Worry

They arrived at the mall, parked the car, and walked in together.

The vibrant atmosphere welcomed them. The bustling crowds, colourful displays, and lively background music created a dynamic environment. Liling felt a pang of discomfort at the crowd but steeled herself for the task ahead.

They wandered through the various shops, browsing items and discussing potential gifts.

His enthusiasm was infectious, and Liling found herself almost enjoying the process. He would pick up an item, make a humorous comment, and she would respond with a wry smile.

After multiple visits to different shops, they finally settled on an intricately embroidered silk scarf, designer perfume, and jewellery pieces for his mother and sister.

There was just one last thing to get. 

Their last stop was a shop that specialized in traditional Chinese crafts. It was filled with beautiful, intricately designed items, each one a testament to the artistry of its maker.

She went in and walked straight to the counter to pick up the gift she had gotten custom-made a few days ago.

It was a chess set with hand-crafted jade pieces and vintage wooden board, packaged in a box.

She stared at the box fondly, a hint of sadness crossing her features.

As soon as she learnt of his father's love for the game, she knew exactly what she would get him.

It reminded her of her own father. He had taught her the rules of the game and they would play every evening during the weekend. Just the both of them.

She recalled how the wind would caress her skin as they sat outside underneath the gazebo. She enjoyed the sound of the rustling trees, birds retiring for the day and the little 'thump' sound the chess pieces made as they were moved across the board. 

What she would give to go back to that time. A much simpler time. Without a care in the world. 

Li Hao noticed the forlorn look in her eyes. Gently placing his hands on her shoulder, he asked, "Are you okay?"

She shook herself out of her reverie withdrawing from his touch. "Yeah, I'm fine. Let's just get going"

He sighed as he watched her begin to walk away. He understood their relationship wasn't the most conventional, but he had hoped that by now she wouldn't be as closed off.

With their shopping trip officially over, they returned to the car and drove back home, a noiseless silence between them.

****************************

The evening sun had dipped below the horizon, signalling the end of the day. 

Between getting home from the mall, and right then, they had dinner, watched half a movie and got ready for bed. 

Liling was almost ready to call it a night. She had just finished wrapping the gifts and sat up on her bed enjoying the silence and the warm embrace of the covers. 

She sighed as she got off the bed. She needed to kiss Little Bun goodnight and have the conversation that had been nagging at her with her little brother.

She made her way to his room and accomplished her mission, even receiving a kiss in return before leaving. 

As she stood in front of her brother's door, she sucked in a deep breath before knocking and peeking her head through slightly. It was now or never. 

"Hey Xiao Ming, can we talk?" He was sat on his bed reading and looked away noticing his sister's unplanned arrival.

"There's nothing to talk about Liling". He dropped his book and lay down facing away from her, completely uninterested in the conversation.

She walked straight in now, standing at the side of his bed and staring down at him, unamused by his attitude. 

"Can you just hear me out"

"I'm tired, can we just leave it"

"No" her voice was firmer this time, she had made up he mind to have the conversation, so they would. "We can't keep pretending everything is fine"

He stayed silent so she continued,

"Look, I'm sorry for the way I behaved the last time we spoke. I was just....worried"

"About what?", he snapped, frustration bubbling to the surface, when would she stop seeing him as a little kid? He was already 19 for flip's sake!

She flinched at his tone and shut her eyes trying to dissipate her anger. A futile task, as she couldn't keep it out of her next words. "What do mean about what? About everything. You're my brother, the only family I have left. I have the right to worry"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Hello, author here

Unfortunately, I won't be able to upload the next chapter today.

So I will be uploading two chapters on Sunday.

Sorry and

Bye~~