Chapter 35: Invitation
"I can't go with you!" Yitian shouted for the fifth time today. But it was like talking to a tree. Chao was not listening. Ever since he got a call from Lei, that hey were BOTH invited to the new year dinner, he kept pestering Yitian about going.
Yixing went to his family back on holiday and Chao didn't want to leave Yitian in the apartment all alone. So, he said he would go only if Yitian goes too. And he wasn't listening at all about the protest that Yitian isn't his family. Chao's phone rang again, he picked it up, while still looking at Yitian with a challenge in his eyes.
"He doesn't want to go, and if he is not going, I'm not going either. No, I don't care about gifts. Send it here. No, even if the father is going back soon, I won't see him if Yitian is not with me." Chao continued the same argument over and over, then he handed the phone to Yitian. "Lei wants to talk with you." Yitian grimaced, almost wanting to cry, but he took the phone and answered quietly.
"Yes, Lei ge?" There was a lot of rummage in the background and some yelling.
"I heard you don't want to go and visit us during the New Year Eve?" Lei's voice was low, cold, and could be interpreted almost as threatening.
"I just don't want to bother you during your family dinner," Yitian whined and shot a long gaze at Chao. It was his fault he was in this mess.
"And who said you would bother." Came from the phone and Yitian shifted his attention back to Lei.
"Nobody said that, but I'm not your family." Yitian opposed him bravely and Chao had to whistle silently.
"Do you live with Chao?"
"Yes…"
"Are you taking care of Chao?"
"Yes…"
"Do you take money for it?"
"No!" Yitian exclaimed, bewildered by such a question.
"Then you are family. So, be quiet and get ready. Your ride is there in ten minutes," Lei said and hung up on the call. Yitian was sitting there, stunned, just listening to the end tone of the call.
'It runs in their family. Otherwise, it makes no sense… How could he lose a rational debate?' Yitian's mind could apprehend it.
"So, we are going, huh? You should get ready. My father hates it when someone is late." Chao laughed and went back to gathering materials. Meanwhile, Yitian pushed himself away from the table and ran around getting ready. Gathering his gift for Chao's family, that he bought the other day.
"You are not getting ready?" Yitian shouted at him, five minutes later. But Chao was not like that. His father abandoned him for work, being all over the world, not just with him when his mother died. And young Chao thought that because it was his fault that mom died, so father despised him.
"I don't want to see him. Same as he doesn't want to see me, then why should I get dressed up or get some gifts?" Chao said and Yitian came to him and hugged him wordlessly.
"I think you should talk to your father. I doubt he thinks it was your fault. Maybe it was too painful for him, to be in the same house, where he was with your mother…" Yitian made a step back and finger flicked Chao to his forehead. "All parents love their children, despite the things their kids do…" Yitian stopped himself and turned away. '... almost all parents…' he continued in his mind, remembering what his mother did to him. It should be a festive day, but his mood was hanging above depression again, just by this one seemingly innocent thought.
"You should get ready. And because I will be there, you will be filial. And because it's New Year you can't argue." Yitian turned back to Chao, who was opening his mouth to say something. But a raised finger and threatening gaze stopped him from arguing more. That and the fact that their bell rang, announcing that their ride was there.
"FIlial, not arguing, kind, not rude," Yitian repeated once more with a raised finger. His eyes brightened up when he added more. "Otherwise, I will take your equipment for more than three days." This threat had the desired effect. Chao's eyes widened with fear.
"Please don't! It was only a few days when I got it back. I had to make so much effort to not drop in the PvP arena. I'm in the top fifty on the server. Please don't do it again." Chao begged and Yitian was amazed. Did he manage to stay in the leaderboard even without his equipment? It looked like Chao was really good at playing and being a professional gamer wasn't just a dream but a possible reality for him.
"Then behave!" Yitian laughed, took the gifts, and went out. Chao was slowly going behind him, feeling down. But once they got into the car it was as if he forgot everything. Soon, Yitian knew the reason why.
"Do you think I will get lots of money? Or maybe he will bring back some new games… Or equipment. But if he brings the same gifts as yours I will use only yours," Chao said and smiled all the way to his family home. Yitian was glad that Chao loved his gifts so much, but now he felt bad for not saying it to Lei so that they won't accidentally buy the same things. Yitian sighed as they entered the compound by the big iron gate. The car stopped before the big villa in which he was once before, but now there was a big red paper with an upside-down character on it. When they came inside, it was more lively. People were preparing all the things for the family dinner and it looked like it was a big feast.
"How many people will come?" Yitian got scared and if he could he would turn around and run away.
"Mmm, only five. Father, Lei, me and you, and our family friend." Chao said as they continued to the house.
"Finally, you are here. I heard from Lei that one of you didn't want to come!" Came from behind the corner followed by the person saying it. Chao's father. The head of the Jin family.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone