Chapter 51
The next day, Sunday, Lin Xiu got out of a taxi and looked at Chi Aibei, who was lingering inside the car, refusing to get out. “Get out.”
Early in the morning, Chi Aibei hadn’t expected Lin Xiu to call a taxi specifically to send him back to school. He shuffled out of the car slowly, head drooping, looking entirely unhappy.
The taxi drove away. Lin Xiu looked at Chi Aibei standing there immobile. “What are you unhappy about?”
Chi Aibei glanced at him and muttered softly, “I don’t want to go back to school.”
Lin Xiu: “Did you finish your homework?”
Chi Aibei: “…” He hadn’t.
Chi Aibei regretted not bringing his schoolbag when he came out yesterday. That way, he would have had an excuse not to return to school and could have lingered at Lin Xiu’s house for another day.
Chi Aibei was still wearing yesterday’s formal suit, but he was wilted, lacking yesterday’s spirit. Lin Xiu ruffled his hair, making him look up. “Where can I take you dressed like this? Don’t just stand there like a post. Go back and change.”
Chi Aibei froze for two seconds, his slumped shoulders suddenly straightening. “Huh?”
Lin Xiu: “Huh what? I’ll accompany you back to change, and we’ll get your schoolbag while we’re at it. Otherwise, what will you hand in for homework tomorrow?”
Previously, Lin Xiu didn’t care at all whether he did his homework. But after seeing his exam results this time, the matter of homework was now within his scope of concern.
Chi Aibei smiled until his eyes were practically invisible. He grabbed Lin Xiu’s hand and dragged him toward the school. “Where are we going later?”
Lin Xiu glanced at his hand but didn’t pull away. “You’ll know when we get there.”
It was Lin Xiu’s second time in Chi Aibei’s dorm. Like last time, everywhere was spotless, with only the papers and books on the desk looking a bit messy.
Chi Aibei closed the door and immediately started stripping. “Brother, help me put that workbook in my bag.”
Lin Xiu picked up the workbook. “Is it this one…” Lin Xiu turned around, his eyelid twitching. He saw Chi Aibei had stripped completely naked and was preparing to yank down his underwear. “Chi Aibei!”
Chi Aibei held the waistband of his underwear with both hands, looking at Lin Xiu blankly. “Huh? What’s wrong?”
Lin Xiu didn’t know what kind of habit this was, always getting naked in front of him. “Why are you stripping so completely?”
Chi Aibei blinked at him. “I didn’t change my underwear yesterday. I want to change into a fresh pair.”
“…” Lin Xiu had a headache. “Do you often change your underwear in front of people?”
Chi Aibei said, “There’s no one else here.”
Chi Aibei took it for granted that he was “one of us.” Lin Xiu didn’t know whether to accept or reject this logic. He turned around and sighed. “…Forget it. Hurry up and change.”
…
Leaving the school, the two went to the bus stop together. Chi Aibei had changed into blue knee-length shorts and a blue-and-white striped shirt. Already a head shorter than Lin Xiu, standing next to Lin Xiu in his long sleeves and pants, he looked even smaller.
Chi Aibei tilted his head back. “Brother, where are we going?”
Lin Xiu looked at Chi Aibei, who was getting excited without even knowing the destination. “Don’t ask. Ask again and I won’t take you.”
Chi Aibei laughed, “Hehe.” “You aren’t selling me, are you?”
Lin Xiu: “If you’re scared, go back.”
The bus stopped right in front of them. Chi Aibei hopped on. “Sell me, sell me. All the money goes to you.”
Lin Xiu swiped his bus card and sat down next to Chi Aibei. Chi Aibei asked, “Brother, are you busy tonight?”
Lin Xiu: “No.”
Chi Aibei said, “That’s perfect. Someone is treating me to dinner tonight. Let’s go together.”
Lin Xiu thought to himself that there were quite a few meals today. He asked Chi Aibei, “Who wants to treat you?”
Chi Aibei: “A brother I just met, named Meng Huaiqing. I’ll introduce him to you.”
Lin Xiu had mixed in the business world long enough to know the name Meng Huaiqing, but Chi Aibei never stepped foot outside the school gates—how would he know Meng Huaiqing? And Meng Huaiqing wanted to treat him to dinner?
Lin Xiu looked at Chi Aibei strangely. “How do you know him?”
Chi Aibei recounted the brave act at the mall to Lin Xiu. Lin Xiu listened, baffled. What disabled person? What wheelchair? Since when was Meng Huaiqing disabled?
Lin Xiu simply admired his ability to make connections everywhere; he ran into all sorts of characters.
Seeing Chi Aibei vigorously recommending Meng Huaiqing to him, Lin Xiu suddenly felt a sense of déjà vu from when Chi Aibei insisted he become best friends with Jiang Yu. “Why are you always introducing friends to me?”
Chi Aibei naturally had his selfish motives, but he couldn’t say them. “Isn’t it good to have more friends? More friends mean more paths. Brother, your social circle is too small; you need to know more people.”
Lin Xiu stared at him for a while, then suddenly reached out to pinch his cheek, pulling lightly. “Who was the one yesterday saying I was still a student and didn’t need social connections?”
Chi Aibei’s mouth was pulled to the side, making his speech leaky. “It’s different.”
Lin Xiu let go. “How is it different?”
Chi Aibei couldn’t come up with a reason. Lin Xiu could tell he was deliberately hiding something.
Lin Xiu sighed. He was clearly a little chatterbox, talking endlessly once he started, yet his lips were sealed tight when it mattered. To get a word of truth out of him required scheming and traps. Helping He Chenjiang negotiate deals back in the day hadn’t been this exhausting.
Chi Aibei rubbed his pulled cheek and tilted his head to look at Lin Xiu. “Brother, come with me. I don’t know Wheelchair Brother that well. It’s unsafe for me to go alone.”
Lin Xiu glanced at him. “If you’re afraid it’s unsafe, why did you agree to go?”
Chi Aibei grinned. “Hard to refuse such kindness.”
Lin Xiu didn’t say he would go, but he didn’t say he wouldn’t. Over this period, Chi Aibei had figured it out: as long as he didn’t say “no,” it meant he agreed.
Lin Xiu took Chi Aibei off the bus at a stop that was unfamiliar yet not entirely unknown to him. Unfamiliar because he hadn’t been to this specific stop; not unknown because across the street was the building Lin Xiu had entered last time to retrieve something.
Last time it was night, and Chi Aibei hadn’t seen clearly. Now, he distinctly saw the black sign with silver letters hanging on the far side of the building: “Boxing Gym.”
Lin Xiu: “What are you looking at? Let’s go.”
Crossing the street, Lin Xiu led Chi Aibei into the building. They took the elevator to the third floor. The main door of the boxing gym was on the right.
Lin Xiu looked at Chi Aibei. Seeing him staring at the glass doors of the gym, Lin Xiu said, “Didn’t you want to know what I came here for last time?”
Chi Aibei looked at Lin Xiu. Lin Xiu put an arm around his shoulder. “Let’s go. Go in and see.”
Lin Xiu walked in familiarly. No one greeted them, only the thud thud sounds coming from inside. As they walked further, the boxing ring in the spacious room became the most prominent feature. Two people were trading punches on it; that was where the sound came from.
A not-very-tall man wearing a black T-shirt, his skin tone almost blending into the shirt, stood by the ring, slapping the canvas and shouting, “Harder! Hit him! Did you not eat today?”
cursing and turning around, seeing Lin Xiu, the man raised a hand in greeting. “Hey, you’re here.”
Chen Fei and Zhou Yu ran over. “Brother Xiu.” They looked at Chi Aibei and greeted him with smiles. “Little Brother is here too.”
Their smiles, mixed with awkwardness, looked strange no matter how you looked at them. Plus, they were wearing tank tops and shorts with wrapped hands, looking like they could send him back to his original world with one punch. Chi Aibei subconsciously hid behind Lin Xiu.
Lin Xiu asked, “Where’s Brother Cheng?”
Chen Fei: “Think he went to take a call.”
The people on the ring who had been fighting intensely stopped at some point. One of them lifted the ropes to duck out, looking at Chi Aibei with his shockingly pale limbs. “Who’s this?”
Before Lin Xiu could introduce him, Wang Tian, who had just been beaten up, walked behind him grimacing in pain and said, “He’s Brother Xiu’s younger brother.”
Liang Qi leaned against the ring post and waved at Chi Aibei. “Hello, Little Brother.”
Chi Aibei heard them calling him “Brother Xiu” one after another and asked Lin Xiu strangely, “Brother, why do they all call you Brother Xiu?” They all look older than you.
Chen Fei said, “Honorific, honorific.” After saying that, Chen Fei brought up treating Chi Aibei to a meal again. “Since Little Brother is here, I’ll treat everyone to lunch. How about Korean BBQ?”
Lin Xiu didn’t agree but pushed Chi Aibei forward to let him decide. “Ask him.”
Chi Aibei looked at Lin Xiu, then at the guys whom Jiang Wenyu had brought to the school last time. He took a step back and said bluntly, “I’m not going. You guys wanted to hit me last time.”
“Who wanted to hit you?”
Chi Aibei turned toward the voice.
Last time he was drunk and hadn’t looked carefully at Shen Yicheng. His impression of the man was stuck on their first meeting. Watching this refined-looking Shen Yicheng, wearing a shirt and glasses, walking toward him, Chi Aibei paused for two seconds before recognizing him.
Shen Yicheng smiled and asked, “Don’t remember me?”
“I remember,” Chi Aibei said. “You’re Brother’s friend.”
At least he’s not saying I’m a bad guy this time. Shen Yicheng smiled. “Seems you weren’t too drunk last time.” Saying that, Shen Yicheng glanced at Chen Fei and the others. “Who did you say wanted to hit you just now?”
They hadn’t dared to tell Shen Yicheng about going out to fight. Hearing Shen Yicheng ask, Chen Fei and the others were so scared they didn’t dare breathe, sending pleading looks toward Lin Xiu repeatedly.
Lin Xiu scooped Chi Aibei over by his forehead. “He’s talking nonsense.”
Chi Aibei wanted to say he wasn’t talking nonsense, but before he could speak, Lin Xiu covered his mouth.
Chi Aibei: “…Mmph mmph!”
Shen Yicheng laughed. “If anyone bullies you, come here and say the word. With so many of us here, any one of us can go out and vent your anger for you.”
Chen Fei quickly added, “Right, right, right. Brother Xiu’s brother is everyone’s brother. If there’s anything, just squeak.”
Chi Aibei looked at Chen Fei with eyes that said I don’t understand and I don’t want to understand. Chen Fei secretly made a bowing gesture to him. Only then did Chi Aibei realize he was afraid of this refined-looking man.
Shen Yicheng asked Lin Xiu, “Haven’t been here for a few days. Busy?”
Lin Xiu: “Yeah, a bit.”
Liang Qi, who had just won a round and was buzzing with adrenaline, stood on the ring and clapped twice, waving Lin Xiu over provocatively. “Brother Xiu, care for a round?”
Lin Xiu pushed Chi Aibei toward Shen Yicheng. “Watch him for me.”
Watching Lin Xiu take off his jacket and jump into the boxing ring, while Chen Fei and the others handed over bandages and gloves, it took Chi Aibei a moment to realize what he was going to do.
…Someone will get killed!
“Brother…”
Chi Aibei had just taken a step when Shen Yicheng grabbed him. Shen Yicheng looked at Chi Aibei with a smile. “Shh, don’t be noisy. Just watch.”
Shen Yicheng didn’t know why Lin Xiu brought this kid here and got into the ring in front of him, but Lin Xiu always had his reasons. Shen Yicheng didn’t intend to stop him.
Chi Aibei’s eyebrows were practically knotted together. It wasn’t until the shout of “Start!” and Lin Xiu swept toward his opponent with fists like the wind that Chi Aibei’s frown eased, replaced by wide-eyed disbelief.
This was different from the Lin Xiu he knew…
Shen Yicheng found Chi Aibei’s exaggerated expression amusing. “How is it? Isn’t he amazing?”
Chi Aibei opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but didn’t know what to say. He looked at Shen Yicheng. “Is my brother working illegally for you here?”
Shen Yicheng heard this term for the first time. “Working illegally? What do you mean?”
Chi Aibei didn’t know what he wanted to ask either. He looked back at the ring. Liang Qi had gone from occasional counters at the start to keeping both arms tight around his head for protection, with no chance to fight back.
Chen Fei and the others shouted from the sidelines, “Big Liang, don’t be a wuss! Get him, Big Liang!”
Big Liang couldn’t get him. Big Liang surrendered. If Big Liang didn’t beg for mercy, he was going to be beaten to death.
Lin Xiu took off his gloves and came down from the ring. Chi Aibei rushed over. “Brother, are you okay?”
Liang Qi sat on the ring looking like he had lost the will to live. “The one with a problem seems to be me, Little Brother.”
Chi Aibei knew Lin Xiu was fine, but Lin Xiu had taken two solid punches just now. Chi Aibei reached out to lift Lin Xiu’s shirt. Lin Xiu pressed his hand down. “What are you doing?”
Chi Aibei frowned. “Let me see.”
“I’m fine.” Lin Xiu asked, “Did you see just now?”
Chi Aibei looked at Lin Xiu. He didn’t know what Lin Xiu wanted him to see.
Lin Xiu asked again, “Did you see?”
Chi Aibei nodded.
Lin Xiu pressed a hand on top of his head. “Do you know why I brought you here?”
Chi Aibei shook his head under the weight of the hand.
Lin Xiu slid his hand to the back of the boy’s head, pulled him forward, and looked down at him. “I brought you here to tell you that I’m not as weak as you think.”
Although I don’t know what you know, you don’t have to protect me in everything. That was Lin Xiu’s purpose in bringing him here today.
Chi Aibei was forced to look up into Lin Xiu’s eyes. For a moment, he felt like he had been seen through.
But soon, Chi Aibei regained his reason. He came with a god’s-eye view. Lin Xiu hadn’t experienced those things yet; how could he see through his motives?
However, Chi Aibei couldn’t deny the point about Lin Xiu not being weak. All this time, Lin Xiu had been a pitiful figure in his heart, but right now, he suddenly felt Lin Xiu was towering. His neck was getting sore from looking up.
Shen Yicheng walked up to them. “Tsk, any closer and you’ll be kissing.”
Lin Xiu suddenly laughed. He glanced at Shen Yicheng. “Be serious. He’s still a child.”
Shen Yicheng disagreed. “Acting like an antique at such a young age. When I was your age, I already had several exes.”
Chi Aibei suddenly blurted out, “Then your grades must have been bad.”
Shen Yicheng: “…Are yours good?”
Chi Aibei said proudly, “My brother’s grades are good. He’s first in the grade.”
Seeing Chi Aibei start boasting again, Lin Xiu helplessly rubbed the top of his head.
Shen Yicheng looked at Lin Xiu in surprise. He knew Lin Xiu was in high school, but he didn’t know he was actually that good at studying. He thought Lin Xiu was a truant delinquent like himself.
Chen Fei treated everyone to BBQ at noon; the whole gym went.
During the meal, Shen Yicheng asked Lin Xiu, “Are you going to the match tomorrow?”
Lin Xiu placed a slice of perfectly grilled beef onto Chi Aibei’s plate. “What time?”
Shen Yicheng: “8 PM.”
Lin Xiu: “Mn.”
Chi Aibei pricked up his ears listening to them. Seeing Lin Xiu nod, he asked, “What match? I want to go too.”
Lin Xiu: “Eat your food.”
Seeing Lin Xiu didn’t plan to take him, Chi Aibei threatened him. “If you don’t take me, I’ll secretly follow you. You know my tracking skills.”
Whether the skills were good was debatable, but Lin Xiu had indeed experienced them once.
Lin Xiu was afraid he really would follow. “Tomorrow’s match isn’t suitable for you to watch. Next time.”
A boxing match was just fighting; at most a bit violent. He wasn’t a child; what was suitable or not? Chi Aibei refused. “Then why can you go?”
Lin Xiu wasn’t just able to go; he had to go. He needed to see what the match that sent Shen Yicheng to prison in his past life looked like.
Chi Aibei pestered Lin Xiu for a long time, but Lin Xiu didn’t relent. He looked at Shen Yicheng. Shen Yicheng was easygoing, but it depended on the matter. He never interfered in other people’s family affairs.
He smiled and refused. “Don’t look at me. What I say doesn’t count.”
Even after the meal finished, Lin Xiu didn’t agree to take him. Coming out of the BBQ restaurant, Lin Xiu took Chi Aibei to the nursing home to see Grandma. On the way, Chi Aibei asked, “Brother, does Grandma know you box?”
Lin Xiu: “She doesn’t.”
Chi Aibei narrowed his eyes with a wicked smile. Lin Xiu glanced at him. “What?”
Chi Aibei said, “If you don’t take me, I’ll tell Grandma later that you’re doing dangerous things outside.”
Lin Xiu: “…Are you threatening me?”
Chi Aibei raised his chin arrogantly. “Are you scared?”
Lin Xiu knew he wouldn’t tell. Chi Aibei had always been careful with Grandma, even more than he was. Although he still didn’t know the specific reason why.
Seeing him dead set on following, Lin Xiu regretted bringing it up in front of him. “You want to go that badly? Tomorrow’s match is much crueler than what you saw us do today.”
“I’m not afraid.”
Chi Aibei thought, How cruel can it be? Can they beat someone to death?!
Recommended Reads
