Chapter 1091: Too Young
"Brother, you are hiding from someone?" asked Rowan as he sipped on the drink Hyson especially got for him. It was Hyson's territory, he could get anything he wanted even if that thing wasn't on the menu tonight. And since he quite enjoyed being with Rowan, he didn't mind spoiling him a little.
"Why do you ask?"
"Because when we bumped into each other, it really seemed like you were running from someone. Also, you'd be hiding in inconspicuous places with me. Who are you hiding from?"
"There is someone," responded Hyson vaguely.
"Someone?"
"Well, he is... my father?" Hyson shook his head immediately. He didn't want to call Zhai Kuijun his father. "Yeah. Since I do have his blood in my veins, it seems I can't deny it." He sighed heavily, "Don't ask, it's complicated."
"Complicated?" repeated Rowan. "Brother, you think I can't take complicated? Clearly, you haven't seen the situation of my own family. My family tree is a mess. It's a huge and hot mess!" Rowan suddenly chuckled, "Guess what? Do you know that my mommy had four mothers?"
"Um? What?"
Rowan nodded his head, "One is the surrogate who brought her into this world for her actual parents. And the same woman raised her for over 10 years. Then she was adopted into my godmother's family. So, she has another mother. She only found her blood-related parents when I was about to be born. Now, my godmother is not only my mom's best friend, but she is also her sister legally since my mom was adopted into her family. Not only that, but the same godmother is also married to my mom's brother. So, she is my aunt-in-law too! Do you want me to continue?"
Hyson was dumbstruck. He replayed Rowan's words in his mind and was still a lot confused, "What?"
Rowan shrugged, "You didn't get it right? No one does it when I say it like this. It's just that complicated." He sighed once again, "I told you, my family is a mess. There is no single person in my family who isn't related to the other person in more than one or two ways."
Hyson patted his shoulder, "It must be tough on you."
"Not really," replied Rowan. "Once you get the hang of it, it actually becomes pretty simple to make sense of our family. But it's not that easy to explain. I was told I have four maternal grandmothers but two are no more. It's a bummer because I would have loved to meet my grandma Ai. She was the coolest."
"Your parents are also connected in more than one or two ways?" asked Hyson inexplicably. He didn't know why he wanted to ask that question all of a sudden.
"Yes," responded Rowan. "Someone told me that my mom and dad have a connection from a past life. So, their connection is the strongest and undeniable."
"You believe that?" asked Hyson.
"I have no reason not to believe that," replied Rowan. "I might be young but I understand very clearly that not everyone is fortunate enough to find love like my parents."
"And are you looking forward to finding such love in your life?" asked Hyson.
Rowan gave him a look, "Brother, don't you think I'm too young for you to ask about this?"
"You're young but you already have your own thoughts. From what I have noticed, your parents raised you as a very independent person. So, clearly, you already have the answer I want."
"You're right," agreed Rowan. "My parents did raise me to be independent. Especially my mother. She doesn't treat me like a kid most of the time. She always asks for my opinion and is willing to listen to my opinions. If she finds that it's not good, only then does she try to convince me otherwise. But usually, she gives me a lot of freedom regarding my life. In comparison, my Baba thinks I'm too young." He shook his head and went on, "The answer to your question is, I'm clear-headed to know that I might never find the kind of love that my parents have. So, I don't get my hopes up. My grandpa says we should be realistic in life. There is no harm in dreaming but we should understand that not all dreams are meant to be reality."
He was young but his thoughts were clearly very clear regarding certain things. He knew where he stood and what he was looking for. Hyson actually found it quite admiring since back when he was Rowan's age, he didn't even know what he wanted until he came across Raelle and for the very first time in his life, he had the urge to get close to someone.
Hyson chuckled, "When I was young, I was too realistic and my mum always wanted me to have dreams. She thought it wasn't good to be that realistic in life. One point is the same though. She also thought there was no harm in dreaming." He knew clearly that his mum was a dreamer and it couldn't be helped. He also knew that most of his mum's dreams just left her with painful wounds but she still wanted her son to be a dreamer.
"Brother, why are you running?"
"Because I don't want to face him or acknowledge him?"
"But no one can force you to do what you don't want to do," responded Rowan. "If you're not comfortable with it, just put it on the table."
"I don't like uncomfortable things in life," said Hyson.
"But who said life was supposed to be comfortable?"
Hyson suddenly laughed at that and shook his head, "You are really raised by some competent people to have such clear thoughts in life. And seeing your parents, I guess they are competent."
"They aren't the best parents out there you know," said Rowan. "But it's their first time being parents so they are trying their best. Can you believe that they even had a meeting with me where they discussed what are the things they are doing wrong and what I'd like them to change?"
"They really did that?"
Rowan nodded, "They aren't following the parental manual. They are just being themselves. But I love that about them."
"You have cool parents."
"No, they can be very embarrassing," replied Rowan. "You have no idea how they embarrassed me at the last sports event in our school."
"Well, every child believes their parents are embarrassing. Just get used to it. At least, you have someone to go there for you."
"You didn't have it?"
Hyson shook his head, "My mom was too insecure, unconfident to face the world. So, I usually didn't attend the sports event. And when I did, it was my godmother who went with me and with her competitive spirit, she almost made everyone kneel before her."
"It's only right that people bow down to the queens. It's as it should be."
Hyson looked at his serious expression and felt complicated for a moment.
"Where did you hear that now?"
"My Baba says that," replied Rowan. "He always tells me that my mommy is the queen. It's okay for us men of our family to bow down before her. There is nothing wrong with that."
"So, the ruler of the family is your mommy?"
Rowan shook his head, "Nope."
"No?"
"Not at all," Rowan emphasized. "Let me tell you a secret. Everyone believes that it's my mommy who controls everything in the family. The truth is, she isn't the boss. My Baba is the real hidden boss. He just keeps a low profile and makes it seem like everything is being done according to his wife's wishes. In truth, it's my mommy who revolves around my Baba's wishes. Whatever he says, goes! My mom's priorities are straight. At the top of the list is my dad, then is her sleep, then is wine."
"What about you?"
"Oh? Me? How can I overtake her Baobei or even her wine!"
"I feel like it'd be quite fun to be a part of your family."
"It's a chaotic family. You'd love it." He tsked sadly, "I don't have someone close to your age in the family anymore or I'd introduce you. Although Aunt Ashley is there, she just got a new boyfriend and also, she won't be a good match for you."
"Hey! How old are you to even think about matchmaking me with others?"
"I'm just telling you how it's not possible to become a part of my chaotic family since my sisters are still young."
"Aren't you an only son?"
"I have cousins!" replied Rowan. "I have two older cousins. Both my sisters love me."
"I think there is no one who won't love you."
Rowan smiled sweetly, "That's true. Everyone does seem to love me."
Hyson shook his head at this little guy before he looked into the crowd. He caught a glimpse of Zhai Kuijun once again but this time, he didn't duck down or tried to run. He just sat there and contemplated.
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