𝐂𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐃

NINE.

PAST

(Seven years old)

Some people have the unfortunate tendency to scare off others; rendering them vulnerable and friendless. Y/n, even when young, had seen this behavior countless times manifesting onto poor children.

Why don't you play with Joon, Hana?

He scares me!

It was either the child was unfortunate-looking; perhaps the constant scowl they seemed to don and the thin press of the lips made them look disgruntled nearly all the time; and that was what scared people off—Xin Hui was different.

People did fear him. Y/n always had the inkling children tended to be nervous around him, but for all the different reasons. Even at seven, Xin Hui managed to procure the spot of  being many young girls' first love—too bad it never happened and he never requited their love—or the apple in the teachers' eye, and even the role model of impressionable young boys. But many were terrified of him: he was unapproachable, in a sense that he might joke with you, might chatter with you; but he would never be close to you. He was a terrifyingly..sinister (for the lack of better words) person at such a young age.

Y/n chalked it up to luck that Xin Hui seemed to like him—they were the only young boys in the neighborhood, after all. Except Y/n lived in a relatively average home while Xin Hui lived in a manor. Y/n would learn that Xin Hui's parents were practically Chinese royalty with the level of fame they had.

Y/n often wondered what set Xin Hui apart from the rest. Perhaps it was his air of mystery, the way he carried himself with an unusual confidence that both intrigued and frightened others. Perhaps it was the way he acted—charming and gentle, but there was always something so off about it. Like it was fabricated. In those few weeks when Y/n got to know more about Xin Hui, he realized he was practically manipulative—to the point that it was unnerving. Cunning.

Later on this would be dubbed as Good Child Syndrome or even Golden Child Syndrome; the child was like a blossoming flower blooming on a field of thorns. A child who aimed to meet their parent's expectations the whole time—and be an angel in their parent's eyes. Someone who understood their role—the chosen one who should do no wrong. Who can't do wrong.

"I think my parents are disappointed in me," Xin Hui clicked his tongue, "honestly, it's bothering me."

Y/n tilted his head in confusion.

"But why would they be...mad?" He paused a little, unable to pronounce disappointed correctly and instead settled on another word, "you did nothing wrong."

"They're famous for having everything perfect on the first take," Xin Hui stated flatly, "my father slapped me after I screwed up my lines."

"But that doesn't make sense."

"It does. What do you mean?" Xin Hui looked in confusion at him, "I did something wrong. My parents didn't like that. I mean; I'm their only child. I have to do well. I just have to take it all so I can be a good child. Isn't that the best case? Dealing with their irritating moods can be so bothersome."

"They didn't seem like that on TV..on the reality programmes I watched."

"It's all acting anyways," Xin Hui shrugged, like it was common knowledge—"the media portrays them to be some couple in love, but the fighting at home tells me otherwise."

"You know loads of big words," Y/n observed.

"It's all in the scripts," Xin Hui glanced down at the male next to him, lips curling into a soft smile—"why do you look so glum? Come on. I'll treat you to something nice."