[Sob, sob, sob, he lost his big sister when he was little. My baby must have had such a hard life.]
Shen Yu scratched his head in sympathy and crouched in front of the boy like a little mushroom. He tentatively poked his arm. "What's your name?"
Seeing Shen Yu's fine clothes, the boy desperately suppressed his shock, his tone wounded and fragile. "Cheng Jin."
[Is he their biological child? He must be their biological child!]
Shen Yu's big eyes darted around, bewildered and doubtful. Novels always said you could see the resemblance at a glance, so why couldn't he?
Troubled, Shen Yu patted his head, not forgetting to rub his little hands together and put on a brave front.
[This baby is so skinny. Looks like I'm the big brother.]
The clueless Shen Yu secretly congratulated himself, failing to notice the boy quietly drawing his arm back to avoid direct contact between them.
Cheng Jin's face tightened, his faintly trembling lips revealing the shock within him.
Seeing this, a thoughtful look flashed through Shen Xubai's eyes, and he broke the deadlock first.
"It's not safe on the streets. Let us take you home."
"No need. My home isn't far." Hearing the offer to take him home, Cheng Jin lowered his eyes slightly and hugged his arms pitifully. "I-I can't have you over."
[Sob, sob, sob, I'm guilty. My little brother should be as bright and unrestrained as the blazing sun. How could he say something so defeated?]
Hearing Cheng Jin's bitter tone, Shen Yu stamped his feet in distress, forgetting his injured leg. The next second, he cried out in pain. "Owww-"
"Little Yu!"
"You little dummy!"
Everyone's attention returned to Shen Yu. Cheng Jin also looked over involuntarily. Seeing everyone gathered around the younger boy, he pulled his lips into a bitter smile, then quickly restored his expression.
"I'm not a dummy!" Shen Yu looked up with tears in his eyes. His first reaction was to argue with Second Shen, and he even flailed his arms, trying to hit him.
"All right, all right, you're our little lord!" Shen Xingshuo bared his teeth and stepped back twice, his face visibly relaxing with relief. He still remembered to mutter a complaint. "So little, so bad at fighting, yet so eager for more."
While they laughed and tussled, they failed to notice that Cheng Jin had quietly reached the mouth of the alley. Just as Shen Yu was about to ask him to stay, the boy was already waving goodbye.
"Thank you all for helping. We'll... meet again if fate allows."
Cheng Jin waved weakly, pretending to avoid Shen Xubai's gaze by chance.
As for fate, who knew whether it would truly be fate!
Watching helplessly as Cheng Jin, whom he suspected was their biological child, left, Shen Yu puffed out his cheeks but did not know how to explain. Just as he was about to appeal to his eldest brother for help, he noticed Shen Xubai's searching gaze.
"Big Brother, I..."
"Did that frighten you, Little Yu? Let's go home." Shen Xubai interrupted his youngest brother and casually rubbed Shen Yu's fluffy head.
"But..." Feeling that he had failed to help, Shen Yu hung his head dejectedly, his reluctant gaze lingering on Cheng Jin's retreating figure.
If they followed him now, they would probably be taken for bad people.
Shen Xubai led his youngest brother home at an unhurried pace, thoughtfully rubbing the fingers of his right hand together.
Had Shen Yu looked down, he would have discovered two slightly curly hairs.
As for how he had obtained those hairs, Shen Xubai smiled meaningfully. The boy was hardly a defenseless little victim; at the very least, the process would not have been so simple without his cooperation.
With their target essentially confirmed, the Shen Family did not linger.
Cheng Jin was highly vigilant and had even concealed the route he took when leaving. Recklessly following him would certainly leave a bad impression.
Only after everyone had left did a figure flash through the dark corner by the wall. Cheng Jin narrowed his eyes slightly. The pitiful look from earlier was gone from his face, replaced instead by a thoughtful expression as he watched the luxury car leave.
Shen Xubai had guessed correctly. Cheng Jin had indeed heard Shen Yu's somewhat pointed inner thoughts. Combined with Shen Xingshuo and Shen Yu's intent stares, even a fool would have noticed something was wrong.
Besides, Cheng Jin clenched his fists. He desperately needed a chance to change things. No matter what dangers lay ahead, the outcome could not be any worse.
The surrounding trash cans overflowed, and the circling flies were irritating. Expressionless, Cheng Jin passed through the last alley and stopped at a doorway littered with shards of beer bottles.
After confirming that no one was home, Cheng Jin ignored the bottles, jars, and uncleared instant noodle cups on the table and held his breath as he entered the little room.
The small wooden bed was 1.2 meters wide and did not even have a pillow. Cheng Jin put his bag on the table and silently looked up at the pitch-black ceiling.
Before long, noises came from outside. Long accustomed to them, Cheng Jin listened to the roaring and the sound of shattering bottles until pounding came at the door, accompanied by a rough, drunken voice.
"Where's Cheng Jun?! That little bastard still isn't back?!"
Cheng Jin's expression remained calm, but his hand at his side gripped the sheet tightly. He wished he could smash a stool into the man.
"Speak! Get out here, you little bastard! You've got money for a lock but none to buy me booze?" The man roared as though it were only natural. The next second, loud thuds rang out as he kicked the door.
The wooden door could not withstand the kicks. After prolonged shaking, even the newly replaced lock was coming loose.
"I've got the money!"
A young but hoarse voice stopped the kicking. Cheng Jun was panting from running back, his frail body looking especially thin and small in front of his father.
"Hand it over." Cheng Yong snatched the money from Cheng Jun's hand without hesitation, still cursing as he questioned and accused him.
"That's all? Are you hiding some?"
"Wouldn't it have been better to start working sooner? Studying, studying-all those years of schooling went to the dogs!"
After confirming that Cheng Jun had no more money on him, his father spat viciously and left, still pointing at the brothers in warning. "I know you little bastards are hiding money. Don't let me find it!"
He did not believe the two of them could have grown up safely to this age without having any money at all.
Cheng Jun remained silent throughout, not even blinking at his father's curses. Only after he heard the door slam did he move his stiff legs and gently push open the door to the little room.
"Brother." Cheng Jin looked at his older twin brother. At last, a slight ripple stirred his numb emotions, hatred and heartache in his eyes.
He did not dare look helpless, because his brother already had it hard enough.
"You weren't bullied on your way back, were you?" Cheng Jun stroked Cheng Jin's head, and the two adolescent boys offered each other warmth in the cramped room.
"I'm fine. I took the long way around." Cheng Jin neither wanted his brother to see his cruelty nor wanted him to feel distressed, so he could only lower his head and avoid the subject.
Watching Cheng Jun take out the simple meal boxes, Cheng Jin slowly accepted his own portion and ate the rice distractedly.
"What's wrong?" Cheng Jun returned to the doorway to retrieve the money he had hidden. After carefully counting it, he hid it outside again, still remembering to look after his younger brother of the same age.
"Have you run into anything strange lately?" Cheng Jin pondered for a long time, unsure how to tell his brother about this.
"No. My boss treats me well." Thinking that his younger brother was worried about his work, Cheng Jun reassured him very patiently.
Although the pay was low, his boss told outsiders that he was a relative's child helping out, which spared him some embarrassment.
"That's not what I meant." Cheng Jin bit the tip of his chopsticks but swallowed his words.
Hope was slim for now, and he could not recklessly give his brother hope. Only once he had truly confirmed the situation could he take his brother away from this awful home.