It all started when Xiao Zhan was just 9 years old. It was the time when Xiao Zhan still lived with his Father Wu Hao, mother Cici Liu , grandmother Liu Tingyu,  uncle Song Jiyang who was 15 years old at that time. 

The Wei family visited Luoyang for holidays along with their family friends Jiangs. 

Song Jiyang had to prepare for his entrance exam for high school so he stayed back in their home town Chongqing along with his grandma. 

It was just Wu Hao, Cici Liu and Xiao Zhan along with Liu Jian Min, Zhang Jin tong and their 5 years old son, Wang Zhuo Cheng. 

Wo Hao was the one who invited the Jiang family, they decided to celebrate Zhoucheng birthday in the Luoyang city. It was the first time Wang Zhoucheng and Xiao Zhan had met and like how everyone anticipated,  Xiao Zhan quickly melted the grumpy kid with his smile. Zhoucheng stuck to Xiao Zhan like a baby duckling and Xiao Zhan would brag about his uncle Song Jiyang and himself to the duckling, entertaining him however possible.

Xiao Zhan even drew a picture of two boys holding the lotus flowers for Zhoucheng as a birthday present which he immediately fell in  love  with. 

They were all staying in an inn close to Luo River from which the Luoyang city name was derived. Even though it was family holiday for a month, Liu Jian Min and Zhang Jin Tong had to go back to JiuJiang as Xuan Lu - their eldest daughter - also had to enroll for entrance exams preparation.

Zhuocheng refused to leave and after much persuasion, Liu Jian Min agreed to let him stay with Wei family for the rest of the holidays. 

Xiao Zhan and Zhoucheng would stroll around the town when the parents needed the alone time. They admired all the cultural heritage and ate traditional snacks. One day after sunset, Xiao Zhan and Zhocheng were splashing stones at the Luo river when Zhuocheng spotted a kid who looked little younger than Xiao Zhan.

"Gege, is that boy lost?" 

Xiao Zhan looked at the direction where Zhoucheng was pointing, it was a kid sitting in the dark staring into the water in a daze. His eyes were twinkling with orange hue beyond the horizon.

Xiao Zhan made his way to the kid and smiled,

"Hey little star! are you lost?" 

The boy snapped and glared at Xiao Zhan who flinched a little. Then the boy got up dusted of his shorts and went away. Xiao Zhan looked at him dumbfound but shrugged as the last ray of sun was ready to disappear. It was time to head back to the inn.

"Gege, who was he?" 

"A-Cheng he probably lives here, lets go back before Mom and Dad gets worried." 

With his little hands dangling to the side, Zhoucheng followed his gege back to the inn. 

. . .

The next day, the boy was there again sitting on the sand staring into the distance with the  longing filled in his eyes. His chin rested on his knees, hidden by his arms. His eyes had a tinge of honey and lemon.

He looked just like a fallen star.

 Xiao Zhan didn't pay mind to him this time.Wang Zhuocheng slipped from his grasp unnoticed and was standing next to the boy the other moment.  Xiao Zhan immediately ran towards Zhuocheng and suddenly notice the tears in the boys eyes.

"Gege. Are you alright?" Zhuocheng called to the boy and the boy wiped his tears in disdained.

Xiao Zhan was about to reach to the boy but was caught off guard when the boy pushed zhoucheng away and Xiao Zhan caught him (WZC)  before he could fall.

"Hey!!!! is this how you-" before Xiao zhan could scold the boy, he ran away. 

The next day the boy was there again and Xiao Zhan took it upon himself to teach him some manners. But the boy was crying again. Even though he didn't know the boy, his heart softened for him and wanted to comfort him however he could. 

Xiao Zhan silently sat next to the boy, the boy had his face hidden between his knees. After moments of hesitation, Xiao Zhan placed his arm around his shoulders and gave him a side hug. The boy shook a little and even struggled but Xiao Zhan gripped him firmly. 

"If things don't go bad, we wouldn't know how to appreciate the happiness in our lives." 

The boy stopped struggling as tears were blinding his view. He gave in to him (XZ) and hid his face in his (XZ) neck. The young boy cried till the last ray of sun hid behind the horizon. Xiao Zhan had made circles on his back comforting him however way possible. Wang Zhucheng had a almost crying face, mirroring the boy. Xiao Zhan held Zhuocheng in one hand which assuaged the boy next to him. 

The boy caught Xiao Zhan off guard as he pushed him away and ran through the night. Maybe he was embarrassed to show his crying face?

The next day, Xiao Zhan brought dumplings to share with the little boy but the boy never come.

There wasn't much time left in their family holidays and Xiao Zhan couldn't help but worry about the boy, so he would stay at the river bank till the sun set. 

  After a week had passed the boy finally showed up but this time with someone else. The elder boy looked the same age as his uncle Song Jiyang. And for once the boy actually was smiling. Xiao Zhan felt relieved.

The older boy was carrying some Xiaolongbao and saw the Xiao Zhan and Zhuocheng and offered each one.

"Hello, would you like some?" The older offered the steam bun to the little Zhuocheng. 

Zhuocheng looked at his Zhan Ge as if asking for permission when Xiao Zhan nodded, he immediately took the Xiaolongbao but almost dropped it as it was too hot for his little hands. Xiao Zhan took his bun and blew on it for Zhuocheng to eat. 

The little boy was hiding behind the older boy and had clear annoyance at his face as if saying 'He's my big brother back off.' 

"My name is Liu Huai Kuan and this is my younger brother Wang Yibo." 

Even though Xiao Zhan was young himself, he was mature of his age. 

"My name is Xiao Zhan and he is Wang Zhuocheng." 

The older brothers started talking and Xiao Zhan could perfectly keep up with Kuan's pace. On the other hand Wang Yibo was not pleased. His brother was acting overly familiar with this stranger. 

"Hey little star, why don't you play with A- Cheng?" Xiao Zhan read the annoyance on his face. 

"I'm not little." said Wang Yibo clearly annoyed.

Xiao Zhan had finally heard his voice while Liu Hai Kuan seemed somewhat shocked.

Liu Hai Kuan smiled with teary eyes and hugged his little brother. Xiao Zhan had no idea what was happening but respected the moment and turned down his eyes. 

"Bo say something again! say my name!"

"Kuan ge ge, too tight! "  Liu Hai kuan was ecstatic.  He hugged Wang Yibo even tighter. 

Xiao Zhan offered him tissue when he let go of his brother. Liu Hai Kuan took the tissue and nodded in gratitude, after calming himself down, he finally spoke.

"Yibo had gone mute." 

Liu Hai kuan said as he urged Wang Yibo to play with Zhuocheng and Yibo reluctantly went to him but didn't play with him. Xiao Zhan was silently listening to him.

"Our mother passed away few months ago and every since then, Yibo had stopped talking. Father is still recovering from the shock hence Uncle started to take care of us. We have seen many doctors but they all failed...I thought I would never hear his voice again."

Liu Hai Kuan turned his attention towards Xiao Zhan and bowed in gratitude. Xiao Zhan was bewildered by sudden action and immediately stopped the elder from doing so. 

"It's because of you he spoke." Liu Hai Kuan said with the teary smile. 

There's no way Xiao Zhan was going to take credit for something he wasn't even aware of. Moreover he felt that he didn't do anything at all.

"Kuan- Ge please..." 

Xiao Zhan pleaded Liu Hai Kuan. He felt that there wasn't any need. Out of no where, Liu Hai Kuan received a phone call and he excused himself to take the call. In the mean time, Wang Yibo came close to Xiao Zhan and stood in  front of him. Xiao Zhan smiled at him and ruffled his hair to which Yibo gritted his teeth. 

"Do you want to play with me little Star?" Xiao Zhan smiled revealing his bunny teeth. 

"I'm not little!" Wang Yibo pushed his hand away in annoyance. 

"Really? How old are you?" This time Xiao Zhan pinched his little nose. 

"I'm 9." Wang Yibo pushed his hand away. The boy was of same age as Xiao Zhan but his height was a little short. Liu Hai Kuan saw the entire exchange and smiled clutching his phone. 

"Bo, we have to go." 

Wang Yibo turned his attention towards his big brother  despite how he behaved he clearly wanted  to stay. Liu Hai Kuan sighed,

"I will pick you up from the usual place." 

After Liu Hai Kuan left, Wang Yibo did not play with Xiao Zhan or Wang Zhuocheng . He just sat in his usual spot sulking. Xiao Zhan tried his hardest but Wang Yibo wouldn't budge. 

The sun sat hours ago but Liu Hai kuan didn't come. Xiao Zhan couldn't leave Wang Yibo just like that so he stayed with him, waiting for his brother. Zhuocheng was feeling sleepy and hungry and truth be told, so was Xiao Zhan and most likely Wang Yibo as well. Wang Yibo had gone quiet. Too quiet.

"Little st- I mean Yibo, do you know how to go back home?" 

"Gege always pick me from the yoyo shop." Wang Yibo said sulking.

"Yoyo shop?"

"it's around next corner."  Wang Yibo had his face hidden between his knees as if hiding form something.

"How about we check there?" Xiao Zhan noticed how uncomfortable Wang Yibo was so he suggested.

"If we go there how would you go back?" 

"Aiyo, I don't have bad sense of direction, its not my hometown so I'm not aware around here."

"You're not from here?" Wang Yibo inquired.

"Nope, Zhuocheng is from JiuJiang and I-" 

The sudden lightening caught them all by surprise and they ran under the shed of the nearest tree. Moments later it started to rain. It started with just dribbles but before they could escape it was already falling heavily and the River was behaving strangely. 

The light polls started to flicker and Wang  Yibo clutched his shirt tight as the darkness slowly spread through the night. The atmosphere suddenly turned from peaceful to horrifying in the spam of few seconds.

The storm was not going to die down soon and it was already past sun set, they had to go back to a safe place. ZuoCheng was clutching hard on Xiao Zhan's shirt and Wang Yibo refused to move an inch frozen in his spot.

"Yibo! You have to come  with us!"  Xiao Zhan called.

"No! my brother might be looking for me!" Yibo was clearly terrified.

"It's raining heavily, you'll catch a cold, we have to move!!" Xiao Zhan tried to reason after all they were of same age.

"My brother-"  Before Wang Yibo could protest, Xiao Zhan picked him on his back while held Zhuocheng at front. Yibo was already struggling making it hard for Xiao Zhan but Xiao Zhan couldn't just leave him there. 

The heavy rain covered the sky, the wind was strong that it was shaking the tress vigorously and thunder was only adding to the horror. Wang Yibo clutched on Xiao Zhan's neck and hid his face. Xiao Zhan thought that he finally gave in but Wang Yibo was trembling which made Xiao Zhan even more worried. He had to bring them somewhere safe and fast. The inn wasn't that far but the storm made it hard for them to keep their pace. 

"I want my gege.." 

Xiao Zhan heard faint cry behind his neck. Wang Yibo was trembling hysterically. He was scared? Xiao Zhan carried the two in the small alley where the tall buildings blocked the heavy gusts. He made Yibo and Zhuocheng lean on the wall while he took off the lid from the bins near. He made a roof connecting the two bins and had the two sit under it. it was enough to block the rain and heavy wind. 

Walking in this storm was dangerous and night was not helping either. They could get struck by lightening if nothing else. Wang Yibo was still trembling and had his face hidden between his knees. 

"A-Cheng! Stay here with Yibo, I'll be right back!" Xiao Zhan said as he ran out of the narrow street into the broad road. Zhuocheng only clung to Wang Yibo's shirt fearing he might run away.

The rain drops hit the lids making the most pleasant sound but circumstances were contradicting. Xiao Zhan hadn't return and two scared kids were sitting in the dark street. 

After few minutes which appear to be hour, Xiao Zhan finally returned. He was completely drenched in the rain and his lips had already turned purple. The temporary roof he created could only fit two people. Xiao Zhan handed them each a warm can. It was a tea can from the vending machine. 

"This will warm you up a  little." 

Zhuocheng was not found of tea but the situation made him want to drink it all up.He warmed his hands with first, bringing his body temperature somewhat close to normal then slowly begun to sip the tea. 

Wang Yibo on the other hand was still trembling and hadn't even looked up. 

"Yibo? Wang Yibo? Little star?" 

"I-I'm not...little..." Wang Yibo said without looking up.

"Drink this, it will help you feel less cold." 

"I want my gege." came his faint cry.

"We will find your Gege, but first drink this." Xiao Zhan pushed the can into this hands but Wang Yibo still didn't drink it.

"Are you afraid of the thunder?" 

Wang Yibo shook his head.

"Are you afraid of the rain?" 

Wang Yibo shook his head again. 

"Are you afraid of the dark?"  This time Zhuocheng.

Wang Yibo neither nodded nor shook his head. Xiao Zhan took it as a yes and ran again without warning anyone. Moments later he returned with a toy. 

"It's not exactly a torch but if you shake it, it gives off light --see!" Xiao Zhan shook the ball and it really glowed. 

That glow was the only light in the dark street, like fireflies dancing in green. Maybe it was the radiant light or the smile of the other child. Wang Yibo had finally stopped trembling.

No one was aware how long they had been sitting there but the storm wasn't letting up. since they were close to the River the wind was stronger there than any other place. Zhuocheng was already dozing off clutching the can which lost its warmth. Wang Yibo kept shaking the ball  every time the light dimmed down. Xiao Zhan however was continuously being exposed to the rain, even his lips started to tremble.  He silently prayed for the storm to let out. But how much a little kid could endure. His wet clothes and constant rain dropped his body temperature drastically. His breath begun to hitch and his vision begun to blur out.  The last thing he heard  before passing out was,

"Zhan Zhan!" 

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Sorry for Errors.

IMPORTANT NOTE

Do NOT hate on Actors. My story obviously revolves around Abuse,Mental Health, harassment and bullies but Actors have nothing to do with it. They are all very sweet people. You can hate the characters  I created but not Actors.

Do not hate or type mean comments about ACTORS.

Thank you!