Chapter 2: A Longing For Family

Yue was jolted awake by a piercing scream that sliced through the stillness of the morning, echoing in the cramped space. His heart raced as he shot upright, the all-too-familiar dread pooling in his stomach. The voice belonged to his mother, and he could already sense the storm brewing.

Before he could gather his thoughts, the triplets burst into his room, their wide eyes filled with terror. They rushed to his side, clutching at his clothes, seeking refuge from the chaos that seemed to surround them.

“Stay close,” he whispered urgently, wrapping an arm around them, trying to offer comfort as his mind raced.

Yue turned to face his mother, who stood in the doorway, her face contorted in fury. Her hair was unkempt, and her eyes glinted with anger as she took in the scene before her. “What are those filthy brats doing in my house?” she screamed, her voice sharp and unforgiving, slicing through the air like a knife.

“Mother, please,” Yue began, desperation lacing his tone. “I want them to stay with me. I’ll cover their expenses. I can manage! I swear I’ll—”

She stepped closer, her presence oppressive, her anger palpable. “Manage? You? You can’t even take care of yourself! If they stay here, I’ll kick them out myself!” Her words hung in the air, heavy and threatening.

Yue felt his heart plummet, his mind racing for a solution. “I’ll bring in more money, I promise! Just let them stay! I’ll give you what I earn!”

Before he could finish, Lin and Xiu piped up, their voices trembling but filled with determination. “We’ll help out too! Just let us stay here!” Their innocent faces reflected both fear and a fierce desire to protect one another.

Mei quickly shushed them, panic flitting across her features. She cast a pleading look at Yue, her eyes wide, silently urging him to diffuse the situation.

His mother’s laughter echoed through the small room, a harsh, mocking sound that made Yue’s stomach churn. “You think I’ll let a bunch of dirty little girls into my home? Look at them! They’re nothing but a burden!” She crossed her arms, her disdain evident.

“Please, Mother!” Yue pleaded, stepping forward, desperation clawing at his throat. “They need a home—”

“Enough!” she interrupted, her voice rising. “You’d better have money for me by dusk, or I’ll make sure they’re gone.” With a final glare, she turned on her heel and stormed out, the door slamming behind her with a resounding bang that rattled the walls.

Yue stood frozen for a moment, the weight of her threats pressing down on him like a heavy cloak. He looked down at the triplets, who were still huddled against him, their eyes wide with fear and confusion.

Seeing their trembling forms ignited a fierce determination within him. “We’ll figure this out,” he whispered, his voice steady as he pulled them closer. “I won’t let her hurt you. You’re safe with me.”

The triplets looked up at him, their expressions shifting from fear to a glimmer of trust, and in that moment, Yue knew he would do whatever it took to protect them and ensure their safety, even if it meant facing his mother’s wrath head-on.

…

As Yue's mother slammed the door behind her, an uncomfortable silence settled in the room, heavy with tension. Mei glanced at her sisters, her heart sinking as she noticed the fear etched across their faces. Lin and Xiu, once so full of energy, had lost the strength in their legs and were now sitting on the floor, trembling and on the verge of tears. Their wide eyes glistened with unshed tears, reflecting a mix of confusion and despair.

“Don’t cry, please,” Mei urged softly, her voice barely above a whisper as she knelt beside them, trying to offer comfort. But her words were barely enough to quell the storm of emotions swirling within her.

She looked up at Yue, who sat on the edge of the mattress, his sorrowful gaze meeting hers. At that moment, they shared a silent understanding—the burden of the world felt too heavy for such small shoulders. Determined to ease their fears, Yue took a deep breath and stood up, shifting closer to the girls.

“Hey,” he said gently, settling down next to them on the floor. “I’m Yue. I’m a singer.” His voice was warm, a soft melody that seemed to wrap around them like a comforting blanket. “I’m seventeen years old, and I work in the city. I wanted to help you all tonight.”

As he spoke, Yue let the weight of his past tumble into the space between them, carefully choosing his words like notes in a delicate melody. He shared bits and pieces of his life, revealing the hardships he faced growing up in the shadows of the bustling streets. “I was born into a world where kindness was rare,” he began, his voice steady but soft. “My mother struggled to provide for us, and sometimes we went to bed hungry. But even in those hard times, I found solace in music.”

He paused, his eyes glimmering with distant memories, and continued, “Singing was my escape. When I stood on the makeshift stage in the red light district, all the pain faded away. The songs I sang, some were joyful, some were sad–they carried my dreams, my hopes for a better life.” He looked at the triplets, gauging their reactions, wanting them to feel the warmth of his words. “In those moments, I felt free, as if I could touch the stars.”

Yue's gaze turned introspective, reflecting the struggles he had faced. “But life isn’t easy. I’ve lost friends, felt the sting of betrayal, and sometimes, I’ve been too afraid to dream.” His voice lowered, almost a whisper. “Yet through it all, music has always been my light. It has given me strength when I had none.”

He took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts, and then leaned in closer to them. “I may not have much,a small room, a few coins to my name, but I promise to look after you. You won’t be alone. I’ll protect you, and together, we can create a home filled with laughter and songs.”

As he finished speaking, a wave of warmth filled the air, binding them together in a shared moment of understanding. He could see the glimmer of hope spark in their eyes, and it reassured him that perhaps, just perhaps, they could overcome the trials that lay ahead.

Mei watched as he opened up, his sincerity shining through the shadows of his past. She could see how genuine he was, and it brought her a small sense of comfort amidst the chaos. The way he spoke, with passion and kindness, made her believe that maybe, just maybe, they could find a little hope together.

Yue turned his gaze toward the triplets, his eyes filled with encouragement. “What about you two? Can you tell me your names?”

Lin wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, her voice shaky but determined as she spoke up. “I’m Lin.”

Xiu nodded vigorously, her eyes still watery but reflecting a hint of resolve. “And I’m Xiu.”

Mei gave her sisters a reassuring smile, feeling a flicker of strength ignite within her. “I’m Mei,” she added, her voice steadier now. “We... we want to stay together.”

Yue’s heart swelled with pride at their bravery. “Then we’ll figure this out together,” he promised. “I won’t let anything happen to you. I’m here for you.”

As Yue sat with the triplets, a rush of emotions washed over him—relief, joy, and an unexpected sense of belonging. He had never imagined his life would take this turn, bringing three innocent souls into his world. The weight of his struggles felt lighter in their presence, as if their laughter and determination had woven a fragile thread of hope through the tapestry of his life.

He realised that, in a way, he had found a family he never knew he needed. The loneliness that had often consumed him began to dissolve, replaced by the warmth of connection. The triplets, with their vibrant spirits and unwavering bond, brought a new kind of light into his existence. They reminded him that even in the darkest corners of life, there could be unexpected blessings.

Yue reflected on how life had always thrown challenges at him, each hardship shaping him into who he was. Yet, as he looked into the eyes of Mei, Lin, and Xiu, he understood that perhaps this was all part of a larger plan, one he had never envisioned. It felt as though fate had led them to each other, as if the universe had conspired to bring them together for a reason.

“God really does have plans for everyone,” he thought, feeling a flicker of gratitude for the journey that had brought him here. Even amidst his own struggles, he could now be a source of strength for these girls. He felt a renewed sense of purpose blossom within him, a drive to protect them, to provide for them, and to create a life filled with warmth and love.

As he listened to their soft voices and felt their little hands grip his clothes, Yue understood that family could be formed in the most unexpected ways. And for the first time in a long while, he believed that together, they could carve out a future, no matter how uncertain it seemed. With the triplets by his side, he was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, knowing that this newfound bond was a gift he would cherish forever.

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