In Love With An Idiot

Chapter 12

When the first rays of morning sunlight entered the building, Li Yu woke first. Jian Suiying had buried his head beneath the duvet and was snoring softly.

 

The discomfort Li Yu felt on waking was almost impossible to describe. The back of his head throbbed with a hot, swelling pain, his eyes were so swollen he could scarcely open them, and the slightest movement brought a wave of dizziness and weakness. After sleeping all night on hard concrete, every bone in his body seemed ready to fall apart. Without the duvet to provide some cushioning and warmth, he couldn't imagine how much worse it would have been.

 

At least he hadn't been cold during the night.

 

Li Yu tried to pull back his arm, which had gone numb beneath the weight on it. As feeling gradually returned to his body, he realised he was holding someone unnaturally hot, as hot as a furnace. He froze, pulled back the duvet and saw a strange flush spreading across Jian Suiying's face. Even in his sleep, Jian Suiying looked uncomfortable, each breath apparently requiring enormous effort.

 

Li Yu touched his cheek, and his hand began to tremble involuntarily.

 

Jian Suiying had a fever, and his skin was alarmingly hot.

 

Li Yu forced his stiff body upright. The world immediately spun around him. He blinked hard for a long time before his head cleared slightly, but there was almost no strength in his limbs.

 

He managed to turn and reach for Jian Suiying's mobile, only to discover that its battery had died at some unknown point. Frustrated, he tossed it aside and shook Jian Suiying, trying to wake him.

 

He didn't know how long Jian Suiying had been feverish or whether something terrible might happen if they couldn't get him to a hospital. Jian Suiying slept like the dead, mumbling incomprehensibly whenever Li Yu shook him but refusing to wake.

 

Anxiety made Li Yu's head throb in painful waves.

 

Even though the typhoon had passed and the rain had eased, their danger wasn't over. Two people temporarily unable to move properly were trapped in a building under construction. Dawn had only just broken. How were they supposed to get help?

 

Li Yu found some anti-inflammatory medicine and put it into Jian Suiying's mouth, then took a large gulp from a bottle of mineral water.

 

He soaked a towel in alcohol and wiped Jian Suiying's body, trying to reduce his temperature. But he soon realised it wasn't enough. Jian Suiying needed to reach hospital immediately.

 

Fighting the headache, dizziness, weakness and nausea, Li Yu hauled himself upright. He wrapped the duvet around Jian Suiying's naked body and tried to lift him. But after struggling for some time, he could barely raise Jian Suiying off the floor.

 

In his current condition, he couldn't possibly carry a man weighing more than fifty kilograms. He doubted he could even carry the duvet, which weighed only a couple of kilograms, out of the building.

 

Furious, Li Yu punched the floor, then collapsed weakly against Jian Suiying. Physical exhaustion washed over him, while the emotional strain dragged him into profound anxiety and panic.

 

The burning body pressed against his own was a constant reminder of their situation. Jian Suiying had risked his life to reach him, yet Li Yu couldn't get him to safety. For the first time, Li Yu felt angry at his own helplessness.

 

His movements had disturbed his injury, and blood began seeping from the wound again. Just as the blood loss made him dizzy once more, he thought he heard voices.

 

At first, he assumed he was imagining things. But when the sound of footsteps grew louder, he finally realised someone really was coming.

 

With his eyes half open, Li Yu saw several pairs of muddy shoes appear at the staircase, then hurry towards them. At last he relaxed and lost consciousness.

 

When he woke again, he knew he was in hospital.

 

Warm, dry bedding surrounded him. With solid walls and windows between him and the outside world, the wind and rain beyond the glass no longer had anything to do with him.

 

He slowly turned his head and found the ward empty. He located the emergency call button and pressed it.

 

A young nurse soon entered, smiling warmly. “You're awake! Would you like some water?”

 

Li Yu took a sip, then immediately asked, “Where's the person who was brought in with me?”

 

“He's next door.”

 

“How is he?”

 

“He's had an injection to bring his temperature down. Nothing too serious.”

 

Li Yu tried to sit up, but the nurse pressed a hand to his shoulder. “Don't move around. You're the one who's more seriously injured.”

 

“I want to see him.”

 

“He hasn't woken up yet. Rest for a while. I'll bring you something to eat soon.”

 

Li Yu reluctantly lay back. Having slept for so long, he wasn't remotely sleepy and could only stare at the ceiling.

 

Thinking about everything that had happened in that single day, he still found it unbelievable.

 

From being knocked unconscious by a falling object, to Jian Suiying's phone call rousing him, to the long wait, Jian Suiying's arrival and their night sleeping in each other's arms—it all left him bewildered about how he should face Jian Suiying now.

 

He could still recall the stir of emotion he'd felt when Jian Suiying appeared before him the previous night, filthy and bedraggled. As he thought about Jian Suiying and all the clashes and encounters since they'd first met, Li Yu couldn't imagine how someone like him could exist.

 

Sometimes the man made him want to bite him to death, yet Li Yu couldn't draw his eyes away. Little by little, Jian Suiying had left an indelible mark on his heart.

 

After this experience, Li Yu no longer knew what place Jian Suiying should occupy in his life. He knew only that he couldn't bear seeing Jian Suiying with anyone else.

 

Perhaps, without his realising it, Jian Suiying's constant attention over the past year had led him to regard Jian Suiying as his own possession. Even if he didn't want him, he couldn't tolerate anyone else coveting him.

 

Li Yu knew he shouldn't think that way, but he couldn't cast the feeling aside. He resented and envied anyone who might have an intimate relationship with Jian Suiying. Jian Suiying was his. Nobody understood better than Li Yu that Jian Suiying liked him.

 

No matter how hostile their relationship became, Jian Suiying had always liked him. Li Yu had never doubted that, and this incident had only confirmed it further.

 

But as for himself…

 

Li Yu moistened his lips. For more than half a year, he'd been both rejecting and avoiding Jian Suiying…

 

In his heart, he let out a silent sigh. Jian Suiying…

 

After dinner, the nurse came to change his dressing.

 

Li Yu was feeling much better by then. Once she had finished, he insisted on seeing Jian Suiying. Realising she couldn't stop him, the nurse finally let him go.

 

When Li Yu entered the next room, Jian Suiying was still sleeping soundly, though his complexion looked much better. Li Yu sat beside the bed and touched his forehead. His temperature had fallen considerably.

 

After hesitating, Li Yu lifted the duvet and lay down beside him.

 

The hospital bed was rather small, and two grown men squeezed together could hardly call it comfortable. Li Yu wondered if the blow to his head had genuinely damaged his brain. He was doing something so foolish despite the risk of someone seeing them.

 

But he had no time to worry about that. He simply wanted to hold this man. He'd wanted to for so long. Before long, drowsiness swept over him and he fell asleep again.

 

Jian Suiying slept for more than thirty hours before finally waking, thoroughly rested. As he came to, he wondered why the bed felt so cramped. Turning his head, he found Li Yu's face right beside his own, almost touching his ear.

 

Jian Suiying froze, then nudged him.

 

Li Yu woke too and looked at him through narrowed eyes.

 

Jian Suiying broke into a grin. “What's going on? Did they bring us to hospital wrapped around each other like this? How bloody embarrassing!”

 

Li Yu frowned. “…No.”

 

“No?” Jian Suiying blinked. “What, was the hospital short of beds and made us share one?”

 

Li Yu looked embarrassed. “No.”

 

Jian Suiying gave a wicked smile. “So this time you climbed into my bed all by yourself?”

 

Li Yu flushed slightly and tried to sit up.

 

Jian Suiying wrapped an arm around his waist and spoke in a hoarse voice. “Don't. What's the hurry? Stay here a while.”

 

He moved closer, kissed Li Yu's forehead and murmured, “Thank goodness you're all right.”

 

Li Yu looked deep into his eyes. Warmth spread through his chest, and he answered with a soft, “Mm.”

 

Jian Suiying smiled. “If anything had happened to you, your whole Li family would've eaten me alive.”

 

Li Yu relaxed enough to joke in return. “You could give yourself to our family as compensation. That would be just as good.”

 

Jian Suiying waggled his eyebrows. “You want me to become a son of your family? Sure, why not?”

 

Li Yu snorted. “In your dreams.”

 

Jian Suiying laughed twice, but his throat hurt too much to continue, and he dissolved into a fit of coughing.

 

Li Yu reached for a glass of water, and they both drank a couple of mouthfuls.

 

Outside, the sky was just beginning to brighten. It was an awkward hour, too early to get up and equally awkward to go back to sleep. Under ordinary circumstances, with the atmosphere so pleasant and nobody else around…

 

In fact, this was probably the warmest, most harmonious time they'd spent together since meeting.

 

Both men were young and strong. By the time they woke again, they could walk, jump, eat and drink normally.

 

Their original return itinerary was naturally ruined. The local office booked new flights and arranged for them to recuperate in Sanya for a few days. They might as well wait for the weather to improve too; spending hours more waiting in an airport would be infuriating.

 

Li Yu frowned at the flight details.

 

Jian Suiying asked what was wrong, then remembered. “Oh, your classes, right? Forget about them. What's the harm in missing a few?”

 

Li Yu replied, “It's not just classes. If we don't go back now, I'll miss my final exams.”

 

“Oh? Is it the end of term?” Jian Suiying counted the days and realised it probably was nearly time for the students' holidays. He never paid attention to such matters, so he offered a casual reassurance.

 

“Then take the resits. We can stay here a few days and just recover properly.”

 

Li Yu tossed the tickets aside, took out his mobile and turned away to call his family.

 

Naturally, he wasn't going to tell them what had happened over the past two days. He didn't even mention missing his final exams. He simply said he'd come to Sanya with Jian Suiying to inspect a project, the typhoon had trapped them there, and he wouldn't be home for the weekend.

 

Jian Suiying had always thought Li Yu was a dutiful son at home. He hadn't expected him to lie so calmly, without even blushing. He found it rather amusing.

 

Li Yu ended the call hastily, turned and pinned him down. “What are you doing? We're in a hospital!”

 

Jian Suiying scoffed.

 

Li Yu's Adam's apple bobbed, and his heart raced. Looking at the temptation in Jian Suiying's eyes, he felt as though his blood were boiling. He pushed himself upright and said hoarsely, “I'll lock the door.”

 

Jian Suiying burst into laughter.

 

Blushing, Li Yu jumped out of bed and went to lock the ward door. But just as his hand touched the handle, several knocks sounded from outside.

 

Li Yu asked instinctively, “Who's there?”

 

The person outside paused. Several seconds passed before a deep voice replied, “It's me.”

 

Now both men inside froze. It was Jian Suilin's voice.

 

Li Yu felt inexplicably guilty. Sweat appeared on his forehead, and he glanced back at Jian Suiying.

 

Jian Suiying, however, was entirely untroubled. “Little Lin? Come in.”

 

Jian Suilin opened the door and entered. He glanced at Li Yu standing beside it, his expression complicated and profound, with a faint warning in his eyes.

 

Li Yu held his neck rigid, watching Suilin walk into the room.

 

“Ge.”

 

Jian Suiying lay on the bed with his legs crossed. “What are you doing here?”

 

Jian Suilin looked gloomy. Heavy dark circles lay beneath his eyes, and his whole demeanour suggested he'd been in a very poor state lately.

 

“Dad sent me. I've come to take you home.”

 

When Jian Suiying had been admitted to hospital, the local office staff had called Jian Dongyuan, fearing they'd be held responsible. After learning what had happened and judging it wasn't too serious, Jian Dongyuan sent his younger son.

 

Jian Suiying had expected his father to do little more than call to check on him. He hadn't imagined he'd send Little Lin all the way here.

 

“Oh. I've already booked flights. We're going back the day after tomorrow.”

 

“I know. I've booked myself onto the same flight.”

 

“Why bother coming all this way? I'm fine. I don't need collecting. Shouldn't you be taking your final exams about now?”

 

Jian Suilin pulled up a chair beside the bed and gently touched Jian Suiying's bandaged arm.

 

“I can take them next year just as well,” he said quietly.

 

Jian Suiying noticed something was wrong with him. Ordinarily, Jian Suilin got along quite well with Li Yu, yet since entering the room he'd acted as though Li Yu wasn't there. His expression was strange and distracted.

 

Jian Suiying invited Li Yu to sit beside them too. After hesitating, Li Yu took a seat nearby.

 

Still touching Jian Suiying's arm, Jian Suilin asked softly, “Ge, does it hurt?”

 

“The cuts look long, but they're shallow. They don't hurt at all.”

 

Jian Suilin's hand trembled slightly. Suddenly, he turned towards Li Yu.

 

“Li Yu, I'd like to speak to my brother alone for a few minutes.”

 

There was little politeness in the request. Li Yu remained expressionless, while Jian Suiying frowned slightly. He wanted to reprimand Little Lin but felt it might be inappropriate. While he hesitated, Li Yu stood and left, closing the ward door behind him.

 

Jian Suiying asked, “What's wrong with you? You seem angry with Li Yu.”

 

Jian Suilin suddenly leaned forwards and half embraced him, his voice trembling.

 

“Ge, why would you do something so dangerous for him? Have you gone mad? Do you really like him that much?”

 

Jian Suiying clicked his tongue. “It wasn't about whether I liked him. I was the one who brought him to the construction site. I had to take responsibility.”

 

“Did taking responsibility mean you had to risk your life? Do you have any idea how dangerous it is to go out during a typhoon?”

 

“Why are you getting so worked up? I'm fine, aren't I? Going out in a typhoon was dangerous, yes, but if anything had happened to Li Yu, do you think the Li family would've let me off? That would've been even more dangerous.”

 

Jian Suilin stared at him wordlessly.

 

Jian Suiying couldn't say he felt nothing in response to such concern, but he was deeply unaccustomed to being affectionate with this younger brother. After thinking for a moment, he awkwardly raised a hand and patted Suilin's back.

 

“All right. I'm fine now.”

 

Jian Suilin stiffened, then suddenly leaned forwards and embraced him tightly. He stared blankly ahead, sounding almost as though he were talking to himself.

 

“Ge, how could you do this? What makes Li Yu worth so much to you? Do you know how worried I was…?”

 

They'd never had this kind of touching family moment in all the years they'd known one another—not even as children. Now that they were both grown men, it felt even more inappropriate. Jian Suiying was uncomfortable all over.

 

He took Jian Suilin by the shoulders and slowly pushed him away.

 

“All right, enough. I'm fine, aren't I? And don't hold a grudge against Li Yu. He didn't do it on purpose. Aren't you two friends? Don't let this make things unpleasant between you.”

 

Jian Suilin lowered his head. After a long silence, he finally nodded.

 

“Since you've come all this way, go and ask how Li Yu is doing too. Don't behave like that towards him. You're a grown man. What's got into you?”

 

Jian Suilin was reluctant to leave. “In a little while. Ge, would you like some fruit? I'll peel it for you.” He picked up a mango and waved it slightly.

 

“I've just eaten. I'm stuffed. Go on.” Jian Suiying gave him a push.

 

Reluctantly, Jian Suilin stood and slowly made his way out.

 

Outside, he composed himself before knocking on Li Yu's ward door. Li Yu was reading in bed. He knew who was outside and answered in a low voice.

 

“Come in.”

 

Jian Suilin entered and casually locked the door behind him. Li Yu turned towards him. Suilin stood watching him silently. The air seemed to freeze between them.

 

Li Yu sighed and spoke first. “Suilin, are you angry?”

 

Jian Suilin leaned against the wall without approaching.

 

“Before coming here, I'd already signed the contract with them. Everything is going according to plan, yet I can feel you wavering. Tell me, shouldn't I be angry?”

 

Li Yu's expression didn't change. “I'm not wavering.”

 

“Really?” Jian Suilin gave a short, mocking laugh. “He rushed through a violent storm to save you. Aren't you moved?”

 

Li Yu pressed his lips together and didn't answer.

 

Jian Suilin said gravely, “Once this project succeeds, it'll raise enough money to prepare for our company's stock market listing next year. If you waver now, all our hard work will be wasted.”

 

Li Yu replied harshly, “I told you, I'm not wavering!”

 

Jian Suilin watched him for a while, then slowly came over and sat beside him. His voice softened.

 

“Sorry, brother. I've been too nervous.”

 

Li Yu studied him, searching his features for some trace of the Jian Suilin he'd known ten years ago. He couldn't find it anywhere.

 

Jian Suilin smiled. “My brother has a great deal of personal charm. I'm afraid you might genuinely begin to feel something for him… You haven't forgotten how he treated my mother and me, have you? You've always known what kind of person he is, haven't you?”

 

Li Yu looked at him impassively and said nothing.

 

Jian Suilin gripped his hand tightly. “Li Yu, help me. Otherwise, one day my mother and I won't even have a place to call home. Besides, this isn't only for my sake. My brother has plenty of money. He can afford this loss. But for us, it's an incredibly important sum. Think about our company and how much work we've put into getting it to its present size.”

 

Li Yu closed his eyes briefly. “Suilin, how could I not help you? You ought to know that.”

 

“Good. Speak to your brother beforehand. All he needs to do is pretend he knows nothing about it.”

 

Li Yu nodded. “I know.”

 

The corners of Jian Suilin's mouth slowly curved into an almost imperceptible smile.

 

The rare opportunity for intimacy had been ruined by Jian Suilin's arrival, leaving Young Master Jian terribly disappointed. During the next two days, he kept looking for chances to spend some affectionate time with Li Yu. But Little Lin stayed at the hospital practically every day, following him around and looking after him, so Jian Suiying didn't even get a chance to touch Li Yu's hand.

 

After the typhoon passed, the weather gradually improved.

 

On the scheduled day of their return, the three men went straight from hospital to the airport and arrived in Beijing without trouble.

 

As soon as they landed, Li Yu and Jian Suilin headed directly to university. Jian Suiying went home to settle in and planned to return to work the following day.

 

With nothing to do at home and having only just become close to Li Yu again, Jian Suiying couldn't stop thinking about him. Every so often, he sent him another text message to pester him.

 

He could clearly sense how much Li Yu's attitude towards him had improved. Even the most pointless messages eventually received a reply. Evidently his dramatic rescue had paid off magnificently, making Li Yu take an interest in him. For that alone, he wouldn't regret what he'd done, no matter how many times he had to do it again.

 

After more than a year of pursuit and countless quarrels, setbacks and fights, Jian Suiying finally felt he could see some hope for himself and Li Yu. It had taken so much effort to reach this point.

 

Only the night before that rescue, he'd believed their relationship was completely over. He'd been ready to give up. Yet in just a few hours, everything had turned around. A typhoon had brought them together again, leaving him feeling even warmer and more secure than before.

 

That sudden glimpse of victory after absolute despair could leave an unforgettable impression on anyone, making the new opportunity all the more precious.

 

That afternoon, Jian Suiying did nothing but lie on his sofa and think carefully about his relationship with Li Yu. This time was different. He was seriously considering whether they could have a legitimate, lasting future together.

 

Perhaps one day they'd face considerable pressure from the outside world. But whatever burdens Jian Suiying could shoulder himself, he wouldn't let Li Yu suffer under them.

 

He also realised he needed to improve his temper. Quite often, after arguing with Li Yu, he regretted being so impulsive. Things couldn't continue that way. He couldn't always expect Li Yu to accommodate him. He needed to behave like an adult, showing Li Yu more tolerance and care.

 

As he thought, Jian Suiying alternated between frowning and smiling to himself. Although he had worries, his heart was even fuller of happiness and anticipation.

 

At moments like these, he couldn't help thinking how fortunate his life was in almost every respect.

 

Having been away from home for more than a week, he needed to replenish his snacks, beer and other supplies. With nothing else to occupy him, Jian Suiying drove to a supermarket near home. He threw anything that caught his fancy into the trolley and returned with plenty of shopping.

 

Humming a tune, he carried two large bags towards his flat. Normally, the moment he left the lift and rounded the corner, he'd see his front door. This time, however, the first thing he saw was Li Yu sitting on the floor, leaning against it.

 

Li Yu wore comfortable sports clothes. His long legs were bent at different angles, and his still-bandaged head tilted slightly backwards so the wound wouldn't press against the door. His eyes were closed, with white earphones in his ears. He looked like a boy casually waiting for a bus, relaxed and at ease.

 

Time seemed to stand still. Jian Suiying remained at the corner for several seconds, gazing at that beautiful profile, before quietly approaching.

 

At first Li Yu didn't hear his footsteps. As Jian Suiying drew closer, however, the rustle of plastic bags caught his attention. His eyes flew open. He looked up to find Jian Suiying smiling down at him.

 

Li Yu pulled out his earphones, sprang to his feet and gave Jian Suiying a slightly shy smile.

 

Jian Suiying adored that lively, faintly youthful expression. He couldn't conceal the delight in his voice.

 

“What are you doing here?”

 

Li Yu didn't answer immediately. Instead, he took the shopping bags from Jian Suiying.

 

“Been to the supermarket? I thought I'd have to wait ages.”

 

“Why didn't you call when you arrived?” Jian Suiying freed a hand, took out his key and unlocked the door.

 

“I switched off my phone and left it in the dormitory. I told my dad earlier that it was broken. Otherwise, if they called and told me to go home, they'd find out I wasn't there.” Li Yu gestured towards his head.

 

They entered one after the other. Jian Suiying dropped the shopping on the floor, dusted off his hands and smiled suggestively.

 

“Did you miss me?”

 

Li Yu looked steadily at him with bright eyes. Then he nodded slightly.

 

“I thought… you might have trouble getting meals.”

 

Jian Suiying leaned closer and blew gently against his cheek. “Is food all you've been thinking about? Nothing else?”

 

Li Yu's face gradually reddened.

 

Li Yu made two simple dishes and a soup, and they shared a warm, satisfying meal. Afterwards, they sat close together playing video games in front of the television, leaving snack packets and empty beer cans scattered across the floor.

 

Li Yu didn't stay overnight. He returned to university after ten. Jian Suiying had tried to persuade him to remain, but Li Yu explained that the term was ending and he had matters to deal with the next day. He also promised to visit the company the following afternoon. Only then did Jian Suiying reluctantly let him leave.

 

After more than a week away from work, matters had piled up at the company. Once Jian Suiying sat down at his desk, he worked without getting out of his chair from morning until noon.

 

After the lunch break, Little Lin arrived, looking rather grave.

 

Jian Suiying glanced up at him, then returned to his documents and asked casually, “What's wrong?”

 

“Ge, I contacted the people at the feed company today to urge them to send me the revised proposal. But they said…”

 

“Said what?”

 

“They said they don't want to cooperate any more.”

 

Jian Suiying's hand stopped. Slowly, he raised his head and narrowed his eyes.

 

“They said what?”

 

“They don't want to cooperate any more.”

 

Jian Suiying had never imagined hearing such news. This was a deal that benefited both sides and involved almost negligible costs. Yet they no longer wanted to pursue it?

 

“Why?”

 

“Apparently a private-equity fund has offered to provide twenty million yuan in venture funding. So they no longer want to work with us.”

 

“For fuck's sake!” Jian Suiying swore and slammed his hand onto the desk. “Are those two fucking idiots taking the piss?”

 

The feed project had been unable to get off the ground precisely because it lacked funding.

 

Yet Jian Suiying had spent hundreds of thousands of yuan cultivating connections and making arrangements. Just as they were about to secure the land, the couple had decided at the very last moment to abandon the deal.

 

It wasn't merely a waste of his time and money. How was he supposed to explain this to Li Xuan, who had helped him so much? There would be endless complications.

 

Jian Suiying was so furious he wanted to slap the pair of them senseless.

 

He took out his phone and called the husband, but the man simply refused to answer. This only infuriated him further. He called the friend who had originally introduced the couple and gave him a thorough verbal thrashing.

 

That friend was ordinarily rather forceful himself, but once he heard what had happened and realised his brother-in-law and his wife were at fault, he immediately lost his bluster. He stammered out an apology and joined Jian Suiying in cursing them.

 

After venting his anger for a while, Jian Suiying felt too embarrassed to keep blaming him. The man was unlucky too. He had only meant to introduce them and had ended up caught in the middle, unable to please either side.

 

But after hanging up, Jian Suiying remained furious. The thought of all his efforts coming to nothing, and that enormous piece of land slipping from his grasp, made it impossible for him to calm down.

 

Had he known things would end like this, he might as well have registered his own company and developed a few biological products to impress the authorities. That would've been less aggravating than working with those two idiots.

 

Jian Suilin stood straight beside him, listening silently to his swearing and desk-thumping.

 

When Jian Suiying was angry, he tended to take it out on others. With nobody else available, he naturally turned his fury on Little Lin.

 

“Jian Suilin, were you fucking born just to bring me bad luck? Everything you handle ends up wasted! First those three flats, now this land!”

 

Jian Suilin lowered his head without speaking. Over the years, he'd grown accustomed to meekly enduring Jian Suiying's anger.

 

Jian Suiying was still speaking when someone knocked at the door. He swallowed the next insult, steadied his breathing and said, “Come in.”

 

The person who entered was Li Yu.

 

Jian Suiying's expression was so dark that anybody could see something was wrong.

 

Li Yu glanced at him, then at Jian Suilin. “What happened?”

 

Jian Suiying gestured towards Little Lin. “You tell him.”

 

Jian Suilin explained the situation again.

 

Li Yu showed no particular surprise. After considering it for a moment, he said, “It'll be awkward for you to explain this to my brother. Let me tell him.”

 

Jian Suiying had been worrying about how to account for the failure to the people in Beihai. Li Xuan was the most difficult part, and Li Yu offering to speak to him removed a tremendous burden.

 

Jian Suiying genuinely hadn't known how to tell Li Xuan that, after all their work, the deal had collapsed because those two fools had led them around in circles before walking away.

 

He remained angry about it for some time. At one point, he even considered asking Jian Suilin to investigate the private-equity fund and make life difficult for the couple.

 

But their family connection to his friend made him hesitate. If he went too far, it would be difficult to face the man afterwards.

 

As it happened, his friend called back shortly afterwards, saying he'd given the couple a severe dressing-down. One day he would bring them to apologise personally and compensate Jian Suiying for every penny he'd invested in the project.

 

Jian Suiying was still furious and hated losing such a promising piece of land, but he knew he had to let the matter end there.

 

To receive such infuriating news on his first day back at work completely ruined his mood. He asked both men to sit down and discussed with Li Yu how best to explain things to Li Xuan without causing further damage.

 

After talking for more than half an hour, they finally settled on an approach.

 

Jian Suiying didn't want to discuss the wretched matter any longer, so he asked about other projects, particularly the land deal he was working on with Bai Xinyu.

 

To his surprise, progress had been excellent. The ownership rights and other details had more or less been sorted out, and they could move to the auction stage next. Jian Suiying couldn't help looking at the two men with fresh respect.

 

Jian Suilin was holding another document. Only now did he remember to present it.

 

“This is a piece of land President Yang mentioned the last time we had dinner. It's beside the Sixth Ring Road. You said you were interested, so I asked her for more details.”

 

Jian Suiying took the document and looked it over.

 

“Contact President Yang when you have time and ask her to take us to see it.”

 

“All right.”

 

Jian Suiying sighed and wearily massaged the space between his eyebrows.

 

“Fine. Go and get on with your work.”

 

Jian Suilin acknowledged him and left, while Li Yu remained seated on the sofa opposite.

 

Jian Suiying went over and collapsed untidily against him, sighing with exhaustion.

 

Li Yu began massaging his temples.

 

“Li Yu, just look at this,” Jian Suiying sighed. “It's bloody hard for me to earn money. Every day I run into unreliable people. They waste my time and energy, and then they leave me furious. Fucking hell.”

 

Looking at his tired face, Li Yu suddenly glimpsed a rare trace of vulnerability in the man. He wanted to offer some comforting words, but his throat seemed blocked and he couldn't manage a syllable.

 

Jian Suiying had lost business opportunities more times than he could count. After his brief outburst of anger, he managed to bring his feelings under control on his own.

 

University had broken up for the holidays, and on the very evening the term ended, he invited Li Yu out to dinner.

 

Jian Suiying prepared carefully for the evening. He chose a rather atmospheric Western restaurant, where secluded little booths and intimate lighting made it ideal for couples.

 

He found the key to his flat, tied it with a red ribbon and planned to give it to Li Yu again.

 

What he really wanted was to ask whether Li Yu would like to live with him, though the impulse was fleeting. Firstly, Li Yu was still a student living at home, and moving in together wasn't particularly realistic for him. Secondly, the thought of living with someone put Jian Suiying under a little pressure too. He didn't know whether spending so much time with one person might eventually drive him mad. Having Li Yu come over every few days would be good enough.

 

He took particular care over his own appearance and went to the dinner looking exceptionally smart.

 

The meal was delightful. Both the food and the atmosphere were just right. Li Yu looked a little uncomfortable at the thought of two grown men sitting together in such a romantic setting, but Jian Suiying was the kind of person who wouldn't blush even if given a good enough reason to run naked down the street. He couldn't have cared less what anyone else thought.

 

Unfortunately, just as they finished eating and waited for dessert, Jian Suiying was preparing to bring out the key and say something sweet when a telephone call destroyed the lovely atmosphere he'd worked so hard to create.

 

His mobile, lying on the table, rang abruptly.

 

The restaurant was so quiet that the ringtone sounded like a thunderclap, startling both men.

 

Jian Suiying glanced at the screen. It was Xiao Zhu.

 

Li Yu had sharp eyes. A quick downward glance was enough for him to see the name too. Jian Suiying had saved Xiao Zhu as “Little Pig”, simply because those were the characters his input method had suggested and he'd taken the easy option. He hadn't meant anything by it.

 

But in Li Yu's eyes, the name immediately raised his hackles.

 

It was clearly not the name of a legitimate business contact. This had to be someone personally close to Jian Suiying. And a foolishly affectionate name like Little Pig, combined with what Li Yu knew of Jian Suiying's chaotic private life, looked increasingly intimate and suspicious.

 

He'd still had doubts until Jian Suiying's next action confirmed his suspicions.

 

Jian Suiying swiped across the screen to reject the call, then picked up the mobile to put it into his pocket.

 

Fire seemed to blaze in Li Yu's eyes. He reached out and snatched the phone.

 

“Why aren't you answering?” he asked coldly.

 

Jian Suiying looked embarrassed. “It's nothing important…”

 

Li Yu glared at him fiercely. “Little Pig? How affectionate. Which of your little lovers is that? The one I saw last time?”

 

Jian Suiying smiled and held out his hand for the phone. “Are you a walking jar of vinegar? Give it back. I stopped seeing him ages ago.”

 

In fact, he'd been in contact with Xiao Zhu only a couple of days earlier. He'd promised the young man a present and couldn't go back on his word. As he had no time and didn't intend to see him again, he'd instructed a subordinate to handle it. Presumably Xiao Zhu was calling now to let him know the matter was settled.

 

Jian Suiying had discovered that Li Yu, for all his mature and dignified appearance, could be remarkably petty. One telephone call was enough to make his expression thunderous. But looked at another way, this surely meant Li Yu cared about him. Thinking of it like that suppressed his own irritation.

 

Li Yu's next move, however, made his temper rise. He looked at Jian Suiying mockingly and called the number back.

 

Jian Suiying couldn't stop him in time. The call was answered almost immediately.

 

Xiao Zhu's gentle, pleasant voice came through the phone.

 

“Hello, Young Master Jian.”

 

Li Yu's expression became so ugly that he looked ready to overturn the table and leave.

 

Jian Suiying hastily snatched back the phone.

 

“Young Master Jian?”

 

“Ah, Xiao Zhu.”

 

“Young Master Jian, everything concerning the flat has been arranged. Thank you.”

 

“Oh. Good. We'll talk another day.”

 

Jian Suiying quickly ended the call and looked nervously at Li Yu.

 

Li Yu sprang to his feet and marched out without looking sideways.

 

Jian Suiying hurried after him. But at the restaurant entrance, a member of staff stopped him: he hadn't paid the bill yet. Seeing Li Yu getting farther away, Jian Suiying furiously pulled out several banknotes, threw them down and raced outside.

 

He caught up just as Li Yu was about to close his car door.

 

Jian Suiying seized the door, then used brute force to pull Li Yu back out of the car. Seeing nobody else in the car park, he pressed him against the door without restraint.

 

Li Yu pushed him away irritably.

 

But Jian Suiying grabbed him and refused to let go, speaking breathlessly.

 

“Li Yu, Li Yu, listen to me. Will you please just listen?”

 

Li Yu glared at him, his heart filled with anger and disappointment. No matter how much Jian Suiying claimed to like him, if he didn't clear up all those sordid affairs—both the ones Li Yu knew about and the ones he didn't—his affection was worthless in Li Yu's eyes.

 

Li Yu tried to push him away again and shouted, “Go back to your little pigs and little dogs! Stop fucking pestering me!”

 

Jian Suiying pressed their foreheads together, sounding aggrieved.

 

“Little Li, how can you be so jealous? Can't you let me explain properly?”

 

Li Yu breathed heavily, struggling to control his urge to punch him.

 

“I'm not the person you think I am,” Jian Suiying continued. “When you and I were together, I never went looking for anyone else. But you dumped me. Was I supposed to stop seeing people altogether? Now we're together again, aren't we? As long as you don't dump me again, I, Jian Suiying, will belong to you alone, body and soul, from head to toe. All right?”

 

Those words didn't reassure Li Yu in the slightest. Instead, they stoked his anger further. He snorted coldly.

 

“Why are you so incapable of being alone? Does your entire body ache if there's nobody to sleep with you?”

 

Jian Suiying felt stung by the remark. He frowned.

 

“That's enough, I'm warning you. It's taken us so long to get things back to this point. Can't you stop picking fights like some bitter, nagging wife?”

 

Li Yu's eyes widened furiously. “Fuck your nagging wife!”

 

Jian Suiying fought to suppress his anger and tried to speak in a conciliatory tone.

 

“All right, all right. Can we stop this? Shall I swear an oath? I swear that as long as I, Jian Suiying, have you, I won't even glance at anyone else.”

 

Li Yu continued glaring stubbornly. “And if you don't have me, you'll instantly surround yourself with a harem of three thousand, will you?”

 

“Tsk. Why the fuck are you acting like an old woman? What kind of reasoning is that? If one day you break up with me again, am I supposed to remain celibate for the rest of my life? Why don't you look at it this way: as long as you stay beside me, I promise to behave myself. I'll have eyes and a heart only for you, with no room for anybody else.”

 

Jian Suiying said all this quite sincerely. What he'd overlooked was that everyone liked hearing sweet words and promises, even wildly unrealistic ones, more than blunt truths.

 

What Li Yu wanted to hear was certainly not, ‘If we're together, you're the only one, but if we're apart, I'll find someone else.’ He wanted Jian Suiying to say that whatever happened between them, for better or worse, Li Yu would be the only person in his life.

 

Li Yu knew such a desire was absurd. He might not even be capable of keeping that promise himself, yet he still wanted Jian Suiying to make it.

 

Seeing Li Yu remain silent, Jian Suiying hurried to take advantage of the moment. He gently brushed his nose against Li Yu's and spoke coaxingly.

 

“Little Li, no matter what little pigs or dogs there might have been, I'm not going to see any of them again. Look how shamelessly I've chased after you. How can you still doubt you're the only one in my heart?”

 

He gave Li Yu a quick kiss on the lips and sighed.

 

“You can't even imagine how much I adore you.”

 

Li Yu looked into his eyes and asked hoarsely, “How much?”

 

“What?”

 

“How much do you like me? I want to hear it.”

 

Jian Suiying grew awkward. “How am I supposed to put that into words?”

 

“Just say whatever comes into your head. I want to hear it.”

 

Jian Suiying thought about it. He'd never made grand vows of eternal love to anyone in his life, and he'd hardly spoken a few decent words of romance. Asked to express his feelings now, he had no idea where to begin.

 

After stumbling over his words for a long while, he could only ask, “How much do you think I like you?”

 

At last, Li Yu was satisfied. He cupped the back of Jian Suiying's head and kissed him fiercely.

 

Jian Suiying belonged to him.

 

Li Yu heard his own voice emerge slowly, as though from some dark place beyond his conscious thoughts.

 

“If you ever let someone else touch you, I'll kill you.”