eyes looked at the little thing standing outside and his pupils shrank. For the first time, he thought the ray of dim moonlight behind her was so piercing to eyes. 

The little thing had a pink coat that reached her knees, and her innocent cat eyes immediately lit up when she saw her pretty Brodda. 

As Huo Chenyu was staring at her blankly, lost in thoughts, Ye Sang happily threw the little key on the ground. 

She flew into his arms and called him with a muffled voice over and over again, "Brodda, Brodda, Brodda..." 

She was a soft little ball that smelled like milk. 

The boy's body became rigid, he even forgot to push her away. He felt the small ball in his arms and couldn't help but to think that his younger sister was so soft. 

She was a tiny ball and he felt like he could kill her with a light pinch. 

"Why is Brodda here?" 

Ye Sang didn't know what her brother was thinking and softly climbed into his arms, asking gently with her head resting against him. 

Huo Chenyu looked at the small ball of his "younger sister" in his arms and his eyes smiled gently. 

He forced a smile and looked down, carelessly fooling her, "Brother is playing hide and seek with you." 

The little thing pouted and dragged her voice on, "Brodda is lying." 

It wasn't hide and seek. 

"Lying?" Huo Chenyu held her slightly tighter. 

The warmth coming from her made him feel less afraid of the dark night. 

The boy's dark eyes were smiling kindly as he slowly asked, "What did I lie about?" 

His ingenuine smile was almost perfect; no one could find a flaw in it.

How was he lying? 

The ten-year-old boy felt puzzled for the first time in his life because of what a little girl had said. 

The little thing blinked hesitantly and nudged his face with hers. She sounded soft like a small kitten, but what she said was exceptionally serious.

"If Brodda doesn't like smiling, you don't have to."