It's got to be worse for him

Xi Hua looked at Chen with tears in her eyes. She said, "What should I do, Chen? He is becoming more and more like father. Doesn't care for anyone, is always partying out and doesn't even talk to me properly now. I'm just worried that he might not even want to meet his mum and dad even if I tell him. I just...."

Yu Chen hugged her and said, "Hua, when did you move out?"

Xi Hua mumbled between her sobs, "Just when I completed school."

Yu Chen thought for a while before she decided. She said, "I know that it's not my place to say anything, but Hua, remember what it was like for you to grow up there?"

Xi Hua looked up at Chen.

Yu Chen continued, "It's got to be worse for Han. Your dad expects too much from him, your mom, well she's not wrong in any way, but I guess that she didn't try to stop him. And does he have good friends?"

Xi Hua shook her head.

Yu Chen: "See, that's what makes all the difference. Company. And you, you moved out when he was twelve. So he probably has no one to talk to."

Xi Hua dried her tears, "What should I do?"

Yu Chen: "I can't really say. I'm the one who has not talked to her own sister for God knows how long. Just.....try to visit more. Huh, Hua?"

Xi Hua nodded her head and hugged Chen back. She said, "Thanks Chen. I'll do that."

Yu Chen smiled and said, "He's still a kid. I'm sure he just needs someone to point him in the right direction."

Xi Hua also smiled as she said, "Yeah."

Yu Chen: "You know what? This calls for ice-cream! You have any in the fridge?"

Xi Hua slapped her forehead, "Could you control your pig personality for just one minute? No ice-cream. Go get ready. We'll be late."

Yu Chen gave Xi Hua a tight hug and a peck on the cheek before the two girls headed into their rooms to get ready.

After half an hour....

Xi Hua walked out, expecting Yu Chen to be sitting there, sulking about the time Xi Hua was taking. But, to her surprise, the hall was empty.

Xi Hua was the one who usually took a lot of time getting dressed, Yu Chen did not take more than ten minutes. Thinking Chen might be doing something else in her room, Hua tapped on her door.

She said, "Hey Chen. I'm ready. Let's go."

Yu Chen's voice came from inside the room, "Just a minute. I'm almost done."

Xi Hua was surprised. But she did not say anything as she sat down on the couch, and after some deliberate thought, messaged Xi Han.

Xi Hua waited for a few minutes, but her brother did not reply. She sighed and put down her phone.

Just as Hua was about to call out to Chen again, her bedroom door opened.

Xi Hua's eyes widened upon seeing the person who walked out, and then she frowned.

After Xi Hua recovered a bit, she said, "WHAT THE HELL!?!?"