Chapter 183: You Are My Medicine (8)
Chen Ni’s work in Jinsha had come to a temporary close. On the way back to Hong Kong with Chen Yinnian, Chen Yinnian spent the whole time leaning against the car window, drowsy.
Chen Ni reached out to touch Chen Yinnian’s forehead, but Chen Yinnian didn’t react. He asked another question:
“Did you have fun at Xiao Ji’s?”
Hearing Xiao Ji’s name, Chen Yinnian opened his eyes slightly. But it seemed the sunlight outside was dazzling him; he frowned and quickly closed his eyes again.
From beginning to end, he didn’t respond to Chen Ni’s question.
Chen Yinnian felt that Xiao Ji must hate him now. But that was normal; no one liked him. Everyone was looking forward to his early death—even he hated himself.
Back in Hong Kong, after Chen Ni carried the already sleeping Chen Yinnian back to the bedroom, he dialed Xiao Ji’s number.
At that moment, Xiao Ji was staring into space in a small corner on the top floor of the casino.
Seeing Chen Ni’s call, he pressed the answer button and turned on the speakerphone.
“I’ve caused you trouble these past two days.”
Chen Ni began by saying to Xiao Ji.
Xiao Ji tapped the armrest of his chair with his fingertips: “It wasn’t trouble. How is he?”
“He’s asleep. His state is very average. In fact, compared to when he’s manic, now is the time to be most worried.” Chen Ni sighed.
He actually rarely mentioned Chen Yinnian’s affairs to others.
In the first two years after Chen Yinnian fell ill, he had exhausted the remaining three members of the Chen family to the point of being physically and mentally drained.
Xiao Ji didn’t say a word. After a long while, he heard the sound of a lighter wheel turning on the other side, followed by Chen Ni’s voice:
“He has serious suicidal tendencies. He can’t be left alone during this period.”
Xiao Ji pursed his lips: “What about Uncle and Auntie Chen?”
Chen Ni said: “My dad has somewhat given up on him. My mom’s health hasn’t been good these past two years, and she can’t handle the stress.”
Under normal circumstances, no parents would be willing to give up on their child.
Especially when there was no lack of money.
But first, Chen Yinnian wasn’t an only child; the Chen family had Chen Ni, who was excellent and successful in all aspects.
Second, a sick child is truly exhausting. Even if one doesn’t have to do everything personally, constantly being on edge and living in fear for a long time will make people numb. They will gradually brainwash themselves, preparing to lose Chen Yinnian at any time.
After preparing for a long time, their mindset would inevitably change.
They couldn’t bring themselves to lock Chen Yinnian up and watch him go mad.
They could only act as they were now, which was considered doing their best.
But Xiao Ji couldn’t accept this upon hearing it: “What do you mean by ‘given up’?”
Chen Ni didn’t know how to explain, only saying: “It’s just letting him be. But as long as he’s alive, he’ll always be a member of the Chen family.”
Xiao Ji frowned: “Sorry. I’m an outsider, so saying this might be inappropriate, but isn’t this ‘letting him be’ a bit irresponsible?”
Chen Ni fell silent for a long time: “You don’t know. These two days you spent with him were because his state was still decent. Sometimes he can be very violent, losing control and disregarding everything.”
“Last summer, because my cousin said he was sick, he broke one of my cousin’s legs.”
“Xiao Ji, it’s almost impossible to watch over him or control him. This means that while spending great energy on him, you also have to constantly clean up after him.”
Xiao Ji didn’t think the host and Chen Ni were close enough for this, nor did he think this call was simply Chen Ni venting his frustrations.
He asked directly: “So, why are you telling me all this? What do you hope I can do?”
Chen Ni had long known that Xiao Ji wasn’t a fool, nor would he have any uncalled-for sympathy.
This time, he only wanted to test the waters.
But now that Xiao Ji had asked so bluntly, after a moment of hesitation, Chen Ni decided that rather than using roundabout tactics, it was better to be direct—it would save Xiao Ji from thinking he was a deep plotter.
He said: “Forgive my presumption, A-Ji. My brother seems to like you very much. I want to ask you—if you have the time and energy and don’t mind—to interact with him more.”
Xiao Ji raised an eyebrow: “Likes me? Based on what?”
Chen Ni understood Chen Yinnian’s attitude toward strangers better than anyone. Wanting to go home with Xiao Ji after meeting him just once was already an extremely rare situation for Chen Yinnian.
Most importantly, in most cases during Chen Yinnian’s depressive phases, he wouldn’t react when others spoke to him.
But today, when Chen Ni mentioned Xiao Ji, Chen Yinnian had opened his eyes.
Chen Ni wouldn’t tell Xiao Ji such details, only saying:
“Based on my understanding of him, and my intuition.”
Xiao Ji didn’t speak.
Chen Yinnian was a time bomb. No normal person would take on such a thankless task for themselves.
Moreover, if something happened to Chen Yinnian, the responsibility would be difficult for anyone to bear.
If Xiao Ji were too proactive, it would inevitably seem strange.
After a long while, Chen Ni gave a dry laugh:
“I’m truly sorry. I also know this request is far too presumptuous.”
“I just… don’t have any good way left. When I see a straw, I want to try to grab it. After all, Yinnian is my biological brother.”
The atmosphere on the phone fell into silence.
After a long time, just as Chen Ni thought this matter would end without a result, he heard Xiao Ji suddenly say:
“I do have plenty of time and energy, but he’s a person. No matter what decision you make, shouldn’t you ask for his opinion first?”
Chen Ni let out a long sigh: “It’s my fault for grasping at straws. Regardless, thank you for these past two days.”
After hanging up the phone, Chen Ni turned around and saw Chen Yinnian, who was supposed to be fast asleep, lying on the bed with his eyes open, staring at him.
Chen Ni met his gaze, put away his phone, and walked to his side, kneeling by his bed:
“Uncomfortable?”
Chen Yinnian looked at Chen Ni. He didn’t answer his question, only saying softly:
“I’m not going. He’ll hate me.”
Although Chen Yinnian often made people restless and would say hurtful things, because the age gap between Chen Ni and him wasn’t small, Chen Ni could still remember the scene of Chen Yinnian following him and calling him “Brother” when he was young.
Chen Yinnian was in poor health and couldn’t inherit the family business, so he posed no threat to Chen Ni in terms of interests. Chen Ni’s feelings for him were much simpler and more sincere, carrying the benevolence and love of an elder brother.
He touched Chen Yinnian’s head: “He won’t hate you.”
Chen Yinnian closed his eyes: “He already hates me.”
After a long while, he added: “You do too.”
Chen Ni wouldn’t explain anything to Chen Yinnian at a time like this.
He just stood up, sat beside Chen Yinnian, and silently watched him sleep.
In the evening, Chen Ni refused an invitation from an actress for dinner and quietly stayed by Chen Yinnian’s side.
When the sky completely darkened, he sent a message to Xiao Ji:
[I heard the Xiao family is interested in that piece of land in the Lanhai District of Jinsha. If you agree, I will handle the bidding, and the land will be given to you.]
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