The Hamster and his ‘Innocent’ Caretaker (H&C)

Chapter 7 : What reward will I get?

 

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“This will be our home from now on.” A sweet female voice sounded in his ear. 

 

The little boy stood outside the big house, clutching his mother’s clothes in nervousness and expectation. 

 

Soon, the door opened and they walked in. 

 

“Honey…” The little boy stood still as his mother walked forward and embraced a strange man. His eyes wandered around the huge living room. He suddenly noticed that there was a quiet boy standing near the strange man. 

 

The boy was almost a head taller than him, with a gloomy aura, which made the little boy shrink unconsciously. He looked at his mother, trying to seek her help. But his always gentle mother did not even look back at him when he tugged her clothes.

 

He backed away. After the death of his father, his mother had become like this. She seldom took him to the park, she seldom helped him do homework and she almost never smiled at him again. ‘This must be my new daddy…’ The boy expectantly looked at the tall man. However, the man never looked at him.

 

He was disappointed. “Who are you?” A young but unfriendly voice came to his ears. “Why are you in my house?”

 

The little boy answered sheepishly, “I-I’m Bai Qing. And I’m here because my mommy told me that this will be our new h-home.”

 

Little Bai Qing stuttered a little facing that boy’s eyes. 

 

“I don’t want a brother! Go aw–”

 

*WAAAAH*

 

The loud sound of weeping was heard throughout the large living room. The man and woman lost in their own world also regained their senses when they heard the sound. “What happened, Xiao Qing?”

 

“Rong Wen, what did you do now?” The man’s voice sounded exasperated. He massaged his temples as he looked down at the startled boy.

 

‘Why is he crying? Was I too harsh? But… but.. I really don’t want a brother. Should I coax him?….’

 

“He’s your new brother. And she’s your mom now.” Hearing his words, Rong Wen felt indignant. “I don’t want a new brother and I don’t want a new mom. I want my mom!!” He shouted before he ran towards the stairs.

 

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*Ring ring ring ring*

 

The loud sound of the alarm woke up the sleeping beauty. He rubbed his eyes, feeling around the bedside table for the damn enemy of his life.

 

Grabbing hold of the alarm clock, Bai Qing turned off and got up, feeling thirsty. He picked up the glass placed on the bedside table only to find it all empty.

 

‘Urk. Such a bad morning. Sigh…‘

 

Bai Qing opened the door and went downstairs. While coming down, he could hear the excited yelling of a man.

 

“Move left, ugh to YOUR left you pea-brain… Yes… That’s it– Nooo… Why did you- LOOK BEHIND YOU!!!”

 

Bai Qing shook his head. He knew that Rong  Wen liked playing video games, but recently, he got himself a new friend online and now spends all his free time gaming.

 

“Gege, did you sleep?” 

 

No response. He asked again.

 

“Hey, how was your sleep?” Still no response.

 

“Hey, mister! Are you deaf?” This time, Bai Qing yelled and got the result. “Huh? Ah.. Hehe, you’re up, A’Qing…”

 

“Don’t ‘hehe’ me. Tell me, did you sleep?” Bai Qing squinted his eyes. 

 

“That’s… Erm… You see, I was fighting the demon lord of this final level and then the sun… The sun suddenly sprung up without any prior notice–” Before Rong Wen could utter any more nonsense, Bai Qing stopped him and gestured to him to come and sit at the table. 

 

“Aunt Xu, please serve our…” Bai Qing paused and looked down at himself. “Please serve only Gege’s breakfast for now. I’ll come down after changing my clothes.”

 

“I won-” Rong Wen was going to protest but under Bai Qing’s glare, he backed down like a wilted eggplant.

 

“I-I mean, I’m starving! Give me breakfast. Why are you so late, Aunt Xu?” Saying this, he looked at Bai Qing innocently. “Ah? Why are you still here? Hurry up and change A’Qing. Don’t be late.”

 

Bai Qing stared at him deeply before walking upstairs. As soon as he was out  Rong Wen got up from the chair and tiptoed towards the kitchen, in hopes of telling Aunt Xu to prepare the breakfast slowly. However, just after he took the first step, he heard a cool voice.

 

“Where are you going, Gege?”

 

Rong Wen’s figure stiffened. He turned around and smiled his most innocent smile. “I was going to the washroom….”

 

“…” Bai Qing didn’t know what to say.

 

Seeing the devil go upstairs silently, Rong Wen sighed in relief. Sometimes, he wondered why he was so afraid of this little step brother of his. But it was also true that he liked teasing that cute but calm young man. 

 

……. 

 

After breakfast, Rong Wen and Bai Qing sat face to face on the sofa. There was a table separating the two of them. Seeing Bai Qing’s serious look, Rong Wen made psychological preparations for a long lecture. 

 

“Do you know what you did wrong?” Bai Qing asked calmly. 

 

Rong Wen hurriedly nodded, looking like an aggrieved child. 

 

“What was your mistake?” 

 

“I… I shouldn’t have stayed awake all night playing games.” Rong Wen mumbled. 

 

Rong Wen looked pitiful. But Bai Qing was used to this trick and did not get deceived by his look. 

 

“If you do this again, your video games will be confiscated for one month.” 

 

“WHAT?!” Rong Wen was startled, “You can’t do that!” 

 

“I can’t?” Bai Qing asked, raising his eyebrow.

 

“……” Rong Wen was truly aggrieved this time. “You can…..” he muttered. 

 

Bai Qing continued with a soft voice, “Gege, not having proper sleep is bad for your health. Don’t do this again okay?” 

 

Rong Wen nodded. He knew that Bai Qing was worried about him. But confiscating his video games was too much, ah! 

 

“Gege.”

 

“Hnn.”

 

“I won’t confiscate them if you sleep properly, so be good, okay?” 

 

Rong Wen suddenly stood up and came near Bai Qing. He sat next to him and gently whispered, “If I am good, what reward will I get, my dear baobei~?” 

 

Bai Qing immediately moved aside. He looked like a cat who had it’s tail stepped on by someone. He glared at Rong Wen, who was unable to stop laughing. 

 

Bai Qing gritted his teeth, “You really don’t like your video games, right? ” 

 

“No no no, I am sorry, sorry. Don’t confiscate. I will go to sleep now.” Saying this, Rong Wen ran upstairs. 

 

Bai Qing sat there dumbfounded at how fast Rong Wen could change his face. He looked at the fleeing figure and touched his ears. They were hot and probably red too. 

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