Chapter 20: You Are My Kid
Before Chu Yang could think of an excuse, the weight on his shoulder vanished. Pei Xilin was pulled away by Chu Yuanzhou.
He looked at Chu Yuanzhou in a bit of a daze.
Chu Yuanzhou glanced at the sweat on the tip of Chu Yangâs nose. “By the time I arrived, those two groups of people had already left.”
“Where to now? Lead the way.”
Recovering, Chu Yang immediately smiled and said, “He can’t go to the hospital. Let’s go home directly. Iâll call Doctor Cheng?”
He was seeking Chu Yuanzhouâs opinion. His brother’s expression softened slightly, and he gave an “mm.”
Chu Yang didn’t waste any time. He shouldered his bag, turned on his flashlight, and walked in front. He didn’t let his guard down completely; even after hearing those people were gone, he still followed the route the system provided.
He looked back occasionally at Chu Yuanzhou and Pei Xilin, as if ready to take over for his brother at any moment.
The first few times, Chu Yuanzhou said nothing, only meeting his eyes. Later, seeing Chu Yuanzhou was also sweating, Chu Yang said, “Ge, let me do it. It’s too tiring for one person.”
But Chu Yuanzhou glared at him. “Don’t bother. Just lead the way properly.”
Chu Yuanzhouâs movements were somewhat rough. He was about the same height as Pei Xilin, so supporting him wasn’t a major problem. If Chu Yang hadn’t been there, Pei Xilin surely would have been dragged out.
Chu Yang was a bit shorter than Pei Xilin, and although he had strength, Pei Xilin would only weigh him down and make it impossible to walk.
Chu Yang: [My brother really is the person who loves me most.]
System: […You are the most loving family; it’s the greatest brotherly love.]
Chu Yang: [You’re getting better and better at flattery.]
The system spent its time either watching over Chu Yang or monitoring Pei Xilinâs situation. Most of its focus was on Chu Yang. Since Chu Yang often streamed, the system followed along. Perhaps influenced by the way those around Chu Yang treated him, the system also began to coax him, not finding anything wrong with it.
Hearing Chu Yangâs praise of Chu Yuanzhou, Pei Xilinâs half-lidded eyes lifted for a second before slowly dropping again.
There was no further conversation during the second half of the trek. Only the rustling of leaves and the sound of their footsteps could be heard.
With the bright moon for company, they reached Chu Yuanzhouâs car. He threw Pei Xilin into the back seat, the pain making Pei Xilinâs face contort once more.
With a bang, Chu Yuanzhou closed the car door and turned to meet Chu Yangâs eyes.
He stared at Chu Yang for several seconds, and it wasn’t until Chu Yang looked away that he spoke: “Iâll settle the score with you when we get back.”
Whew. Chu Yang actually felt relieved. In his view, Chu Yuanzhou probably wasn’t that angry anymoreâor maybe he was too tired to be angry.
They each got into their cars. Chu Yang sent a text to Chu Yuanzhouâs friend, Cheng Li, asking him to come to the house in half an hour. He also briefly explained Pei Xilinâs injuries so the doctor could bring the necessary items.
Cheng Li replied quickly: [Okay. It’s not you who’s injured, right?]
This question was a bit redundant. If it were really him, Chu Yuanzhou would have been the one to send the message, and he definitely wouldn’t be this calm.
Chu Yang sent an emoji: [It’s not me.]
Cheng Li breathed a sigh of relief, prepared his things, and rushed to the Chu residence.
Upon entering, he discovered that not only was it not Chu Yang or Chu Yuanzhou who was injured, but it was also a complete stranger lying on the rug.
Fortunately, the personâs head was resting on a pillow. Otherwise, Cheng Li would have really thought the man had harassed Chu Yang and been beaten half to death by Chu Yuanzhou and tossed there. Chu Yuanzhouâs expression was truly terrible.
Chu Yang had originally wanted to let Pei Xilin lie on the sofa, but Chu Yuanzhou found him too dirty.
True, with the blood and mud, Chu Yang also found it a bit unbearable.
However, letting Pei Xilin lie curled up on the floor wasn’t right either, so Chu Yang let Pei Xilin use the pillow he was planning to replace…
Watching this, Chu Yuanzhouâs brow furrowed and his fists clenched, but he said nothing in the end. He kept his eyes fixed on Chu Yang.
Even when Chu Yang told him to shower first, he refused, telling Chu Yang to go instead. He wouldn’t leave Chu Yang alone with this man.
Chu Yuanzhou didn’t know Pei Xilin, but as soon as he met him, he sensed the danger in the man. Moreover, he already suspected this older man had seduced Chu Yang, causing him to go out to the wilderness in the dead of night and even lie to him!
Chu Yang was naturally impatient to shower. He had felt filthy for a while. He finished his shower and went downstairs five minutes before Cheng Li arrived.
Seeing Pei Xilin and Chu Yuanzhou like that, Cheng Liâs first move was to scan Chu Yangâs body.
Chu Yang was in pajamasâshort-sleeved top and shorts. He was drying his hair with one hand. His entire body was white enough to glow. Aside from the pink flush of his skin, Cheng Li didn’t find a single ambiguous red mark. It seemed things weren’t as he had imagined.
Cheng Li breathed a sigh of relief and began to meticulously treat Pei Xilinâs wounds. It was past midnight by now, and everyone was exhausted. Chu Yang grabbed a few bottles of tea from the fridge, hoping to perk himself up, but Chu Yuanzhou pushed them back.
“Not allowed. What time is it?”
“If you’re tired, go to sleep.”
“….” Chu Yang could only obediently put them back.
He was indeed tired, but Chu Yuanzhou looked like he wanted to chop Pei Xilin into pieces; he really couldn’t be at peace.
The rug was filthy, so Chu Yang didn’t sit down, instead crouching there to help Cheng Li handle Pei Xilin.
Pei Xilin had fallen unconscious the moment he entered the house. His left hand was the most severely injured. Even though he was unconscious, his brows furrowed instinctively while Cheng Li was treating it.
By the time the wounds were treated, dawn was nearly breaking. Fortunately, there was a guest room. Chu Yang let Cheng Li stay the night. He had originally wanted to give Pei Xilin a shower; although the wounds had been disinfected, the smell still wasn’t great.
But he couldn’t lift the unconscious Pei Xilin, so he gave up, watching as Chu Yuanzhou and Cheng Li placed him on the bed.
Leaving the guest room, Chu Yang had only one thought: he wouldn’t be sleeping in this room in the future.
Just as he was about to make a successful retreat, Chu Yuanzhouâs voice rang out: “Follow me to my room.”
Chu Yuanzhou had held back from showering until now. His face was exceptionally sour. Chu Yang followed him into the room and sat directly opposite him.
The still-standing Chu Yuanzhou: “…..”
Chu Yang: “I’m exhausted.”
Chu Yuanzhou ground his back teeth. “Who’s more exhausted?”
“Of course Gege is more exhausted. Thank you, Ge. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be back by now.”
Chu Yang immediately stood up and used two fingers to steady Chu Yuanzhouâs arm. His brow even furrowed slightlyâhe was clearly a bit disgusted by the dirt.
How could Chu Yuanzhou not see that? He let out a cold laugh. “Fine, no need for you to steady me.”
He himself felt filthy, which was why he hadn’t sat down, but he didn’t want to let Chu Yang off so easily.
“Sit down.”
Chu Yang sat back down, his posture much more restrained. Chu Yuanzhou was satisfied. “Do you know what you did wrong?”
“I know.” Chu Yang had already listed out his mistakes; Chu Yuanzhou loved to ask that.
But for once, Chu Yuanzhouâs next sentence wasn’t that. He looked down at Chu Yang and spoke: “Account for how you know him.”
He didn’t believe for a second that Pei Xilin was a friend Chu Yang had made.
Chu Yang: “…The last time I took someone to the hospital, it was him… so this time…”
Chu Yuanzhou immediately interrupted him: “So you saved him once and he made you save him a second time?”
“How old is he, and how old are you? Does he have no shame? Who would be responsible if you were in danger!”
“Not to mention, what if he uses this as an excuse to frequently ask you out and kidnap you? When did you become so gullible?”
The veins on Chu Yuanzhouâs neck stood out. He was stern and sharp, looking like he wanted to go open the door and start a fight with Pei Xilin.
Chu Yang indeed wasn’t that gullible. Anyone would find it strange that he went to save Pei Xilin, but he couldn’t explain it clearly to Chu Yuanzhou.
Before Chu Yang could think of an explanation, Chu Yuanzhou calmed down and stared at him, saying slowly, “Or are you dating him behind my back?”
“Do. You. Like. Him?” Chu Yuanzhou nearly crushed his back teeth.
Hearing that, Chu Yangâs hair stood on end. Like a cat, he instantly sprang from the sofa and glared at Chu Yuanzhou. “What are you talking about? Who likes him? You’re always being suspicious!”
He had said so many times that he really didn’t like men.
Seeing his expression, Chu Yuanzhou breathed a sigh of relief. “…I was just worried youâd fall for an old man like that.”
“….You’re the one who likes it, right? I said I don’t mind you marrying. I’m not really your kid; you don’t need to worry about me.”
These words didn’t comfort Chu Yuanzhou; instead, they made his improved mood sour again. But he didn’t want to fight with Chu Yang over this issue.
Chu Yang had already turned his head away, and he only heard his brother say: “You are my kid.”
He had raised him; how could he not be his?
Chu Yang: …..Beyond help.
“I’m going to sleep.”
Having said that, he stood up and left. Chu Yuanzhou didn’t stop him, standing in place for a while, lost in thought, before entering the bathroom to shower.
When they woke up, it was already afternoon. Fortunately, today wasn’t the Mid-Autumn Festival, or Pei Xilin would have surely received another beating from Chu Yuanzhou.
But it was clear Pei Xilin would be staying to spend the festival with them.
Cheng Li had left before Chu Yang and Chu Yuanzhou woke up, saying there were matters at the clinic and he would come back later to change Pei Xilinâs dressings.
Chu Yuanzhou seemed to have returned to normal after waking up. When Chu Yang went downstairs, he was cooking, and the dog had been fed.
However, the meal… was only for two people. It was only after he finished eating and saw the rug was gone that he remembered.
“Pei Xilin left?” He petted the dog and looked up at Chu Yuanzhou.
“I don’t know.” Chu Yuanzhou was about to go upstairs to change; they had agreed to go shopping today.
Seeing that he was about to get unhappy again, Chu Yang said no more. Chu Yuanzhou went upstairs to change, while Chu Yang went to the guest room to check. Pei Xilin was still there.
Pei Xilin was still asleep. His clothes had been changed for a bathrobe, and he was sleeping on the side that wasn’t dirty. He must have woken up at some point.
Chu Yang was just about to go get him some food when he saw a note on the bedside table. He picked it up and read it. It was written by Pei Xilin.
[I’m sorry for getting the guest room dirty. Iâll clean it and compensate you when I wake up. Thank you for saving me once again. Is there anything you want? Iâd like to give it to you.]
The words were faultless and wouldn’t lead anyone to think he had other designs.
Each word had been carefully considered, with occasional pauses in the brushwork.
Chu Yang didn’t notice. He was wondering if Pei Xilin had realized that he shouldn’t have been in the wilderness to save him.
If not, his alertness was too low.
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