Chapter Fourteen: My favorite Person

As the final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day, Alexander trailed Yue like a shadow. The air, heavy with the residue of unspoken words, seemed to thicken with each step. Yet, instead of returning to their dorm or wandering the streets of Tiong Se, Yue led Alex outside the campus gates.

The duo maneuvered through the crowded streets until they reached a discreet restaurant, known to those familiar with the subtleties of the underworld. It was a place run by the gang, a territory where the alliance between their families extended beyond the boundaries of blood.

Seated at a quiet corner, surrounded by the aroma of simmering dishes, Yue fixed a heavy stare on Alexander. The weight of the unspoken moments lingered in the air, and as the waitress took their orders, Yue's gaze remained fixed on Alex.

Yue's Mind:

Why is he so affected by everything? It's like he's unraveling in front of me.

The intensity of Yue's gaze seemed to unlock the floodgates of emotion within Alexander. Tears welled up once again, a silent surrender to the overwhelming feelings that had consumed him throughout the day.

Amidst the tears, Alexander, his voice choked with emotion, finally let out the words that had been haunting him, "I... I was jealous. Jealous of that guy who gave you ice cream."

Yue, eyebrows raised in surprise, contemplated the revelation. "Jealous? You mean my brother?"

The confusion on Alexander's face gave way to fresh tears, "Your brother? I... I didn't know. I thought... I thought he was... someone else."

Yue, realizing the source of Alexander's distress, sighed. "My brother is in the gang, too. It's not what you think."

The weight on Alexander's shoulders seemed to lift, and as the truth unfolded, a genuine smile replaced the tears on his face. The revelation that Yue's brother was not a romantic rival but a family member brought relief.

Yue, with a hint of amusement, remarked, "You're such a crybaby, getting worked up over nothing."

Alexander, wiping away the last of his tears, chuckled. "I guess I let my imagination run wild."

As the dinner concluded, the waiter brought the bill, placing it discreetly on the table. Yue, instinctively reaching for his wallet, was ready to settle the payment, but before he could act, Alexander smoothly pulled out a sleek black card and handed it to the waiter.

Yue, eyebrows raised in surprise, protested, "I can pay for my own meal, you know."

Alexander, a smirk playing on his lips, responded, "Relax, I've got it covered."

Yue, not one to back down, retorted, "I said, I'll pay. You can't just swoop in and act all generous."

Alexander, with an air of nonchalance, quipped, "It's my treat. No need to make a fuss."

Yue, feeling a surge of determination, insisted, "You'll pay with your dad's money, huh? I won't let you."

Alexander's smirk deepened as he replied, "It's not my dad's money. It's mine."

Yue, unconvinced, shot back, "Rich bastard."

Alexander, leaning back in his chair, chuckled. "Call me whatever you want, but I have my own business. I'm not living off my family's wealth."

Yue, now genuinely surprised, raised an eyebrow. "Your own business? Since when?"

Alexander, enjoying the moment, explained, "I've been running it for a while now. Got my own set of employees and everything."

Yue, begrudgingly acknowledging the revelation, muttered, "Well, aren't you just full of surprises."

Alexander, still smirking, concluded, "So, let me treat you. It's not about the money; it's about friendship."

Yue, reluctantly relenting, replied, "Fine. But this doesn't mean I owe you anything."

The twilight painted the streets of lavender as Yue and Alexander ambled through the bustling city. The usual symphony of footsteps and distant traffic was now accompanied by a new melody — the casual exchange of words between two unlikely companions.

Yue, typically a man of few words, found himself caught in the current of conversation. The barriers of reserve crumbled, and words flowed effortlessly like a gentle stream winding through the cityscape. Alexander, ever observant, couldn't help but remark on the shift, "You're unusually talkative today. What's on your mind?"

Yue, his expression nonchalant, replied, "Maybe I just feel like talking. It happens."

Alexander, raising an inquisitive eyebrow, teased, "Is it because I'm your friend now?"

Yue, for a fleeting moment, halted in his steps. The word "friend" echoed in the quiet space between them, carrying a weight that transcended its simplicity. It was a word that had been elusive in Yue's life, buried beneath the frosty exterior he presented to the world.

"This is why you're my favorite person."

The word "favorite" echoed like a haunting melody, triggering a cascade of memories that lay dormant within the recesses of his mind.

As Yue stopped in his tracks, Alexander, sensing the shift, turned to him with a curious gaze. The glow of the city lights cast a shadow on Yue's face, revealing a flicker of vulnerability beneath the customary façade of indifference.

Yue's Mind:

Favorite... It's a word I've never associated with myself. Not in a family where I'm perpetually on the periphery, overshadowed by the favored ones.

It was the year 2016, and the halls of Yue's elementary school buzzed with the usual energy of youth. A ten-year-old Yue navigated the corridors, his small figure cloaked in the anonymity that often comes with being neither too outstanding nor entirely forgettable. Little did he know that this ordinary day would become a turning point etched in the tapestry of his memories.

Yue found himself in the middle of a routine school day, surrounded by the hum of activity. The teacher, a beacon of authority and guidance, summoned him with a kind smile, "Yue, come here for a moment."

Curiosity etched across his youthful features, Yue approached the teacher, a mix of anticipation and trepidation in his eyes. The teacher, holding a letter in hand, looked down at him with a glint of excitement.

"Yue, you've been selected to represent our school in the junior Olympiad," she announced, her voice carrying a note of pride.

The words hung in the air, a proclamation that shattered the monotony of Yue's daily routine. He, who had navigated the school corridors with an unassuming air, was now thrust into the spotlight.

Yue kept thinking Why me? What did I do to deserve this?

The teacher, noting the bewilderment on Yue's face, explained, "You've consistently topped the dean's list, showcasing exceptional aptitude in various subjects. This is your chance to shine, Yue."

A glimmer of recognition flickered in Yue's eyes. The realization that his efforts, often unnoticed in the vast sea of students, had not gone entirely unnoticed. The teacher continued, "You're the top student in our entire school."

Yue, a mix of surprise and modesty, mumbled a hesitant "Thank you." The weight of this acknowledgment settled on his young shoulders, a responsibility that carried the promise of recognition.

The teacher, sensing Yue's reserved demeanor, patted him gently on the shoulder, "You have the potential to achieve great things, Yue. This is just the beginning."

As Yue returned to his desk, the ordinary day had transformed into something extraordinary.

His steps carried a newfound confidence as he anticipated sharing the news with his family.

Upon reaching home, the opulent residence of the Zhang family, Yue was greeted by the hum of activity that often enveloped the household. The grandeur of the foyer, adorned with the trappings of success, seemed to pale in comparison to the joy bubbling within him.

"Father, Mother, I have something amazing to share!" Yue exclaimed, his eyes bright with excitement.

Ling, the formidable patriarch of the Zhang family, was engrossed in the news of Yuxi's victory in a little miss pageant. The air was filled with the buzz of courtiers, their attentions split between the prodigious achievements of the Zhang siblings.

Yue's Joyful Announcement:

"Guess what, Father? I won the junior Olympiad today! I'm the top student in the whole school!"

Ling, momentarily distracted, looked at Yue with a measured nod, "That's good, Yue. Your sister Yuxi also brought honor to the family by winning the pageant. Ying, too, has reportedly received an excellent award."

Yue's elation waned as he felt the weight of his family's expectations shifting. His moment of triumph seemed to be eclipsed by the achievements of his siblings, the applause reserved for others.

Why does it always feel like I'm in the shadows, even when I succeed?

Unwilling to let his accomplishments be overshadowed, Yue made a decision. In a quiet act of rebellion, he decided to hide his awards, shielding them from a world that seemed more eager to celebrate his siblings.

In the resplendent halls of the Zhang family mansion, an air of excitement swirled like the fragrance of exotic blooms. Vacation plans were unfurling like a well-crafted map, promising the warmth of Malaysia's tropical embrace. Ling and Yun, the pillars of the Zhang household, gathered their progeny to share the imminent adventure.

Ling, his voice resonant with anticipation, announced, "Family, our next adventure awaits in Malaysia!"

Yuxi, adorned in the remnants of her little miss pageant victory, chimed in with infectious enthusiasm, "Ooooh, Dad, I'm so exited! Malaysia is going to be so much fun!"

Ying, ever the epitome of composed sophistication, added his measured thoughts, "Indeed, it's an excellent opportunity."

However, amidst the familial jubilation, a solitary figure stood on the fringes. Yue, with his usual air of detachment, seemed impervious to the anticipation coursing through the room.

Yue lost in his thought ,Why bother with family vacations when I am but a backdrop to their achievements? he mused, his gaze an icy current fixed on the floor.

As Ling sought to include Yue in the familial narrative, the response was as cold as the frosty exterior Yue presented to the world. "I have classes to attend. Vacations are for those who excel, aren't they?"

The room fell into an uneasy silence, the unspoken complexities of familial dynamics lingering in the air. Ling, casting a sidelong glance at Yun, attempted to bridge the growing chasm. "Yue, education is crucial, but so is family. We can arrange for tutors in Malaysia. Striking a balance is essential."

Yet, within Yue's stoic demeanor, a silent resentment echoed. Balance? When have I ever been a priority?

Yue, like a shadow, slipped away from the familial tableau, his departure barely causing a ripple in the vibrant tapestry of excitement. In the wake of the family's collective enthusiasm for the impending Malaysian escapade, Yue retreated into the cool sanctuary of his solitude.

As Yue exit the room and says"I prefer to focus on my studies," he muttered, the words drifting away like a whisper lost in the wind.

His footsteps, almost imperceptible against the symphony of familial chatter, carried him further into the quiet corridors of self-imposed isolation. Yue, it seemed, had mastered the art of navigating the periphery, orchestrating his existence on the outskirts of familial celebrations.

As the family planned and prepared, Yue became a phantom presence, rarely seen and even more rarely heard. The allure of grand events, the magnetism of shared joy, held little sway over him. He was the scholar in the quiet alcove, the guardian of knowledge in the face of familial revelry.

Why interrupt the pursuit of excellence for transient moments of merriment? Yue's mind echoed, a sentiment that had been the refrain of his existence from the very beginning.

The days turned into a procession of silence. Yue, enshrouded in his studies, became a specter within the familial tapestry. Conversations were rare, and when they did occur, they were stilted, tethered to the obligatory threads of connection that lingered but never truly wove into the fabric of shared experiences.

Yue's Self-Imposed Isolation:

"I like to study," became his mantra, a shield against the demands of familial expectation.