Full Summary: After the loss of his parents, Wei Ying is sent to live in an orphanage. He cannot stand being there, but when he meets a boy named Lan Zhan, they eventually grow close and become friends. This makes everything bearable until Wei Ying finds out that Lan Zhan's uncle plans to adopt him and his older brother. Will their friendship stand the test of time once this is known, especially after Wei Ying decides to run away from the orphanage? Only the future holds the answer.
Rating will change.
Barren fields and small towns passed by as the train rushed eastward through the land. The afternoon sun was a little more than halfway through the sky, with a number of clouds here and there.
That was what six-year-old Wei Ying saw as he peered disconsolately out of the window.
He brightened whenever he waved at someone occasionally, however. His smile grew if the person happened to notice and returned it with their own. But his enthusiasm didn't last. Remembering where the destination of his trip would lead to made him feel sad all over again.
You see, Wei Ying was an orphan. He became one the previous week. At times, it seemed as if it just happened, that his loving parents - Wei Changze and Cangse Sanren - had died. But there were also moments when it was like the week had gone on forever.
He knew that something had been wrong before he found out. When he had gotten home from school down the street last Tuesday, neither of them answered the door. That was strange because his mother, at least, was usually was at that time. His father was supposed to be there too. It was one of his days off from his job.
Then Wei Ying shrugged. They did say they were going out that morning. Maybe they were running late coming back or at the store.
He decided to visit his friend and neighbor Xu Sile, who lived across the street. Mama and A-Die always told him to go to his house if they would be home late. Uncle and Auntie Xu knew their cell phone numbers. One of them might be able to find out where they were, and if they were okay. In the meantime, he could play with Xu Sile after they did their homework or watch TV with him as he waited.
Auntie Xu opened the door when he knocked. She was understanding of why he came over and was quite happy to let him in. But when she called his parents, neither of them answered.
"I will wait a hour and see if I can get them, all right, sweetie? They should be back by then. Maybe their phones had ran out of battery. Why don't you and A-Si do your homework together? I will let you know if I see their car, or if I get them on the phone," she remarked.
"Okay. Thank you, A-Yi," Wei Ying said.
Xu Sile beamed as he tugged his arm. "Come on. Let's do that first. Then I'll show you that game I told you about in school if don't have to go home."
Grinning, he nodded and followed him to the dining room. Wei Ying's parents still hadn't shown up after they were finished their homework, so they went upstairs to Xu Sile's bedroom to check out the game he mentioned.
The both of them eventually lost track of time, as children often do while they are having fun. Neither were aware when the hour became another, then another before Auntie Xu came in. Her usual smile was replaced with a worried frown.
"A-Ying, your mother and father still aren't answering. They haven't called either, and they aren't home. A-Si's bedtime will be soon. Would you mind spending the night if they don't show up?" she queried.
Wei Ying was taken aback, and he also began to feel rather nervous. This never happened before. Why haven't they come home? Why didn't they call or pick up their phones? Did the battery run out? Had they lost their cell phones? And if they did, why didn't they use the public phone booth? Were they all right? Or were they hurt somewhere?
It took him a moment to realize that he hadn't responded to her question. So he nodded and mumbled, "Yeah...I guess so."
After all, he didn't have anywhere else to go except his house. But he didn't want to be there alone.
"Okay. I will bring in the sleeping mat for you. And I have spare pajamas that should fit you."
"Thank you, A-Yi."
Xu Sile noticed how upset Wei Ying looked and gave him a small smile. "Don't be scared. I'm sure your mama and a-die didn't forget you. They're great, and they're really nice. Maybe they're on the way home now," he attempted to comfort him.
It didn't work; the idea of being forgotten was too horrifying. But Wei Ying knew that his parents wouldn't, so he nodded again and stood.
"Yeah," he repeated. "I'll be back. I need to go to the bathroom."
He quickly handled that and went back to his friend's room. As he made his way down the hall, he could hear Auntie Huan speaking in a tense voice.
"I think we should call the police, Laogong. Wei Changze and Cangse Sanren haven't shown up or answered our calls since A-Ying came. You know that's not like them. Plus, they would have at least asked one of us to watch him beforehand if they would be home late. I'm worried. Something may have happened to them," she told her husband in concern.
Wei Ying paused to listen.
"That's true," Uncle Xu stated. "I will contact them myself, qin'ai. They will help look for them. Don't fret. We will get to the bottom of this."
"All right. Good. I just hope that they aren't hurt or anything."
"So do I. But perhaps they are fine..."
"Your a-niang and baba are going to call the police," Wei Ying said to Xu Sile when he was back in his room.
The latter's eyes grew wide. "W-Why?" he asked, looking scared.
Wei Ying shook his head. "Your baba said they would help find Mama and A-Die."
"But...they aren't bad!"
"I know. It's only because they won't answer. So they need help to find them. Maybe the police don't only just catch bad guys."
"Oh. Well, if they are only helping, that's good. Police are smart. They'll know what to do."
"Mmm-hmm."
Auntie Xu returned with a sleeping mat and a set a pajamas soon after this conversation. It looked like he would be spending the night after all.
Wei Ying drooped sadly. "They still didn't come home? Or called? Or answered?"
"No, honey. I'm sorry. Xu-shushu and I will try to find out where they are, though. Okay? You can stay here until we do."
"Okay."
Xu Sile spoke up. "What about tomorrow? Are we still going to school?" he queried.
"Yes, baobao. I will take you two in the morning if A-Ying's mama and a-die aren't back by then."
"Okay, A-Niang."
Auntie Xu then patted her son's and Wei Ying's heads. "Brush your teeth and get ready for bed now, sweeties. I'll tuck you both in after."
They nodded with a grin and did as she requested. She kissed and hugged them once they had settled in and bid them good night.
Xu Sile smiled after she returned downstairs. "Hey. Want to tell stories like we did the last time you slept over? Or get my flashlight and make cool shadows?" he hissed.
Wei Ying shook his head. "No. I just want Mama and A-Die to come home," he responded glumly.
"I know. Maybe they'll pick you up later, when we're sleep. And when you wake up tomorrow, you'll be at your house. Or they'll come in the morning."
Grinning at the thought of it, Wei Ying mumbled, "I hope so. I miss them. I hope they are okay."
"Oh, I'm sure they are. Don't worry. Well, good night. I'm gonna go to sleep."
"Me too. Good night."
However, Wei Ying didn't sleep. Not for a long time. He continued to think about his parents and wonder where they were.
He hoped that they weren't hurt, like Auntie Xu mentioned. If they were, they would have to go to the doctor's. He didn't like the doctor's! They were scary! He trembled just imagining it. And if she or Uncle Xu did call they police, he hoped that they would find Mama and A-Die soon. He would be so glad if they did.
Maybe Xu Sile would be right. Maybe they would come back while he was sleep, or before school tomorrow. He would just have to wait and see.
Smiling again, Wei Ying pulled the blanket Auntie Xu gave him more tightly around him. After that, he closed his eyes, and finally dozed off.
But unfortunately, his friend wasn't right. His mother and father did not pick him up as he slept. Nor did he wake up in his home.
And he wouldn't be going to school.
When Auntie Xu woke him and her son up, she told him this. Xu Sile would also be staying home. They were both excited at first. A whole day off! They could have fun and watch cartoons and play all through it!
Wei Ying noticed that Auntie Xu did not look happy, though. In fact, she looked very sad. Then he remembered. His parents didn't come back yesterday. Maybe they still hadn't?
"A-Yi? What's wrong? And where's Mama and A-Die? Aren't they home? Did they answer their phones?" he queried.
She didn't respond right away. Instead, she turned to her son.
"Baobao, I need to talk to A-Ying alone. Can you go and wash for me, please? Your clothes are in the bathroom," she said.
Xu Sile nodded. "Yes, A-Niang."
He embraced her and left the room.
Auntie Xu took Wei Ying's hand next. "Come downstairs with me, sweetheart."
"Okay."
He followed her to the living room. Uncle Xu was not there, or in the dining room or kitchen. He probably went to work.
Wei Ying turned to Auntie Xu once they were sitting on the couch. "What's the matter, A-Yi? Where's Mama? And A-Die? Did they finally answer? Are they home yet?" he inquired pleadingly.
She looked even sadder; it was as if she were about to cry. "No, honey. I...I don't know how to tell you this, but..." she paused, hesitating.
"...But what?" he inquired.
Auntie Xu sighed heavily. "They didn't answer. And they aren't home. I'm afraid...I'm afraid that they won't be coming back."
"What do you mean? Why aren't they? Did they get hurt? Or did I...do something wrong?" he demanded in perplexity and rising fear. He couldn't remember doing anything that upset them lately.
"No," she replied, shaking her head. "You didn't do anything, A-Ying. Your mama and a-die were in the woods yesterday when something really bad happened to them, and...oh, honey, I'm so sorry..."
"Sorry? About what?"
Taking one of his hands in hers, Auntie Xu went on, "I am sorry because...the reason why they aren't coming back is because...their spirits are now with Buddha. Xu-shushu found that out earlier this morning and told me."
Wei Ying's eyes grew round as he began to understand what she meant. But he tried to laugh it off despite his fear and horror. There was no way that his parents were...no. He didn't want to believe her. He wanted, needed, for it to be a joke.
"Oh, I'm sure they'll be home soon. They prob'ly just got hurt and knocked out or something! Mama and A-Die are tough! I'm sure they're okay..." he rambled.
Auntie Xu shook her head again. "I'm afraid that what I was told is true, my dear. And I wish that it wasn't."
"Please, A-Yi, stop! Stop kidding around. Mama and A-Die aren't...they're not..." His mouth trembled. He couldn't say that terrible word. It would only make it real.
Hugging him tightly, she murmured, "I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry. As I told you just now, I wish I were kidding. I wish that it wasn't true. I would do anything to change that for you, but...I can't. I'm sorry."
Now Wei Ying was the one shaking his head as tears filled his eyes. "No...no...please...Mama...A-Die..." he began to cry.
She rocked him back and forth. "I'm sorry, honey."
After that, everything seemed to go by both quickly and slowly at the same time, as mentioned before.
Before he knew it, he was being taken to his parents' funeral. He cried the whole time they were there. It made the loss even more real for him. He hated that he had to say good-bye. It was the last thing he wanted to do. He missed them so much. He couldn't imagine being without them. They had always been there, and now they weren't. He would never see them in person again.
Auntie and Uncle Xu took him to an important building and spoke to some important people the day after. Unfortunately, Wei Ying couldn't stay with them, even though they would have loved to keep him. They didn't have enough money to take care of him and their son.
That broke his heart all over again. He would have liked to have Xu Sile as his new brother, and he wouldn't have minded Auntie and Uncle being his new parents. Yet, it wasn't to be.
No, he was going to be sent to what was called an orphanage. Neither his mama or a-die had a family that anyone knew about. Both of their own parents had died when they were young, and they didn't have any siblings. Wei Ying knew about Uncle Jiang Fengmian, who lived in a place called Yunmeng. They occasionally visited him whenever they traveled. However, he wasn't his real uncle. He was his parents' friend.
Wei Ying wasn't taken right away, though. The orphanages near the town they lived were full, so was allowed to remain with the Xu family until one was located that had room for him.
He was happy about that. He didn't want to leave. And he didn't want to be around a bunch of other children he didn't know. Not that it was hard for him to make new friends. He would just rather have his parents back instead.
But it didn't take very long for the important people to find an orphanage to send him to. Auntie Xu told him that it was far away in the east somewhere. That made him even sadder, although he was used to this. He never remembered staying in one place for long. However, he had known her, Uncle Xu, and Xu Sile for quite some time. He would miss them very much.
In between all of this, Wei Ying didn't go to school. When he wasn't at the important building with Auntie and Uncle Xu, he was with Xu Sile. Neither of them played much since he wasn't in the mood to. They mostly just watched TV. His friend tried to cheer him up now and then as well, but it didn't work. How could it? He didn't really understand what it was like to lose your mama and a-die. And he didn't understand what it was like to cry yourself to sleep - while trying not to make a sound - every night after you had either.
On the day before he left for the orphanage, Auntie Xu drove him to the temple where his parents' ashes were. Wei Ying had mixed emotions about that. Even though he still hated having to say good-bye, a part of him was glad she took him. He didn't know when he would ever be able to visit again, since he'd be far away. But at least he could pray to them there one more time.
"I wish I didn't have to go, Mama, A-Die," he whispered at one point. "I wish I could live with A-Si, and his a-niang and baba. I would ask A-Yi to bring me here all the time. But I will come back someday. I promise. It pro'bly won't be until I'm all big and grown-up, though. But I will still pray to you every day. And I will tell you everyday that I love you both. So, I love you, Mama and A-Die. And I miss you. Good-bye for now."
Saying good-bye to the Xu family early the next morning was just as difficult. Wei Ying and Xu Sile cried as they hugged each other. His parents looked just as sad.
"I'll miss you," the former wept.
"Me too," Xu Sile sniffled. "Do you think they will let you talk on the phone? At the orph'nage? Maybe you can call us."
Wei Ying wiped his eyes. "I don't know. But I will if they let me."
Auntie Xu embraced him next. "If they don't, I'll call instead. We'll find a way to talk."
"Yes, we will," Uncle Xu added, ruffling his hair.
Managing a tiny smile, Wei Ying said, "Okay. And when I get big, I will find you and visit."
"We would like that very much, honey. We'll wait for you," Auntie Xu murmured.
"Yeah! And we can hang out again," Xu Sile remarked.
Wei Ying nodded.
A lady from the important building named Ren Fa came to pick him up after that. He waved one more good-bye to him before they left, promising again that he would see them when he could.
From there, Wei Ying and Ren Fa headed to the train station. The latter tried to speak to him, saying how sorry she was about his parents, but he didn't respond except to nod. He didn't want to talk about them to a stranger he didn't really care to know. She seemed nice, though.
Not many people were at the station. Just a few sat on benches as they waited for the train to come. Wei Ying began to feel a little excited as he and the lady did the same. He had never been on one before, and he wanted to see what it would be like.
It didn't take long for him to find out. The one they needed to catch arrived not ten minutes later. Wei Ying's eyes practically fell out of their sockets when it did. It was huge, so much so that it was almost scary. He had no trouble getting on, though. Ren Fa didn't look afraid, so he guessed there wasn't anything to worry about.
In later years, he decided that the trip would have been fun. That is, if he hadn't been so down, and the reason for it in itself. There was so many interesting things to look at on the train. From where they could put their belongings up above, to the ever-changing view outside, and all of the booths. He had never seen so many places to sit in his life, not even in a classroom!
Wei Ying spent most of his time gazing out of the window, saying good-bye to the town he lived in as it vanished into the distance. He also waved to the people he saw occasionally, beaming if they waved back. At one point, he ended up taking a nap. He had gotten sleepy.
Ren Fa woke him up after some time to give him lunch. It was food that was served on the train. He paid little attention to it as he ate, but he did notice that it was good.
It was after three o'clock when she handed him his suitcase. Their stop was coming up. Wei Ying felt nervous and upset. He wasn't ready to go to the orphanage! He didn't want to live there either. He wanted to catch a train heading back the way they came and return home.
Yet they were soon getting off and stepping into a taxi. He pouted and crossed his arms for the entire ride.
Next to him, Ren Fa sighed as she checked to make sure that his papers were in order in her bag. She didn't like having to take him to the orphanage any more than he wished for her to bring him there. She was sympathetic towards him. Poor dear! She could only imagine what it was like to lose her own parents at his age.
At least he was more well-behaved than the last child that was under her care. The girl kept throwing temper tantrums and even bit her once. She still had the scar on her hand from that day.
Minutes later, the taxi parking in front of an enormous building. Ren Fa asked the driver to wait for her before leading Wei Ying up to the door.
A tall, heavy-set man with a fierce expression answered it when she knocked. An equally plump, scowling woman was next to him. Wei Ying squeaked and hid behind Ren Fa. They looked scary!
"Director and Directress Long?" the latter inquired, bowing to them.
"Yes. Are you Miss Ren and Wei Ying?" Director Long queried.
She nodded. "Yes, xiansheng."
He waved his hand. "Welcome. Please come in."
"Thank you."
Director and Directress Long took them to their office, which was on the second floor. Wei Ying sat quietly as they read and signed a bunch of papers. Once everything was taken care of, Ren Fa walked over to him.
"I have to leave now, dear. Please keep behaving yourself. You're a sweet child, so I know you will have a new family in no time," she murmured.
But he didn't want a new family. He wanted Mama and A-Die back. Or at least to live with the Xu family.
Gripping his suitcase tightly, Wei Ying looked away from her and said nothing. He didn't even respond when she ruffled his hair and bid him good-bye.
Director Long motioned for him to stand once she had left. "Come on. I will show you where you will be sleeping," he grunted.
They went up another floor, and Wei Ying found himself in a room where a lot of other boys around his age were. Most of them were playing and roughhousing, but a few were either reading books or drawing. One with long black hair and dark-brown eyes was just sitting on his bed as he watched everything going on. However, they all stopped what they were doing when they noticed them and quickly bowed to the director.
"Hello, Daoyan," they said.
"Hello again, children. This is Wei Ying. He will be staying here until, of course, he is adopted. Help him feel welcome here," the older man announced.
"Yes, xiansheng," they chorused.
Director Long led Wei Ying over to an unoccupied bed after that. "This one is yours. Keep it neat. Your clothes and things can be put in here," he added, pointing to a small trunk underneath. It had a lock on it. "Here is your key-chain for it. Don't lose it, do you understand?"
He nodded as he took it. "Yes, xiansheng. Th-Thank you."
"Good. Behave, and do not cause trouble. You do not want to be punished. I will talk to you about other important things soon. Understood?"
"Yes, xiansheng."
And with that, Director Long left.
Wei Ying sighed resignedly as turned to put his belongings in the trunk. Some of the boys offered to help him, but he politely shook his head. After tucking his key-chain under his shirt, he laid down and rested his chin on his hands. Everyone could see that he didn't want to be bothered, so they returned to what they were doing. The brown-eyed kid he noticed a moment ago looked sorry for him.
He stayed like that until dinnertime, when he had to go back downstairs with his group. The room where all of the children had their meals was huge and noisy. He took in his surroundings as he ate. Never in his life had he seen so many kids in one place. Not even in his old school's cafeteria.
"It's always like this here. You'll get used to it," a boy from his room said.
But Wei Ying knew that he wouldn't. He already hated being in the orphanage. It sucked. He wanted to run away.
And he would later hate bedtime as well. He wasn't used to sleeping in a room that wasn't his own or Xu Sile's. The one here was too big, too unfamiliar, and there were too many other kids in it. He just wasn't able to get comfortable. After praying to his mother and father, he quietly cried for hours until he fell asleep.
Several beds away, a pair of dark-brown eyes watched him, then eventually closed to do the same.
Author's note: Hello! I hope that you have found the chapter of my new chapter interesting so far. Please comment to let me know what you think! Your feedback is always appreciated. The next chapter will be posted in due time. Until then!