SHEN JI YUN shook his head. It had already been so long. He’s no longer a child now. He no longer spent his days waiting night and day for his mother. Waiting for just a single call that wouldn’t even come. The adult him had long given up on that. But the child in his heart was still probably waiting.
"Have you thought of meeting her?"
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Luo Yan’s question brought Shen Ji Yun back to the present. He was silent, as if thinking of an answer.
"I did, in the first few years. But because nothing really happened, my mind just became numb with that idea. And then, I no longer hoped or wished for it." A bitter smile unknowingly crossed his lips. "I’m such a bad son, right?"
"Of course not," Luo Yan quickly said. "You and your mother’s situation could not just be classified into black and white. So, blaming either one just doesn’t feel right."
You couldn’t just blame Shen Ji Yun alone for not reconnecting to his mother. His mother couldn’t also be blamed for the neglect Shen Ji Yun suffered. The only one that was really at fault here was the person who killed the obvious emotional link that kept the whole family together – Shen Ji Yun’s father.
When he died, the whole family also fell apart. In the end, both mother and son had to separate in order to live normally. Logically speaking, there’s really no one’s really to blame here. Except, of course, to the person he just mentioned.
But if he’s being honest, he really wanted to blame another person. Shen Ji Yun’s mother.
He knew he shouldn’t, but the pain Shen Ji Yun felt for practically being abandoned by his mother was probably on the same level as losing his father. Because, that’s what she did – she abandoned her son.
Yes, she might be hurting and that she’s traumatized by what happened, but shouldn’t she at least try to battle against the grief for her son? Wasn’t her son reason enough for her to do that? Didn’t she love her son on the same level as her husband?
What even frustrated Luo Yan more was that she probably not only subjected Shen Ji Yun to emotional neglect but a lot of other things as well. Even though Shen Ji Yun did not mention any of that, Luo Yan could feel that there was definitely something more. And that made him disliked his mother more.
He knew he shouldn’t and that he should be understanding of her situation. But what could he do? His love for Shen Ji Yun was greater than his understanding.
"Anyway, no matter what Brother Ji Yun did or didn’t do, I’m always on your side," Luo Yan said.
Shen Ji Yun was amused by that. "Even if I do something bad?"
"Well, as long as you don’t kill someone, then, yes. I’ll be on your side and be your partner in crime," Luo Yan said without hesitation.
Shen Ji Yun chuckled at that and hugged the other’s waist. "Then, be my forever partner in crime."
"Now, Brother Ji Yun, are you proposing? And here I thought you would do it in a more romantic setting," Luo Yan responded with a teasing smile.
Shen Ji Yun suddenly blushed at the word ’proposing’. It’s like his brain malfunctioned a bit. "No--! This, I’m not—"
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"So, you’re not proposing? Now I’m kind of sad."
Seeing Luo Yan with the exaggerated acting, he just now realized that the other was teasing him. The flush on his face receded a bit. "Now you’re just being mean."
Luo Yan laughed and hugged the other. "Oh Brother Ji Yun, you really are the most adorable."
He was glad that the expression of lost and sadness on the other’s face had disappeared and was now replaced by a helpless smile. The loneliness radiating from him was no longer there, only that joyful smile remained.
And that’s how it should be from now on – him being filled with nothing but love and happiness. Luo Yan was determined to keep it that way.
-----
The Sky Train finally arrived at Yule Island. On one of the train doors that opened, two young men stepped out.
One was taller than the other with black hair and a mask covering the lower half of his face. But despite that, no one would be able to ignore the intense pair of blue eyes that he had.
The other one had long black hair that was tied in a high ponytail. The upper half of his face was covered by a black domino mask, concealing his eyes. He was wearing an all-black costume with a modern design just like his companion.
Yes, the two were Shen Ji Yun and Luo Yan.
Because of the gazes Luo Yan received at the station, he decided to change his hair color with an item, as well as change his costume before they reached Yule Island. It’s because, just like Shen Ji Yun, he wanted to enjoy their Christmas date without other people’s eyes constantly on them.
If that promotional video hadn’t yet released, then the attention on Luo Yan wouldn’t be as much as it was. He actually didn’t think that the promotional video would have such a big effect. It’s a good thing that he had items that could help him conceal his avatar’s unique features.
Once they left the station, Luo Yan looked up at the snow falling. The surroundings were filled with snow as well as beautiful Christmas lanterns. He could see other players riding sleds that were being pulled by reindeers.
He turned to Shen Ji Yun. "Brother Ji Yun, let’s ride that!" he said excitedly while pointing at an area that seemed to be a sled station.
With a helpless tone, Shen Ji Yun said, "Okay."
They went to the sled station and surprisingly found out that it was being driven by a Christmas elf. They were unlike ordinary elves in the game. They had short stature like a child and giving off an atmosphere of mischief rather than elegance.
"Where do you want to go dear customer?" the elf asked.
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