"Zhan, where are you going?" Shen asked, his tone shifting from stern to gentle.
Instead of answering, Zhan lowered his head, fiddling with his fingers. The tears he'd been holding back finally spilled over just as the power returned, illuminating the room and allowing Shen to see his tear-streaked face.
"Are you okay?" Shen pressed. "I asked where you're going. If you won't answer, step aside and let me pass."
"I'm going to find some oil and seasoning for the kids so they can eat," Zhan finally replied.
A heavy silence settled between them as Shen sighed, frustration washing over him. Their father... his father... was a man of habits that never changed. Shaking his head, Shen reached into his pocket, pulled out a five-thousand bill he meant to give it to their father today, and handed it to Zhan.
"Here, buy something for yourselves."
Zhan's hands trembled with gratitude as he accepted the money. The weight pressing on his chest all evening suddenly lifted, and a smile broke across his face. "Thank you, Shen gege. May fortune continue to favor you."
"Hmm," Shen murmured, watching Zhan rush off.
He couldn't help but feel sorry for the boy. Zhan had taken on the burden of caring for the motherless children in the household, as if they were his own. Shen had witnessed firsthand the warmth and protection Zhan's mother once gave him, and he still remembered Zhan's aunt, Anu, before she disappeared from his lives. He never understood why she vanished, nor why she never returned to Zhan's world. With those thoughts, he stepped inside the house.
Zhan, meanwhile, debated what to do with the money. He could buy something delicious for them to enjoy tonight, but what about tomorrow? Who would provide for them then? That thought made him pause, staring at the money in his hands before making a decision.
He went to a small stall and bought some boiled sweet potatoes. Then, he stopped by a neighbor's house to purchase some oil and pre-made seasoning. Lastly, he bought some porridge flour, deciding that at least they wouldn't wake up hungry tomorrow.
Tonight, he'd mix the oil and seasoning into the leftover rice for dinner. Tomorrow, they could have the sweet potatoes. In the morning, he'd make porridge for them to drink.
The plan brought a small smile to Zhan's face, giving him the determination to head home. On the way, he also bought a pack of paracetamol for Chou, hoping it would ease her fever, even though he knew it wasn't the exact medicine she needed. But something was better than nothing.
As he entered their dimly lit courtyard, illuminated by the faint red glow of the lightbulb, he spotted his father crouched behind the door, hurriedly stuffing pieces of meat into his mouth. It was clear he didn't want anyone to see him. At his feet sat a small 35cl bottle of beer.
The sound of Zhan's footsteps startled him. He quickly tossed the plastic bag of meat aside, wiping his greasy hands against his pants. Zhan averted his gaze, pretending not to notice, and started to walk past him. But Xiao Yun, sensing he had been caught, instantly switched to defense, masking his shame with aggression.
"Hey, Zhan! Where the hell are you coming from at this hour?"
"Baba, I'm just coming from the neighbor...."
Before Zhan could finish, his father cut him off with a sharp tone.
"I don't have time for nonsense. So, you're picking up the habit of wandering at night now? You just got back from work, and now you're ready to run off again?"
"I'm sorry, Baba, I was just.... "
"Shut your mouth and get out of my sight, you fool!"
Zhan didn't attempt to defend himself further. He simply turned and walked inside, knowing his father was eager to dismiss him anyway. He was used to his father's outbursts.... shameful displays of temper that never failed to make him feel small. But right now, the only thing that truly mattered was that he had managed to bring food home for his younger siblings. Whatever happened after that, even if his father cut him to pieces, at least the kids would eat something.
Inside, he found them huddled around a tray of leftover rice, illuminated by a single candle. The sight made his chest tighten. They looked like a swarm of ants drawn to the only source of light. Letting out a deep breath, he silently thanked fate for allowing him to bring something home. He couldn't even imagine how he would have felt walking in empty-handed.
Moving quickly, Zhan prepared the meal, making sure everything was set before telling them to wash their hands. They ate together in silence, each bite a small relief. Once they were done, he handed Chou the paracetamol, hoping it would ease her fever. After that, he laid out the blankets, ensuring everyone was comfortable before they fell asleep.
Once he was certain they were settled, Zhan slipped off his worn-out shirt and stepped outside. He had one last task before he could rest.... washing the dishes and cleaning up the small courtyard. It was a routine he never skipped, no matter how exhausted he was.
As he knelt by the water pump, scrubbing the dishes, he could hear the familiar bickering of his father and the woman he now lived with. Their voices carried through the quiet night, filled with insults that had become all too common.
"What If you didn't give me your food, soak your own food and eat it," he snapped. "You didn't give you any, but guess what? The heavens provided for me anyway. My mouth hasn't stopped eating, has it? And let me tell you something... you think you're in control of this house just because you've been sulking around lately? Well, we'll see who really has the upper hand soon enough. I'm not afraid of you!"
Fenghua let out a dramatic laugh before saying, "Oh, the things I endure in this house! The only night a bat won't see is the night it dies. Just wait, your day is coming!"
Zhan tuned them out as he rinsed the last plate and retreated inside, disgusted by the chaos that had become their daily life. His mind drifted to memories of his mother. Though he had been young when she passed, he still recalled moments with her... warmth, kindness, a home that once felt safe.
His gaze fell on his siblings, now fast asleep, their small bodies curled up beneath thin blankets. He wiped at his eyes, refusing to let his emotions overwhelm him.
With quiet steps, he moved to the corner of the room where his suitcase was kept. It was old now, its once-pristine appearance faded, but he still cherished it. Aunt Anu had given it to him just before she left, a gift from someone who had always cared.
He opened it and pulled out his school uniform. Even though it was old, its tailored cut and fine material made it obvious it belonged to a private school... one he had fought to stay in despite everything. Though worn, it was always clean. No matter how tired he was, he never let them go unwashed.
Methodically, he smoothed out the fabric, laying the pieces flat on the ground. He hoped they would be fresh and ready to wear by morning since he hadn't been able to scrub them properly today. Even though they had softened from age and frequent washing, they still held their shape.
Only when he had finished arranging everything did he pull a thin blanket over himself and settle in beside his siblings, hoping for a few hours of sleep before another long day began.
Before sleep could claim his weary eyes, his mind was flooded with thoughts.... endless reflections on life's struggles and the various challenges that came with it. Eventually, exhaustion won, pulling him into a slumber filled with dreams of his ambitions, his deepest desires, and, most importantly, the hope of giving his younger siblings a better life.
:-*:-*:-*:-*:-*
Dressed in a simple singlet and three-quarter pants, Zhan stepped into their small, meticulously clean room. It was always spotless, so much so that one wouldn't believe people actually slept there. Despite having only a worn-out mat and a thin sheet covering the mat, they could still sit and eat comfortably.
He had just finished his morning routine... cleaning the house and washing the dishes as he did every single day.... before crouching down to distribute bowls of porridge to his younger siblings. Standing up, he began dressing, keeping an eye on the broken wall clock that could only track hours. It was his makeshift alarm, helping him wake up and keep track of time before heading to school. He mentally calculated the minutes it would take to walk there, hoping to arrive before the morning assembly started.
He quickly applied a small amount of oil to his skin, swiped deodorant under his arms to prevent sweat and odor, and dabbed on a bit of his oil-based perfume... the one he bought at the end of every month. Taking his school uniform from the trunk at the corner of the room, he slipped into it with practiced efficiency.
Despite the fabric's age, the uniform still looked neat and sharp, emphasizing his lean figure far better than his regular home clothes. The only flaw was its faded appearance from years of use, but his dedication to cleanliness masked most of its wear.
"It's almost eight, Que. Make sure everyone goes to their lessons today. I don't want to come back and hear that someone skipped. Chou can stay home until she feels better," he instructed firmly.
"Alright, Gege," Que responded obediently.
His siblings then scrambled to bid him farewell, their voices overlapping in a chorus of "Take care!" as he walked out. He stepped into the courtyard, weaving past the customers buying fried pastries from Fenghua, before heading towards the school with his usual composed demeanor.
Zhan let out a small sigh of relief upon arriving at the school gates and seeing that the assembly hadn't started yet. It meant he had made it in time.
As usual, his classroom was quickly filling up. The school was known for its strict rules and discipline, so it was rare for students to arrive late. Being a private institution attended by children from wealthy families, punctuality was expected.
Nobody paid him much attention as he entered—everyone was occupied with their own matters. The classroom was filled with chatter, but Zhan simply walked to his usual seat, one that was permanently recognized as his. Like every student, he had his own chair, desk, and even a small locker underneath.
Since he had some time before class began, he unzipped his bag to organize his books, flipping through them to make sure he hadn't forgotten anything. Occasionally, he would glance up to acknowledge the greetings of his classmates—whether it was a simple "hello," "hi," or "hey." If someone called his name, he would respond with a polite nod, sometimes forcing a small smile.
For years, Zhan had kept to himself in this classroom. He never made close friends, nor did he allow anyone to get too familiar with him. He knew, even without being told, that his life circumstances were vastly different from those of his classmates. One glance was enough to see the contrast.
Some had tried to befriend him in the past, but he always shut down those attempts, leading others to believe he was arrogant.
"Does he think he's better than us because he's good-looking?"
"Maybe his father is some big-shot billionaire who's richer than all our parents combined."
But over time, as they observed him more closely, their perceptions shifted.
First, unlike them, Zhan was never dropped off in an expensive car. In fact, he didn't even take public transport....he walked to school every single day.
Second, he never bought lavish meals during breaks. While others indulged in expensive cafeteria food, he never spent a single coin on snacks. Instead, he would either bury himself in his books or slip away to a quiet corner where no one could disturb him until the break was over.
Third, his school uniform, bag, and shoes never changed. While his classmates frequently replaced theirs with newer versions....sometimes even before the old ones wore out...Zhan wore the same uniform year after year.
These realizations led many to reconsider their assumptions about him. But there was one person who remained unchanged in their perception...Yi Nalan.
Nalan, a girl of royal blood, was the cherished daughter of King Yi Wushuang. She belonged to the most powerful and influential royal family in the entire region... a dynasty known for its grandeur, strength, and authority. The kingdom had long been renowned for its prestige and dominance.
Beyond her royal lineage, Nalan was also her mother's favorite. She was blessed with beauty, intelligence, and a sharp mind that grasped knowledge effortlessly. Yet, despite all these qualities, she often felt that Xiao Zhan surpassed her.... not just in looks but also in intellect. However, she viewed him as someone arrogant and distant. Unlike her, who was born into privilege and status, Zhan showed no sign of wealth or nobility. Still, many in the class sought his attention and tried to befriend him.
But Zhan remained indifferent, never uppering himself to their level. He lived in his own world, unconcerned with others' affairs. This indifference irritated Nalan. She longed for the day Zhan would acknowledge her or try to talk to her, even if just for a moment so that she could embrace and bully him. But that moment never came. His continued disregard only deepened her frustration, making her more convinced that his aloofness was nothing but arrogance.
Her resentment led to constant scrutiny....she watched his every move. Whenever their paths crossed, she found subtle ways to make things difficult for him, showing disdain or attempting to belittle him. Zhan despised cruelty, mockery, or condescension. He was patient and reserved, but he had no tolerance for disrespect. Whenever he sensed a situation that could lead to humiliation, he distanced himself.
He knew exactly who Nalan was. He often overheard the other students speaking about her, about how everyone wanted to be her closest friend. But unlike them, Zhan never had a single close friend in the entire class.
He understood one thing clearly: he was not someone who belonged in her world. That's why he made every effort to avoid her. The only time they interacted was through unavoidable circumstances, and even then, he ensured it remained minimal. Zhan feared the day she would push him too far....because he knew that if it came to that, things would not end well. And in a place like this, if anything happened, he would be the one blamed. He had no one to stand up for him. He had no privilege to shield him.
The ringing of the bell signaled the start of the morning assembly. Students gathered in the school premises, including Zhan.
As always, he quietly took his place in line, blending in as best he could. But an uneasy feeling gnawed at him. It was as if everyone was staring at him, judging him. He imagined them noticing his worn-out uniform, seeing through the flaws he tried so hard to hide.
Behind him, someone nudged their friend and whispered just loud enough for him to hear.
"There's your favorite person, Princess Nalan."
She scoffed. "Handsome, sure. But he clearly has no money."
A soft giggle followed before she continued, "Are we sure he isn't some servant's son that got lucky? Because there's no way his parents can afford this school."
Another girl stifled a laugh and was about to add something when the principal's voice silenced them.
Zhan, however, had already heard enough.
He wasn't surprised. He had long realized that whenever a poor person dared to exist among the rich, they became a target.
Not just from their parents, but from their children as well.
It was almost as if cruelty ran in their blood... something inherited, something ingrained.
Zhanxianyibo 💚❤️💛