That night Jian went to bed with a cold apple padding his stomach. It felt refreshing and warm. His lips rose up on a small smile even as he fell asleep.
The next morning, he woke up smiling. Today was a new day and it will be a good day. He quickly took his calendar and checked his schedule. He had math homework due. But that was just 'functioning problems' he could do it during afternoon break. He quickly marked down the date of the doom and on the back, he scribbled down the things he needed to prepare.
In fact, food is the second priority. First was learning how to protect himself. In his past life, he had self-taught himself karate. It was messy, but it did the job. He was able to save his own ass so many times, thanks to it.
But his improper fighting technique also left with him leg cramps and once torn Achilles tendon that left him slightly limping all his life.
'Does our school have any martial arts classes? I think they have a karate club. But I won't be able to learn quickly.' He contemplated on what to do.
The door banged open.
"You brat! Go cook my Bian his breakfast!" his aging old grandmother stared down at him with disgust.
Kui emotionlessly looked up at her. "My shoulder hurt... I don't think I can work," he pretended to hold his shoulders. "I think it's broken."
"You! You're trying to skimp on your work!" she reached in to hit him.
But with just a smack he screamed wildly, holding his shoulders. "ahhhh! Ahhhh that hurts!! That hurts so much!"
"don't act. I didn't even hit you," his grandmother stepped back in fear.
Bian and grandfather ran to his room. "Jian!" Bian hugged him tightly. "Are you okay?"
Jian pinched himself to bring tears. Sniffling, he leaned against Bian's shoulders. "My arm hurts so bad... it hurts..."
Bian squeezed his shoulders slightly. "Wait I'll massage your shoulders."
"aghh..." Jian rolled onto the bed avoiding his hands. "I...I'm sorry Grandma. I don't think I can cook..." he sobbed.
"Lui, why are you asking the poor kid to cook? Look how hurt he is." Grandpa walked in and hugged him.
"don't coddle him, old man, that roach is acting," the old lady Lui glared at him deeply.
Jian lowered his head. 'Yep, I am. Every day I will have a new wound. Who wants to cook for you?'
"Lui! Hold your mouth! It's almost seven, the kids have school. Go cook," he chased her away.
Cussing under her breath, the old lady left the room.
Grandpa gently touched his arm. "let's go to the doctor Jian,"
"n-no grandpa... the pain is reducing," he whispered with tears in his eyes.
The old man gently caressed the top of his head. "I'll talk to Lui. How could she hit such a precious child."
Jian lowered his head, so he did not catch Bian's expression.
Bian's face was completely stricken with shock. 'What is going on? Why.... is Grandpa supporting him? Something feels off. he was not that hurt yesterday? Did Grandma hit him too much? Let's test it'
Bian squatted down and gently grabbed his shoulders. Jian flinched back hissing. "Brother it hurts. Don't squeeze it."
"Bian, stop hurting him. Go get ready for school." Chasing Bian away, he started to massage his shoulder gently. "it's not dislocated for sure. I've had that happen once or twice. Hurts like a bum." the old man chuckled.
Jian watched him with a smile on his face. "Thanks, Grandpa. Now the pain has reduced."
"No, you need bring eucalyptus oil. the pain will reduce I promise," the old man stumbled up, walked into his shared room, and brought back a small bottle of oil. it was completely empty except for a few drops.
"it's okay Grandpa!" the bottle only had a meager amount of oil. I would be useful for Grandpa.
"Don't be stubborn, use it," he slowly lifted his sleeve and applied the oil.
Jian's eyes watered slightly. This oil was quite costly, and his grandmother would not let him buy another bottle. The old man was using all of his oil on him. What will he use when he is in pain?
His grandpa worked in a match-making factory. Every day he had to be on his feet making the matches, exposure to toxic chemicals and long-standing shifts left him with stiff legs. Even now, he found it hard to squat down.
This oil was the only thing that helped him with his pain.
Jian silently held back his tears. "Grandpa..."
"Oh, my little baby," he pulled him into a warm hug. "Don't cry. From now on I'll take the evening shift. I'll make sure she doesn't hit you..."
"no, it's okay,"
"it's not okay," he gently caressed his cheeks. "I'll take care of this. all you have to do is study well, okay?"
Jian nodded, wiping his tears off. "Yes,"
Even in the harshest cold, he still had a small ember warming his soul up. That was enough. He would work hard to protect his grandpa in this life, but at the same time, he refused to be working cattle for his grandma and Bian.
'I need to separate them.'
Such a vicious plan, but that was the only way he could care of his grandpa well.