Kris paved in a circle in front of the house. He looked up to the doorbell, then down again, and continued his hesitation. That went on in a cycle for another ten minutes. He sighed inwardly and came to a stop in front of the door. Gathering his courage, he raised his hand to ring the bell.

The door opened after the second ring. But it wasn’t the woman he was looking for. Instead, it was the woman who had laughed at him.

“Can I help you?” Xiao Shan asked politely though her eyes registered that she knew him.

Coughing, Kris looked everywhere but her face. Finally, he cleared his throat and asked in a soft, awkward tone, “Is… Is Aunty Hong around? I want to talk to her.”

“Oh sure,” she said easily. Stepping aside, she gestured him in. “She’s in the kitchen making lunch. I’ll go call her.” She guided him to the living room before disappearing into the kitchen.

He took a seat on one of the couches, looking around like most people do when they first entered a person’s house. And maybe it was in Kris’s nature, but he started taking note of the place. Silently tapping his foot on the carpeted wooden floor to an invisible tune, he picked up a large picture frame on the side table.

This house has been in the neighborhood since he knew how to walk and yet he has never known its owner. Sure, there were random strangers who moved in from time to time but it was never permanent. It made him wonder if the girl is planning to stick around. There were some refurbishing works done to the place, last he’s managed to enter this house. And judging from the simple and plain decorations, he was sure the new owner was someone of simplicity.

He looked down at the picture. There were four of them, a typical family portrait. The parents, father with rigid posture and plain smile, and mother with youthful beauty, sat at the front. The two women, presumably the daughters stood behind, arms linked like bonded best friends. The prettier one was a younger mirror of their mother, her smile and perfect complexion glowed from the picture itself. Meanwhile, the other daughter, the one Kris has met, resembled the father. Her smile was in a thin line, hardly noticeable compared to the girl. But gentleness seemed to reach out to whoever was staring at the family portrait.

Kris found himself staring at the less outstanding daughter. It wasn’t as if he’s fallen for her, because Kris has seen hotter girls and he wasn’t falling for any of it. No, it was that seemingly deep eyes that tell a never ending story. He was sure he wouldn’t be able to know it all even if he chose to settle down and actually listen. And the small smile that she was unwilling to give even for a family picture. She was forced to it, Kris was sure. He would know because he was forced his entire life. They were on the same boat!

“What are you doing, Yi Fan?” a stern voice snapped him from his world of analyzing the picture.

He looked up to see Aunty Hong and he hastily returned the frame back to its place on the table. Avoiding his former nanny’s scrutiny, he climbed to his feet and began, again in his soft voice, “I heard from around that you’re now working here as a live-in help.”

“Have you gone home and apologize to your dad?” Aunty Hong asked, choosing to ignore his statement entirely. Hands at her hips, she continued, “I want no excuse from you, Yi Fan.”

Kris opened his mouth to argue but a gentle cough from the kitchen distracted the two of them. They turned to see Xiao Shan had returned from the kitchen carrying a tray of drinks. Aunty Hong, for once, was actually looking flustered that her young employee should see this side of her. But the latter didn’t seem to mind one bit.

Xiao Shan put down the drinks and straightened up quite nonchalantly. She gave Aunty Hong a sideway glance meaningfully, as if reminding her of something. Kris frowned at the silent interaction.

“Yi Fan, this old lady doesn’t want to nag you. We are all worried about you,” Aunty Hong tried again. Her stubborn stance softened while Xiao Shan again casually left them to settle their matters.

“My dad only cares about his reputation,” Kris muttered under his breath. “It’s not like I’m robbing a bank or anything.”

“Is that really what you want, Yi Fan? I know we can’t force you if that is what you want. But I want you to really think about it,” Aunty Hong said slowly. Her gaze was strangely following the path Xiao Shan had left earlier. “Ten years from now, will you regret it? Can you live with it?”

Kris, being the rebellious and stubborn child he was since young, nodded. He was determined. He would not fail.

Aunty Hong sighed. “I hope she’s right about this.” He did a double take. Noticing that the boy was staring inquiringly at her, she explained shortly, “Xiao Shan believes everyone deserves a chance, and that includes you. I just hope she’s right.”

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Here's another update for everyone~!! I'm so happy to see that I've reached 50+ subcribers. \(^^)/  I never thought I'll even get much suncribers since I'm a new writer and don't think I'm very good at it. But seeing all the comments and subcribers and upvotes make me real motivated to continue writing. Thank you so much to all readers, you know who you are~ <3 *gives kisses and hugs* Keep ot all coming if you emjoy the story.

A/N: One reader was asking about Luhan & Ann. It's not the end for them since Xiao Shan hasn't gotten her happy ending yet. I haven't even decided on the ending myself so it's kinda hard to say.. Hehe.. But first, I have to paint Kris as the not-so-perfect prince. It makes him real I think. ^^