Chapter 281: Linlin

When Atlantis suddenly passed out, Lina was disturbed. She quickly glanced behind her. The adults were engaged in a deep and private conversation. She was told by her Grandfather many times that only she was allowed to interrupt his conversations. Despite that, her mother would smack her in the face when she tried to butt into adult talk. Lina learned her Grandfather's words only applied when he was around.

Even with Lawrence's presence, Lina was worried. Just this morning, her mother had yelled at her for attempting to speak when Lawrence was discussing with her father, Linden.

Sulking to herself, Lina curiously poked the boy, wondering if he had fallen asleep.

"Pst… pst…"

Lina nudged Atlantis, worried that she'd have to call the adults over. The boy let out a small groan, forcing his eyes open. Through the dim darkness, she saw something protruding from his face. Out of curiosity, she touched it, causing him to hiss in pain.

Instantly, Lina yanked her hand back.

"I didn't mean too—"

"It's just a swollen eye…" Atlantis tiredly said to her, struggling to sit upright.

Lina heard the tiny clinks of metal. She blinked in surprise when the metal collar caught the light. Her breath was stuck in her throat.

"Here, let me help," Lina mumbled.

Lina was confused as to why a dog collar was on a human. She didn't know these kinds of things existed. But then she realized he was smaller than most. With great difficulty, Lina managed to unbutton the collar. The material fell to the ground in a loud clatter.

Atlantis jumped at the noise, his head snapping to his father. He was worried his father would hear and rage in front of the young girl. His mother once told him girls should always be protected. He should never hit one. 

When Atlantis was freed from his collar, he realized his arm wasn't broken. If it was, there would be sharp pain shooting up his body. He'd know. He's experienced it many times before. But because the hospital he was taken to belonged to his father, no one dared to comment.

"You're just like me, then," Lina said to him, blinking her eyes naively. "But instead of swollen eyes, sometimes my cheeks are swollen."

"Why?"

"Mama said it's because I backtalk too much…" Lina frowned to the ground, realizing how awful it sounded out loud. 

"Your mother hits you?" Atlantis demanded, incredulous by the truth. How could anyone lay hands on her? She was as harmless as a lamb. From her white dress, he could've sworn she was an angel meant to bless the lands.

"Not all the time anymore," Lina quickly tried to explain. "I've learned to hold my tongue around her."

"But you're so small," Atlantis pointed out in disbelief.

"I'm not small, I'm turning six soon!" Lina blabbed, her words making him blink in disbelief.

"You're right, we are similar," Atlantis muttered. "I've just turned seven."

Lina's eyes lit up. "Really?"

"Sometimes you speak like an adult and sometimes you're like a child," Atlantis murmured to her, thrown off by the abrupt kindness shown to him. 

Many of the kids at school avoided him. They called him a freak for wearing long sleeves during Summer. They teased and bullied him for being an illegitimate son. Eventually, no one dared to talk to him anymore. Everyone was too frightened after he grabbed a kid by the collar and punched him in the face—in the same manner his father always did.

Since then, he has been isolated. A loner. Not even the teachers dared to talk to him. He hated the school.

"I don't understand," Lina mumbled. "I speak how I should be speaking."

"Right…"

Before Atlantis could say anything, he froze. A large figure loomed over them. He flinched backwards in fear, believing it was his father. Instead of shielding himself, he quickly grabbed the girl in hopes of hiding her.

"Quick, get behind me—"

"Child, it's time to head to my next meeting," Lawrence said, taking Lina's hand into his large one. He glowered down at Atlantis in disapproval. How dare a mere brat like him try to act tough? Especially in his current state?

"Grandpa, I like him!" Lina eagerly responded, clutching his leg pants. "He's nice and we have many similarities."

"That's impossible, Young Miss," Chairman Medeor mused. "The boy is like a stray dog and you're—"

"Are you implying my granddaughter is similar to a dog?" Lawrence snarled, his voice dropping an octave.

Immediately, Chairman Medeor's eyes grew wide with fear. He opened his mouth and clapped it shut. He broke out in a nervous sweat, the terror clinging to his back.

"N-no, of course not, I'd never—"

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"He says he's seven, but I don't remember seeing him around the parties," Lina continued on, ignoring the stammering baboon. 

"That's because an illegitimate son like him will never be allowed there, child," Lawrence murmured, patting her affectionately on the head.

Lina innocently blinked up at him. She didn't understand what all of this meant. Illegitimate son? Why did that matter? 

"Besides, you do not need to acquaint yourself with the likes of him. You'll be going to boarding school soon," Lawrence murmured, bending to pick her up. But then she said something alarming.

"But I've already acquainted myself with him before!"

"When?" Lawrence returned.

"In my dreams, I have memories of a man with the same name as him. You know, I've told you. Atlan. One of my nannies said I could have memories of my previous life and—"

"Child."

Lina flinched at his stern voice. She pouted to the ground. He always used that tone when he wanted her to shut her mouth. So, she did just that. She didn't want her Grandfather to hit her in the face in the same manner that her mother did.

"What did I tell you about speaking nonsense?" Lawrence released a heavy sigh. He continued to pick her up. She remained sullen, her shoulders dropping in defeat.

"I won't do it again…"

"Good." Lawrence patted her on the back and began to carry her out of the dim room. He couldn't stand the stench in here. Such an environment was unsuited for his Princess.

"Your granddaughter is very unique, Chairman Yang," Atlantis's father spoke up.

Lawrence paused. His gaze darkened. This bastard managed to find a small weakness. He was certain if other people found out how bizarre Lina's speech patterns were, they'd ostracize her. He couldn't allow that. 

Hiding his hatred for Chairman Medeor, Lawrence slowly turned around.

"I'll take that as a compliment," Lawrence stated. "Don't forget who you work for now."

Before Chairman Medeor could say anything, Lawrence promptly headed for the door. He needed to get Lina to the boarding school as soon as possible. They promised a solution to fix her problem. A child who has memories of her past life? Impossible. He always thought it was too wild of an idea. That is, until she began to babble about events that could never happen in his time era.

Out of worry and fear, Lawrence decided the best method was to make her forget everything. That way, she'd have a normal childhood. That way, no one would dare to tease her about her strange behavior. Not that they'd dare to, for she was a Yang. As long as Lina revealed the truth, no harm should come her way.

Or so, he always believed.

"Bye bye Atlantis!"

Lawrence paused and frowned deeply. He glanced down to see she was peering over his shoulders and eagerly waving him goodbye.

"Like I said, child—"

"I hope we meet again soon, Lanlan!" Lina chirped, swinging her feet and offering him a large smile. 

Lanlan.

Atlantis wondered if she was truly a prodigy. Her creativity was horrible. What kind of nickname was Lanlan? 

"Goodbye…" Atlantis finally managed to say.

Her bizarre nickname warmed his chest. He lowered his head and shyly smiled to the ground. No one has ever given him a nickname before. His mother used to call him by endearing terms, but never a nickname. Wasn't such a pattern between friends? He never had a friend before. 

Atlantis felt fuzzy and airy. He was floating on Cloud Nine from her kindness. Lina. Lina. He repeated her name in his mind, until his tongue could replicate the way she spoke it.

"Goodbye, Linlin," Atlantis said to no one in particular, for she was long gone.

Despite that, Lina's bright eyes and large smile was forever engraved into his memory. One of the first people to show him kindness after his mother's departure. She didn't judge him for his status or bruises. Instead, she related to him. Her gaze was filled with understanding, her voice soft like his mother's, and her hair just as silky.

Atlantis breathed out her name again. "Lina." He found it to be a beautiful sound. He's never heard of it before. 

"You should be grateful to her," his father said in a low and cunning voice. "Not many people are privileged enough to become friends with Lawrence Yang's only granddaughter."

Lina Yang.

So that was her full name.

Atlantis swore he'd memorize each letter, each vowel, and pronunciation. Lina Yang. Lina. Linlin.. He swore he'd remember her for the rest of his life, even if she didn't remember him on their next encounter. 

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