19 Nou Rao

These past few days were the happiest days in Yitian's life. He had a routine that he followed and he was so happy with it. He woke up in the morning, refreshed himself, and made breakfast. Depending on the schedule of Chao and Yixing he would wake them up or pack the breakfast for them to eat later. Then he went to school.

Architecture lessons were interesting. It wasn't the major he wanted to study, but he learned to like it because even there he learned history that he loved. But now, when he came back to the apartment, he cleaned up a bit, made dinner, and studied until Chao came back home. They had a meal together and then they went to play games which were his new favorite pastime.

Together they fought monsters, made new equipment, and even set new records. They were an awesome combo. Soon, they had many people wanting them to join their guild or team. But they remained lone wolves. Actually, their records and everything was mostly thanks to Chao, who thought up amazing strategies. Sometimes he needed the help of others, but he was a natural leader. They all always followed his strategies. And in the end, they were rewarded with some recognition or amazing materials. Yitian, and Chao too, became pretty known in the game. And Chao was really happy, he had so much fun. But deep inside his mind, he knew something was going to be really bad soon.

One peaceful night when he was playing with Yitian, they both got an attacking message, saying that they are cheaters and many other things. And Chao saw what that one message did to Yitian. Chao wished to protect him from everything, but this was something he had to get used to. Because in games and even in life, when you are even a bit successful, there are loads of people that will be jealous, envy you, and curse at you.

"Are you okay?" Chao asked him after they both read those messages. Yitian looked at him with a sad smile and Chao pulled his chair closer to Yitian. He took his hand and squeezed it. "Don't worry, they envy you because you are so good. Believe me, I never saw a beginner be able to play like you." Chao let him go and swushed back in front of his PC. "Now let's kick some more asses. Let's PK today to gain EXP and show everyone that we do not cheat!" Chao hyped them both up and it helped. Yitian won three of four matches and Chao won all four. The only match Yitian lost was against Chao.

The next day it all started the same. Yitian woke up and made breakfast. He knew that Chao had no class today so he made rice porridge that Chao could have even as lunch if he wanted. Yitian packed dome things and was putting on his shoes when Chao came up from behind him.

"Be careful," he said and looked worried. But Yitian only smiled for himself, not even turning around.

"I'm always careful. Bye-bye." He waved and ran out of doors.

Chao was looking at the door even after Yitian left. He had an unpleasant feeling he woke up with. He hadn't had his usual nightmares today, but he dreamt about Yitian being stabbed. By his mother. Chao took out his phone and found his brother's number.

"Are you awake?" he asked first thing. But the answer was only unrecognizable mumbling. "I have a bad feeling, Lei. Did Chung ge already arrive?" he asked, more mumbling as an answer. "Get up you lazy ass!" he shouted into the phone, walking back to the kitchen. Normally he wouldn't dare to shout like this, but he felt uneasy.

"You, little…" Lei started his sentence but did not finish it. He was cut off by Chao's question: "The guard? Is Chung ge ready?" he asked him again. He heard a heavy sigh on the other side of the phone, sat before his computer, and turned it on. He had to find some material today so that Yitian could forge him new gloves.

"Yes, he arrived yesterday. He was monitoring your apartment building. Nothing will happen, She won't try anything in public. She could end up in jail." When Chao heard this, he calmed down a bit. But still… "I… ehm… did some background check," Lei said and surprised Chao with that.

"Yitian or his mother?" Chao asked.

"Both, I won't tell you what I found about that boy, but he is surprising. Keep being friends with him. He had it hard. And his mother. Her name is Nou Rao, 41 years old, basic upbringing. His father Wang Yu was from a wealthy family, but they didn't like Nou Rao, so they disowned him, and even when he was dying from cancer, they did not help.

Yitian's mother was left alone with five-year-old and heavy medical debts. Then there is nothing bad, working under our company franchise until you found out what she does to her son. I was tempted to fire her, but part of her salary goes to Yitian's school fees, even though he has a scholarship. I don't want to make it harder for him." Lei finished what he found and Chao was left with his mouth open. Wow, Yitian did collect all the bad things that could happen to him. Now he knew why he was so reluctant to rebel against his mom. She was the only one left for him. She took care of him. Now, it made sense. He sighed.

"No, leave her be. She had it hard too. If she leaves him alone, we will leave her too. And can you gift some more money as tuition?" he asked his brother.

"No, if I did, it would go to the faculty of technology and computer science. Not the faculty of architecture." Lei said and hung up without any other word. 'Guess, this is the most I can do for him.' Chao thought and collected all they both needed. 'Be a good friend.'