Seeing at least a familiar face in this foreign land, Weizhou could rest at ease. He would be assured that this place is safe and even though they have only met yesterday, Weizhou feels that he could trust this person who is talking in front of him.

He was not the same person as he is two days ago. Last night, before leaving his parents in search of his origins, he was feeling guilty. Weizhou knew that his adoptive parents would understand his predicaments because it is really unfair to a child to be left alone in someone else’s care rather than with your own family. And even though he understands the situation, he still wanted to know why things went this way.

He would not say bad words with his true parents, if he ever found them here. Weizhou would rather thank them for giving him up. And for giving him a chance to be with the most wonderful parents he could ever have.

This trip here in Taiwan would only just for the confirmation of his whereabouts. After he is done here, he is thinking of going back to Shanghai to pursue his career in poetry and would come back stronger as ever.

This is just a challenge sent by the heavens for him to overcome. If he cannot do it, then he’s not worthy to come back. He will not come back to Shanghai if his business of finding his roots fail. He would instead stay here in hopes of finding a trace of his whereabouts.

This is one of Weizhou’s weakness that could be also his greatest strength; he is one-track minded. He would focus on one thing before moving on with another task. He believes that such things as distractions would lessen his chances of success in doing the one thing he’s supposed to do.

This Huang Jingyu in front of him smiled as he show the picture of himself as the subject of the picture Jingyu just took.

“Quite good.” Weizhou said.

“Yeah, good.”

Weizhou made a questioning look and then asked.

“What do you mean by that?”

“You look good is what I mean.” Jingyu said to Weizhou.

“Don’t bully me. I won’t give you the satisfaction.” Weizhou defended.

Jingyu started to laugh. He is not bullying Weizhou. In fact, he’s appreciating this man in front of him. He got that godly looks that could spark envy in every man’s heart. And Jingyu is no exception. Weizhou’s looks is truly beautiful. Too beautiful for a man.

“Alright. I’ll stop.”

Although Weizhou is truly a handsome face, a face he guess even ancient gods would be jealous about, he admitted into bullying rather than appreciating this man’s looks.

Weizhou relaxed. Even though he looks pissed about Jingyu’s remarks, within his mind, he was secretly moved. Maybe making a friend here is not a bad idea afterall. Weizhou thought to himself.

Jingyu looked behind Weizhou and saw Sister Clarence walking in their direction. Jingyu also saw a little boy walking beside her.

“Brother Johnny, I’ve been looking for you!” Little Yinzi said. He looked about 12 or 13 years old.

“Little friend Yinzi, you grew taller in this past three months!” Jingyu exclaimed.

“I guess I did.” Yinzi said, smiling. “It’s because Sister Clarence and mother superior takes a really good care for us children here in the orphanage. And sister Clarence makes really tasty pastry treats.”

“Wow, I never thought you are into pastry making Sister Clarence.” Jingyu said.

“I learned it from mother superior, of course.” Sister Clarence proudly stated. “By the way, Brother Johnny, have you met Brother Weizhou? He is also from the mainland like you.”

“Yes, we have met.” Jingyu smiled and looked at Weizhou’s direction. Weizhou caught Jingyu’s stare but immediately looked away. “We actually met on the Ferry from Shanghai but I never thought he would also come here.”

Sister Clarence made a sullen look and said.

“He is adopted from this orphanage back when we were still in town.” Sister Clarence spoke. “Come on Mister Weizhou. I already advised Mother Superior that’s why I took long. I helped her get ready to meet you by the living room. Let’s go.”

“Can I come?” Jingyu asked Sister Clarence.

“It is up to Brother Weizhou here.” And then looked at Weizhou to see his response.

“You can come Jing… I mean Brother Johnny.”

With that, all four of them including little Yinzi went to the living area. On the way, they saw some of the children sweeping up dried leaves and some children who are playing tag by the porch. Some younger children just laughed as they watched their older orphanage siblings run around evading the ‘it’. Little Yinzi saw this and told Sister Clarence he would play with them now and then ran to the direction of those kids.

“Ahh… it’s so nice to be young and innocent.”

An old woman dressed as a nun said as she was standing by the door, looking at the kids who were playing.

“Mother Superior, you did not have to stand up, I’m afraid your knees won’t take it. Are you in pain anywhere?”

Concernedly, Sister Clarence rushed to where Mother Superior is and helped her as she stand with a walking stick.

“Clarence, you do not have to do this. I can help myself. I’m not paralyzed yet you know.” Mother Superior gently said.

“But still…”

“No buts, go ahead and fix our guests something to eat and a hot cup of tea. I will show them to the living room.” Mother Superior ordered Sister Clarence.

“Alright, I’ll be right back.”

With that, Sister Clarence dismissed herself and went to the kitchen.

“Now you two boys follow me.”

Weizhou and Jingyu followed Mother Superior. They walked passed a long hallway and then entered a room that is titled “Living Area” above the door.

The living room was spacious. It was like what a living room in most mansions would look like. But there are no TV’s here. Just a lot of chairs and a small platform.

Mother Superior sat on the nearest sofa and then weaved a large breath. Weizhou could tell that she was tired from walking. He looked at Jingyu, who was staring at him for a good while now, and eyed him to talk to Mother Superior as he was the stranger here so it would be rude to speak first.

Jingyu caught what Weizhou meant with his look and then cleared his throat.

With an ‘ahem’ he said.

“Mother Superior, this is Brother Weizhou. He is also from mainland. He came here to ask some questions.”

She still was focusing on her breathing as if she were catching some airs. But she opened her eyes and started to speak.

“Brother Weizhou, I remember you.” Mother Superior said. “You were two years old when your biological father brought you with us and the late Old lady Zi Ling would not accept you at first because she knew of your parents.”

“Is it true? I am not abandoned but left in yours and Old Lady Zi Ling’s care?” Weizhou asked.

“That is right. You are not abandoned. But your parents left you in our care most of the time because your father has to work from far away every time. And your mother is always at the hospital. When you mother’s condition was good, she would fetch you but your father would always bring you back in our care because he has to left for work. And you are too young to be exposed to the hospital so your father was left with no choice. By the time you were three years old, your mother passed away from pneumonia.”

“I remember Old Lady Zi Ling was talking to your father one day that he wanted to leave you in our care because of how demanding his work can be. Your father would always work from morning ‘til night to get over your mother’s death. He forgot that he still has a three year old son needing of affection from your father.”

“One day, your father went to the Old S.F. Orphanage building back in town with all smiles. Me and Old Lady felt that your father was finally coming back to his senses and would take you back.”

“But we were wrong. He just wanted to spend the day with his only son. Later that day your father jumped from a tall building and was killed on the spot.”

Weizhou was shocked. He was kind of prepared for this. But hearing it himself, he still felt shocked. He willed himself to cry but no tears fell. He was overwhelmed by the Mother Superior’s narration. True, he was supposed to cry in this kind of situation but he just can’t. There’s something that is stopping him from crying. And then he realized his left hand was being held by Jingyu. As he saw this, Jingyu stood and hugged Weizhou.

Tears.

There was the tears that he is waiting for. It was suppressed earlier by god knows what but being in Jingyu’s embrace, he cannot help but to cry.

Being a poet, he was always been a very deep and a very sensual person. So being as he is, he tends to overthink everything. And being overwhelmed by emotions like right now left him confused. He cannot cry earlier because he subconsciously knew that his hands is holding on to something sturdy. Something that could hold him and will suppress every emotions that he is keeping bottled inside of him. Something that could protect him from all kinds of pain.

It’s surprising that he found this kind of support from a man. But he did not care. He just cried and cried until no more tears managed to leak.

An idea of another poem came to his mind. It will be about being able to cry with someone else’s shoulders will always be better than crying by yourself.