In Love with an Idiot (你却爱着一个他)

Chapter 6

 

Li Yu turned the car into the underground parking lot of his flat building. Jian Suiying whistled, "Not bad, who taught you?"

 

"My older brother." Li Yu opened the door and got out of the car, walked around to his side, and helped him out of the passenger seat.

 

Jian Suiying then started to act a little spoiled, deliberately pretending to be weak and leaning against Li Yu. Jian Suiying was also over 1.8 meters tall, so he weighed considerable. As soon as Li Yu got him out of the car, he was sweating profusely.

 

Jian Suiying let out a "hey," and his "weak" foot tripped over itself, almost falling. He felt even more justified and simply hugged Li Yu's waist and back without any hesitation.

 

Li Yu panted, "Brother Jian, it's too hot, don't hug me." There was no air conditioning in the underground parking lot. The two of them were already covered in sweat from playing ball, and now they were sticking together, which was incredibly uncomfortable.

 

But Young Master Jian didn't think that way. He was thinking, "Wow, that waist is so slender! That neck is so white! I really want to take a bite!"

 

Li Yu, unaware of the seemingly respectable Young Master Jian's lewd thoughts, was only concerned with taking Jian Suiying home after hurting his foot. Otherwise, what would Jian Suilin think of him?

 

Jian Suiying groaned, "My foot hurts, I can't stand up straight." Even so, he was afraid Li Yu would feel uncomfortable, so he restrained himself a little, no longer clinging to Li Yu, though he still leaned half his body against him. Li Yu caught his breath, put his hand under Jian Suiying's armpit, and helped him slowly move towards the elevator.

 

Jian Suiying lived on the top floor of this 28-story flat building, a duplex with living quarters downstairs and a private swimming pool and small garden upstairs. The environment was quite nice, but it felt a bit empty living alone. Since buying the flat, Li Yu had been the first person he brought home, besides his father and other relatives.

 

He never brought random boys home; letting others know his hideout wasn't a good thing. But with Li Yu, he felt an urge to keep him. Li Yu looked around the house after entering. "Is there anyone else here?"

 

"I usually have a cleaning lady, but not at this hour."

 

Li Yu put Jian Suiying on the sofa, frowning and sighing inwardly. "Have you eaten?"

 

"No." Jian Suiying rubbed his stomach; he was indeed a little hungry, and looked at Li Yu expectantly.

 

Knowing he couldn't escape, Li Yu asked, "Is there anything in the fridge? I'll get you something to eat."

 

"No food, just drinks and beer."

 

Li Yu said awkwardly, "Don't you eat at home?"

 

"What can I eat by myself… Oh, there's instant noodles."

 

"Then can I cook some instant noodles?"

 

Jian Suiying leaned back comfortably on the sofa, smiling at him. "Sure, I'll eat whatever you make." Following his instructions, Li Yu took a few packets of instant noodles from the cupboard and started boiling water.

 

While the water was boiling, Jian Suiying didn't let him rest. "Li Yu, come help me. I want to take a shower and change my clothes."

 

Li Yu said, "Oh," and helped Jian Suiying up again, heading towards the bathroom.

 

Jian Suiying thought this guy seemed aloof, but he was probably quite honest. If it weren't for wanting to take advantage of him, he wouldn't have twisted his ankle and become so delicate. Actually, he could have hopped over on one foot himself; Jian Suiying couldn't help but feel secretly pleased.

 

After Li Yu helped him into the bathroom, Jian Suiying leaned against the wall and started taking off his clothes. Li Yu was stunned for a moment and quietly looked away. Jian Suiying was quite confident in his figure, but he didn't know if Li Yu was interested in men, so he slowly unbuttoned his clothes while observing Li Yu's expression.

 

If this guy was interested in men, he didn't believe he wouldn't react even after he was naked. Unexpectedly, after he took off his shirt, Li Yu's face was expressionless, but his hand was slightly open, as if he was ready to help him if he fell. Jian Suiying felt a little frustrated and said, "Help me, I need to take off my pants."

 

Li Yu held his arm, and Jian Suiying used one hand to pull the pants down to his feet in a few quick movements.

 

After sticking one leg out, he hesitated for a moment before turning back to his other leg. The pants were bunched up at his ankle, and he couldn't just pull his leg out straight away. Without a hand to help him, he had to wiggle it, and it took a lot of willpower. He wasn't faking it; it really hurt.

 

Li Yu's expression shifted slightly as he glanced at Jian Suiying's foot, but ultimately he didn't say anything. He wondered if it was a family trait—Jian Suilin was the same, and now Jian Suiying was too—their hands and feet were all very beautiful. It was just that this person only had a good appearance; his character was really…

 

Jian Suiying gritted his teeth, lifted his leg, and pulled his pants off, hissing in pain. After taking off his pants, he started to pull down his underwear. Li Yu finally couldn't hold back any longer and whispered, "Brother Jian, the water’s boiling. I’ll go and check on it."

 

Jian Suiying glanced at him and noticed his eyes were darting away; he was afraid to look at him anymore. Thinking this was promising, he was even more determined not to let him leave. "Hey, what am I going to do if you leave now?"

 

Young Master Jian had far less sense of shame than most people. If being naked could seduce him, why not? With such a great physique, he wasn't embarrassed at all.

 

Sweat broke out on Li Yu's forehead again. He felt that Jian Suiying was deliberately teasing him, but then he thought he was overthinking it. A hint of embarrassment crossed his face. "Then, then hurry up and take it off."

 

Jian Suiying unceremoniously ripped off his underwear, and his little brother popped out. Jian Suiying threw the underwear to his ankles and then pulled them out one by one. When he pulled out his right foot, Jian Suiying deliberately cried out, slipped, and leaned naked against Li Yu.

 

Li Yu was startled and quickly grabbed him. As Jian Suiying threw himself at Li Yu, his lips brushed Li Yu's cheek, and he watched Li Yu's ears turn red. This discovery gave Jian Suiying a jolt; he thought the boy was incredibly cute and irresistible, possessing both the innocent shyness of a young boy and the steady composure of a man, plus he was handsome—where could one find such a gem?

 

Jian Suiying immediately made up his mind: life is short, so he should enjoy it while he can. Who cares whose grandson he is; he's going to have him.

 

Li Yu, with a strength he didn't know he possessed, half-carried, half-lifted Jian Suiying into the bathtub, turned on the water, and practically fled the bathroom. "I'm going to cook noodles, you can wash up," Jian Suiying said, watching his retreating figure with a crooked smile. He was still just a child; he felt the time to pin this boy down and pamper him to his heart's content was not far off.

 

Jian Suiying enjoyed a comfortable bath, but then Li Yu didn't come for a long time, probably scaring him. He thought for a moment, then turned off the water, took a towel, and slowly dried himself before calling out, "Li Yu, get me a bathrobe." A moment later, Li Yu brought in his pyjamas, his eyes still darting around, avoiding direct eye contact.

 

Jian Suiying teased him deliberately, "What's wrong? Why are you acting like a little girl, shy? Aren't you a man? You have everything I have; what are you shy about?"

 

Li Yu frowned, wanting to defend himself, but then realised that no matter what he said, he would be the one to embarrass himself.

 

Jian Suiying laughed heartily, "How's my physique, brother? These muscles are nice, right? You have to work out at least two days a week; it's not for nothing. Come on, help me up."

 

Li Yu dragged himself over, expressionless, and helped him up, practically dragging and carrying him out of the bathtub. As Jian Suiying put on his bathrobe, he whispered in Li Yu's ear, "Li Yu, do you know what a man should work out the most?"

 

Li Yu stiffly replied, "No."

 

Jian Suiying smiled ambiguously, "Waist, waist is the most important, you'll understand later... Hey? Tell me the truth, have you ever slept with anyone?"

 

Li Yu bit his lip slightly, enduring it. Jian Suiying was secretly laughing. He'd never known teasing kids could be so fun.

 

"If you don't want to talk about it, that's fine. But if you're willing, Brother Jian can teach you a lot of practical experience—enough for half a lifetime."

 

He chuckled softly.

 

Li Yu took a deep breath. If it weren't for his injury and the fact that this was Jian Suilin's brother, he would have left long ago. He really wondered what kind of brotherly relationship this frivolous and boring person had with Jian Suilin.

 

After Jian Suiying finally got dressed, Li Yu helped him to the table.

 

"Brother Jian, you eat, I'm leaving now."

 

"Huh? Leaving already?"

 

Li Yu said curtly, "My mum's waiting for me to come back for dinner." Jian Suiying was somewhat disappointed. He'd thought Li Yu would stay for dinner, but he couldn't keep him here just because his foot was swollen.

 

After Li Yu left, Jian Suiying lost his appetite. Looking at the empty, lifeless house, he regretted his earlier overconfidence and excessive teasing of the child, wondering if the child was angry. If only Li Yu could stay and keep him company.

Chapter 7

 

Jian Suiying twisted his ankle and was too lazy to go to work, so he rested at home for two days. The day before the university entrance exam, he was lounging on the sofa watching a movie when he received a call from Jian Suilin. Jian Suiying glanced at the caller ID and immediately muted the phone; he was too lazy to answer.

 

Jian Suilin, however, didn't give up and kept calling. Annoyed, Jian Suiying answered the phone lazily, "What's up?"

 

"Brother, I heard from Li Yu that you hurt your ankle."

 

"Yeah, I twisted it."

 

"Are you feeling better now? How are you eating?"

 

"Do you think I'll starve myself to death?"

 

"Is someone taking care of you?"

 

"I just twisted my ankle; it's not like I'm paralysed. Why would I need anyone to take care of me?"

 

Jian Suiying missed several shots and said impatiently, "I'm hanging up."

 

"Hey, brother!"

 

"What?"

 

"Did you put on any medicine? Did you massage it yourself? If you don't treat it, it'll take at least two weeks to heal."

 

"It's not that complicated; it'll be fine in a few days."

 

"How about I bring you some medicine? People on our team often get injured; I know how to handle it."

 

Jian Suiying rarely got a few days off. He'd rather rest at home, and he didn't want to see him and refused directly, "No need, you have your university entrance exam tomorrow, don't mess around."

 

"The teacher said not to study these few days. I'm just staying home anyway; I'll come see you."

 

"I said no, and I don't mean no."

 

"Brother..."

 

"Aren't you annoying? I hate this about you the most, so nagging."

 

Jian Suilin immediately swallowed back the words he was about to say.

 

Jian Suiying said curtly, "Do your best on the exam tomorrow, don't embarrass the Jian family." Then he hung up and continued eating snacks and watching a movie.

 

Actually, Jian Suiying's foot was almost healed; a sprain couldn't be a big deal. He just wanted to take a break. He had been in a good mood, but Jian Suilin's call made him quite annoyed. Li Yu had injured his foot; shouldn't he have asked about it himself? What was the point of having Jian Suilin call? It would be strange if he wasn't angry. He couldn't help but recall Li Yu's reddened ears and evasive eyes from that day. Jian Suiying felt he could never get enough of that look; he wanted to see it again.

 

Jian Suiying paused the movie, and the surroundings suddenly became quiet, making the emptiness even more pronounced. He suddenly felt uncomfortable staying in this room; there was no one there. He pulled his phone out from under the sofa and dialled Jian Suilin's number.

 

The call was answered quickly. "Brother?"

 

"Yeah."

 

"Brother, do you...do you want me to come over?"

 

"No, I want to eat spicy crayfish."

 

"Then I'll pack some for you?"

 

"I don't want to eat at home. Come over here and pick me up to go to Guijie Street."

 

"Okay, I'll be right there."

 

"Hey, call Li Yu."

 

"Ah...call Li Yu?"

 

"Call him."

 

Jian Suilin hesitated for a moment, then asked hesitantly, "Why?"

 

Jian Suiying was momentarily stumped, then said matter-of-factly, "It's good to see the Li family's grandson more often. You two have a good relationship, and I was even thinking of getting him to allocate some land for me in Beihai."

 

"Oh, I'm not familiar with his brother; I've only met him a few times."

 

"I'm not very familiar with his brother either. It would be best to get to know him through him. Call him out, let's have a meal together."

 

"Okay..."

 

Jian Suiying had only hung up a few minutes when the phone rang again. He looked at it; it was Jian Suilin again.

 

"What is it?"

 

"Suiying." His father's voice came from the other end of the phone.

 

"Dad?"

 

"Yes, Suilin is coming to see you."

 

"Yeah."

 

"I told him to bring all his things and stay at your place tonight."

 

Jian Suiying was immediately unhappy. "Why would he stay at my place?"

 

"You live in the city, close to where he's taking the exam. Tomorrow is the university entrance exam; there will definitely be heavy traffic. What if he's late?"

 

"Didn't you hear him say I twisted my ankle and can't drive?"

 

"I know, even taking a taxi is faster than going from home."

 

"Dad, I don't have room for him here."

 

His father clicked his tongue. "Damn it, why are you making such a fuss about letting your brother stay one night?"

 

Jian Suiying rolled his eyes.

 

His father then said earnestly, "Suiying, you're both grown up now. No matter what, he's your brother. When we're all dead, you'll only have your brothers to rely on. Do you understand?"

 

From the past to now, his father has always hoped that the brothers would get along well and has often tried to find ways to keep them together. Actually, none of this mattered. Jian Suiying wanted to ask his father if he understood that from the moment he lost control of himself, letting that woman interfere in his family and driving his mother to that point, he could never be like Jian Suilin to be ordinary brothers, never. The fact that he could speak calmly with Jian Suilin now was already a sign of his father's magnanimity.

 

Jian Suiying lazily said, "Fine, fine, stay if you want." His father then gave a satisfied "hmm," and was about to hang up when Jian Suiying exclaimed, "Hey!"

 

"What?"

 

"Dad, tell Xiaolin to invite Old Li's grandson too. I have plenty of space here; let's just send them over tomorrow."

 

"Can they stay?"

 

"Just ask. His father and his older brother both hold real power; they might need it sometime. It's never a bad thing to have a good relationship."

 

"Okay, I'll have Suilin ask."

 

Jian Suiying hung up the phone, hoping that Li Yu would stay at his place that night; otherwise, it would be pointless. Jian Suiying waited at home for over an hour, even dozing off on the sofa, before the doorbell rang. Sure enough, Jian Suilin had brought Li Yu along, which instantly cheered Jian Suiying up.

 

As soon as Xiao Linzi entered, he looked at Jian Suiying with concern, "Brother, how's your foot? Brother, please take a look."

 

"No need, it's fine. What's the use of you looking? You're not a doctor."

 

"Let me see. I brought some liniment; I'll massage it for you."

 

"No, no, come in, sit down." The polite words after that were clearly directed at Li Yu.

 

Li Yu also gave a perfunctory greeting, "Brother Jian, how's your foot?"

 

"It's nothing serious."

 

Jian Suilin helped him sit down, insisting on seeing his foot.

 

Jian Suiying was initially reluctant, but then he thought that showing his swollen ankle, which looked like a steamed bun, might make Li Yu feel guilty, so he figured it wouldn't hurt to let him see it. He then generously put his foot on the sofa. Jian Suilin rolled up his trouser leg and frowned as he looked at his foot. "Brother, did you go to the hospital?"

 

"No, why would I go to the hospital? It'll be fine in a few days."

 

"You can't do this. You can't drive for a long time if you don't treat it properly." As he spoke, he took out a bottle of oil from his bag. "I'll massage it for you. It'll hurt a little, just bear with it."

 

Before Jian Suiying could say anything, Jian Suilin had already unscrewed the cap and poured a puddle of oil onto his foot. It was too late for him to say anything then. Jian Suilin carefully placed his foot on his thigh and began massaging his ankle with increasing pressure.

 

Li Yu sat beside him, watching with a displeased expression. He felt stiff and uncomfortable no matter how he sat. He couldn't understand why Suilin was so nice to this kind of older brother, even to the point of trying to please him.

 

He had always known how Jian Suiying treated Jian Suilin. The grudges of the previous generation weren't Jian Suilin's fault, yet Jian Suiying had always vented all his anger on Jian Suilin since childhood. He had always harboured resentment towards Jian Suiying, and what annoyed him most was that no matter how Jian Suiying treated Jian Suilin, Jian Suilin would always say, "My brother is actually quite good to me," and then continue to fawn over him.

 

Every time he saw Jian Suiying arrogantly ordering Jian Suilin around, he felt sorry for Jian Suilin. Jian Suiying, however, didn't see it that way at all.

 

In his view, no matter how much he bullied him, it was perfectly normal for Jian Suilin to try to please him. He's the eldest grandson of the main branch of the Jian family, good at making money and handling affairs. Many in the family live in luxury thanks to him and his father. Now that his grandfather is old, his father is the head of the household, and he's the second most influential person. To put it bluntly, if his father passes away one day, wouldn't he be the one calling the shots in the Jian family? Jian Suilin's mother has no family background, and no one in the Jian family looks up to her. If this mother and son want a good life, they'll have to be subservient to Jian Suiying. Jian Suilin isn't stupid; who else would he please if not himself?

 

So when Li Yu said Jian Suilin admired him, he found it laughable. Jian Suilin probably wishes he, Jian Suiying, didn't exist.

 

Jian Suilin's grip tightened, and Jian Suiying winced. "Ouch, that hurts! You've got some serious strength!"

 

"It's not effective if it doesn't hurt; this is how you improve blood circulation."

 

"Okay, okay, that's enough; it hurts too much! Stop pressing!"

 

"Brother, just bear with it, it'll heal faster that way."

 

"Damn it, can't I take it slower? Stop pressing!"

 

Jian Suiying insisted on pulling his foot back. Jian Suilin held his foot, almost coaxing him, "Brother, please bear with it a little longer, okay?"

 

"No." Jian Suiying kicked him in the stomach, not really with much force, and then pulled his foot back.

 

Li Yu couldn't stand it any longer and rose abruptly, his face dark. "Suilin is doing this for your own good; what are you doing?"

 

His words stunned both of them.

 

This way of getting along between the Jian brothers was a case of one willing to hit and the other willing to be hit; they were used to it. Jian Suilin was a little embarrassed. "Li Yu..."

 

Li Yu also realised his lapse in composure and sat down with a frown.

 

Jian Suiying frowned, wondering what his brother was angry about. Thinking about it carefully, was it because he had kicked Jian Suilin? He pursed his lips, genuinely thinking it was no big deal. He hadn't expected Li Yu to be so loyal.

 

Jian Suilin used a wet wipe to clean his brother's feet. "Brother, don't you want some spicy crayfish? Let's go."

 

"Did you get your driver's licence?"

 

"Yes."

 

"Hmm, good. What kind of car do you want to drive to school?"

 

"You decide, brother."

 

"Hmm, it depends on how you do on the test. Do well, and I'll get you a nice car."

 

"Thanks, brother."

Chapter 8

 

Jian Suiying always loved spicy crayfish. His mother especially loved spicy food and often brought him over when he was little, peeling them and putting them in his bowl. His father never came, complaining that the food wasn't clean. Often, these trivial matters would lead to arguments between his parents.

 

His mother was a true lady of high birth; her ancestors had accumulated great wealth, donating tons of gold to the Communist Party during the war. Many of the family's patriotic youths joined the resistance against Japan, which made them relatively politically conscious and thus spared them suffering during the Cultural Revolution.

 

His grandfather, however, was different. His ancestors were eight generations of poor peasants, with impeccable revolutionary credentials. They were so poor as children that they couldn't even afford pants and had to go hungry before joining the Party, never expecting to achieve what they had today.

 

Later, his grandfather and maternal grandfather developed a deep revolutionary friendship, which led to his mother marrying into the family. Who knew it would end like this? Compared to that woman's gentle and submissive demeanour—whether it was genuine or not—his mother was at a disadvantage.

 

After all those messy things happened, his grandfather felt ashamed to face his maternal grandfather, so he simply stopped caring about family matters and went to the countryside to farm.

 

After his mother passed away, his grandfather didn't speak a word to his father for four or five years. It wasn't until his maternal grandfather passed away, and Jian Suiying grew up and appropriately mediated their relationship, that his grandfather allowed his father to marry into the family. He hated that woman and his father intensely as a child.

 

How rebellious was he back then? He would do anything that would embarrass or upset his father. He remembered once throwing seven- or eight-year-old Jian Suilin into the swimming pool, tying a rope to his hand, and then squatting on the shore, watching him flounder in the water. When he was done floundering, he would pull him out, repeating this three or four times.

 

Later, when he was discovered, his father beat him so badly that he couldn't get out of bed for almost a month. This didn't seem to be the worst thing he had ever done. In short, thinking back on his ignorant childhood, it's quite a miracle that he didn't kill Jian Suilin, and that he wasn't beaten to death by his father.

 

Now he had no interest in those things, and thinking back to his childhood, he felt a little guilty. Plus, Jian Suilin was good at handling things and was incredibly attentive to him, so Jian Suiying genuinely felt he was treating Jian Suilin quite well. For one thing, in the past two years, he'd sponsored him with at least two million yuan just to train him in business, stock trading, and investing.

 

So, he considered Jian Suilin's kindness as filial piety. Right now, Jian Suilin was deftly peeling shrimp, and the young master Jian was eating them one by one.

 

"Hmm, this place is really good. Little Lin, peel a few for Li Yu too."

 

Li Yu said with a sullen face, "I'll do it myself."

 

"Let him do it. Don't get your hands dirty; it's hot."

 

Li Yu said expressionlessly, "I'm used to doing it myself." He snapped off the shrimp head, a small flame of anger rising within him. He particularly resented Jian Suiying's way of instructing Jian Suilin.

 

In his eyes, Jian Suilin possessed an elegance rarely seen in boys his age. He was gentle and polite in his dealings with others, and very popular at school. Even his father said that this boy knew how to conduct himself and would do great things in the future.

 

For nearly ten years, he had been looking forward to seeing Jian Suilin again, and every day he spent with him now was unforgettable. This precious time together was treated so casually by Jian Suiying, who treated Jian Suilin like a servant.

 

It was as if something was a jewel to him, something he could glance at occasionally and be satisfied with, but to others it was just a stone used to weigh down a pickle jar, something that could be used or not. This huge psychological gap filled him with resentment towards Jian Suiying.

 

Jian Suiying seemed oblivious to the sarcasm in his words, gulping down a mouthful of Yanjing beer. "You two eat less; it's too spicy, I'm afraid your stomachs won't be able to handle it. And don't drink alcohol, it's too cold. We're just eating, but we need to make sure you're both in good shape tomorrow, no stomach upsets, no insomnia or anything like that."

 

Jian Suilin nodded with a smile, " Don't worry, brother."

 

Jian Suiying asked, "Are you nervous?"

 

"Not nervous."

 

"Oh, really?"

 

Jian Suilin laughed, "Really, I'm mentally prepared."

 

Jian Suiying grinned too, then asked Li Yu, "Li Yu, are you nervous?"

 

Li Yu shook his head, "I don't feel anything."

 

"Not bad, you have some guts. I wasn't nervous at all before my university entrance exam either, because I knew I wouldn't do well, but it didn't matter; I don't rely on a diploma for a living."

 

Jian Suilin immediately said, "Brother, you're smart."

 

"Yes, that's true. But you're different. You've always had good grades, so your family has higher expectations for you. Whether you go into politics or business is still uncertain, but getting into a good university will only benefit your future career. So do your best on the exam tomorrow. If you can get into X University..."

 

Jian Suilin looked at him with a hint of expectation in his eyes.

 

"If you can get in, tell me what you want."

 

Jian Suilin's eyes brightened, but he didn't speak. Jian Suiying smiled and said, "Haven't you thought about it yet? Okay, keep it to yourself until you've thought it through."

 

"Thank you, brother."

 

Jian Suiying then looked at Li Yu. "Where do you want to go after your exams? I'll take you." Li Yu glanced at Jian Suilin but didn't speak. The summer vacation he was looking forward to was coming soon, and it would be wonderful if he could spend it with Jian Suilin, but he really didn't want to see Jian Suiying.

 

Jian Suiying asked excitedly, "Brother, are you going to take us out? Don't you have to work?"

 

"I'm my own boss; whether I work or not is up to me."

 

"What do you think, brother? I'm fine with anywhere, wherever is convenient for you."

 

Jian Suiying thought for a moment, but really didn't know where to go. If he only took Li Yu, he had plenty of romantic places, but where could he take his younger brother? An amusement park?

 

Jian Suiying glanced at Li Yu greedily, secretly hoping to spend some time alone with him. All three of them had their lips burning red from the spiciness, and despite the air conditioning being on full blast in the summer heat, they were still drenched in sweat. A small mountain of shrimp gradually disappeared.

 

Jian Suiying's alcohol tolerance had been honed at the drinking table; he was hard to get drunk on, but he was easily flushed. One glass and his face would turn red; two or three glasses and his entire body, even his toes, would be red. Jian Suilin and Li Yu didn't drink, but they watched as Jian Suiying seemed to be soaking in a vat of red wine, his skin slowly turning red.

 

Young Master Jian was a fashionable gay man with a remarkable sense of style. Today, he wore a beige knit sweater with a deep V-neck that plunged to his chest, revealing glimpses of his well-defined pectoral muscles. Four young women came in within ten minutes, drawn by his rosy skin and captivating eyes, to refill their hot pot broth, but none dared to look him directly in the eye, managing only a quick, shy glance before running away.

 

Young Master Jian was completely unaware of his overflowing masculine hormones; mainly because he was already surrounded by beautiful women, he wasn't paying attention to whether there were any handsome young men around, and naturally, he didn't know if any of them were looking at him.

 

Li Yu sat next to Jian Suiying, who leaned in to chat. Jian Suiying's scent wafted around him, a mixture of perfume and alcohol that wasn't exactly pleasant, but it gave him a strange sensory stimulation. He didn't know how to describe the feeling; he only knew that he, who used to refuse alcohol completely, suddenly wanted a drink.

 

And the more they chatted, the less resistant he felt towards Jian Suiying. Jian Suiying was knowledgeable, could explain anything clearly, and loved to joke, making conversation quite enjoyable. After dinner, Jian Suiying was a little tipsy, and since he didn't have to drive today, he drank more freely.

 

Back home, Jian Suiying realised he hadn't made the beds. Too lazy to do such chores, he continued to order his all-powerful younger brother around: "Xiao Linzi, make the beds in those two guest rooms." He then slumped onto the sofa, saying, "Get me a glass of water."

 

Jian Suilin poured him the water and went inside to make the beds. Li Yu followed him inside, saying, "I'll help you." Jian Suiying felt dizzy and lay there, wishing he could fall asleep.

 

Just as he was drifting off, he heard laughter coming from the guest room. Jian Suiying closed his eyes for a moment, then stood up and went to the guest room. Standing at the door, he saw the two boys inside, hugging their blankets and playfully bumping into each other, laughing and having a great time.

 

Their innocent and carefree smiles were so comforting to see, and Jian Suiying couldn't help but smile back. The next day, Jian Suiying didn't get up, but he called a driver to take them to school and told them to pick them up at noon. When he woke up around 10 a.m., he first called the hotel to have some dishes prepared. While waiting for them to return at noon, Jian Suiying felt unconsciously nervous.

 

He started thinking about how they had done on their exams, whether they had performed well, whether they had made any mistakes, and how they were feeling. A whole bunch of random thoughts came to mind, giving him a strange feeling of being a parent. Finally, unable to resist any longer, he asked the driver to go home and pick him up first, and then the two of them went to the school together to pick them up.

Chapter 9

 

For the first time in his life, Jian Suiying did what an older brother should do: pick up his younger brother from the university entrance exam. Of course, his main purpose wasn't for him. He was already overwhelmed when he reached the street corner where their exam school was located.

 

Cars were blocking the entire street, making it almost completely impassable. Everywhere he looked, there were people and cars, nothing but people. Even traffic police were directing traffic.

 

Twenty minutes passed, and Jian Suiying's car had moved less than ten meters.

 

"Damn it, this traffic jam... Okay, don't go any further. I'll get out and find them myself. You turn around up ahead and wait for us on the other side of the street."

 

His driver also breathed a sigh of relief; this inching forward would be frustrating for anyone. As soon as Jian Suiying opened the door, a wave of heat almost knocked him back in. He squinted at the blazing sun, got out of the car, and walked towards the school gate.

 

His ankle was still a little sore, but it didn't affect his walking; the main problem was the unbearable heat. Fortunately, it was only about a hundred meters, and Jian Suiying strolled over leisurely. He then stood with a group of anxious uncles and aunts, craning their necks and staring at the school gate.

 

Jian Suiying, tall and commanding, stood out among the group of students and parents. He asked an older woman standing next to him for directions and learned that the morning exam would end in two or three minutes, so he quickly found a shady spot under a tree and waited patiently. As he looked around idly, he heard someone call his name from behind.

 

The person called him "Young Master Jian." Anyone who called him that was either a princeling who wasn't very familiar with him, or someone eager to curry favour with him.

 

He turned around and saw a tall, handsome man, somewhat resembling Li Yu, but with a more serious and dignified air. His gait was brisk and confident; he was clearly no ordinary person. "Oh, isn't this Young Master Li?"

 

It was none other than Li Yu's older brother, Li Xuan. He wasn't particularly familiar with Li Xuan.

 

Li Xuan was different from him. His grandfather, Mr Li, was a civil official, while his father was a military general. Although both were founding fathers, intellectuals and martial artists have historically looked down on each other.

 

His father and Mr Li didn't dislike each other, just weren't close. However, Mr Li, unlike his grandfather, was extremely strict about his descendants' education.

 

They were about the same age; when he was a child, his legs covered in mud, climbing trees to steal bird nests, he heard that Li Xuan was already sitting properly at a table studying English. So, this wild boy, always getting into fights and wearing the same pair of pants for less than two days, naturally couldn't get along with a well-mannered and obedient child like Li Xuan.

 

They each had their own circles, and although these circles often overlapped, their relationship remained merely polite and perfunctory. But in this scorching sun and crowded scene, their unexpected encounter, driven by the same purpose, somewhat brought them closer. Li Xuan smiled and pushed through the crowd to shake hands with him. "Young Master Jian, what a coincidence!"

 

Jian Suiying also smiled and said, "Of course, isn't that fate? You're here to pick up Li Yu, right?"

 

"I'm here to wait for him, but not to pick him up. He told me he's going to stay at your house with Lin. I just got off the plane today and rushed over. I haven't even had a chance to call you yet. I'm so sorry to trouble you."

 

"Don't mention it. Don't be so formal. Your brother is my brother too. Besides, these two kids get along really well. Talking to each other before exams helps them relax and is helpful for their studies." Jian Suiying said with a smile, somewhat flattering Li Xuan.

 

For families like theirs, who had shed blood and sweat for the founding of New China, there was an unwritten rule from above: only one person per generation would be promoted—no more.

 

What does this mean? Take the Jian family, for example. His grandfather had two sons and two daughters, and he chose his uncle as the family’s political successor. So, the higher-ups focused on promoting his uncle, ensuring he was at least at the X Committee level before leaving office. The other children did what they were supposed to do; even if they entered the government, their promotions were limited. This is the so-called checks and balances. So, his father served as an official for a few years before going into business. In this family, his father held the money, and his uncle held the power, ensuring the family's long-term prosperity.

 

As for the Li family, Old Master Li betrothed Li Xuan and Li Yu's father, who in turn betrothed Li Xuan. Basically, if Li Yu had wanted to pursue a career in politics, he certainly wouldn't have been as successful as Li Xuan. Therefore, Li Xuan would inevitably be the head of the Li family in the future.

 

Li Xuan was also very ambitious. From childhood to adulthood, he was always associated with the word "excellent," and his career progressed smoothly. Before he was thirty, he was already a division-level official, and he was expected to be promoted again in a couple of years. His future was bright, and his career path was clear. He was basically the most successful among his peers.

 

Although Jian Suiying was doing well himself, his uncle wasn't his father, and he would retire one day. His younger cousin was still young, and no successor had been chosen. In the deep, murky waters of Beijing politics, connections had to be cultivated from an early age. The wider his network grew, the more secure his and the Jian family's position would be for years to come.

 

Building a good relationship with Li Xuan, the future head of the Li family, was exactly what Jian Suiying wanted. Li Xuan, to some extent, felt the same way. He'd heard a while ago that Li Xuan had been transferred to Guangxi; he hadn't expected to run into him here today.

 

Li Xuan smiled in agreement. "Yes, I know exactly what you mean. The most important thing before the university entrance exams is being in the right frame of mind. Staying at your place means he is closer to the examination centre, so there is less risk of him arriving late. I really must thank you."

 

"Oh, don't be so polite. It's hardly anything. Just a bed to sleep in and some food to eat."

 

They exchanged smiles and began chatting about this and that. Before long, Jian Suiying deftly steered the conversation towards Beihai.

 

He wasn't just casually talking to his dad that day; he genuinely wanted to acquire a piece of land in Beihai. He'd recently come across a project producing animal feed, which could significantly reduce costs and make it highly competitive in the market. However, the raw materials needed to be imported from Southeast Asia, and the nearest port to his factory was Beihai. It was a small project, one he initially looked down on, but it was run by the wife of his close friend's brother-in-law, who had been trying to get his investment and support. 

 

After much deliberation, he decided he didn't want to invest any money. If he could get a piece of land from the government under the guise of energy conservation, environmental protection, and waste recycling, and then use that land for financing, it would be like getting something for nothing. If he could eventually get the company listed, he could make a fortune. If he couldn't get the land, he had plenty of other good projects and didn't want to waste money on this. 

 

He was willing to try his luck, doing some lobbying for them, hoping it would work out, or at least give them an explanation. After much thought, he felt that Li Xuan was the most reliable connection, so he tentatively sounded out their intentions.

 

This was hardly the place to discuss business. Li Xuan watched the waves of students streaming through the school gates, looking rather distracted. Instead of answering directly, he deftly changed the subject and suggested they meet for a meal another day and discuss it then.

 

Jian Suiying knew the timing wasn't right either. He'd only mentioned it in passing, hoping to leave the idea in Li Xuan's mind. He then turned his attention back to the school gates.

 

A short while later, Jian Suiying spotted an exceptionally handsome young man with rosy lips and white teeth emerging from the school gates. He was even more excited than Li Xuan and shouted from a distance, "Li Yu! Li Yu!"

 

Li Xuan jumped at the shout and gave him a look of surprise. Li Yu didn't hear him at all; there were too many people. Li Xuan also shouted twice, trying to push his way through the crowd, but the expectant parents were all crowding towards the school gate, making it difficult to get through.

 

Jian Suiying quickly took out his phone and called Li Yu. He saw Li Yu take out his phone from afar, frowned, hesitated for a moment, and finally answered, "Brother Jian..."

 

"Look to your left."

 

Li Yu was stunned for a moment, turned his head, and saw Jian Suiying waving at him, his older brother standing beside him.

 

Li Yu smiled at his older brother and quickly ran over. "Brother, what brings you here?"  Mum and Dad didn't want to come. They said they were scared when they brought me to take the university entrance exam that year. There were so many people that the cars couldn't move. So they sent me to see how you were doing."

 

Li Yu smiled, revealing his pearly white teeth, "I feel great." Then, remembering something, he said to Jian Suiying, "Brother Jian, Suilin isn't in the same exam room as me." Just then, his phone rang. "Hello, Suilin, your brother is here, and my brother is here too. He's on the left side of the school gate."

 

A little while later, Jian Suilin arrived, looking travel-worn, but his expression was calm. Jian Suiying, unusually attentive, asked, "How did the exam go?"

 

Jian Suilin smiled slightly, "I didn't feel anything; it shouldn't have been too bad."

 

"Haha, that's good. Don't think about it anymore; once it's over, we still have to prepare for other exams."

 

Li Xuan patted Li Yu's shoulder, "Your brother Jian is right, once it's over, don't think about it anymore. Second brother, you caused trouble for your brother Jian, did you properly thank him?"

 

"Hey."

 

Jian Suiying patted Li Xuan's shoulder, "Are you ever going to stop?"

 

Li Xuan laughed, "I'm treating at noon today, Suilin, where do you want to eat?"

 

Jian Suilin smiled, "Brother Li, I'm not picky."

 

Jian Suiying said, "Don't go out to eat, I've prepared food at home, come on, come on, come on, let's all rest at my place at noon."

 

Li Xuan made a few more polite remarks, but Jian Suiying insisted that he come home with him for lunch. Li Xuan went along with it, "Okay, you can have a good nap after lunch." Jian Suiying led the three of them across the street, where the driver was waiting for him on the other side.

 

They were a little worried when getting into the car. None of the four of them was under 1.8 meters tall. If one person sat in the front, the other three would have to squeeze in the back. Imagine how uncomfortable it would be for three grown men to squeeze into such a small space.

 

Jian Suiying regretted having driven this small car and insisted that Li Xuan sit in the front seat. Li Xuan was also polite and insisted that Jian Suiying sit in the front. After all, the two weren't familiar with each other, and they both wanted to give each other face so that they could get along better in the future.

 

In the end, Jian Suiying insisted on pushing Li Xuan into the passenger seat. He himself happily ran to the back and squeezed between his younger brother and Li Yu. Li Yu's arm was against his waist, and their thighs were close together. The refreshing scent of Li Yu wafted in his nose, and he really wanted to turn his head and kiss Li Yu's smooth cheek.

 

Young Master Jian was so happy he almost laughed out loud.

Chapter 10

 

Jian Suiying called ahead to have the house tidied up and lunch prepared. Upon entering, he found no outsiders, only the aroma of steaming food filling the air. In a slightly better mood, Jian Suiying, like his father, enjoyed opening a bottle of good wine. The first time he met Li Yu, he hadn't even liked the sweet wine he'd had; this time, he figured the two younger ones couldn't drink, and someone like Li Xuan, who navigated the officialdom, should have a robust constitution.

 

Unexpectedly, as soon as he took out the wine, Li Xuan smiled and waved his hands repeatedly, already calling him by his name with practised ease. 

 

"Suiying, please don't. I have to go to the Financial Office this afternoon. I have important business to attend to. I really can't drink."

 

Jian Suiying was extremely disappointed. "Have a drink, please. It's not proper for four old men to sit around the table eating without drinking, is it?"

 

Li Xuan still smiled politely, but his attitude was firm. "Next time, I'll definitely drink with you to my heart's content. I really can't today. I really have something to do this afternoon."

 

Jian Suiying had no choice but to put the wine back in the wine cabinet and invite them to sit down and eat. The two high school seniors initially remembered their teacher's instructions not to compare answers after the exam, but after a few words, they couldn't help themselves, and the topic veered towards that.

 

Li Xuan sighed, "You two, don't talk about this; it'll affect your performance," and then changed the subject, "It's so hot today, just standing outside makes you sweat."

 

"You're right... Li Xuan, how many days are you staying this time?"

 

"Tentatively, a week. I have an important meeting to attend, and I'll take this opportunity to visit my second son."

 

"Then when are you free these next few days? After they finish their university entrance exams, I'll treat you to a meal."

 

"No trouble at all, this meal is fine."

 

"Today is a special case. My little place can't possibly accommodate Director Li. No, you have to give me this opportunity before you leave. A new Cantonese restaurant recently opened near Liangma River, and they serve Alaskan king crabs, each one as big as a face. I absolutely have to take you to try it."

 

Li Xuan quickly declined a few times, but eventually agreed.

 

Jian Suiying felt incredibly lucky today. He could admire the pretty girl without missing out, and also use the opportunity to get closer to Li Xuan—a small success in both love and business. He keenly sensed that he was enjoying a period of great fortune and that he had to seize the opportunity to rise rapidly; otherwise, his chances would be lost—a principle Jian Suiying consistently believed in and followed.

 

The four of them had a harmonious meal. Afterwards, Jian Suiying sent the two children to nap while he brewed a pot of tea and chatted with Li Xuan in the living room for a while. Chatting with someone so well-connected, young, promising, and knowledgeable was not only enjoyable because they shared many common interests, but also very beneficial.

 

The princelings of Beijing would frequently gather for social events, not only to maintain relationships but, more importantly, to gain valuable information.

 

During their conversation, Li Xuan casually mentioned several promising projects in Guangxi that were currently attracting investment. For young cadres like him, accumulating experience and seniority was crucial; ideally, he should leave a lasting mark wherever he went, which would greatly benefit his future development.

 

Jian Suiying was quite willing to cooperate with him. Li Xuan was so young; who knew what position he would hold in the future? Besides, the projects he mentioned sounded quite promising. Jian Suiying felt that Li Xuan was quite farsighted and had big ambitions, which wasn't easily apparent from his calm and meticulous appearance.

 

In short, the two chatted for a whole afternoon, and their relationship grew much closer. Jian Suiying even felt as if they had known each other for a long time.

 

No matter how much he favoured beautiful women, he was still a man with serious business and ambitions. At this moment, his interest in Li Xuan had surpassed that in Li Yu. If his previous desire to approach Li Yu was purely because he was attracted to him, now he had another important reason: he needed to establish a relationship with Li Xuan through Li Yu.

 

It was almost time, and Jian Suilin and Li Yu both woke up. Li Xuan gave Li Yu a few instructions and then left. Jian Suilin had the driver take them to school.

 

The two-day college entrance examination came to an end quickly. When Jian Suiying went to pick them up on the afternoon of the last day, he was simply overwhelmed by the sheer number of people. He finally managed to pull his younger brother out of the crowd and learned that Li Yu had already been picked up by the Li family.

 

Although he was somewhat disappointed, what child wouldn't go home to celebrate with their family after finishing the university entrance exam? Summer vacation was so long; he wasn't in a hurry.

 

Jian Suiying picked up Jian Suilin and took him to the hotel. This time, it was just the four of them for dinner. As soon as they entered the private room, they saw his father and Jian Suilin's mother, Zhao Yan, sitting there talking. Zhao Yan had a frown on her face and seemed somewhat unwilling.

 

Jian Dongyuan saw his two sons enter one after the other. Each of them was exceptionally handsome and distinguished. As their father, he felt a surge of pride. For some reason, he exclaimed, "Good, good! Oh, little girl!" He gestured to the hotel manager beside him, his eyes beaming, "Look at my two sons, aren't they wonderful?"

 

The manager, of course, knew how to flatter him, and immediately chimed in, "Like father, like son! President Jian's two sons are clearly from wealthy families; they walk with such confidence and style."

 

Jian Dongyuan smiled happily, "What a pity, what a pity. If only we had a daughter."

 

The manager quickly added, "Then let Young Master Jian find you a beautiful daughter-in-law soon! That would be like getting a daughter for free!"

 

Jian Dongyuan gave Jian Suiying a half-smile, sighed with a hint of disappointment, and pointed at him, saying, "You little rascal, I don't even know if I can count on you anymore."

 

Jian Suiying pretended not to hear.

 

Normally, if his father brought up his sexuality, he wouldn't necessarily turn on him, but he'd always give him a cold shoulder. Today, probably not wanting to spoil the mood, he said little.

 

"Suilin, go sit next to your mother; Suiying, sit here with me."

 

Jian Dongyuan personally poured Jian Suilin a glass of wine. "Come on, today your old man is pouring you a drink to celebrate the end of your twelve years of hard study. Dad knows how tough it is to be a student, and you've always performed very well, which has satisfied your mother and me. No matter the outcome, I've seen your efforts, and your mother and I are content."

 

Jian Suilin quickly stood up. "Thank you, Dad, thank you, Mum." The three of them started off with a lot of mushy talk, and apart from Jian Dongyuan occasionally mentioning Jian Suiying, he basically had nothing to do.

 

He idly swirled his wine glass, and his eyes inadvertently met Zhao Yan's. Zhao Yan immediately looked away. He sneered, knowing this woman was afraid of him.

 

If he, the young master Jian, couldn't even handle a vixen, he might as well not be in the business. He was pleased with her fear; he hoped she would live her whole life in constant fear, never daring to utter a sound in front of him so that she and her son could stay safely in the Jian family. Even so, Jian Suiying felt it was too lenient on her.

 

After all, she could still wear gold and silver as Jian Dongyuan's legal wife, while his mother had been driven to her death by anger, not even having the chance to watch her son grow up. As they finished eating, Jian Dongyuan asked his second son, "Suilin, what are your plans for the summer vacation?"

 

Jian Suilin took a sip of tea, very perceptive, and asked, "Dad, do you have any plans?"

 

Jian Dongyuan replied, "You finally finished your exams. I don't object to you relaxing for a few days, but you can't waste your two-month summer vacation playing, understand?"

 

"I understand."

 

"You've always been obedient. I can't control your brother. I remember the year he finished his university entrance exams… Suiying, tell your brother what you did."

 

Jian Suiying smiled lazily. "I stole your car and pawned it, then went to Dalian with a friend to trade seafood for over two months, made some money, and then returned the car to you."

 

Jian Dongyuan snorted and laughed. "That brat has been a troublemaker since he was little, never giving me a moment's peace. Suilin, you've always been a child who doesn't cause adults any worry. Your brother, although he often messes around, is actually quite capable. I don't want you to learn his tricks for making me angry, but I hope you learn how your brother does business, how he conducts himself, and how, in just a few years, people don't first think about whose son he is when they mention him."

 

Jian Suilin's bright eyes fell on Jian Suiying. Jian Suiying continued swirling his wine glass. "Dad, just say what you want."

 

"What I mean is, let him play for two weeks, and the rest of the time, he can intern at your place."

 

Jian Suiying sighed. "Dad, he's just a high school graduate. Intern at my place? I'd rather it be a burden than pay him."

 

"That's why he should learn from you. If he knew everything, would he need you to teach him?"

 

Jian Suiying retorted. "I don't raise burdens. If you really want to train him, let him wash dishes."

 

Zhao Yan sat up straight, almost pleadingly looking at Jian Dongyuan.

 

Jian Suiying had been raised as the future head of the Jian family since childhood. He was strong-willed and arrogant, and few in the family could control him when he was young. As he grew up, his words carried weight at home. If he really wanted Jian Suilin to wash dishes, he might be able to persuade Jian Dongyuan to agree to let his youngest son wash dishes, no matter how unexpected the reason.

 

That was Zhao Yan's precious child; how could she bear to do that?

 

She had initially opposed allowing Suilin to intern at Jian Suiying's company, but Jian Dongyuan insisted, leaving her with no choice. Now, she was genuinely afraid of angering Jian Suiying, lest Suilin really have to wash dishes for two months. In the Jian family, women rarely had a say in what the men said.

 

Fortunately, Jian Dongyuan was relatively clear-headed this time, frowning and saying, "What nonsense are you spouting? What can he learn washing dishes? Let him go to your place to learn something useful."

 

Jian Suiying was extremely unwilling; he didn't want to be forced to see Jian Suilin every day for two whole months—it was so unpleasant! He was afraid he would lose control and have the urge to abuse him again. Just as Jian Dongyuan and his eldest son were at an impasse...

 

Jian Suilin leaned forward slightly, his posture extremely sincere, "Brother, let me intern at your company; I'll even start from cleaning."

 

Jian Suiying retorted sharply, "Who needs you to clean? Our company's cleaner earns 2,200 a month, supports a child and a sick husband, and does a great job. Go and steal her job!" Jian Suilin and Zhao Yan's expressions immediately changed.

 

This was clearly a deliberate attempt to provoke him.

 

Although Jian Dongyuan knew that Jian Suiying had never been very kind to Jian Suilin, he couldn't fully defend his younger son because he felt guilty. But speaking like this in front of him and the man's mother was a blow to his pride. Jian Dongyuan slammed his hand on the table and said sternly, "Suiying, how can you talk to your brother like that? What's wrong with letting your brother help you out and learn something? What's wrong with you? How much of a problem could it be?" Jian Suiying rolled his eyes.

 

He really couldn't be bothered arguing with his father. They'd argued too much in the past; just thinking about it now was exhausting. He downed the wine in his glass in one gulp, then stood up.

 

"Come on in if you want. I won't disturb your family of three's meal any longer. Goodbye." With that, he turned and left.

 

Jian Dongyuan's face flushed with anger. Jian Suilin's eyes followed his departing figure, a hint of joy gradually appearing in his eyes. Jian Suiying drove home, feeling irritated. Just thinking about the three of them sitting together made his chest tighten with discomfort.

 

His expectations of Zhao Yan and Jian Suilin were simple: to see them as little as possible. But his father didn't want to grant his wishes, always pushing Jian Suilin towards him, trying to awaken their brotherly bond.

 

Pure bullshit.

 

Jian Suiying pulled the car over to the side of the road and slammed his fist on the steering wheel. He felt uncomfortable and wanted to find someone to relax with. He took out his phone and frantically flipped through his contacts.

 

Who should he call today? Looking at the familiar names, he felt he couldn't quite remember their faces. When Jian Suiying turned to Li Yu's picture, his hand paused.

 

Li Yu's face appeared before him with exceptional clarity, so lifelike it was as if the person were right in front of him. He was damn handsome, especially that aloof little air about him, which was strangely alluring. He pressed the call button almost unconsciously.

 

The call connected. "Brother Jian?"

 

These past two days had considerably improved Li Yu's attitude towards him; he was even joking around at the dinner table.

 

"Hey, Li Lao Er, are you asleep yet?"

 

"It's not even ten o'clock."

 

"Yeah, right. How did it go? Did you go home to celebrate?"

 

"It's not really a celebration; the results aren't out yet. It's just a family dinner to celebrate my escape from this misery."

 

"Hahaha, this is something to celebrate, something to celebrate."

 

Li Yu asked, "Brother Jian, is something wrong? Are you with Suilin?"

 

"Ah, no, nothing. I've been keeping an eye on you these past few days, and it feels a bit strange not seeing you for a while."

 

"Oh, is Suilin with you?"

 

Jian Suiying, who had wanted to avoid the question, felt uncomfortable when Li Yu asked again.

 

"No, I went back to my place."

 

"Oh..."

 

Li Yu's voice sounded a little disappointed. "I called and texted him today, but he didn't respond. I don't know what's wrong with him."

 

"Maybe he forgot his phone. We ate out today."

 

Li Yu hummed in agreement.

 

The two seemed to have run out of things to say. Jian Suiying adjusted his voice, trying to sound less expectant, and asked, "Are you done with your work? Want to go for a walk?"

 

Li Yu seemed a little surprised, "Huh? Where to?"

 

"Nowhere, just driving around. I have something on my mind. Would you like to keep me company, Brother Jian?"

 

Li Yu hesitated, "Is Suilin coming?"

 

Jian Suiying's face darkened, "He's not going." Li Yu hesitated for a moment, and in that brief second, Jian Suiying was already disappointed.

 

Sure enough, he replied, "Brother Jian, how about another day? I've already showered."

 

Jian Suiying said coolly, "You've already showered? Then I'm calling at the wrong time. You should go to sleep."

 

"Okay."

 

"Then I'll hang up."

 

"Okay."

 

"Goodnight, Little Li."

 

"Oh, goodnight."

 

Jian Suiying added, unwilling to give up, "If I bother you before you sleep, will you dream about me?" Li Yu chuckled dryly twice and said nothing. Jian Suiying hung up the phone in disappointment.