A few months passed in what seemed like the blink of an eye. At least, that was how it felt for Yue.
From September to November, fall to winter.
Before Yue knew it, she'd practically adopted Alex, driving the little fatty to and from school every day and spending the morning and evenings with him.
It wasn't intentional. And it wasn't what either she or Mei had planned.
It was supposed to be just that first week in September.
But somehow, before anyone could stop it, Alex stopped asking about his parents or even going home. And both Mei and Wang stopped asking about Alex, except for on the weekends.
Yue hated it.
Not the situation, of course. Never that.
Although she'd never admit it, she loved spending time with her chunky nephew.
...Well, in her eyes he'd always be chunky.
Right now, he was very much NOT chunky.
Yue didn't know what the heck Alex was doing at school, but somehow the little dumpling she'd remembered had turned into what looked like a young martial arts master. Lean muscles, almost eerily smooth movements, and a casual ease that reminded her of the sage from the Journey to the West.
Not the monkey king, but the other one... whatever he was called.
Still, Alex was her nephew. And although a little strange, he clearly loved and doted on her. Hell, he kept trying to take care of her and was even starting to learn to cook.
The brat would definitely be a heartbreaker in the future...
But anyway, it wasn't Alex living with her that she hated.
No, it was the fact that her sister and brother-in-law were completely okay with the situation.
Yue understood that they were stressed. She understood still that they'd been struggling since the accidental pregnancy, rushed marriage, and trying to get life to work.
But right now... they were basically living as if they'd never had a kid. They were working, getting their finances together, acting all loveydovey and intimate (if Mei's giddy voice whenever she called was proof), as well as just living their best lives.
All while Alex lived with Yue.
Now, Alex was fine... somehow. He didn't seem bothered by the fact that his parents never came over or asked about him.
Yue chalked that up to a combination of his maturity and the fact that she herself was definitely 100 times better at parenting than her sister was.
But she couldn't help but wonder if that was just a kid doing what was best to make sense of the situation.
Did he think he was unwanted? Did he hate his parents?
Yue didn't know. Alex didn't SEEM to. But at the same time, he was also strangely happy all the time. As if living with Yue was more than he could ask for.
...Which made Yue wonder if he was hurt even more than she thought by Mei and Wang never being around at home due to their work. And if that loneliness was so bad that Alex was fulfilled hanging around Yue instead.
"Something wrong, Big Sis Yue?" Alex set a plate of toast and sliced bananas in front of Yue.
Yue blinked and realized she'd spaced out at the kitchen table while looking through the morning newspaper. She shook her head and said, "Just thinking, Little Fatty."
Alex rolled his eyes and said, "I'm not fat, Big Sis."
Yue reached out to pinch his cheek and said, "You'll always be my Little Fatty. Even if you look like a little shaolin monk now."
Alex laughed and batted her hand away. "Fine. But only because Big Sis Yue is amazing."
Yue took a bite of her toast and said, "Watch that tongue of yours. You might start charming girls before you know it."
Alex rolled his eyes. "Please." He nibbled his own toast and said, "Girls are SO not my thing right now." After that, he let out a visceral shudder.
Yue chuckled. "You say that now. But in ten years or so... Well." She teased. "Auntie will make sure you know what to do. Like making sure you at least have enough money before making a baby with a girl."
Alex blinked. Then a mischievous look crossed his face as he said, "And where do babies come from, Auntie?"
Yue froze.
She... did NOT think that through.
Alex looked at her, eyes sparkling with mischief. "Mommy said they come from a girl's belly, but how do they get there?"
Yue coughed. "That's... I'll tell you when you're older. Just eat, brat."
"Fiiine." Alex relented and nibbled on his toast.
As he did, Yue took a closer look at Alex.
He hadn't gotten any taller. It HAD only been a few months. But he had changed quite a bit.
His face was still a bit rounded from the babyfat of being a kid. But his body had absolutely slimmed down. Before, he actually did look a bit like a dumpling with plump arms and legs. But now, those limbs had slimmed down to reveal the faint traces of muscle. Nothing crazy, but definitely strong.
Which, considering Alex was a five year old, really was crazy.
Yue rested her chin on her hand and said, "Just what have you been doing to end up like this, Little Fatty?"
Alex finished his toast and said, "Training. I wanna be in the Olympics."
Yue paused. "The Olympics?"
Alex nodded. "Mmhm! They talked about it at school. I think if I work hard, I can do fencing and tennis when I get to high school."
Yue blinked. Then she thought about how Alex kept poking at the wooden dummy with her training swords at odd angles and footwork. "...Is THAT why you've been flailing around like a drunk pony with my training swords?"
Alex blushed and said, "It's harder than I thought, okay?"
Yue laughed. "Of course it is. But... Hm. Fencing and tennis."
It was the first time she heard Alex say he wanted anything. Usually, Alex was always talking about what Yue was doing or wanted.
Yue paused and said, "Do you want to take classes?"
Alex smiled and said, "Thanks, Big Sis, but I'll be okay. I have to do more training first. Maybe when I'm a bit older."
Yue stared at Alex and then said, "...Just what are they teaching you at school to make you this mature, Little Fatty?"
"Secret~" Alex winked.
Yue groaned. "Ugh... is this how other people feel when I tease them?"
"I dunno, Big Sis. But the only one I spend time with is you, so... Maybe?"
Yue paused at those words.
Alex seemed to have sensed he said something off as he stopped too.
Yue hesitated. Then she said, "...Are you okay, Alex? Seriously. I haven't brought it up, but... don't you miss your parents?"
Alex idly nibbled on his toast. Then he said, "I'll be honest, Auntie Yue. I miss you more than I miss them."
Yue's heart clenched with a strange emotion. A fierce protectiveness and warmth at hearing those words. But also a pang of guilt and sorrow too on hearing that Alex didn't miss his parents.
"I... see."
'So you got used to being lonely, huh?'
Yue didn't say her thoughts outloud. But she could see confirmation of it in Alex's suddenly far too mature gaze.
Alex shook his head and smiled. "It's okay! I like being with Big Sis. You're fun and you listen."
Yue felt her heart warm again. Then she brushed her eyes. "Stupid Fatty. Stop making me feel weird this early in the morning."