(ch.85)

That when Xaing knew he messed up so he turns around and tried to go back into his room but then Lai said "Xaing, I actually need to ask you something," so they all sat down at the dining table.

Lai tried his best to keep it together as he said "The reason I went out so late is that my brother called me," as he looked at Jianyu, "because my mom is in the hospital," then he looked at Zhe. He could see that Zhe made a guilty face but he continued saying "and she passed. We went to go get my sister's clothes since I'm the oldest, from on I'll have to care of my brother and sister. I'll like to ask Xaing if you'll let my sister stay with us while we stay here and my brother stay just for the night?"

Xaing quiet for a minute, then he answers "First of all do they know who I am?" He didn't need an answer, he could see his sister nodding yes so he said "Ok then, they can stay but as long as they don't tell anyone that they live with me for now or that I'm Yu's boyfriend," in a very serious tone as they all were agreeing. Xaing said that she can sleep in the extra bedroom and Lai's brother can sleep with him so they all got ready for bed.

When Lai enter the room, Zhe asked "Why didn't you tell me that you were going to the hospital? Why didn't you tell me to go with you? Are you okay," in a concerned tone as he sat on the bed, looking at him.

"I didn't tell you because I was in a rush, you were sleeping so I didn't want to wake you. and I'm fine. Let's go to sleep now, I'm tired," Lai answered with an unemotional tone as he got into bed and laid down not facing Zhe. Zhe can feel his sorrow but he didn't say anything. He just turned off the light, laid down, and hugged him from behind.

He could hear Lai sniffing, he tried to turn him around so they'll face each other but Lai wouldn't budge. He said "Will you turn around nicely or I turn on the lights and look at your face," in a harsh, worried tone. Lai slowly turns to face him, Zhe wipes his tears, hugged as he begins to pat his back. Lai couldn't help but cry on Zhe's chest as he wraps his arms to hug Zhe too, Zhe said "There There, go ahead and cry all you want," in a soft, sweet tone as he pats Lai's head.

While that happening in Lai and Zhe's room, Xaing asked "Have you and your sister eaten anything yet?"

Jianyu said "No but we didn't want to ask anyone to cook this late so we'll just wait for breakfast," in a quiet tone as he looked at his phone.

"Why didn't you guys say so? I'll cook you guys something, are you guys allergic to anything or picky with?" He looked at him, Jianyu was shaking his head so he got up to go cook something for them. He followed Xaing to the kitchen as he saw him pull out a book from the cabinet, he asked what is the book for and Xaing said that Yu gave it to him so when she's gone he wouldn't starve. Jianyu giggled and said, "Oh ok."

After a few minutes, Xaing said "All done go see if she's still awake if she is tell her to come to eat," as he dishes on the table. Jianyu went to go get Chin, they came to sit down, looked at the food for a second and begin to cry. Xaing was shocked and asks "Omg, what's wrong? Do you guys, not like this, I can go make something if you guys don't like it," in a shocked tone as he begins to panic.

"No no, it's not that we don't like it but this was our mom's favorite food so that's why," Chin said as she wipes her tears and smiles.

Xaing was a relief and said "There there, you guys should really eat. Don't cry," in a sweet tone as he pats their heads. They thanked Xaing for the food and begin to eat, after they were done eating Xaing told them to go to sleep, then he cleaned up.

When he went to his room he saw that Jianyu was still up so Xaing said "Why aren't you sleeping," as he closes the door behind him.

Jinyu says, "I'm not tired yet." In a quiet tone.

Xaing sat next to Jinyu, and said, "You should sleep, you're probably tired." In a soft tone as he patted Jinyu's shoulder. He agreed with Xaing, he got into bed and tried to go to sleep. He tossed and turned but he couldn't sleep, he grabbed his phone, looked at pictures of his mom and videos. He quietly cries as he looks at his mom's sweet, warm smile, that he'll never see again.

Xaing woke up to sniffing behind him, when he turned, he saw Jinyu looking at pictures and videos of his mom. He said "Why aren't you sleeping," as he sat up, then he turned on the lamp.

Jinyu quickly wipes his tears, he said "Oh, sorry if I wake you up. I wasn't tired so I begin to look at pictures and videos of my mom since I'm really missing her," as he sat up next to Xaing.

Xaing put his hand on Jinyu's shoulder and said "I know you miss her but don't you think she'll be happy in heaven too? I'm pretty sure she will be watching you guys from above," in a pleasing tone.

Jinyu turn off his phone and said "You're right," in a cheerful tone, then he smiled. "By the way, I don't think I'll stay here tomorrow, I'll be going back to college," in a calm tone as he charges his phone. Xaing said ok and told him that they should go to bed, Jinyu agreed so they got into bed and went to sleep.

Lai woke up, checked the time, it's 6 am, so he went to get ready for the day, then he went to wake up the others. While they all were getting ready Lai was making breakfast, well they were eating breakfast, Jinyu said "I don't think I'll stay here for today," as he kept looking at his food.

Lai asked "Why," in a surprised tone as he pauses from eating in for a second.

"Because I have a lot of things to do," then he took a bite of the food.

Lai nodded and said "Ok, what about you, Chin," as he looked at Chin.

Chin swallowed her food and said "I think I'll go to school today" in a candid tone, then she went back to eating. Lai nodded. They all ate, got ready for school and work.

"Ok bye, y'all. Chin behave here and listen to Lai while I'm not here. Lai, call me if something happens." Jinyu said as he left for college. They said goodbye to Jinyu too.

After a few minutes, Xaing and Zhe said "Ok, we'll be leaving now. Bye, you two," waving as they left.

After they waved, Lai said, "Chin are you ready yet?"

She ran while saying " I just need my backpack," as she went into her bedroom for a second and then went to put her shoes on.

"Ok, let's go or you'll be late," Lai said in a direct tone as he opens the door, they soon left. After 3 minutes they got to her school, she waves goodbye to Lai and ran into the school. Lai went to his workplace after he watched Chin go into her school. When he got to his work, he said hi to his colleagues but then one of his colleagues, name Ehuang, whispered "Lai, their boss wants to talk to you," in a gentle tone.

Lai knocked on the boss's door, he heard him say "Come in," in a formal tone.

Lai opened the door and said "Mr. Huang, you needed to talk to me," in a polite tone as shut the door behind him.

"Come take a seat," as he pointed to the chair in front of him, so Lai sat down. Mr. Huang said "Ok, let's get to the point. A big client requested for us to make this sculpture," then he showed a drawing. He continues saying "you're one of the best sculptors I have hired so I trust you with this project, if you do this project I'll double your salary for this month," in a serious tone he gave the drawing to him.

Lai grabbed the drawing, looked at it for a second, and then asked "When is the deadline cause I have another project too," in a formal tone.

Mr. Huang begins to give a nervous look and said "They said that they'll need it in a month," in a solemn tone.

"What! How am I suppose to make this in a month? Can't they give us more time," Lai sightly yelled in a provoked tone as he stood up making an upset expression.

"Mr. Qing, I understand. I asked them if they can give us more time but they said they need it for a special event so they can't give us more time," Mr. Huang said in a stern tone, then he sighed. "Ok, how about if you do this project, I'll pay you triple for this month and I'll someone help you with it," he said as he looked at Lai in the eyes.

Lai went to his studio, he sat down and sighed but soon he got to work. After hours he was finally done with the sculpture that is needed in next week, all he has to let it dry. He looked at the drawing his boss gave and looked at it, it looks complicated and be the look of it. It has to take about 2 months to make but his boss will pay him triple, when he looked at the time, it was already time to go pick Chin up so he got his things and left his studio.

When he got to her school, he waited and waited for her but he didn't see her, he also called many times but she didn't pick up so he continues waiting. After 20 minutes, he finally saw her but her hair was messy and it looked like she has been crying when she got into his car he asked what happened to her. She said "Nothing, it has been a stressful day at school," in a dismal tone as she threw her backpack in the backseat, then put on her seat belt.

Chin went to her room as soon as they got home before Lai could ask her anything, he just went to watch his phone while lying on the couch. While lying on the couch he was thinking about his mom's funeral and if he should do the project his boss asked him, he was so busy in his thoughts that he didn't hear Chin calling him. "What?!' He said in a surprised tone as he looked at her with a startled expression.

"Are you okay? I called you so many times," in a curious tone as Lai was sitting up, then she sat on the couch.

"I'm fine, I'm just thinking about work. Do you need something," he looked at her.

Chin asked "I was wondering if we could go shopping, I want some snacks," in a tender tone. He nodded so they went to go get ready, a few minutes later she was in a gray sweatshirt overlayered with a denim sherpa jacket, black leggings, and black sneakers.

He said "Wow, you look so cute, anyways let's go," in a lighthearted tone, then he smiles in excitement.

She said "Wait, why are you wearing that," in a confused tone as she looked at him in confusedness.

He giggled and said "Did you forget that your brother is famous if I don't wear this we'll get crowded by my fans," in a sarcastic tone, then he went to go get his wallet and keys.

"Oh yeah, it's not like your my brother and I see you as a normal person," she said in a sarcastic tone, then they chuckled. As Lai was driving, Chin asked "Lai, we should start preparing things for mom's funeral," in a quiet voice as she looked at her down.

He was quiet for a few seconds, then he said "Don't worry about that, I'll take care of it as soon as I can so just focus on school," in a soft tone as he pats her on the head. When they got to to the mall, Lai said "Where do you want to go first," in an excited tone as he looked at her.

"Ummm... let's go get something to eat, then we can do whatever," in a calm tone as she was looking around, then pointed to a restaurant that sells noodles so they went to in. They ordered beef noodles soup and Sichuan noodles while waiting they were just on their phones.

When they got their food they put their phones away, after they took a few bites Chin said "Where should we go next," in a curious tone.

He finishes chewing his food he said "I don't know, all I know is I need to buy food for the apartment. Where do you want to go? Buy clothes, makeup, or whatever you want," in a benevolent tone, then he took another bite from his food.

"Ok, let's go buy some clothes, makeup, then food and snacks. Does that sound good," in a compliant tone, then she smiled. He nodded agreeing. They finished eating, Lai said "I'm stuff," in an exhausted tone as he laid back, rubbing his belly. "Me too but let's get going or your hubby might be home hungry and you don't have his food ready for him," she teases him, they laughed.

After he was done laughing, he said "Nope, we can take as long as we want. He doesn't come home until 9-10 so we should be fine," in a relaxed tone as he gave her a sweet smile. He said "Okay let's go and buy some clothes," as he got up to pay.

After they went from store to store they bought things for Xaing, Jinyu, Zhe, and a few things for Lai. He asked "Chin, is there anything you want to buy," in a curious tone as they walked into another store.

She said "Let me see," as she was looking at the clothes, she added "so you're saying that I can choose whatever I want," in a curious tone.

"Yes, you can. You can choose what you want," in a gentle tone as he follows her. She chooses a few things, it ended up costing 200 dollars so she whispers "Lai, if cost too much, we can put some away," in a nervous tone as she made a flustered expression.

Lai just giggled and said "No, it's fine," as he smiled at her while scanning the QR code. She thanked him and took her bags, and left the store. They went to buy some makeup, then they walked to the supermarket two floors down, as they walking, Chin stopped walking. She saw a beautiful dress, it was pink ruffles lace off the shoulder dress, she couldn't help but stare at it but when she saw the price she was shocked.

Lai asked "Do you like this dress? Want me to buy it for you," in a joyful tone as he stood behind her.

She got startled, she said "Oh no, I just think it looks nice but I would never wear it," in a restrained tone as looked at him and walked away. He knows that she likes it but he didn't overthink it so he quickly caught up to Chin. When they got to the supermarket Lai said "Chin, I'm going to put the bags in the car, I'll be right back," in a serene tone as he gestures her to give her bags to him.

"Let's go together then," she answered in a casual tone as she smiled.

Lai replied "No, it's fine. You can go buy the snacks you want, I'll be back in a few minutes. You're going to be fine," in a confident tone as he grabs her bags and walking away. Chin was nervous but she took a big breath in and out, then she took a cart and started to shop around.

20 minutes later Chin has a feeling that someone is following, she could see a person dressed in all black with a mask and hat on so she couldn't see their face from the corner of her eye. She tried to call Lai wasn't picking up, she begins to get really nervous so she pretends to be on the phone but the person was still following her. She walked faster but then the person grabbed her shoulder.