Youyou rebuked him, then patted his head and snorted. “Did you take good care of Mommy and Little Sister while I was gone?”
“Of course! Whether you’re here or not, I’ll take good care of Mommy and Yueyao.” His expression suddenly froze as a thought struck him. He hesitated for a moment, then asked tentatively, “Now that you’re back, you won’t leave us again, will you, Youyou?”
The boy’s expression was calm as he shook his head. “Not anymore.”
“Really?!” For some reason, Little Yichen was not happy to hear this response. He hesitated. He wanted to say something, but stopped himself.
Youyou laughed. “If you want to ask something, just ask. There’s no need to be so secretive.”
“You’re back, but what about … him?” Little Yichen looked troubled.
Although he only used the word “he”, Youyou understood who Little Yichen was referring to. He raised his eyebrows and asked, “Are you hoping to have him come back?”
“… If he comes back, are you going to leave us again?”
Youyou did not answer, there was only dead silence. It was like a silent choice question. Youyou sat on the swing and began to swing gently using the tips of his toes.
Little Yichen stood silently to one side with a complex expression. He didn’t understand why he felt strangely cold and alone now that the other Youyou was gone. It was as if something was missing from his life, and his heart had become empty.
The boy said faintly, “Do you know split personality?”
“Yes, I do. Mommy mentioned it to me, Youyou. You’ve always had two personalities, right? You and Gong Fan.”
“I have two personalities. For a long time, I slept. I thought I would probably sleep forever, but he woke me up.” The boy’s voice was as soft as the breeze. “He said that whether it was Mommy, Daddy, Yueyao, or you… all of you needed me, not him. He wasn’t needed, so he decided to leave.”
“Leave?” Little Yichen, however, did not understand what “leave” meant in this case. Was it a temporary departure? Or… leave permanently? Never to return!
“Once he leaves, he won’t come back.”
“Well then…” Little Yichen was especially upset.
He looked at Youyou and asked worriedly, “Is he gone?”
Youyou countered, “Do you wish for him to stay?”
“I wish for both to stay.”
“What if we can only keep one?”
Suddenly stunned into silence, Little Yichen lowered his head in desolation and sighed. “I have no right to decide that.”
It was too cruel. The Youyou of either personality was his brother. One gave warmth. One made his heart ache.
Actually, the other Youyou was not annoying. Although he came across emotionless and ruthless, underneath the cold shell, he had a gentle heart.
If only one could stay… Such a choice questions was too cruel. However, as his uncle had said, it would be cruel to Youyou if the two personalities were not allowed to merge.
Little Yichen was reluctant to make a such a cruel choice if only one could stay.
“If he leaves, will he never come back again?”
