895: Small & Insignificant

Small & Insignificant

0"What are you reading?" asked Xiang Wai.

"How to be a human," answered Raelle.

"But the book you're holding is on astronomy," said Xiang Wai with a frown.

"Oh, so you can see," was Raelle's response.

Before Xiang Wai could respond, Xiang Weimin held her back, "She doesn't like people asking redundant questions. The answer is clear but you're still asking her for one."

Xiang Wai sipped on an iced latte that her brother brought for her and nodded aggrievedly. Was it her fault that she couldn't really find a topic to start a conversation with her own sister? She was trying here, okay? But clearly, her interests didn't match with Raelle's. How was she supposed to find common ground?

"Is it fun?" she asked Raelle. "The study of stars, I mean."

Raelle looked up from the book as she said, "How many nights have you spent under the night sky, Major?"

Xiang Wai couldn't give an exact answer to that question. How many nights? She didn't know. From training to her missions, countless times, she spent the nights without a roof above her. There was only a night sky. Sometimes filled with stars, sometimes filled with clouds. 

"I can't count," she told Raelle.

"Then let me change the question," responded Raelle. "Major, have you ever stood under the starry sky wondering about the meaning of life?"

Xiang Wai shook her head, "I don't like the starry sky."

"Why?"

"Stars make me feel small and insignificant," replied Xiang Wai.

"So Major does love to hide from the truth," said Raelle. "After all, the truth is, in front of stars you and I are really small and insignificant. But these stars are the compelling force behind humans' pursuit to find another civilization as well. At the end of the day, the human brain isn't to be underestimated because no matter how small or insignificant we are before these stars, we are the people who found ways to reach those stars."

"Aren't we just too greedy? Wanting to find another world? Another civilization?"

Raelle shook her head, "We are just trying to find some answers. The most important ones are, who we are and where we are in this milky way. I think those are the only answers we seek."

"Indeed. You and I don't work on the same wavelength," said Xiang Wai.

"Doesn't matter," replied Raelle. "We don't have to be on the same wavelength."

While his sisters were busy having their strange conversation, Xiang Weimin's attention was on Justin. That little boy seemed like he was in his own world. He took off his small backpack and opened it to take out a couple of things. First, he took a Rubik's cube, then a mini squiz toy, an electronic doodle board, and two small booklets.

He looked at everything he took out with a conflicted look before he picked up his Rubik's cube and sat down to play with it. He was exceptionally well-behaved. So much so that one might not even notice his presence. He was so small anyway. It was hard to notice him at first sight.

Out of curiosity, Xiang Weimin looked at his small booklets and raised his brows. Both booklets were on how to grow flowers and create your own mini garden. Xiang Weimin looked up at Justin who was looking back at him from the time he took his booklets.

Being stared at by such a young kid with such clear eyes, Xiang Weimin was a little flustered. 

Clearing his throat, he asked, "Do you like flowers?"

Justin thought about it before he finally answered in a small voice, "Like."

Xiang Weimin looked over at his sisters who weren't paying attention to this side and held up his hand against his mouth as he whispered, "I also like flowers." The reason he whispered so secretly was that it was actually a secret that not many people knew. At least, no one in his family knew it. 

His father might have an idea because he specifically hired a gardener to take care of his cherishes flowers but nobody else knew. Even back when he used to stay in the army dormitory, his roommate didn't know even though he kept potted flowers and took special care of them.

As for why it was a secret, he believed it didn't go well with his cold image. He was such a serious person but he was fond of flowers. It really didn't sit well with his image at all. So, he never spoke about it. 

Growing up, he was also a very lonely person so he believed plants kept him company, and every spring when his flowers bloomed, he felt exceptionally happy to see their growth. He felt accomplished.

Knowing that he also liked flowers, Justin introduced himself, "I'm Justin. You are?"

"Xiang Weimin," answered Xiang Weimin. He pointed at Raelle and Xiang Wai, "That's my youngest sister. And that one is also my sister. She is Xiang Wai."

Justin nodded his head in understanding. 

Xiang Weimin took out a pack of dried mangoes from his pocket and offered it to him, "Want some dried mangoes?"

Little Justin hesitated but still took a piece from the packet and happily munched on it. Seeing his happy face, Xiang Weimin said, "It seems you like it too."

"I do," replied Justin a little cheerfully. He didn't look as quiet as earlier. Suddenly even the look in his eyes changed when he looked at Xiang Weimin. From earlier restraint and cautiousness and hesitation, now his eyes were sparkling. And Xiang Weimin felt like there should be a sparkle in those eyes that looked like his own and his sisters.

Sadly, neither he nor his sister had the sparkle in their eyes. 

"You can have some more if you like it," said Xiang Weimin with gentleness in his voice. He pointed at the electronic doodle board and asked, "Can I borrow that?"

Justin held it to him with his small hands.

Xiang Weimin took it and touched his head, "Thank you, Justin!"

Little Justin just smiled slightly in return.

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