Shen Yi grumbled to himself, not understanding why they have to spend a day in an orphanage than celebrate this holiday like the rest of the people would. He never understood why his grandmother and his father liked to throw this kind of events. Oh no, Valentine’s Day wasn’t really a holiday for families, he assumed.
At a young age of thirteen, he knew that this day was for couples to celebrate. When his parents were still together, he vaguely remembered them leaving at night for a date. He scoffed to himself. Such a waste of money spent on chocolates and flowers when it could be saved for better purchases.
He shrugged. At least he didn’t have to spend a day at school where his locker and table drawer would be filled with nauseous chocolates from strangers. He then tugged and removed the tie from his neck. Darn those inferior ties that made him look like a dog in a leash.
“Honestly, Yi. Why can’t you keep your tie on your neck just for a few hours?” Shen Huang chided his eldest son. He then turned to his youngest. “And Xue, stop taking the chocolate for the kids! I saw what you did! Now take those candies and chocolates back to where they belong!”
Shen Xue pouted before conceding on his father. “Yes, Dad.”
Once they reached their destination, the Shen brothers stepped out of the limo, only to be greeted and mobbed by young girls who kept on squealing and yelling at the two. The eight-year-old Shen Xue quickly hid behind his older brother as he stared at the insane girls around them.
“This is why I hate girls! They are crazy! I swear I’m never going to have children if I have to marry deranged girls like them!” Shen Xue complained.
“Finally, something we could agree on, Brother,” Shen Yi muttered beside Shen Xue.
Madam Shen, who was listening to her grandchildren, shook her head and patted Shen Huang’s arm.
“My poor heart. Does this mean I can never hold another grandchild again in the future?” she asked Shen Huang.
“Mom, they’re still young. They will change their minds when the right woman comes their way.” Shen Huang assured his mother. He was like that when he was young.
Fuck Valentine’s Day. How come girls go crazy on this day? Shen Yi and Shen Xue agreed they would ban the celebration of Valentine’s Day once they assumed their positions in the Shen Group.
“Ah, young masters! This way please!” An old woman stepped in from the crowd and made way for them to get inside the orphanage safely. The Shen brothers were already in distraught from the happenings outside and were glad that someone had saved them from the insane crowd. ρꪖꪕᦔꪖꪕꪫꪣꫀꪶ
“It seems like there’s a lot of children now compared from the last time we were here,” Madam Shen commented as she looked around the gray and lifeless environment of the orphanage. It broke her heart, knowing these children were forced to stay away from their rightful homes where love could be given to them unconditionally.
“Indeed, Madam Shen. Our youngest is a month-old baby, and the eldest is fifteen. The government had strict regulations about adopting children so it is hard for us to give each of them new home and families. We’re trying our best to provide the basic necessities they need until they can leave this place and start their new life outside this orphanage.”
“Do not worry about the funding, Madam Cheng. The Shen Group assures you that we will keep supporting your visions for these children,” Shen Huang commented while Madam Shen nodded beside him.
Shen Yi and Shen Xue tried not to gag and faint from the amount of red and pink hearts that greeted them once they stepped inside the main room of the orphanage. They felt trapped and suffocated with the amount of hearts and squealing girls around them.
“Xue, take the chocolates and give it to them.” Shen Yi forced the bag of chocolates to his younger brother. He would never agree to attend another Valentine event in the future. Once he’s president of the Shen Group, he would never allow anyone to taint his company with cringy heart decorations whenever Valentine’s Day arrives.
“What? Why do I have to do this?” Shen Xue whined, not liking the idea that he would be exposed to girls that possibly have cooties.
“Have you forgotten that Cupid is a young boy? Do you need diapers so you can complete your get-up or what?” Shen Yi pointed out. Looking over his shoulder, Shen Yi saw their father and their grandmother laughing behind them. Ha! He knew it. They were planning this all along!
He quickly fled from the scene to save himself from further humiliation. He wasn’t planning on making a fool out of himself anyway. Ah, he wondered where he could hide while Shen Xue suffered from all those girls. Shen Yi grinned as he jumped outside the open window and to run towards the back of the orphanage building to find a place where he could take a nap.
“You gotta be fucking kidding me!” Shen Xue exclaimed. Madam Shen’s pointed look made him shut up. He forgot that he and Shen Yi weren’t allowed to curse in public. Damn it all to hell! Shen Xue thought. Why did he have to play Cupid today?
The old lady from the orphanage handed Shen Xue a Cupid costume—much to his horror. They were all fucking serious! They wanted him to play as Cupid to these girls?
Ah, this was so embarrassing! If his classmates found out what he did on Valentine’s Day, they would all laugh and make fun of him! But hey, had they ever seen a handsome and good-looking Cupid in their life?
“Now off you go, Xue. Change into your costume and give those girls some kisses.”
