(ch.8)

"Brother, you guys already have to leave," Chin pouted as her brothers nodded. "I'm going to miss you two," she hugged them.

Lai said "We're going to miss you too," patting her back.

Jingyu added "We'll come to visit soon so don't pout," as they pulled apart. Chin nodded. "Bye, mom. Brother and I will come soon again," as they went to hug their mom. Their mom nodded with a smile, she said "Come visit us when you guys are free," they both hummed.

"Ok, bye, mom and Chin," as they waved as they got into their cars.

Their mom waved as she shouted "Goodbye," with a big smile. When they got into their house, Chin went to her room as her mom went to the kitchen to make dinner for Chin. Chin was just lying in bed watching Youku, her mom came in and noted "Chin make sure you sleep early, you have school tomorrow." Chin nodded.

Chin gets ready for bedtime: a shower, skin and hair routine, making sure all of her school things are in her backpack, and brushing her teeth. After all that, Chin got into her bed and shouted "Goodnight, mom!" She waited for her mom to shout it back but didn't.

Around 12 am, she was reading a book on her phone to make her sleepy, but she got bored of it so she went to check on her mom to see if she was okay. She peeked into her room, it was already pitch-black so Chin quietly went to her room. Chin tried to go to sleep but couldn't. She had a bad feeling.

Around 1 am, she went to her mom's room to talk about it her mom, but no matter how much she tried to wake her mom up, she didn't. Chin begins to panic, she shouted "Mom, wake up! Mom, stop playing with me," in an anxious tone. She slowly checked if her mom was breathing, to her horror, she wasn't breathing.

Chin quickly dial 120, she screamed "Please send an ambulance! My mom isn't breathing! Please help," as she sobbed.

The person on the other side said "Miss, please try to stay calm. Can you give us your address," She gave her address to them. "We're on our way. Please stay on the line until we get there," she hummed while crying. Within 5 minutes, there was a knock on the door, Chin quickly opened the door. The EMTs when to her mom's room, one of them asked "When did your mom stop breathing," as they were checking her pulse.

"Her pulse is weak," He said to the other EMT. The other EMT asked "Does your mom have illness or disease that you know of," as they check her mom's blood pressure.

Chin answered "I know she has lung cancer, it's terminal, for the past 5-6 months," in a panicking voice as they got the mom on the stretcher.

"Let's get going," an ENT said to the other. "Miss, will you be coming with us," Chin nodded. They got into the ambulance and drove to the hospital. Doctors and nurses took Chin's mom took her to the emergency room. While waiting for the doctor to come out, Chin called her brothers. "Jingyu, mom is in the emergency room. Can you please come here," bawling her eyes out?

"Chin, I'm on my way. Don't worry, mom will be fine. I'm going to hang up now," he said and hung up. Chin tried to call Lai a few times, but he didn't answer. Chin just sat in the waiting room, all alone and crying. Jingyu finally arrived after 45 minutes, he ran to her and asked "Chin, did they tell you how mom is," with a worried voice. She shook her head. "Did you call Lai?"

Chin nodded and said, "I did, but he didn't pick up."

"Let's just think positive. I'll call him," Jingyu assured her as they sat down. When Jingyu got done calling their older brother, he noted "Lai is coming soon," in a nervous tone as he looked at his little sister. Chin nodded.

After a few minutes, Lai ran to them and asked "How is mom," with a worried tone.

Jingyu answered "We don't know, they haven't told us," as tears stream down his face. Seeing her brother cry, made her cry. Lai hugged them and told them that it's going to be okay. The doctor finally came out after waiting, but their hearts sunk when the doctor told them that their mom passed away. They just cried together.

Chin asked "Lai, who will take care of Jingyu and my school tuitions," in a worried tone.

Lai answered, "I will since I make more than enough so just study hard so you guys can have good jobs." Jingyu and Chin nodded as tears ran down their faces. Lai added "Let's go home," with his arms around his siblings.

They went to Chin and their mom's house to get Chin's clothes after they got Lai's car from his place. Lai said "Chin go pack the things that you need, we'll come to get the rest later," with a calm tone. Chin went to her room to pack. While Chin was packing, Jingyu and Lai went to look around the house.

"I'm done," Chin shouted.

Lai said "Ok, let's go."

"You guys go ahead, I want to do something quick," she noted, her brothers nodded and left with her luggage. Chin took a nice look at the house she grew up in since the day she was born. Her mind was replaying all of the fun memories she and her family had. Chin went to her mom's room before she left. She saw a USB by the lamp on the nightstand, so she took it with her.

"What took you so long," asked Lai as she got into his car.

"Nothing," she answered. When they were going to Zhe's cousin's apartment, Chin asked "Jingyu, did you hear those rumors about Wan Yu, Wan Yu and Li Bai are dating. I really shipped her with Chen Xaing, they said they'll do a conference when they for back from making their movie which is in three months," in an upset tone.

"Chin, stop thinking that they'll be together. Yu already has a boyfriend of her own so stop shipping her with him even if she dating Bai, let her be. Plus it's her life, not yours," Jingyu stated in an objective voice as he made an annoyed expression. Lai told them to stop as they got into the elevator as Chin and Jingyu glare at each other.

Lai whispers "You guys have to be quiet since people are sleeping," they nodded. Chin's brother opened the door while Jingyu and her were behind him. When he turned on the lights, she heard someone say "Where were you? Why are you out soo late, huh," with a bitter tone.

Lai answered "Zhe, let me explain, it's not what you think. I-" in a soft tone but then she heard the other guy. He marked "Don't up to make up excuses," in an upset tone, then he took a big breath and said, "Sorry, my anger took-," as he saw Jingyu and her. Chin realized that it was Zhe.

Just then Chin heard Jingyu said "Is this how you treat my brother if you get angry. You want to know why Lai was out so late, fine I'll tell you, it's because our mom-" but Lai stopped him. Zhe asked what happened to their mom but Lai told him that he'll tell him in a second.

Chin heard someone ask "What's going on," with a very sleepy voice. To Chin's surprise, it was Xaing, she stuttered "Is- is that Chen Xaing? What is he doing here, don't tell me," in a shocked tone. He tried to go back to his room, but then Lai noted"Xaing, I actually need to ask you something," so they all sat down at the dining table.

Chin watch as her brother explained everything to Xaing and Zhe, who has a guilty face, "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 was hesitant as he asked "Do they know who I am," he could see Chin nodded. He noted "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," with a very serious tone.

Chin screamed, "What you're Wan Yu's boyfriend?" Xaing nodded.

Lai exclaimed "Yu is Zhe's cousin and Xaing is her boyfriend," in a calm tone, Chin had an amazed expression. He added "But you can tell anyone about their relationship," with a stern tone.

Xaing said "Chin can sleep in the extra bedroom and Lai's brother can sleep with me for the night," so they all got ready for bed.

Chin was just laying in bed, looking at the ceiling, she thought to herself "Dang, I can't believe from on I'll have to live with my brother. I wonder how mom is doing. I miss her so much." Jingyu came in and asked "Do you want to eat? Xaing made something for us to eat," in a calm voice. She nodded a followed him. When Jingyu and Chin saw the food that Xaing made, they started to tear up as Xaing asked "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.

Chin got into bed and tried to go to sleep but she couldn't. She just read a story on her phone until she passed out. "Chin, wake up. It's time to get ready for school," she heard her brother telling her as he shook her.

Chin did her morning routine before she went to eat breakfast, she was just eating as she listen to the guys talking. Lai asked "Ok, what about you, Chin," as everyone's eyes turn to her.

She quickly swallowed the food in her mouth, she answered "I think I'll go to school today if" in a candid tone, then she went back to eating.

Once Jingyu was ready, he said "Ok bye, y'all. Chin behave here and listen to Lai while I'm not here. Lai, call me if something happens." she nodded, then he left for college. Soon, Xaing and Zhe said "Ok, we'll be leaving now. Bye, you two," waving as they left. Then Lai asked, "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 a few minutes they got to her school, she waves goodbye to Lai and ran into the school. When she got to her class, she took a deep breath in, telling herself that it's going ok. Once school ended, she tried to leave as soon as she can but then two girls blocked her. One said "You think you can leave so fast," with a bitter, teasing tone. Chin didn't say anything.

"Come on, let's go," as both of the girls put their arm around her neck, dragging her. Chin saw their boyfriends too when they got to the back of the school. One of the guys asked "Yu, look pretty ugly and fat today. I wonder how embarrassed your parents must be to have a daughter like you," with a bitter voice.

Chin had enough, she shouted "My parents are not embarrassed about me, it's more like your parents are embarrassed about you. Your parents probably wished they would have aborted you since you're just a waste of space and air." Saying that caused her to get beat up. Chin just laid on the ground, crying to herself for the next 20 minutes.

When she got into Lai's car, he asked "Chin, are you okay? What happened to you," in a concerned voice.

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 to check if she has any bruises yet. Some started to appear on her torso and the lower of her back. She went to see what her brother was doing, she saw him on the couch "Lai? Lai? Lai!!"

"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. Lai nodded so she excitedly got ready. 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. She nodded.

Once they got to to the mall, Lai said "Where do you want to go first," in an excited tone as he looked at her. She answered "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.

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.

"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.

After they ate, 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," 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.