On the stone platform, the bewildered child could only follow his instincts. He turned around without thinking and looked at his older brother behind him.
His brother was looking at him too, but his face seemed frighteningly pale.
Huo Yuhao froze at the sight, a sudden tangle of hurt and shame welling up inside him.
Had he disappointed his brother?
Dai Yunze had naturally noticed Huo Yuhao's every move.
Since they were twins, they shared a certain understanding, so he could more or less guess what Huo Yuhao was feeling right now.
He closed his eyes briefly and drew a deep breath.
No. This could not be all there was to it.
They still had a chance.
He looked at Huo Yuhao on the stone platform, slowly gave him a smile full of encouragement and comfort, then strode up.
He patted Huo Yuhao's shoulder and said, "Don't be afraid."
"Your big brother is still here."
Huo Yuhao, whose mind was relatively mature, had been able to hold himself together. But now, with his brother comforting him like this, he could not help biting his lip hard as tears began to pool in his eyes. Only after a long while did he suppress the urge to burst into tears on the spot and nod firmly.
Dai Yunze gently patted his back and told him, "Wait for me down below. We'll go register together."
Having recovered somewhat, Huo Yuhao said in a voice still thick with tears, "Okay." Then he walked down from the stone platform and stood motionless at its foot, looking up at Dai Yunze.
Dai Yunze had already turned to face the crystal ball and placed his hand on it. From Huo Yuhao's perspective, all he could see was his brother's slight back.
Yet at that moment, that thin,