Back Again

Extra 1.1

Juan and Ju Yi - Past

Everyone tells us were just nothing but a bunch of garbage, losers in life, and something insignificant in society, and we never corrected them. Not because we think they were right but because we didn't care.

When they raced cars and stroll in the mall, we raced against time and stroll in the dark allies scourging for food. When they were pampered and loved by their parents, we were treated in disdain and contempt.

They lived in the present without worrying about their future while we try to survive in this cruel world.

"Here" I look up to see him handing me an apple, it was bright red and clean and right there I knew he robbed it out from a fruit market.

Sometimes I hate myself for becoming this low and doing so many crimes but then I have to live, I have to, and to do that I need to strengthen my will to survive and not care for any right or wrong.

It feels like my morality has become a pile of ashes today.

"No, you can-"

"Eat this" he doesn't wait for my refusal and pushed it to my lips.

As I munched on the apple, I looked up to see his dark pair of eyes looking gently on me. I held his hand and pushed the remaining half of the appeal.

"Eat this" I repeated his words and actions, I look at him and wonder how the heavens still took pity for me.

Although I was trafficked when I was young and was forced to love like this, the heavens still gave me this person who loved and cared for me like no other.

We're each other back, what the other eat and drink will be given to the other as well. We are best friends, lovers as well as family.

"Juan Jie! Look at what I got!" I peer to my side and saw Yu Han smiling brightly at me as he showed a bunch of RMB in his hands.

"Hide it in your body! I to you already that you shouldn't show that freely!" I sternly reprimanded him and soften my expression once he apologized.

"I'm sorry Juan Jie"

Money is supposed to be hidden away from the prying eyes of people, especially those who only live to survive. It was a painful lesson for me when I first earned my own money.

I look to my side and see Ju Yi who was already stretching his body, readying himself for another two hours of walking.

When I first earned my wage from arranging the garbage collection from the neighborhood, the money I had earned was robbed by one of the orphans in broad daylight. When I tried to get it, I was beaten and I was only saved by Ju Yi who beat the group of people who robbed my money.

He looked at me in anger at that time and I run up to him like his tail, he soon told me to never let anyone see my money and to always be alert at all times.

Soon, the three of us returned to the orphanage. Seeing the newcomers and some were even infant themselves, I couldn't help but feel pity. But I knew I couldn't help them, how could I help them when I could barely feed myself?

"I can do it"

I tried to take my feet from his hands but he restrained them tightly. Every time we walk back to the orphanage, he would always massage my feet and legs so that they wouldn't hurt the next day.

"Ju Yi"

"What?" His eyes peered right at me and I opened my lips to ask a question.

"Did you ever wonder about your... family?" I feel him stop and stiffen then heard him sigh before saying.
"You don't have to-"

"Of course I did, but I never did anymore, it was useless"

I smiled bitterly, he's right, it was useless to think. It's better to act and plan for tomorrow's day.

Even so, I still couldn't help but comfort him. I played with his hair, it was tough and some were even knotted and I gently untangle the knots in his head.

"You still have me" I murmured as I watch him massage my feet.

"I know" he continued his actions and for a moment, he continued. "In here as well... for you"

I stopped and smiled at him before going to our makeshift bed and settled there for the night.

Tonight, it feels like it's bearable to live one more day in this dark and cruel world.

***
Here's an extra from when they were still young and in the orphanage! Hope you all like it!

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