On his way home, Haikuan made a stop at the bookstore. He wanted to buy some books for Xiao Zhan as presents. 'He likes reading and he likes drawing so books about Art would be perfect... Let's see what we will find.' But as he doesn't know much about that topic he is clueless.

"Are you looking for something specific, Sir?" a woman next to him asked. 

"Yes, I am looking for books about Art. Can you help me to find some good ones?"

"Of course, Sir. But here you are in the wrong section. Please follow me." The woman walked ahead while Haikuan just followed. "Here we are. Let me show you the Top 5 Bestsellers this month," She said and took 5 books out of the shelf.

1. Different types of brushstrokes
2. Landscapes of Art
3. Living Art
4. Leonardo da Vinci: The Graphic Work
5. Masterpieces with pencils

Haikuan was happy with this choice. He thanked her, paid for the books, and drove home.

 At home Yibo already waited for his brother. "What took you so long?" he asked Haikuan. 
"I bought some books for Xiao Zhan. I am sorry I am late. Let's eat. I am very hungry" He answered smiling.

The next day Haikuan woke up really early. After preparing the breakfast for Yibo he drove back to the orphanage. As promised the director waited for him at the gate. Haikuan took the bag with the books and went up to Xiao Zhan's room. Xiao Zhan was already awake sitting at the window. The director left them alone after signalizing Haikuan that breakfast will be at 9 am.

Haikuan walked up to the window. "Good morning Xiao Zhan. I hope you slept well?". As expected no reaction from the young boy. "I saw yesterday you like reading and drawing. The pictures you drew are amazing. You are really talented." Haikuan continued.

"...."

"I would like to give you something." Haikuan took out the books and laid them on the window sill. First Xiao Zhan didn't react but after looking down his eyes widen a little bit. But he didn't take them. Haikuan went back to the table, sat down, and pretended to read his notebook. After a few minutes passed Xiao Zhan slowly reached for the book 'Landscapes of Art" and started reading. Haikuan smiled while observing him.

At 9 am it was time for breakfast but Xiao Zhan kept on reading. "Xiao Zhan let's go down. You must be hungry," He said and went to the door. He waited till the boy followed him. But at the front of the door, Xiao Zhan paused and looked back to the window. 'The books. He is looking at the books' Haikuan realized. 

"If you want you can take the books with you" He offered smilingly. But Xiao Zhan just walked past him and went to the dining hall on his own.

'It seems like he doesn't want to give me the feeling of acceptance. But why? Does he not like me? What did happen to him for being like that? I wish he would talk with me ... it seems like I will have to find out myself' Haikuan was deep in thoughts while he followed Xiao Zhan to the dining hall. When they arrived there Xiao Zhan sat down and started eating. Haikuan kept his distance and waited. Sometimes Xiao Zhan moved his head in the direction of him but only for a few seconds. 'Is he observing me too?' Haikuan asked himself.

After breakfast, Xiao Zhan took his dishes to the kitchen and went back to his room to get his clothes as now it's time for the shower. 'I want to know how he will react when I stay with him in the bathroom'  Haikuan thought.

It was just like the director described. The moment Haikuan entered the bathroom Xiao Zhan backed away and stood at the corner of the room, staring at the floor, not moving. So Haikuan left and the boy locked the door. 'So it really is true. Even if he wants something he will not talk. And no eye contact either...'As Haikuan waited for the boy to finish he wrote it down in his notebook.

After the shower, they were supposed to go to the garden but suddenly Xiao Zhan went up to his room unexpectedly. 'That's new...' Haikuan followed him unnoticed. He could see how Xiao Zhan took a handkerchief and hid it in his sleeves. Haikuan quickly moved back to the ground floor where the boy left him and pretended to read his notebook as if he never followed him. 'What is he up to?' Haikuan thought to himself.

While following Xiao Zhan to the garden he kept a distance of about 7 meters. So the boy went ahead and as usual sat on his favorite place, the tree trunk. Haikuan sat down meters away behind a tree and waited. He wanted to know what Xiao Zhan is about to do. The wait was worth it. 

(Author: let's just pretend there are bushes next to and behind the treetrunk ^^)

A few minutes later he saw the bush on Xiao Zhan's left side moving and a little black bunny jumped out of it right into his lap. The boy looked around, probably to see if he was being watched. 'I am not sure but as far as I know, animals are not allowed in here' Haikuan thought. Meanwhile, Xiao Zhan is stroking the bunny gently and took the handkerchief out of his sleeve. 'He hid something in there yesterday during dinner' Haikuan remembered and soon he knew what it was.'Carrots?'  Haikuan smiled. 'He seems to like that bunny a lot... Is he really Young Master Wei? I remember he gifted two bunnies to my brother back then'  Haikuan was still unsure. 'I have to find out. But how...?'

Haikuan stood up and walked to Xiao Zhan. The boy tried to hide the bunny. 

"I saw it already and don't worry. I will not tell anyone. Like I told you, you can tell me any secret you want and I will never ever tell it to anyone. By the way, the bunny is really cute and he seems to like you too." Haikuan said and sat on the ground 3 metes away from Xiao Zhan. The boy backed a little away and hold his hands above the bunny to protect it from any danger.'He doesn't trust me. He doesn't trust anyone.'  Haikuan realized sadly. But he didn't give up. 

"How about that. I will tell you a secret of mine too, Xiao Zhan." As the boy didn't react Haikuan continued. 

"To be honest, I did a really big mistake a long long time ago. I hurt my little brother very much. I thought I did the right thing back then but... that wasn't the case. I took something very very important away from him. I was not the only one but I was part of it. I am at fault too. My brother was sad because he lost someone he very very liked. I didn't realize it back then. I thought he was just missing his friend. I told him this friend is gone and will not come back. He lost his hope of meeting this friend again. I took this hope away from him. He didn't talk to me for a long time." Haikuan said and looked up to the sky.

"This friend of his ... was a very righteous person when I met him the first time. He was a mischievous boy and broke a lot of rules my family set but he always fought for justice. My little brother seemed to like him from the beginning. He thought no one would know but I knew him the best like no one else did. I am his brother after all. I thought I was the only one who will ever understand my brother but this friend could too, sometimes even more than me.

Sometime later there was a big ... dispute and my brother's friend was in the middle of it. Everyone started to hate him but not my brother. He knew his friend didn't do anything wrong. He stood on his side.

This friend tried to protect the innocent. He tried his very best but because of someone greedy he couldn't. He lost those people he tried to protect, he lost his family and in the end, he lost himself too......

My little brother couldn't even mourn him as he was punished for helping his friend. Back then I thought too that this friend was guilty. My brother hoped for his friend to come back. But that would never happen. My brother was in some type of coma for three years. He didn't talk, he didn't react to anything. One day I couldn't stand it anymore and ... I told him the truth. That his friend will never return. That his friend was dead."

Haikuan started to cry. 

"My brother lost his last hope. It broke his heart. And I am at fault. I had to ... I had to send my brother away on a very long journey. But because my brother trusted his friend so much and I too knew he wasn't always like he was right before his death... I told him I would try to find out what really happened. And I did. It was a few months later that I found out. That my brother's friend really was innocent. I should have listened to my little brother more. But it was too late.

Before I sent him away I promised him that when he comes back I will forever be on his side. I will love him with my everything and I will try to get his happiness back. And now that I found my brother after he came back from his journey I will try my best to fulfill my promise. I will make him happy again." Haikuan cried as he thinks about the loss of his innocent little brother.

It took some time for Haikuan to calm down. But after he did he wiped his tears away,  looked up, and froze.

to be continued...

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I hope you liked the new update. The next chapter will be a little bit longer so please bear with it ^^

1. I am sorry if there are any errors as English is not my native language. Do point it out.

2. Feel free to comment or vote. I would be very happy. :D

Until the next time :)