YiChen blinked as soon as the Voice disappeared. He heard him no more.
"Skincare...?" He repeated as everything came back to normal.
Everyone was moving now. And they were looking at him.
"Are you Okey?" The woman got up to her feet and she approached him.
For a while, YiChen said nothing. He casually stared at her for a while.
Then YiChen quickly fell into her arms "Thanks for saving my life! Thanks for redeeming me! I'm so grateful!"
Perhaps he was being a bit too dramatic. He knew he was. But since the Immortal guy has already told him all that was happening, he had to play along.
He had to show his gratitude to the lady and get her on his side. And then she would take him to Korea with him! That was the set plan, right?
"Thanks a lot" He said as the confused woman reciprocated the hug.
"Ok.. there there. It's fine. It's fine" she said, patting her hands against his shoulder like she'd do with a kid.
*******
The two of them sat down together at the lobby, YiChen and the woman.
They had a heartfelt discussion as YiChen told her his story. At least.. most of it was true.
He wasn't holding a pity party intentionally! But he found himself grabbing the woman's pity with his words.
From the story of his parents treatment, down to his aunt's ill treatment as well. To his experience in school and all.
And YiChen found himself telling her "....I guess it was because I was feminine and gay... I wasn't up to the standard of what they considered Manly"
It wasn't a lie. Without the "ugly" part, his words were true. As that was part of the reasons he was hated. And yes, he did come out to her as gay.
He was confident she wouldn't leave him. She was part of his mission so he figured she would be okay with it!
And he was right. Luckily.
The woman smiled as he placed a hand over his head and brushed his soft blonde hair "You're stronger than I thought"
They both exchanged smiles. YiChen felt emotional. He couldn't remember the last time he heard Such words. Such kind words. Or has he ever heard them before...?
She continued "You're beautiful just the way you are. And you don't have to feel bad about it"
YiChen couldn't stop the tears. He felt weird. He was getting the nice words he always wanted, so why was he feeling awkward about it. And was tearing up as well. He wasn't used to the feeling.
The woman handed him some napkins to clean up his tears. YiChen asked if anyone had come to see him. Specifically his aunt.
"No. No one" The woman announced, disappointed that YiChen's aunt couldn't even come look after his nephew!
But YiChen was glad. At least he would cut all ties with her forever! "At least I'm free from her" he smiled.
"And you Ma'am?" YiChen asked "You seem Korean. So what are you doing here in china?"
"Call me Mrs Han" She requested.
She explained how she came here to visit the grave of her dead daughter and husband.
Her husband was Chinese and she was Korean. So their daughter was mixed. But her husband and daughter died in an accident years back. And as per her husband's last request, they were buried in their homeland in China.
So she went back to Korea to stay alone.
"I'm so sorry about that" YiChen sympathised "And also to think that you took care of a stranger like me without knowing me all these years. I'm grateful"
She smiled " You sort of reminded me of my daughter. You were as pretty as she was" She said. Emotions running through her eyes.
YiChen wanted to tell her to take him along to Korea! After all wasn't that part of the mission set plan?
But he felt it'd be rude. She lost her daughter so why would he request to go live with her. He didn't want to come off as rude or something. So he would let nature take its course.
And just as they sat there discussing, someone approached them at the lobby.
A chubby looking man who was in black. "Excuse me..."
He said as YiChen and Mrs Han paused, looking up at him.
"How may we help you sir?" Mrs Han inquired.
"Well.. I'm an Agent from STARLIGHT COMPANY, And I'm here to scout him for a survival show..."