# 12
The night was long.
Duan Baisui had another dream.
He usually slept lightly with few dreams. But whenever he held Zuo Nian, his dreams became chaotic and strange.
This time, he dreamed of his childhood. Like a disjointed film, scenes flashed before his eyes, finally freezing on the time he put a ring on Zuo Nian’s finger.
“A real man doesn’t cry, only bleeds. Don’t cry. If you wear the ring I gave you, you’re my Omega, and no one can take you away,” his younger self solemnly promised. “When I grow up, I’ll get you one with diamonds, like the one my father wears.”
“Don’t want diamonds… Nian Nian likes this one,” the child said tearfully.
“That won’t do. Wedding rings need diamonds,” he said imperiously. “Don’t worry, I have money. I have lots, and my daddy has a big company. When I grow up, I’ll sell daddy’s company and buy a small tank to take you out to play.”
“But, but if brother sells the company, Uncle Duan will be angry.”
“You’re right. Then when I grow up, I’ll earn money myself and buy a tank!”
“Nian Nian will also earn money, with brother, together buy.”
“It’s a promise.” The cocky little boy extended his pinky finger.
Zuo Nian linked his finger with it and earnestly said, “Promise~”
—
“Duan Baisui, your child bride is here, haha!” A tactless youth teased with exaggerated expressions.
By then they were in middle school. Duan Baisui had long lost his childhood innocence, his expression full of cold arrogance.
“Why are you here?” he looked down at the person before him.
“Nian Nian brought you lunch… Nian Nian made it this morning,” the young boy explained with effort.
“Ooh~” Students poked their heads out of the classroom, whistling and teasing, “Duan Baisui, you’re so lucky, your child bride even cooks for you.”
At thirteen or fourteen, they were at the rebellious age. Duan Baisui was constantly teased by classmates, finding it extremely annoying.
He wasn’t annoyed with Zuo Nian, but with the noisy voices and rumors.
He didn’t take Zuo Nian’s lunchbox, saying coldly, “No need, I’m going out to eat with classmates. Don’t bring it anymore.”
“Oh… is that so?” Zuo Nian withdrew his hand disappointedly. “Then after school…”
“I have etiquette class in the afternoon. Don’t wait for me.”
“Oh, okay…”
The little Omega left dejectedly, his thin, frail back looking somewhat lonely.
In the dream, Duan Baisui was merely an observer, watching these past events, feeling heartache.
He followed behind Zuo Nian for a long time.
In the dappled light, Zuo Nian grew taller, his blue and white striped school uniform changing to casual business attire, but he was still alone.
Duan Baisui couldn’t help calling out: “Zuo Nian.”
The one who turned around was his high school self.
With injuries on his face, his black school uniform jacket covered in dust.
He smiled at him and called, “Brother.”
Duan Baisui stepped forward wanting to pull him close, but Zuo Nian was like a bubble, disappearing at the slightest touch.
—
Duan Baisui woke with a start, covered in cold sweat.
Beside him, the Omega was still curled up in his arms, small but with a strong presence.
He suddenly wanted to know how Zuo Nian had lived during those years he was away.
Was he still bullied? Was there still no one to stand up for him?
Actually, when they were young, Duan Baisui liked Zuo Nian very much.
Because he was beautiful, quiet, and obedient.
Like a conscious doll, accompanying him.
But as he grew up, he became accustomed to his own rhythm of life.
His time was completely scheduled.
Studying, competitions, playing basketball.
He had new friends, new plans; he no longer needed a “doll.”
But… did he really not need him?
The person in his arms stirred, his fluffy head rubbing against Duan Baisui’s jaw twice, then stretching and making two soft sounds.
He was awake.
“Brother, good morning.” Zuo Nian lifted his face, smiling at him.
“Mm, morning.”
“Brother, I had a dream last night.”
Freshly awakened Zuo Nian was too soft, his voice carrying a lazy huskiness, each word sounding like a spoiled child.
Duan Baisui even forgot to let go of him, looking down as their breaths mingled: “What dream?”
Zuo Nian’s long eyelashes fluttered as if recalling the scene, then his face reddened, and he waved his hand in embarrassment: “Can’t say, can’t say.”
Seeing his bashful expression, Duan Baisui could guess what kind of dream it was.
Zuo Nian crawled out from under the covers, shuffling in slippers toward the bathroom: “Nian Nian is going to the toilet. After going to the toilet, the swelling will go down.”
Duan Baisui: …
He really dared to say anything.
Zuo Nian finished washing up, and Duan Baisui leisurely got up.
Halfway through brushing his teeth, Zuo Nian happily ran over, holding up a small toy: “Brother, you still kept it.”
It was a pink pig plushie wearing a rabbit-eared hat and holding a yellow wand.
It was what Zuo Nian had made for him when he was about to go abroad.
Zuo Nian said he was afraid he’d be lonely abroad, so he should take it and could hug it at night.
But when Duan Baisui packed his luggage, he didn’t take it.
He had been proud and arrogant since childhood. At that age, he very much wanted to prove himself and start a new journey alone.
The plush toy Zuo Nian gave him seemed childish and superfluous.
He felt he didn’t need it at all. After all, he wasn’t the type to cry from homesickness.
He went abroad to study, not to make friends. He enjoyed solitude and liked being alone.
Besides, he had outgrown playing with dolls.
The pink pig was casually stuffed into a transparent display cabinet next to his wardrobe, where he kept his childhood toy models and racing cars.
The little pink pig was placed in the corner of the bottom shelf, untouched for many years.
“Mm.” Duan Baisui’s mouth was still full of foam, and he responded vaguely.
“I thought you had thrown it away.” Zuo Nian was wearing an oversized hoodie with bare legs that were gleaming white.
He held the pig, leaning against the bathroom door, and continued: “When I was at the orphanage, I used to have nightmares. The headmistress made me a cloth doll. She said it was my friend and would protect me, so I shouldn’t be afraid.”
“Later, Nian Nian really stopped having nightmares. So when brother was leaving, Nian Nian also wanted to make a doll to protect you…”
Zuo Nian flipped the pig’s hat: “Brother, did it protect you back then?”
Rinsing out the toothpaste with clean water, Duan Baisui took a towel to wipe his jaw.
In this brief moment, he made a choice between lying and honesty.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t take it with me at that time.”
Zuo Nian’s hand stopped flipping the hat. After a long while, he said softly: “Ah… I see…”
He dejectedly pinched the pig’s face but quickly smiled again: “Actually, I guessed it. Brother is so amazing, how could he be afraid of sleeping alone?”
Duan Baisui stared at him silently.
Zuo Nian bit his lip, turning the doll over in his hands: “It’s not made very well either. Brother was right not to take it. The pig’s nose is crooked. Hmph, my craftsmanship was really poor back then.”
“No, you did very well,” Duan Baisui explained seriously. “It was my problem.”
“Brother didn’t do anything wrong. What problem?” Zuo Nian tugged at the hem of his hoodie. “There’s no rule saying gifts must be accepted. That’s unreasonable behavior. Nian Nian just saw the toy from long ago, and brother still kept it, so I suddenly remembered many things. Brother didn’t throw it away, even put it with the little tanks. That’s respect for Nian Nian. I’m already very happy, really.”
He was always so easily comforted, easily satisfied. Duan Baisui’s heart softened.
His Adam’s apple bobbed as he asked, “Does it still belong to me now?”
“Of course.” Zuo Nian’s eyes curved in a smile.
He handed the pig to Duan Baisui: “It’s a magical little pig that can eat all of brother’s bad luck and unhappiness. It will make brother smooth and happy every day.”
Duan Baisui raised his hand to grasp the wrist extended toward him.
This time, Zuo Nian didn’t disappear like in the dream.
He stood before him, real and tangible.
Looking at him with adoration and love.
“Brother, please accept the pig.”
What he hadn’t cherished at sixteen had come back to him after twists and turns.
As if destined by fate.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
