"I won't forgive you…You are a murderer! You killed him! You…You are a criminal!"
Little Jun groggily opened his eyes and a voice filled with animosity echoed in his ears. The scene before him was hazy and unclear but he could see a girl's figure tremblingly standing on her feet and pointing her finger at him. He heard her sniffling and crying as if it was the end of the world.
The hatred in the air was so distinct and prickly that it unnerved Jun.
What happened…Who is crying?
Where am I…?
His memories were messy and out of place which felt frightening, yet he thought as if he was hugging onto something warm and protective. He clutched onto that warmth, his little heart terrified as if he made a very big mistake.
He rubbed his eyes, feeling dizzy again. He was slipping in and out of consciousness due to the strong after effects of chloroform. So he leaned onto that warmth which was the only source of reassurance to him.
But the last words of that furious and sobbing girl were stuck in his mind as if it was a vicious curse.
He woke up a while later, his sight and memories much clearer than before but still with a mild headache. He then realized that his brother was carrying him on his back, holding onto him firmly.
Jun tilted his head and blinked, feeling slightly tired. "Bro…Nian…?"
Nian stopped and turned his head. His eyes brightened, expressing his joy. "Ah my little brother is awake!"
He couldn't move his hands as he held him so he lightly bumped his forehead against his. "Is my dearest little brother alright? Are you hurting anywhere?"
Jun frowned but then nodded. "My head…it feels…dizzy…"
"Don't worry. Uncle Liang will help you! Mom's bro is the best doctor haha!"
"Bro…" Jun was trying to remember what had happened and it all came to him in a flow, making him stiffen.
"B-Bro! There was a man! He was carrying a girl in his arms. I saw him outside our school! He was acting as if he will do something bad…So I was trying to call Dad but he suddenly stood in front of me and-"
"Jun."
"Um, he took me with him too because he said that he will stab the girl with him! He took us to a dirty and old apartment and he was very angry…"
"Jun."
"You know he is the same man who took a big debt from Dad! And he was definitely doing something bad!" Jun was breathlessly rambling everything he remembered in one shot. "Then he came back and wanted to take the girl again…So I tried to stop him but he…he fell and got hurt…" his little face paled. "He was on the floor and b-blood-"
"Jun!"
Jun immediately stopped talking.
Nian slid his hand from Jun's waist to the top of his head and patted him. "Hai, hai. Remember to breathe first, silly brother or you will feel dizzy again."
Jun then realized he had been holding onto his breath for too long. He released it and felt better.
"Bro, how did you find me…? My phone was broken."
Nian smiled. "Dad won't sit still if any of us disappears, right?"
"Yes…"
He saw Nian having an odd, melancholic expression. "Bro?"
Nian bumped his forehead once again and softly said, "Forgive your brothers, Jun. We couldn't be there when you were taken away. We failed to protect you. We are truly very sorry. You wouldn't have had to go through something as frightening as a kidnapping had we been there with you."
Jun pursed his lips. "It's not your fault Bro. I should have quickly come back to you two when I saw Ouyang Haitao. But I stood there and caught his attention…"
But an impending question loomed in his mind. "Bro…how is he now? He was hurt because of me. He is alright now, right?"
He felt as if there was a second pause before Nian chimed cheerily. "Oh that kidnapper? Yeah he is fine. Dad will take care of him."
"R-really?"
"Yes!"
"But I heard the g-girl cry and say that I kill-"
"Jun," Nian stared at him with his smile intact. "Everything is fine. Leave it to Dad and the elders now. You are safe thankfully, but you still have minor bruises. So let's first focus on your treatment, okay?"
Jun pressed his lips and nodded.
"Good!"
"Where is Bro Jian?"
"Jian…Oh there he is talking to Uncle Xuan Hui! Haha the guards were so worried about you too. It was like they combed through the sky and earth to find you," his eyes twinkled, feeling pleased.
"I should thank Uncle Xuan."
"You should."
Xuan Hui hurriedly came to their side and said, "Young master!"
Jun weakly smiled. "Uncle Xuan. Thank you for all your help…"
He wiped his tears. "Please don't say like that young master! It's our duty to protect the Liu family and we are proud to serve you! I am so glad that you are safe."
Jun truly felt the sincere warmth in his eyes, and his heart blossomed with happiness.
It was a joyous moment when everybody returned home with Jun unhurt. Nana was the first one to rush to take Jun in her arms.
"Jun…" her eyes were tired and reddened. "Jun…Thank God you are safe…What would have I done if something had happened to you…" her trembling embrace was filled with relief. "You shouldn't go alone anywhere like this again! You are not an adult to roam around by yourself!"
Nana didn't want to scold him, but the fear of losing her son was so real and scary that she didn't want him to repeat the mistake and put his life in jeopardy again.
Jun buried his face in her chest and clutched onto her dress. "Sorry Mom…I won't go anywhere alone again. I will not make everyone feel worried again."
The twins nodded with satisfaction.
Nana hugged him tighter. "En. Good."
Nuo and Jin came crying to hug their brother too. Jun smiled and patted their heads. "I am fine now. I am really sorry for making you cry."
Nuo sniffled. "Bro…I will sleep with you tonight!"
Jin furiously bobbed his head too. "I want to sleep with Bro too!"
"Sure."
But as night came, Jun felt uneasy in his sleep. He saw a nightmare of Ouyang Haitao collapsing and blood oozing out of his head. He repeatedly heard the girl crying and cursing him.
'You killed him!'
Jun suddenly woke up with a start with his forehead drenched in sweat and chest heaving breathlessly.