Part 2
Bai He sat up abruptly, his eyes full of fear. Just then, the hotel door clicked open. Qin Yao walked in, took off his hat and mask, and placed the breakfast in his hand on the small round table. “Xiao Bao is awake? Wash up and come eat breakf…”
Before Qin Yao could finish, Bai He hugged him from behind. He froze, then slowly turned around to hug Bai He. “I’m dirty.”
“Mm…” Bai He buried his head.
Qin Yao smiled heartachely. “Still hugging even after saying mm?”
“……” Bai He tilted his head. “When did you go out?”
“A while ago.” Qin Yao lightly touched Bai He’s brow. “Did our Xiao Bao miss me?”
Bai He didn’t speak, tightening his hold on Qin Yao’s arm.
Qin Yao’s heart softened. He noticed Bai He was barefoot on the floor. He bent down to pick him up and put him back on the bed, kneeling on the mattress with one knee, burying his head to kiss Bai He, but was pushed away by Bai He’s hands.
“I haven’t rinsed my mouth yet.” Bai He turned his head, eyelashes trembling, his voice a bit shaky too. “I thought you were gone. Don’t leave when I’m asleep in the future. I will…”
Will what? Bai He’s mind was a mess. He was terrified that if Qin Yao left and returned to that world, he would be alone again.
“I won’t, I promise.” Qin Yao held Bai He’s waist with one hand. “I’ll carry you to wash up.”
Bai He glanced at Qin Yao. “I can walk.”
“But I really want to hold you right now.” Qin Yao blinked at Bai He.
Unable to refuse, Bai He was indeed carried by Qin Yao to the bathroom. He didn’t wear shoes, just stepping on Qin Yao’s toes. After washing up, he was carried back by Qin Yao.
Bai He felt he was being a bit spoiled.
Breakfast was delicious. When Qin Yao was clearing the table, he asked Bai He, “Go back and take a look first?”
“Mm.” Bai He nodded. Some things indeed needed to be clarified back there.
The hotel was some distance from that home. The two didn’t take a taxi but walked there. Bai He was rarely talkative, chatting with Qin Yao as they walked.
The closer they got to that home, the less they spoke.
Standing under the old apartment building, Bai He looked up. His palm was gently squeezed by Qin Yao.
“Let’s go.” Qin Yao pulled Bai He.
This reassured Bai He a lot.
The floor wasn’t high, 402. An upside-down ‘Fu’ character was pasted on the door. The couplets on both sides were a bit old. The wall was covered with various small advertisements, and a bag of household garbage was placed at the door.
Bai He knocked on the door. After a while, the sound of walking came from inside the not-so-soundproof door. Then the door opened, accompanied by a woman’s lowered voice complaining, “You know to come back? Didn’t see you all night, did you go to…”
Her words suddenly froze. She widened her eyes looking at Bai He at the door. Her eyes, which hadn’t closed all night, suddenly turned red.
“…Xiao He, you’re back?” Li Ru Lian hurriedly opened the door. She wiped her hands on her apron and opened the cabinet to find two pairs of new slippers. “Come, come in quickly. I’ll go buy groceries right away.”
“No need.” Bai He interrupted her. “I’ll just say a few words and leave after finishing. Is he not here?”
“…Your dad hasn’t come back yet.” Li Ru Lian smiled awkwardly. “Xiao He, since you’re back, stay for lunch before…”
“No need.” Bai He even wanted to say it standing outside the door. He looked at the new slippers on the ground. While hesitating, he heard a male voice from inside the room.
“Mom, I want to eat crayfish for lunch. Go buy some.”
Following the voice, a boy somewhat resembling Bai He walked out. Bai Ning hadn’t fully grown yet. Wearing pajamas, he walked while burying his head playing a game. The tablet in his hand emitted the sounds of game fighting and teammates’ voices.
The profanity between children was very straightforward, making Bai He frown.
Li Ru Lian’s awkward expression became more obvious. she anxiously patted Bai Ning. “Bai Ning, your brother is here. Hurry up and say hello!”
Hearing this, Bai Ning lifted his eyes, but only glanced at Bai He, then focused on the game again. “Oh, brother.”
Bai He looked at the boy standing in the room, his irritation growing stronger. He walked in a few steps, reached out to pinch Bai Ning’s tablet, and pulled it away.
“What are you doing? Give it back to me! I’m going to die!!”
Bai Ning screamed, reaching out to snatch it back, but his arm was pinched by Qin Yao standing behind Bai He.
“Little brother, be polite to your brother.” Qin Yao looked at Bai Ning indifferently.
“Didn’t I greet him? I called him brother! You guys are annoying, I was about to rank up!” Bai Ning roared, slapping Qin Yao’s arm, then trying to push Bai He.
Bai He took a step back. He raised his hand high and let go. The tablet fell vertically to the ground. With a crack, the screen shattered into a spider web.
The room was dead silent for several seconds. Bai Ning suddenly held his head and screamed, going crazy.
Bai He looked at Qin Yao. The latter understood, pinning the crazed Bai Ning against the wall and skillfully covering his mouth.
He lowered his head and said coldly, “Don’t scream.”
Perhaps because Qin Yao’s strength was too great and the oppression he gave was too intense, Bai Ning’s struggling movements slowly stopped.
Bai He turned to face Li Ru Lian, who looked broken but didn’t know what to do.
“Mom,” Bai He called her. “Today is the last time I call you that.”
Li Ru Lian trembled all over, looking at Bai He incredulously.
“You know he’s still gambling. He can’t change. If the problem isn’t solved from the root, no amount of money is enough for him to squander.”
“…He’s your dad…” Li Ru Lian broke down a little.
“Except for being my biological father, where else is he like a father?” Bai He stared at Li Ru Lian. “He’s not a qualified husband either. He doesn’t deserve it. You clearly have many opportunities to live better.”
“No, Xiao He, you don’t understand. I’ve been married to your dad for so many years, I understand his temperament.”
“But I don’t understand. Why do you defend someone who gives nothing in return? Has he cared about you all these years? Are you moved because the money for your new clothes was given by him? But have you ever thought, if he truly cared about the family, he wouldn’t gamble again!” Bai He took a deep breath. “That money could have paid off his debts. Now the hole is getting bigger and bigger. Why do you think that is?”
“It’s not getting bigger. Your dad said there isn’t much left. It’s installments. We’ll find jobs later, and we can pay it off soon.” Li Ru Lian explained anxiously.
“You believe his words?” Bai He gave a weak smile. He slowly looked at Qin Yao. “Qin Yao, tell her.”
Qin Yao was stunned hearing this, though not surprised that Bai He guessed what he did early this morning. He easily pinned Bai Ning and stated the morning’s events.
“A total of thirteen calls, every call was collecting debt. Obviously, not only was the debt not paid, the money was taken by him to gamble again, owing more and more.” Qin Yao said, “Auntie, illegal gambling, debt default. He only has two outcomes: either brought to justice by the police, or beaten to death by debt collectors, and then the debt collectors will find you.”
Li Ru Lian looked at Bai He with a pale face. “…Xiao He.”
“I won’t give you money anymore.” Bai He turned his head away. “He should have gone in long ago. You figure it out.”
Bai He glanced at Bai Ning’s terrified face. At this moment, his desire for revenge inexplicably reached its peak. The unbearable feeling deep inside began to act up again. Since childhood, the subconsciously soft-hearted nature he had developed tried to hijack him at this time. He had to shift his gaze to Qin Yao, meeting Qin Yao’s eyes watching him.
Qin Yao’s gaze was very gentle, as if saying encouraging words.
Bai He almost bit through his lower lip. He still wanted to say it, say the words he once tried to resist with.
“Mom, do you think your education of Bai Ning is successful?” Bai He looked at Bai Ning, speaking to Li Ru Lian. “Is the education method you mentioned spoiling him? Giving him what I didn’t have before? You gave all your love to Bai Ning.”
Bai He gritted his teeth, his nose sour, his voice extremely hoarse. “I hate you so much. I really hate you.”
“…Sorry, sorry Xiao He…” Li Ru Lian’s voice trembled uncontrollably.
Bai He lowered his eyes. He left this home with unsteady steps, Qin Yao walking behind him.
They walked a distance, crossed the street, and arrived at Guangming Primary School. Bai He slowly stopped, looking into the school through the fence.
There were students having PE class on the playground. The playground was renovated. Primary school students were laughing and running there. Bai He looked at the oldest basketball hoop not far away, suddenly feeling time was just so.
He watched for a long time, then suddenly asked, “Will he die?”
Qin Yao reached out and held Bai He’s hand. “If he dies, will you think I’m cruel?”
Bai He looked at Qin Yao. He shook his head. “No.”
Whatever happens to Bai You Nian is no longer Bai He’s concern. He slowly approached Qin Yao, reaching out to hug Qin Yao’s waist. “I’m so tired.”
“Then let’s go home,” Qin Yao stroked Bai He’s hair, kissing his hair whorl. “Go home and rest well.”
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