Chapter 92: 92
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Many people started sobbing as they heard Naruto's backstory completely being told, white thin tissue had been distributed into each other hand and soon there will be more to hold, a joy to whoever selling them in the first place.
Naruto unfolded the bitter past with mixed expression and combined tone; He smiled when describing his 'mother' naivety and kindness. He depressed as he conveyed how hard the journey she experienced. He filled with sorrow and desolate while speaking about her last moment.
Wanqiu Xia went silent, she put one arm below her breast and it grabbed a hold of her another arm. Her eyebrows turned soft and the watermark on her half-shut eyes rippled.
At first she thought he would tell some ridiculous lies and she had prepared to mock it inside her heart. But after she listened to it, she unable to make any single jokes on it.
It wasn't that she can't, but she just wouldn't, because she hardly knew him in the first place, and what if it was true?
Then his mother's fate was truly sad...
The bear-like Hu Qiang knelt and huddled with other people, his nose blew on the tissue while bead of tears fell from the corner of his eyes. In fact, he actually had the most tissue.
The story teller himself paused for a brief, it was as if he needed time to regain his bearing, he joined his hand together and stared on it as he rubbed his thumb.
"My mother... I couldn't really tell how she looks like, it was just based on the description made by the orphanage's care taker..." he groomed a smile, the corner of his lips lifted a bit, "but I like to think she was very beautiful, resembling a most precious gem hidden in the thickest layer of the earth. She akin to a rarest flower in the midst of common one and blossomed only when the other did. The beauty of her petal outclasses the other despite her late of growth."
"That's what I like to think... about her."
The people expressed their agreement, to still love someone and disregard their harsh treatment, is a trait that hard to be found in any people nowadays, perhaps in the past also. What this people didn't know is that Naruto used the description of his so called 'mother' by using the one possessed by other individual, namely a certain blonde maiden.
"Thus my life in the orphanage began, and I have to say it's not exactly a wonderland there but not a nightmare either. The caretaker was kind, and so did other staff. The neighborhood itself wasn't bad, they rather accepted our presence and sometimes even invite us for a lunch, of course it wasn't a high star restaurant food, and it's not exactly free since we had to help with some chores. But the children there including me had no complaint at all," Naruto grinned while let out a seep of laughter. His carefree attitude infected other in the room and dispelled a bit of gloomy sense in the atmosphere. Only Wanqiu Xia that seemed had no change in expression.
"Good life won't stay forever, exactly three years since I was born, the location of our orphanage was bought by some rich people, some people accepted the money offered to move on and some strongly rejected it. They rejected because the place they had been lived is not just a simple wooden house or cemented one, it's a place that stood since the age of their grandparent, bought then gifted to their parent and to them as a legacy. It held so much meaning and memories including the orphanage building.
Moreover, it's already an industrial revolution at that time, many steamed factory was built inside the city and fresh environment gradually began to lessen. It's difficult to find a location like the place where our orphanage stood."
Naruto sighed and shook his head, he continued, "Then a hellish life started, each day filled with terror and hardship, a random thug will come and smash the people's property, sometimes wrecked and trashed the wall of the building for no apparent reason. A group of drunkard hanged around the neighbor and left many bottle of wine, along with other inappropriate stuff to look for children. Smoke and other sharp ill scent lingered in the once fresh atmosphere, forcing people used mask to go out from their house.
Day by day, people unable to bear it again. One by one left, running away from the aggression as they had a family to worry about.
The caretaker also worried about us, but even if he accepted the money, it's impossible for him to host all the children like he used to be, thus the caretaker began to advertise adoption in order to decreasing our population."
A smile hooked the corner of his lips, he glanced at the small waist woman beside him and gently said: "That's when little minx's parent showed up and adopted me, because they are desired to have a boy within their family. To be honest, I wasn't their first choice to be adopted, but back then... this little minx here was throwing a tantrum, complaining the parent wasn't going to love her anymore, she was a cutie, but really a bully! Many boys stared fearing her and cowered when they were being asked whether want to be adopted or not.
And guess the only one who could tame her?"
Hearing the pride tone and looking at the smug face, it doesn't take long for people to know the answer.
What bully?! What this nonsense you are speaking of?! Wanqiu Xia twitched her lips, hatefully glared at the blonde man ahead.
"Hah! because I was tired with her attitude, I fished out my frog from its cage and secretly put it inside her pretty dress. Oh, it's hilarious, she started screaming and crying, running around the room like her butt caught by fire, it took all effort to catch her and calm her down, then her expression turned fantastic as her parent decided to adopt me instead.
Oh, it's a war filled with bloodshed, for many years, not once we ever get along, whether inside or outside, we always fought for a smallest matter, she always ended up losing from me though. There was this one time she tried to fool me by saying Santa is real and he wanted to meet me in the midnight, in the next day I told her Santa indeed real and gave me a gift, he wanted to give her too but since she was a bad kid for not believing on Santa since she's not presence, then the gift was burn to ash.
Pfft, after that sequence, she always wrote a letter for Santa to forgive her, it's a message filled with tears and snot. She started behaved as a good kid, not even tried to make any prank for me just for the sake of Santa to grant her mercy. Like a obedient puppy, she did what I told, even willing to clean my frog's cage..."
Naruto told many shameful matter with the public which created many laughter to ring. People time to time would glance to Wanqiu Xia and snickered a lot. They couldn't believe their chief was actually this cute.
Despite she knew what he said was a lie, it didn't help to slow the red of anger from creeping into her face. She gritted her teeth and strode forward, she raised her hand and pinched his right ear until it stretched really far, "Enough! Don't embarrassed me more than you already had!"
Her action and expression validated the words he spoke, In fact, that's what Naruto hoped in the first place. When a person got mad because something or someone, they tended to complaint, how they did it is irrelevant since they eventually just going to support his lies, this way the fake elder brother status became iron clad and he needed it for the next phase of his plan...
"Ouch, ouch, little minx, I am sorry, I am sorry, I stop now!" Naruto fake a hurtful tone but sounds so real that Wanqiu Xia hummed in satisfaction.
She let go his ear and crossed her arms while standing at his side, Naruto rubbed his ear and begrudgingly glared at the smirking woman.
"In any case, our parent saw me as someone who could protect and take care little minx, therefore they decided when she later arrive in the age of marriage, any men, any single sane men in this world, should receive my agreement if they want to court my baby sister..." Naruto curled his lips, his gaze swept the men inside the room and lastly fell onto Hu Qiang, "and my criteria is competent!"
Truth to be told, there were many suitor that had the idea of chasing Wanqiu Xia, from the fresh year worker to the experienced men, many of them already fell for her at the first sight and many also had been rejected by her. Still, the idea of taking her hand to the wedding ceremony was deep rooting inside this people will thus they never discourage.
Only after Hu Qiang began his conquest that the rest of poor sod whimpered and hid behind their own tail, the bear like man power of influence making them powerlessly gave up the thought.
Now hearing Naruto claimed in such a way, they began to raise their desire once more. Dozen of Eyes heatedly stared at Wanqiu Xia's figure, and she began to feel great discomfort at that.
Her face looked surprise at his words, she started to think his initial ridiculous act just a part of grand scheme he actually had in store.
Hu Qiang eyes lit in excitement, albeit he yet to hear the criteria, he believed to be among the knight who had the chance to take the princess home, in fact, he thought he was the only that qualified.
Naruto pushed out one finger, then speaking out loud, "First!"
The men stood up from their seat or ground, the women grew their jealousy and curiosity upon this competition.
"First, they must be human!" he said with serious countenance.
"..." People staggered, some girls almost fell from their chair, Wanqiu Xia created a 'pfft' sound as she almost laughed.
"Second!" Naruto took out another finger, "they must be man!"
Lips twitched in annoyance, bitter complement the anguish in the face.
Only Wanqiu Xia that seemed become more cheerful.
"Third, they wore suits!"
"Forth, they have shoes!"
"Fifth, have reliable ID!"
"Sixth..."
"Seventh..."
Naruto still speaking about his term but most people already sat back or left the cafeteria, they simply thought this elder brother of the chief perhaps had the wrong circuit inside his brain. It's not that his criteria was hard to fulfill, but all of them was simply not serious! Like for real, how come 'can write his own name' and 'know how to count to ten' was a credible requisite. It's more like requirement to enter a kindergarten!
Before leaving, they gave Wanqiu Xia's figure a last look before unwillingly departing.
Time was progressing slowly, the lunch break finally over but Naruto still announcing his requirement as if he was a broken recording that know no end.
"Fifty fifth, he can touch his own feet, um?" Naruto was raising both hand while seemed his fingers was jumbled in complicated numeric system, then he looked at his front and noticed there is no one left, he dropped his jaw and looked at Wanqiu Xia who drank on a mineral water, "where they go?"
"The break is over, they need to return back to the office..." she said after her red lips left the bottle's head vicinity, she giggled cheerfully.
"Wha- how come they already left before knowing the rest of the requirement?!" Naruto frowned and appeared angry.
"Uh... they got job to worry about?" Wanqiu Xia sweat dropped, then she glanced at certain spot, "except that man who could act as he wish."
Naruto looked at the same spot with a sigh, what the pair spotted on is exactly Hu Qiang who slept on his chair with both hands crossed in front and head looked upward, drool fell at the corner of his mouth.
"Aww, he look rather cute~" Naruto chuckled as he stretched his own body.
"Yeah? Why don't you two get together? I sure you both will make a great couple~" Wanqiu Xia sneered then she stood up from her seat. The small waist swayed left and right.
"Eh, not my type... I like... pendulum..." his eyes glued at the movement of her waist.
She noticed it and a flattered feeling surged inside of her, but she quickly covered it with a snort, "Pervert!"
"Wrong, little minx!" Naruto waved his finger, "I am a gentleman pervert!"
"Still a pervert and stop calling me little minx!"
"Aww, here I thought you like being called little minx..." he assumed a wronged face.
She chuckled a bit and gave him her own water, "Here, you must be thirsty from speaking too much..."
"Ah, thanks, you read my mind..." Naruto accepted it and drank without hesitation.
Wanqiu Xia smiled faintly, then it shifted into a wryly one, "I am sorry..."
"Yeah, you should..." Naruto put down the drink and wiped the water with his wrist, "I don't like being dragged into a conflict like that, at least not when I had no other choice."
"Humph, not that, I am actually glad I did what I do before, you deserve it after all," she raised up her chin and appeared proud. She remembered once again when he flirted with those office ladies, it somehow gave her annoyed feeling.
"Huh? Why are you apologizing to me then?" Naruto twitched his eyes, he didn't know how he disservice this small waist woman.
"I am sorry, about your mother..." she dropped her previous expression, bitter clouded her face.
"My mother?" Naruto startled, then he burst out a chuckle, "you actually believe what I just said?"
"You of the all people should know that I just fabricate that story, seriously how come I know so much detail of the naive and kind lady's life, even if she did told me through her will, it's impossible to be that detail..."
"Then... everything you said, all of them, is a lie?" she raised her eyes and stared into his cerulean one.
"..." Naruto didn't answer her immediately, he glanced at his front, "only most of them..."
"Most?" she wrinkled her eyebrows and pondered a bit, she said with a little doubt, "is that mean... you really hailed from an orphanage?"
Naruto sighed and nodded.
She covered her mouth, then another hand held his shoulder, "I am sorry, because of me you had to relieve such experience..."
"No, no, it's fine, it wasn't that bad..." his hand tapped onto hers and comforted.
Wanqiu Xia went radio silent, then she spoke again with worry, "Have you... ever known your parent?"
Naruto set his eyes to the floor then he looked at the ceiling, "Never, I never know about my parents, no, I never want to know about them... even when I had the resource and the capability to do so."
"Yi? Why? Do you hate your parent that much?" the wrinkle on her forehead was getting many.
Naruto only chuckled, he grasped her hand and gently set it down, then he jumped down from the table and left with a lingering words.
"It wasn't my parent that I hate, it was me..."
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Many people started sobbing as they heard Naruto's backstory completely being told, white thin tissue had been distributed into each other hand and soon there will be more to hold, a joy to whoever selling them in the first place.
Naruto unfolded the bitter past with mixed expression and combined tone; He smiled when describing his 'mother' naivety and kindness. He depressed as he conveyed how hard the journey she experienced. He filled with sorrow and desolate while speaking about her last moment.
Wanqiu Xia went silent, she put one arm below her breast and it grabbed a hold of her another arm. Her eyebrows turned soft and the watermark on her half-shut eyes rippled.
At first she thought he would tell some ridiculous lies and she had prepared to mock it inside her heart. But after she listened to it, she unable to make any single jokes on it.
It wasn't that she can't, but she just wouldn't, because she hardly knew him in the first place, and what if it was true?
Then his mother's fate was truly sad...
The bear-like Hu Qiang knelt and huddled with other people, his nose blew on the tissue while bead of tears fell from the corner of his eyes. In fact, he actually had the most tissue.
The story teller himself paused for a brief, it was as if he needed time to regain his bearing, he joined his hand together and stared on it as he rubbed his thumb.
"My mother... I couldn't really tell how she looks like, it was just based on the description made by the orphanage's care taker..." he groomed a smile, the corner of his lips lifted a bit, "but I like to think she was very beautiful, resembling a most precious gem hidden in the thickest layer of the earth. She akin to a rarest flower in the midst of common one and blossomed only when the other did. The beauty of her petal outclasses the other despite her late of growth."
"That's what I like to think... about her."
The people expressed their agreement, to still love someone and disregard their harsh treatment, is a trait that hard to be found in any people nowadays, perhaps in the past also. What this people didn't know is that Naruto used the description of his so called 'mother' by using the one possessed by other individual, namely a certain blonde maiden.
"Thus my life in the orphanage began, and I have to say it's not exactly a wonderland there but not a nightmare either. The caretaker was kind, and so did other staff. The neighborhood itself wasn't bad, they rather accepted our presence and sometimes even invite us for a lunch, of course it wasn't a high star restaurant food, and it's not exactly free since we had to help with some chores. But the children there including me had no complaint at all," Naruto grinned while let out a seep of laughter. His carefree attitude infected other in the room and dispelled a bit of gloomy sense in the atmosphere. Only Wanqiu Xia that seemed had no change in expression.
"Good life won't stay forever, exactly three years since I was born, the location of our orphanage was bought by some rich people, some people accepted the money offered to move on and some strongly rejected it. They rejected because the place they had been lived is not just a simple wooden house or cemented one, it's a place that stood since the age of their grandparent, bought then gifted to their parent and to them as a legacy. It held so much meaning and memories including the orphanage building.
Moreover, it's already an industrial revolution at that time, many steamed factory was built inside the city and fresh environment gradually began to lessen. It's difficult to find a location like the place where our orphanage stood."
Naruto sighed and shook his head, he continued, "Then a hellish life started, each day filled with terror and hardship, a random thug will come and smash the people's property, sometimes wrecked and trashed the wall of the building for no apparent reason. A group of drunkard hanged around the neighbor and left many bottle of wine, along with other inappropriate stuff to look for children. Smoke and other sharp ill scent lingered in the once fresh atmosphere, forcing people used mask to go out from their house.
Day by day, people unable to bear it again. One by one left, running away from the aggression as they had a family to worry about.
The caretaker also worried about us, but even if he accepted the money, it's impossible for him to host all the children like he used to be, thus the caretaker began to advertise adoption in order to decreasing our population."
A smile hooked the corner of his lips, he glanced at the small waist woman beside him and gently said: "That's when little minx's parent showed up and adopted me, because they are desired to have a boy within their family. To be honest, I wasn't their first choice to be adopted, but back then... this little minx here was throwing a tantrum, complaining the parent wasn't going to love her anymore, she was a cutie, but really a bully! Many boys stared fearing her and cowered when they were being asked whether want to be adopted or not.
And guess the only one who could tame her?"
Hearing the pride tone and looking at the smug face, it doesn't take long for people to know the answer.
What bully?! What this nonsense you are speaking of?! Wanqiu Xia twitched her lips, hatefully glared at the blonde man ahead.
"Hah! because I was tired with her attitude, I fished out my frog from its cage and secretly put it inside her pretty dress. Oh, it's hilarious, she started screaming and crying, running around the room like her butt caught by fire, it took all effort to catch her and calm her down, then her expression turned fantastic as her parent decided to adopt me instead.
Oh, it's a war filled with bloodshed, for many years, not once we ever get along, whether inside or outside, we always fought for a smallest matter, she always ended up losing from me though. There was this one time she tried to fool me by saying Santa is real and he wanted to meet me in the midnight, in the next day I told her Santa indeed real and gave me a gift, he wanted to give her too but since she was a bad kid for not believing on Santa since she's not presence, then the gift was burn to ash.
Pfft, after that sequence, she always wrote a letter for Santa to forgive her, it's a message filled with tears and snot. She started behaved as a good kid, not even tried to make any prank for me just for the sake of Santa to grant her mercy. Like a obedient puppy, she did what I told, even willing to clean my frog's cage..."
Naruto told many shameful matter with the public which created many laughter to ring. People time to time would glance to Wanqiu Xia and snickered a lot. They couldn't believe their chief was actually this cute.
Despite she knew what he said was a lie, it didn't help to slow the red of anger from creeping into her face. She gritted her teeth and strode forward, she raised her hand and pinched his right ear until it stretched really far, "Enough! Don't embarrassed me more than you already had!"
Her action and expression validated the words he spoke, In fact, that's what Naruto hoped in the first place. When a person got mad because something or someone, they tended to complaint, how they did it is irrelevant since they eventually just going to support his lies, this way the fake elder brother status became iron clad and he needed it for the next phase of his plan...
"Ouch, ouch, little minx, I am sorry, I am sorry, I stop now!" Naruto fake a hurtful tone but sounds so real that Wanqiu Xia hummed in satisfaction.
She let go his ear and crossed her arms while standing at his side, Naruto rubbed his ear and begrudgingly glared at the smirking woman.
"In any case, our parent saw me as someone who could protect and take care little minx, therefore they decided when she later arrive in the age of marriage, any men, any single sane men in this world, should receive my agreement if they want to court my baby sister..." Naruto curled his lips, his gaze swept the men inside the room and lastly fell onto Hu Qiang, "and my criteria is competent!"
Truth to be told, there were many suitor that had the idea of chasing Wanqiu Xia, from the fresh year worker to the experienced men, many of them already fell for her at the first sight and many also had been rejected by her. Still, the idea of taking her hand to the wedding ceremony was deep rooting inside this people will thus they never discourage.
Only after Hu Qiang began his conquest that the rest of poor sod whimpered and hid behind their own tail, the bear like man power of influence making them powerlessly gave up the thought.
Now hearing Naruto claimed in such a way, they began to raise their desire once more. Dozen of Eyes heatedly stared at Wanqiu Xia's figure, and she began to feel great discomfort at that.
Her face looked surprise at his words, she started to think his initial ridiculous act just a part of grand scheme he actually had in store.
Hu Qiang eyes lit in excitement, albeit he yet to hear the criteria, he believed to be among the knight who had the chance to take the princess home, in fact, he thought he was the only that qualified.
Naruto pushed out one finger, then speaking out loud, "First!"
The men stood up from their seat or ground, the women grew their jealousy and curiosity upon this competition.
"First, they must be human!" he said with serious countenance.
"..." People staggered, some girls almost fell from their chair, Wanqiu Xia created a 'pfft' sound as she almost laughed.
"Second!" Naruto took out another finger, "they must be man!"
Lips twitched in annoyance, bitter complement the anguish in the face.
Only Wanqiu Xia that seemed become more cheerful.
"Third, they wore suits!"
"Forth, they have shoes!"
"Fifth, have reliable ID!"
"Sixth..."
"Seventh..."
Naruto still speaking about his term but most people already sat back or left the cafeteria, they simply thought this elder brother of the chief perhaps had the wrong circuit inside his brain. It's not that his criteria was hard to fulfill, but all of them was simply not serious! Like for real, how come 'can write his own name' and 'know how to count to ten' was a credible requisite. It's more like requirement to enter a kindergarten!
Before leaving, they gave Wanqiu Xia's figure a last look before unwillingly departing.
Time was progressing slowly, the lunch break finally over but Naruto still announcing his requirement as if he was a broken recording that know no end.
"Fifty fifth, he can touch his own feet, um?" Naruto was raising both hand while seemed his fingers was jumbled in complicated numeric system, then he looked at his front and noticed there is no one left, he dropped his jaw and looked at Wanqiu Xia who drank on a mineral water, "where they go?"
"The break is over, they need to return back to the office..." she said after her red lips left the bottle's head vicinity, she giggled cheerfully.
"Wha- how come they already left before knowing the rest of the requirement?!" Naruto frowned and appeared angry.
"Uh... they got job to worry about?" Wanqiu Xia sweat dropped, then she glanced at certain spot, "except that man who could act as he wish."
Naruto looked at the same spot with a sigh, what the pair spotted on is exactly Hu Qiang who slept on his chair with both hands crossed in front and head looked upward, drool fell at the corner of his mouth.
"Aww, he look rather cute~" Naruto chuckled as he stretched his own body.
"Yeah? Why don't you two get together? I sure you both will make a great couple~" Wanqiu Xia sneered then she stood up from her seat. The small waist swayed left and right.
"Eh, not my type... I like... pendulum..." his eyes glued at the movement of her waist.
She noticed it and a flattered feeling surged inside of her, but she quickly covered it with a snort, "Pervert!"
"Wrong, little minx!" Naruto waved his finger, "I am a gentleman pervert!"
"Still a pervert and stop calling me little minx!"
"Aww, here I thought you like being called little minx..." he assumed a wronged face.
She chuckled a bit and gave him her own water, "Here, you must be thirsty from speaking too much..."
"Ah, thanks, you read my mind..." Naruto accepted it and drank without hesitation.
Wanqiu Xia smiled faintly, then it shifted into a wryly one, "I am sorry..."
"Yeah, you should..." Naruto put down the drink and wiped the water with his wrist, "I don't like being dragged into a conflict like that, at least not when I had no other choice."
"Humph, not that, I am actually glad I did what I do before, you deserve it after all," she raised up her chin and appeared proud. She remembered once again when he flirted with those office ladies, it somehow gave her annoyed feeling.
"Huh? Why are you apologizing to me then?" Naruto twitched his eyes, he didn't know how he disservice this small waist woman.
"I am sorry, about your mother..." she dropped her previous expression, bitter clouded her face.
"My mother?" Naruto startled, then he burst out a chuckle, "you actually believe what I just said?"
"You of the all people should know that I just fabricate that story, seriously how come I know so much detail of the naive and kind lady's life, even if she did told me through her will, it's impossible to be that detail..."
"Then... everything you said, all of them, is a lie?" she raised her eyes and stared into his cerulean one.
"..." Naruto didn't answer her immediately, he glanced at his front, "only most of them..."
"Most?" she wrinkled her eyebrows and pondered a bit, she said with a little doubt, "is that mean... you really hailed from an orphanage?"
Naruto sighed and nodded.
She covered her mouth, then another hand held his shoulder, "I am sorry, because of me you had to relieve such experience..."
"No, no, it's fine, it wasn't that bad..." his hand tapped onto hers and comforted.
Wanqiu Xia went radio silent, then she spoke again with worry, "Have you... ever known your parent?"
Naruto set his eyes to the floor then he looked at the ceiling, "Never, I never know about my parents, no, I never want to know about them... even when I had the resource and the capability to do so."
"Yi? Why? Do you hate your parent that much?" the wrinkle on her forehead was getting many.
Naruto only chuckled, he grasped her hand and gently set it down, then he jumped down from the table and left with a lingering words.
"It wasn't my parent that I hate, it was me..."
Many people started sobbing as they heard Naruto's backstory completely being told, white thin tissue had been distributed into each other hand and soon there will be more to hold, a joy to whoever selling them in the first place.Naruto unfolded the bitter past with mixed expression and combined tone; He smiled when describing his 'mother' naivety and kindness. He depressed as he conveyed how hard the journey she experienced. He filled with sorrow and desolate while speaking about her last moment.Wanqiu Xia went silent, she put one arm below her breast and it grabbed a hold of her another arm. Her eyebrows turned soft and the watermark on her half-shut eyes rippled.At first she thought he would tell some ridiculous lies and she had prepared to mock it inside her heart. But after she listened to it, she unable to make any single jokes on it.It wasn't that she can't, but she just wouldn't, because she hardly knew him in the first place, and what if it was true?Then his mother's fate was truly sad...The bear-like Hu Qiang knelt and huddled with other people, his nose blew on the tissue while bead of tears fell from the corner of his eyes. In fact, he actually had the most tissue.The story teller himself paused for a brief, it was as if he needed time to regain his bearing, he joined his hand together and stared on it as he rubbed his thumb."My mother... I couldn't really tell how she looks like, it was just based on the description made by the orphanage's care taker..." he groomed a smile, the corner of his lips lifted a bit, "but I like to think she was very beautiful, resembling a most precious gem hidden in the thickest layer of the earth. She akin to a rarest flower in the midst of common one and blossomed only when the other did. The beauty of her petal outclasses the other despite her late of growth.""That's what I like to think... about her."The people expressed their agreement, to still love someone and disregard their harsh treatment, is a trait that hard to be found in any people nowadays, perhaps in the past also. What this people didn't know is that Naruto used the description of his so called 'mother' by using the one possessed by other individual, namely a certain blonde maiden."Thus my life in the orphanage began, and I have to say it's not exactly a wonderland there but not a nightmare either. The caretaker was kind, and so did other staff. The neighborhood itself wasn't bad, they rather accepted our presence and sometimes even invite us for a lunch, of course it wasn't a high star restaurant food, and it's not exactly free since we had to help with some chores. But the children there including me had no complaint at all," Naruto grinned while let out a seep of laughter. His carefree attitude infected other in the room and dispelled a bit of gloomy sense in the atmosphere. Only Wanqiu Xia that seemed had no change in expression."Good life won't stay forever, exactly three years since I was born, the location of our orphanage was bought by some rich people, some people accepted the money offered to move on and some strongly rejected it. They rejected because the place they had been lived is not just a simple wooden house or cemented one, it's a place that stood since the age of their grandparent, bought then gifted to their parent and to them as a legacy. It held so much meaning and memories including the orphanage building.Moreover, it's already an industrial revolution at that time, many steamed factory was built inside the city and fresh environment gradually began to lessen. It's difficult to find a location like the place where our orphanage stood."Naruto sighed and shook his head, he continued, "Then a hellish life started, each day filled with terror and hardship, a random thug will come and smash the people's property, sometimes wrecked and trashed the wall of the building for no apparent reason. A group of drunkard hanged around the neighbor and left many bottle of wine, along with other inappropriate stuff to look for children. Smoke and other sharp ill scent lingered in the once fresh atmosphere, forcing people used mask to go out from their house.Day by day, people unable to bear it again. One by one left, running away from the aggression as they had a family to worry about.The caretaker also worried about us, but even if he accepted the money, it's impossible for him to host all the children like he used to be, thus the caretaker began to advertise adoption in order to decreasing our population."A smile hooked the corner of his lips, he glanced at the small waist woman beside him and gently said: "That's when little minx's parent showed up and adopted me, because they are desired to have a boy within their family. To be honest, I wasn't their first choice to be adopted, but back then... this little minx here was throwing a tantrum, complaining the parent wasn't going to love her anymore, she was a cutie, but really a bully! Many boys stared fearing her and cowered when they were being asked whether want to be adopted or not.And guess the only one who could tame her?"Hearing the pride tone and looking at the smug face, it doesn't take long for people to know the answer.What bully?! What this nonsense you are speaking of?! Wanqiu Xia twitched her lips, hatefully glared at the blonde man ahead."Hah! because I was tired with her attitude, I fished out my frog from its cage and secretly put it inside her pretty dress. Oh, it's hilarious, she started screaming and crying, running around the room like her butt caught by fire, it took all effort to catch her and calm her down, then her expression turned fantastic as her parent decided to adopt me instead.Oh, it's a war filled with bloodshed, for many years, not once we ever get along, whether inside or outside, we always fought for a smallest matter, she always ended up losing from me though. There was this one time she tried to fool me by saying Santa is real and he wanted to meet me in the midnight, in the next day I told her Santa indeed real and gave me a gift, he wanted to give her too but since she was a bad kid for not believing on Santa since she's not presence, then the gift was burn to ash.Pfft, after that sequence, she always wrote a letter for Santa to forgive her, it's a message filled with tears and snot. She started behaved as a good kid, not even tried to make any prank for me just for the sake of Santa to grant her mercy. Like a obedient puppy, she did what I told, even willing to clean my frog's cage..."Naruto told many shameful matter with the public which created many laughter to ring. People time to time would glance to Wanqiu Xia and snickered a lot. They couldn't believe their chief was actually this cute.Despite she knew what he said was a lie, it didn't help to slow the red of anger from creeping into her face. She gritted her teeth and strode forward, she raised her hand and pinched his right ear until it stretched really far, "Enough! Don't embarrassed me more than you already had!"Her action and expression validated the words he spoke, In fact, that's what Naruto hoped in the first place. When a person got mad because something or someone, they tended to complaint, how they did it is irrelevant since they eventually just going to support his lies, this way the fake elder brother status became iron clad and he needed it for the next phase of his plan..."Ouch, ouch, little minx, I am sorry, I am sorry, I stop now!" Naruto fake a hurtful tone but sounds so real that Wanqiu Xia hummed in satisfaction.She let go his ear and crossed her arms while standing at his side, Naruto rubbed his ear and begrudgingly glared at the smirking woman."In any case, our parent saw me as someone who could protect and take care little minx, therefore they decided when she later arrive in the age of marriage, any men, any single sane men in this world, should receive my agreement if they want to court my baby sister..." Naruto curled his lips, his gaze swept the men inside the room and lastly fell onto Hu Qiang, "and my criteria is competent!"Truth to be told, there were many suitor that had the idea of chasing Wanqiu Xia, from the fresh year worker to the experienced men, many of them already fell for her at the first sight and many also had been rejected by her. Still, the idea of taking her hand to the wedding ceremony was deep rooting inside this people will thus they never discourage.Only after Hu Qiang began his conquest that the rest of poor sod whimpered and hid behind their own tail, the bear like man power of influence making them powerlessly gave up the thought.Now hearing Naruto claimed in such a way, they began to raise their desire once more. Dozen of Eyes heatedly stared at Wanqiu Xia's figure, and she began to feel great discomfort at that.Her face looked surprise at his words, she started to think his initial ridiculous act just a part of grand scheme he actually had in store.Hu Qiang eyes lit in excitement, albeit he yet to hear the criteria, he believed to be among the knight who had the chance to take the princess home, in fact, he thought he was the only that qualified.Naruto pushed out one finger, then speaking out loud, "First!"The men stood up from their seat or ground, the women grew their jealousy and curiosity upon this competition."First, they must be human!" he said with serious countenance."..." People staggered, some girls almost fell from their chair, Wanqiu Xia created a 'pfft' sound as she almost laughed."Second!" Naruto took out another finger, "they must be man!"Lips twitched in annoyance, bitter complement the anguish in the face.Only Wanqiu Xia that seemed become more cheerful."Third, they wore suits!""Forth, they have shoes!""Fifth, have reliable ID!""Sixth...""Seventh..."Naruto still speaking about his term but most people already sat back or left the cafeteria, they simply thought this elder brother of the chief perhaps had the wrong circuit inside his brain. It's not that his criteria was hard to fulfill, but all of them was simply not serious! Like for real, how come 'can write his own name' and 'know how to count to ten' was a credible requisite. It's more like requirement to enter a kindergarten!Before leaving, they gave Wanqiu Xia's figure a last look before unwillingly departing.Time was progressing slowly, the lunch break finally over but Naruto still announcing his requirement as if he was a broken recording that know no end."Fifty fifth, he can touch his own feet, um?" Naruto was raising both hand while seemed his fingers was jumbled in complicated numeric system, then he looked at his front and noticed there is no one left, he dropped his jaw and looked at Wanqiu Xia who drank on a mineral water, "where they go?""The break is over, they need to return back to the office..." she said after her red lips left the bottle's head vicinity, she giggled cheerfully."Wha- how come they already left before knowing the rest of the requirement?!" Naruto frowned and appeared angry."Uh... they got job to worry about?" Wanqiu Xia sweat dropped, then she glanced at certain spot, "except that man who could act as he wish."Naruto looked at the same spot with a sigh, what the pair spotted on is exactly Hu Qiang who slept on his chair with both hands crossed in front and head looked upward, drool fell at the corner of his mouth."Aww, he look rather cute~" Naruto chuckled as he stretched his own body."Yeah? Why don't you two get together? I sure you both will make a great couple~" Wanqiu Xia sneered then she stood up from her seat. The small waist swayed left and right."Eh, not my type... I like... pendulum..." his eyes glued at the movement of her waist.She noticed it and a flattered feeling surged inside of her, but she quickly covered it with a snort, "Pervert!""Wrong, little minx!" Naruto waved his finger, "I am a gentleman pervert!""Still a pervert and stop calling me little minx!""Aww, here I thought you like being called little minx..." he assumed a wronged face.She chuckled a bit and gave him her own water, "Here, you must be thirsty from speaking too much...""Ah, thanks, you read my mind..." Naruto accepted it and drank without hesitation.Wanqiu Xia smiled faintly, then it shifted into a wryly one, "I am sorry...""Yeah, you should..." Naruto put down the drink and wiped the water with his wrist, "I don't like being dragged into a conflict like that, at least not when I had no other choice.""Humph, not that, I am actually glad I did what I do before, you deserve it after all," she raised up her chin and appeared proud. She remembered once again when he flirted with those office ladies, it somehow gave her annoyed feeling."Huh? Why are you apologizing to me then?" Naruto twitched his eyes, he didn't know how he disservice this small waist woman."I am sorry, about your mother..." she dropped her previous expression, bitter clouded her face."My mother?" Naruto startled, then he burst out a chuckle, "you actually believe what I just said?""You of the all people should know that I just fabricate that story, seriously how come I know so much detail of the naive and kind lady's life, even if she did told me through her will, it's impossible to be that detail...""Then... everything you said, all of them, is a lie?" she raised her eyes and stared into his cerulean one."..." Naruto didn't answer her immediately, he glanced at his front, "only most of them...""Most?" she wrinkled her eyebrows and pondered a bit, she said with a little doubt, "is that mean... you really hailed from an orphanage?"Naruto sighed and nodded.She covered her mouth, then another hand held his shoulder, "I am sorry, because of me you had to relieve such experience...""No, no, it's fine, it wasn't that bad..." his hand tapped onto hers and comforted.Wanqiu Xia went radio silent, then she spoke again with worry, "Have you... ever known your parent?"Naruto set his eyes to the floor then he looked at the ceiling, "Never, I never know about my parents, no, I never want to know about them... even when I had the resource and the capability to do so.""Yi? Why? Do you hate your parent that much?" the wrinkle on her forehead was getting many.Naruto only chuckled, he grasped her hand and gently set it down, then he jumped down from the table and left with a lingering words."It wasn't my parent that I hate, it was me..."
