It only took around ten minutes by bus, and it stopped right before his school. Jian who had experienced convenience for the first time, was astonished. 'Why did I even bother walking for so long? I was so stupid... to be cheated by this... person.' He gazed back at Bian with a small smile. "Thank you, brother, it's because of you that I'm early."
Bian's friend Nansich scoffed. "You're just being a leech." He said in a soft tone.
Jian heard it clearly, but he did not react. If it was in the past, he would have felt so awkward and left that spot. But he was a changed man. Who cares what these trashy people said? He simply wanted to live his life to its fullest.
Unknown to him, he had walked close to the school gate.
He paused, peering at the school with nostalgia. Attending this school was such a struggle for him. His grandmother and grandfather refused to fund his school fees, so he had to study day and night to afford to get into this high school with a scholarship. If it wasn't for the scholarship, he would be made a scullery maid by his so-called family.
'I won't be able to finish my schooling, anyway.'
The alien invasion was in August 2023. He still had a few months, but it was not enough time for him to finish his basic schooling.
He had very limited time. By then he has to escape to his hellish home, earn money and prepare some source of food to survive the catastrophe.
'I... I don't have time for school...'
As he was looking at the school with a frown, he felt a small tug on his sleeve. "Brother, what is it? Do you feel sick?"
Jian snapped out of his dazed state and peered at him with an unknown look in his eyes. "I..." he tightly clashes his bag straps.
"We will be late," being the 'kind' brother Bian dragged him in.
Jian gazed at the pale hand that held his tanned wrist. His small palm was soft and supple, unlike his hand, which was covered in callouses. 'Why didn't they allow me to work?'
His family was not well off. His grandfather was a factory worker who damaged his leg and had to retire. His grandmother sold vegetables in the market. They had barely enough money to make ends meet. Even so, they didn't make him go to work. Only the house works were left to him.
He had thought about this before in his past life. He had thought it was his grandmother's kindness. But no.
It was something else.
There has to be some other reason why they didn't allow him.
'it's most likely him.' He peered at Bian coldly.
But when Bian gazed back, he cast a small smile at him. "Bian is so sweet... it's because of you that I'm able to go to school."
Bian chuckled. "of course, I'll support your education. Even if our grandmother is prickly, ill protect you. I'll make sure you won't leave us. Ever." His eyes shone greedily as he peered at his face.
Jian took a deep breath. 'Ah, this is the look I am so familiar with. I had been so stupid to think this was a look of goodwill; no, it was greed. He wanted something from me. But what?'
He felt a chill on his forehead. 'My stone? No, what use will it be to him?'
By the time he realized it they were standing in front of the class. Bian immediately let go of his hand and walked in.
Jian stood out there, peering at his back. 'What does Bian want it for?'
Thinking this, he walked into the classroom and headed to his backbench. His whole table set was set apart for others and as he got close, he could see weird stains on his chair.
The boys close by snickered and murmured amongst themselves.
Bian, though, was looking at him with a worried gaze. But he could see the trace of glee in his eyes as he looked his way.
'tsk, he is so troublesome...' Jian set his school back down and walked over to Bian who was still pretending to give that pitiful look. "brother..." with a breathy whimper he peered down at him. "my table.. its ruined..." he lowered his head with a soft pout.
Bian froze. 'isnt he supposed to just act strong why is he whining to me?' today's Jian was too different from the norm. he would usually walk to school and enter the school gates late. He would always be silent with a sad smile on his face. But just this morning he saw a difference. Jian was too... cheerful, too hopeful.
'did something happen to cheer him up?' he thought back to the day. But he couldn't think of anything that could cheer Jian up.
"brother... what can I do... I'm being bullied," a rough hang gently tugged at his sleeves pulling him out of his dazed state.
Bian gazed up at him. "my poor Jian. How could they bully you like this? Here. Take my seat," he stood up, giving his own chair to him.
Inside he was seething. If he acted cold to him, Jian might lose that brotherly love and maybe leave their house before it was time. He really needed this alien's blood at the right time. Until then he was willing to give in.
With a soft smile, Jian reached for the chair. but a loud snicker stopped him in his tracks.
"aren't you shamelessly stealing your brother's seat," Nansick coldly glared at him.
"nan don't be like that," Bian was overjoyed. Of course, he didn't want to sit in that soaked seat.
Jian pouted slightly, "but brother nan, my kind brother is always stood up to me. isn't it natural to feel protective of your family," saying so he seamlessly sat in his chair.
He smiled up at Bian. "thank you... for fighting against the bullies brother,"
Bian froze. 'this is not how it was supposed to play out!'