Adopt

[2] Growing Up

YuXin knocked on the Cai Xukun's door nervously, holding her breath as she waited for him to open it. 

When he saw her standing in front of his door, he took a step back in surprise and asked, "What is it?" 

YuXin took out a watch from her pocket, handing it to Cai Xukun with an apologetic look. "I can't find your watch.. I'm sorry.." She knew that the watch she had could not replace the expensive one his father gave but this was the best she could offer for now. YuXin looked down at Cai Xukun with her eyes drooping sadly like a small puppy, biting her lips nervously. 

Cai Xukun remained silent for a moment before taking the watch from her hand. "It's okay.. I forgive you." He replied quickly and closed the door. 

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Cai Xukun was 8 when he accidentally fell down while on the pavement while cycling, scraping his knees and hands badly. Blood was oozing from his wound and the cuts were stinging in pain He didn't cry from the pain, boys were not supposed to cry. He held back his tears as he limped back home, gritting his teeth to bare the pain. When he reached home, Liu YuXin was the first person to run up towards him with her eyes widening in worry. The way she gushes around him made him felt something stirring in him. He was used to the maid running up to him but having her to do it felt different.  

She held on to his elbow and led him straight to his room, sitting him down on the chair while she ran to get the first aid kit. "This may sting a little," she said softly as she bent down to clean his wound with a disinfectant. Cai Xukun wanted to scream out the instant the disinfectant touched his open wound. He tilted his head up and seethe in pain, trying not to appear weak. 

"Bear with it for a while," YuXin comforted as she slowly blow on his wound, letting her cool breath lessen the pain. She cleaned up the wound carefully and gently, as Cai Xukun stared at her, feeling something warm rising up in his heart. 

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Cai Xukun was 9 when he caught a cold from wearing just a t-shirt while roller blading when it was just 15 degrees outside.

"Kun, you're burning up," Liu YuXin said as she pressed her forehead lightly on his to measure his temperature. It was the way her mom used to do it on her.

Cai Xukun sniffed a little and hugged Liu YuXin by her waist, snuggling his head on her chest as he let out a soft whimper, "Xin..  I'm cold, my body hurts." His muscles were feeling sore from the fever and his head felt heavy.

Liu YuXin smoothed his hair affectionately and slowly lay him down on his bed. " Xin.. I want hug.. " Cai Xukun pleaded when Liu YuXin tucked him under his blanket, trying to keep him warm.

Seeing how the usual Prince like Cai Xukun was now whimpering softly like a poor puppy, Liu YuXin nodded and crawled under his blanket, hugging him as she pat on his back rhythmically to soothe him.

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Liu YuXin was 14 when she saw Cai Xukun lying on her bed comfortably and playing on his phone when she returned home from school. "Kun, why are you sleeping on my bed again?" 

Cai Xukun glanced at Liu YuXin with a cheeky smile and scoffed, "Your bed is more comfortable." Turning to have his stomach flat on the bed, he let out a soft groan, "Xin.. My shoulders are sore, help me with the usual please."

Liu YuXin shook her head and straddled herself on Cai Xukun's back, massaging his shoulder with finesse. It was something that the two had learned to do for each other every time after their physically intensive activity. As Cai Xukun enjoyed the personal massage Liu YuXin was giving him, he asked, "Oh right, what time will you be home tomorrow?"