Family Depravity

1. I got adopted.

Today was a special occassion where chosen orphans can be adopted to a family.

And today, it seems that the person who visited is a powerful entity as the dean was very respectful towards the man.

Henry

Are these the children? Only boys? *frown*

Orphanage's Dean

Y-Yes, Sir. The last girl got adopted just a week ago. *sweats*

Henry

Disappointing.

Orphanage's Dean

*flinch* S-Sorry, Sir. It's my fault!

Henry

*Ignore*

Henry

Let's go to another orphanage, James.

Secretary James

Yes, Sir.

Thinking of losing a big donation, the dean became desperate.

Orphanage's Dean

W-wait, Sir!

Henry

*frown*

Orphanage's Dean

*flinch* How about a mixed blood?

Henry

Orphanage's Dean

T-There's a child who isn't fully Asian here! He has a special feature that is western.

Henry

*slightly interested* Where?

Orphanage's Dean

*Happy* There!

The Dean pointed to a frail child standing in the middle of healthy looking children.

Henry

*angry laugh* Do you think this is a joke?

Orphanage's Dean

N-No, it's true!

Orphanage's Dean

*rudely drags the frail child towards the man*

Henry

*bothered*

The man stared at the small child who was barely up to his chest in scrutiny.

Henry

Western? Nonsense.

？

*tremble*

Orphanage's Dean

No, his face has it! His face!

Henry

*loses interest*

Orphanage's Dean

*notice* You! Show your face.

？

*shake his head*

Orphanage's Dean

*impatient*

The dean gripped the child's chin and swept away his bangs.

？

*tightly shut his eyes*

Henry

Are you bullying a child now? *scoff*

Orphanage's Dean

*nervous* No, listen-

Henry

The child is indeed beautiful but not special.

Casey

*flinch*

The child was shocked by the man's words.

He wasn't hurt by hearing that he was not special, as he had heard it many times while growing up.

Rather, he was in disbelief after hearing the man say he was beautiful.

All his fellow orphans and even the dean had told him that he was ugly, especially his eyes, which looked foreign and different.

Out of curiosity, the child finally opened his eyes to see the man who had spoken such a lie.

Henry

Secretary James

Casey

Am I beautiful? *hesitant*

Henry

*in a trance* ... Yes.

Casey

Casey

Thank you.

...

Orphanage's Dean

I-If you're still not satisfied, I can introduce you to other children...

Henry

No.

Casey

*nervous*

Henry

I'll take this, child.

Orphanage's Dean

*relieved*

Casey

*shocked* Really?

Henry

*nods*

Henry

I'm Henry Zhan, nice to meet you.

Casey

M-my name is Casey, Sir.

Henry

I'm your father now.

Henry

From now on, you are Casey Zhan.

Casey

Okay, Dad. *shy*

Henry

*satisfied*

Henry

Let's go. *hold Casey's hand*

Casey

*blush*

Secretary James

Master and 2nd Young Master, I've called the Driver.

Henry

Good. Stay here and settle the bill.

Henry signaled to silence the orphanage, making sure that no evidence of Casey's origin will be left.

Secretary James

Understood. Have a safe trip. *bow*

Henry and Casey, the newly established father and son, shared a quiet moment before stepping out of the orphanage, their lives forever changed in that single, fleeting encounter.

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2. My eyes are beautiful.

Casey huddled in the corner of the luxurious car.

Casey

*fidget*

Henry

*notice* Uncomfortable?

Casey

*flinch* No. It's comfy.

Henry

*raise eyebrows* Then, why are you so far away?

Casey

T-That

Henry

Am I intimidating?

Casey

N-No

Henry

Then, come closer.

Casey

*hesitate*

Henry

*sigh*

Henry grabbed Allen and placed him firmly beside him.

Casey

*flustered*

Henry

*satisfied*

Casey

*lowers head in embarrassment*

Henry stared at Allen's long bangs, which covered those beautiful blue eyes.

Henry

*suddenly pats Allen's head*

Casey

*flinch* Dad?

Henry

Do you want a haircut?

Casey

Why? Isn't this length fine? *touch his hair, confused*

Henry

No. Your eyes can barely be s–

Casey

No!

Henry

*suprised*

Casey

*notice* S-Sorry. I didn't mean it.

Henry

Why not?

Casey

*understood* I-I

Henry

Who am I?

Casey

*confused* Henry Zhan.

Henry

Not that.

Casey

My father?

Henry

*nods* You can share anything with me. I won't judge.

Casey

*shocked*

Casey's heart was touched by the remarks.

They may have just sounded like natural words to others, but for him, they weren’t.

It was the first time he had received such comforting words.

His father seemed reliable at the moment, so he decided to trust him.

Casey

Everyone around me told me I was ugly... and that my eyes were hideous.

Casey

Why am I so different from others?

Casey

I wish I had brown eyes like you, Dad.

Henry

*trembles*

Henry cupped Allen's cheeks and stared into his enchanting, teary blue eyes as he spoke with hidden distress

Henry

Don't believe them.

Henry

They're just jealous of you, which is why they lie and bully you.

Casey

Lies. *tears fall*

Henry

It's true.

Henry

I know of someone just like you. She is very kind and beautiful. Everyone loves her.

Casey

Who?

Henry

*bitter smile*

Henry

*avoid* Your eyes are very beautiful. Trust your dad.

Casey

Okay. *smiles*

Henry

*smiles unexpectedly*

Henry

*kiss the corner of Casey's left eye.*

Casey

*Happy*

Casey

Thank you, Dad. *hugs him*

Henry

Hm.

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3. I have a brother?

Inside the elevator, Casey curiously looked around.

Casey

Where are we going, dad? *wonder*

Henry

Home.

Casey

*confused*

Casey

Isn't this a hotel?

Henry

No. It's a condo.

Casey

Oh.

*ding*

Henry

We're here.

Henry

*walks in while holding Allen's hand*

Casey

*mouth gapes open*

Casey saw a luxurious, spacious two-floor penthouse.

Casey

*stops in his tracks*

Henry

*notice*

Henry

*squeeze Allen's hands*

Henry

What's wrong?

Casey

I-Is this our home?

Henry

Yes.

Casey

*timid*

Henry

Don't be nervous.

Henry

It's just us three living here.

Casey

Three? *curious*

Henry

My son also stays here.

Casey

*eyes widen* I-I have a brother?

Henry

Yes. *amused*

Henry

An older brother.

Henry led Casey to sit on the sofa.

Casey

*eyes sparkle*

Henry

Like it?

Casey

Yes! I have always wanted to have a reliable older brother.

Henry

Reliable... *mutters*

Henry

Don't expect too much.

Casey

Huh?

*footsteps*

Casey

Henry

*sigh*

Hans

Yo, Dad.

Henry

...

Hans

Unresponsive as always, huh?

Hans

*comes closer*

Hans

Huh? Who's this twerp?

Casey

*nervous*

Casey held Henry's hand tightly and inched closer to his side.

Hans

*notice their holding hands*

Hans

What's this? *smiles with ridicule*

Hans

Your new lover? Your rebound? *mock*

Casey

*confused and anxious*

Henry

*frown* Hans.

Hans

Oh, that's not it? You're a loyal and upright man, after all.

Hans

Unlike me.

Hans

Or did you change?

Hans

What is it?

Henry

*rubs his forehead in frustration*

Henry

Neither.

Hans

Hm?

Henry

He's not my lover nor did I change.

Henry

Stop your nonsense.

Hans

Then who's this twerp?

Hans

I thought only family and some cleaners are allowed in here?

Hans

That's why I don't dare to bring someone over to sleep with. *rolls eyes*

Henry

He's allowed.

Hans

Still joking with me, dad?

Henry

*pause* He's your new brother.

Casey

! (This is my older brother?)

Hans

*surprised*

Hans

This twerp is? *stand in front of Casey with scrutiny*

Casey

*squeeze Henry's hand in nervousness*

Henry

*pats Casey's hand with his other hand for comfort*

Hans

*raise eyebrows*

Somehow, Hans didn't like the intimacy between the two.

Hans

Where did you even get this twerp?

Hans

Is he from the side branch?

Hans

You don't even know if he has some ulterior motives.

Casey

*tears up*

Henry

*frown*

Henry

Don't cross the line, Hans Zhan.

Hans

*frown*

Hans

Tsk.

Hans

What's so special about this twerp that you protect him?

Hans

*suddenly grabs Allen's chin to see his face*

Casey

Hans

*pause momentarily in surprise*

Henry

*sigh* Are you done?

Hans

*silence*

Hans

Interesting. *back to his mischievous side*

Hans

*sits down next to Casey*

Hans

So, how old are you twerp?

Casey

And I'm Casey, not a twerp. *whisper*

Hans

*surprised by his unexpected boldness*

Henry

*amused*

Hans

Whatever.

Casey

*scared that he won't get along with his brother*

Casey

How about you, brother?

Hans

I'm not your brother, though? *tease*

Casey

*speechless* *sad*

Hans

*laugh* You're really amusing.

Casey

Huh? That was a joke?

Hans

*agrees with silence*

Hans

Anyway, I'm 18.

Casey

Oh. *smile*

Hans

And that old man over there is 33.

Casey

Henry

*frown* He didn't ask you.

Hans

*smiles playfully*

Hans

It's okay, you're not too old.

Hans

Look, you're not even balding yet.

Henry

Hans Zhan.

Casey

*laugh* *giggles*

Henry

...

Hans

Hahaha, don't you agree, twerp?

Casey

Ah! No, I don't think dad is old at all.

Casey

*waves his hand in denial*

Hans

Oh? *curious*

Henry

*curious*

Casey

He's only 15 years older than brother, after all.

Henry

*nods*

Hans

Tsk.

Casey

B-but, isn't having a child at 15 too– *shut his mouth*

Hans

*doesn't care* Yeah. Too early.

Henry

...

Casey

*shocked* Brother! *whispers*

Hans

*laugh* Who told him to fall head over heels for mom at 15?

Hans

*realize and pause*

Casey

*interested* Where is–

Henry

*cut off* It's getting late.

Henry

Sleep first then we'll talk again tomorrow morning.

Seeing the mood worsen, and he didn't know why, Casey didn't know what to do.

Henry

*notice*

Henry

*pats Casey's head*

Henry

I'm going first. Let your brother lead you to your room and rest well.

Casey

*nods obediently*

Henry

*walks away*

Hans who was ignored the whole time: "..."

Hans

(I'm his child, right? *doubt*)

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