Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Chi Ya had a dream.

In it, he dreamt of a winter in the past, when he was so exhausted after several consecutive performances that he curled up in an old cotton jacket next to some wooden boxes backstage, dozing off. The drafty backstage of the old theater was always cold. He wrapped himself tighter in the jacket, looked up, and saw his mother, who had passed away years ago, walking in. She smiled and touched his head, handing him a small velvet teddy bear.

The teddy bear felt a bit odd but was warm. He hugged it close, rubbing against it contentedly, feeling so warm.

But someone was annoyingly persistent, trying to snatch the warm teddy bear from his arms. He couldn't understand why. He called for his mother, but the always gently smiling woman was nowhere to be found. Desperate and on the verge of tears, he clung tightly to the bear, straining his eyes to see the face of the villain trying to take it.

And then, he saw Gu Huai'an's face.

He burst into tears, crying out. This person, who bullied him along with others, was now trying to take his teddy bear. Heartbroken, Chi Ya sobbed and choked, cursing the man by name: "Gu Huai'an, you are so, so annoying!"

And then, he woke up.

Chi Ya blinked, feeling cool droplets sliding down from his eyelashes along the corners of his eyes. He froze the next second.

Gu, Gu Huai'an...??

The tall man stood before him, his broad shoulders and long legs filling Chi Ya's view. Gu Huai'an, with his backlit handsome features, looked down at him, expressionless, and asked, "Awake?"

His voice, carried by the wind, was indescribably cold. Chi Ya shivered and hastily got up, but moving only made things worse - he was horrified to realize he was shamelessly holding onto the man's hand!

And gripping it so tightly!!

Chi Ya: "............"

The air fell deathly silent for a moment. Chi Ya hurriedly let go, witnessing the visible red marks on the pale back of the man's hand. Despair written on his face, he stammered, "Big, big brother, I truly, truly, truly, truly didn't do it on, on purpose!"

The more nervous he got, the more he stuttered, his face turning red with urgency. Gu Huai'an tucked his hand into the pocket of his shorts, his gaze heavy as he looked at him: "Having a nightmare?"

"Ah?" Chi Ya instinctively touched his eyes, staring blankly at the moisture on his fingertips, "Ah..."

Gu Huai'an asked, "Dreaming about your little brother?"

"Chi Ya, bewildered, sniffled and said, 'I, I forgot…'"

"After a sleepless night and the comforting morning breeze carrying the scent of grass and trees, he had dozed off on the bench to the sound of birds and the wind, forgetting the turmoil of his dream upon awakening."

"He rubbed his eyes, feeling as if he had lost all his dignity in front of Gu Huai Zhang in these few days. He stifled a sob in his heart, forced a smile, and changed the subject, 'Elder brother, why, why are you here…?'"

"Gu Huai Zhang’s gaze moved over Chi Ya’s reddened, rabbit-like eyes and red, upturned nose. His light, cool amber eyes revealed no emotion, 'This isn’t a place for sleeping.'"

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"Chi Ya understood that his uncle was again implying his lack of manners."

"He bent down to pick up his cane, silently struggling to his feet, 'Then I’ll, I’ll go back to my room to… sleep.'"

"'Stand up.'"

"Chi Ya suddenly froze, looking up in confusion, 'Big, big brother?'"

"Gu Huai Zhang frowned at him, 'Not exercising anymore?'"

"Feeling scrutinized by Gu, Chi Ya felt as if his laziness was exposed. Sheepishly smiling, he made an excuse, 'The doctor, the doctor said to exercise, exercise in moderation…'"

"Gu Huai Zhang coldly stated, 'Aside from hopping on one foot and sleeping, you’ve walked for less than five minutes.'"

"Chi Ya: '…………'"

"Blushing, Chi Ya muttered softly, 'I’m, I’m tired…'"

"Spoiled."

"Gu Huai Zhang thought, frowning."

"Really spoiled. Crying at the slightest thing, tears when bullied, tears from nightmares about his younger brother, his eyes and nose turning red like a rabbit. Complaining about being tired after just a few steps, wanting to go back to bed for more sleep."

"How can someone be so overly delicate?"

"Seeing Gu fall silent, Chi Ya quietly grabbed his cane, attempting to sneak away, only to have a large hand suddenly reach out and grab the cane."

"Chi Ya paused, turning to look at him. Gu Huai Zhang’s face was expressionless, his gaze lowered and faintly on him."

"Chi Ya: '…………'"

"'I suddenly realize, realize that elder brother is right!' Chi Ya deeply reflected, 'I am, I am too lazy!'"

"Chi Ya rolled up his sleeves, his cat-like eyes wide and round, 'Elder brother, let’s continue, continue exercising!'"

"Gu Huai Zhang’s gaze lingered on his eyes for a moment, then said, 'Let go.'"

"'...Ah?' Chi Ya released his hold instinctively, staring blankly as his cane was taken away."

"Gu Huai Zhang casually placed the cane on a chair, looking down at him, 'Walk.'"

"'…' Chi Ya opened his mouth, then resignedly lowered his head, 'Oh.'"

"He turned around silently and began to hobble forward, feeling awkward without the support of his cane, unaccustomed to its absence."

"Subconsciously, he drew up his left leg, wanting to hop on one foot, but Gu Huai Zhang was right behind him."

"...Why isn’t he going for a run?"

"The overwhelming presence of the man, perceptible even without sight, was so intense that Chi Ya felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end just from the sound of the footsteps behind him!"

"Wuwuwu, what have I done to deserve elder brother’s supervision? Does elder brother want me to heal quickly so I can swiftly leave Nanhu Manor… TvT"

"Chi Ya was fraught with worries ahead, his resentments nearly materializing. Gu Huai Zhang followed leisurely, observing the timid rabbit in front of him."

"The guy must be grumbling about him right now, his silly tuft of hair drooping, his long, fair neck bent, looking utterly dejected as if he’s been wronged."

"...Really, he seems so different from the impression he made back in school."

"As he pondered this casually, he saw the young man turn back, his round, cat-like eyes bright and pure, calling him, 'Elder brother…'"

"Chi Ya asked with a hint of hope, 'Aren’t you, aren’t you going to continue, continue running?'"

"Gu Huai Zhang replied, 'Don’t worry about me.'"

"Chi Ya obediently responded, '...Okay.'"

"Watching Chi Ya turn back, frustration concealed beneath a calm facade, Gu Huai Zhang felt his mood unexpectedly lift."

"He glanced at the young man’s walk. Though seemingly reluctant, he was making a genuine effort, his limping gait appearing somewhat clumsy."

"Increasingly resembling a clumsy rabbit."

"Gu Huai Zhang slightly curved the corner of his lips, shifting his gaze from Chi Ya’s tuft of hair to the expansive view of Nanhu Lake."

"As they walked, one in front of the other, Chi Ya, unable to bear the eerie silence, finally broached a topic with difficulty, 'Elder brother, the, the second brother said you don’t like, flowers, right?'"

"Gu Huai Zhang turned his gaze back to him, 'Second brother?'"

"'Yeah.' Chi Ya nodded shyly, 'I usually, usually call Huai An that…'"

"Gu Huai Zhang recalled waking from a nap one day to find the young man sniffing Gu Huai An’s old clothes and calling him 'Second Brother.'"

"Absolutely… Indecorous."

"His eyebrows twitched, on the verge of frowning, but he held back, replying indifferently, 'Hmm, I don’t fancy those.'"

"Chi Ya processed this and realized he was answering the question about not liking flowers."

"Considering Gu Huai Zhang's character and demeanor, he inquired, 'What about plum blossoms, orchids, or even lotus flowers? Do you not like those either?'"

"Gu Huai Zhang, with an impassive expression, answered, 'They're alright.'"

"As the conversation died, Chi Ya felt a tinge of disappointment and quietly closed his mouth, opting not to speak further."

"Gu Huai Zhang noticed Chi Ya’s drooping head and felt an odd reluctance for the atmosphere to return to its previous, slightly awkward silence. He hesitantly spoke, 'Do you like lotus flowers?'"

"At the sound of his voice, Chi Ya’s head shot up, his eyes sparkling as he looked at him, nodding vigorously with a bright smile, 'Yes! I like all pretty flowers!'"

"His expression then shifted to one of disappointment as he gazed at the lake, 'It's such a pity, this vast lake would look so beautiful with lotuses...'"

"He reminisced about a time long ago, before he was sent abroad, when he would visit the Summer Palace to see the lotus flowers. The wind would create ripples across the lake, lifting and swaying the lotus leaves and flowers in a breathtaking dance."

"Unfortunately, since moving to France, he hadn’t seen such vibrant green lotus leaves for many years."

"Gu Huai Zhang, watching him, unexpectedly suggested, 'They can be planted.'"

"Chi Ya’s eyes widened in surprise, 'Really? I can plant lotus flowers in the lake?'"

"Gu Huai Zhang glanced at him, 'You’re going to plant them?'"

Chi Ya scratched his cheek, smiling awkwardly, "I'll go, find someone to teach me..."

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Gu Huai zhang hummed, then after a few steps added, "There's a gardener at home."

Chi Ya instantly grasped his meaning, and couldn't help but laugh, thinking how this icy elder brother seemed quite approachable!

Gu Huai Zhang glanced at his radiant smile, subtly shifted his gaze, and said, "Walk properly."

Chi Ya cheerfully responded, "Okay!"

"...Such a child."

Gu Huai Zhang thought quietly.

Disappointed one second, exuberantly happy the next, emotions changing on a whim, feelings plainly shown, without the slightest guile, like a blank sheet of paper.

——The type he had least admired for twenty years.

So why had he so easily agreed to let him plant lotuses in the lake just now?

Gu Huai Zhang frowned, lowered his eyes, pondering over this inexplicable action, when suddenly he heard Chi Ya's cry of alarm ahead, his foot twisted, and he unexpectedly toppled over!

In his panic, Chi Ya subconsciously reached for his cane, found it gone, internally cursed, braced for the fall, only to feel a firm grip on his arm in the next instant.

——Gu Huai Zhang held him steady above the elbow, a hand lifting him up, his sharp eyebrows slightly furrowed: "You fell on flat ground?"

"No, no," Chi Ya, still frightened, steadied himself, cautiously lifting his left leg, and quietly explained, "My leg, suddenly hurt..."

Gu Huai Zhang paused, realizing they had already walked half the lake, and Chi Ya's injured leg was clearly overstrained from the long walk.

Understanding the reason, Gu Huai Zhang instinctively wanted to scold Chi Ya for his lack of self-awareness, but then he saw the young man's sweaty forehead and timid eyes, and suddenly realized—it wasn’t Chi Ya's lack of awareness, but because he was following behind, the boy didn't dare to express his tiredness.

Gu Huai Zhang's mouth twitched, his first reaction was to find it absurd; he thought his attitude towards Chi Ya that morning was fairly mild, and their recent conversation was quite relaxed, yet why was Chi Ya still so... afraid of him?

"Elder brother..." Chi Ya cautiously glanced at him, stuttering, "Can I, go, back now?"

"..." Gu Huai Zhang paused, then hummed softly, "Let's go back."

They turned around to head back, Gu Huai Zhang firmly supporting him, and Chi Ya, not daring to ask him to let go, allowed him to grasp his arm, hopping forward on his lifted left foot.

Gu Huai Zhang unusually slowed his pace to accommodate someone else, glanced sidelong at him, and saw the young man pursing his lips, chubby cheeks, long eyelashes veiling his eyes, a hint of pearly earlobe visible beneath short black hair, bouncing along with great concentration.

Yet, Chi Ya's heart was far from focused; he was internally screaming in despair.

"So unlucky, aah! Why do I always mess up in front of my elder brother, aah! Gu Huai Zhang once criticized me for being insincere; he wouldn’t think I fell on purpose to flirt or seduce him, right?!"

"Aah, why did I have to fall! This isn't some third-rate melodramatic idol drama! We were getting along so well just moments ago!"

"Sob… Thick tears of despair streamed down Chi Ya's cheeks, thinking maybe he should just jump into South Lake. He wasn’t afraid of shattering to pieces; he wanted to keep his innocence in this world…"

Chi Ya bit his lip in turmoil, despairingly gazing at the pebbled path ahead.

"Damn it… Why isn’t it over yet? My arm feels like it’s being cooked by his hand… He looks so cold, but why is his palm so hot? It defies all logic TvT."

Walking at a leisurely pace beside him, Chi Ya noticed Gu Huai Zhang exuded a pleasant scent, like aged agarwood burning over an open flame, smoky yet not overwhelming, imparting a sense of dignity and reverence.

Chi Ya sniffed subtly several times. The fragrance, mingling with the scent of grass and shrubs, evoked the serenity of a temple after the rain, quiet and solemn, calming his restless heart. Chi Ya lifted his head and exhaled.

Gu Huai Zhang's voice was light, "Tired?"

"Ah? No, no…" Chi Ya looked up at him and smiled sincerely, "Thank you, elder brother."

Gu Huai Zhang’s gaze shifted away from his smiling face, remaining silent. His firm grip on Chi Ya's arm was a constant, reassuring presence.

Finally, they returned to the bench where they started. Chi Ya bent down to pick up his cane, and Gu Huai Zhang timely released his grip, suggesting, "Rest here a bit before we go on."

Chi Ya, too tired to hop any longer, obediently nodded, "Okay."

Before they could speak further, a head suddenly popped out above them. Gu Huai Zhang called, "Elder brother, did you see that stutterer...?"

Chi Ya turned and raised his hand, "Here, here!"

Gu Huai Zhang saw him, stepped over the stone path, and jumped down, scolding, "Why are you running around early in the morning? Not even carrying a phone. I’ve been looking for you forever!"

Chi Ya opened his mouth, "I was exer-, exercising…"

Gu Huai Zhang, uninterested in his explanation, tossed a phone to him, "Qin Yu Ze is looking for you."

Then he turned to Gu Huai Zhang, greeting, "Elder brother, are you out for a morning run?"

Gu Huai Zhang responded indifferently, glanced at him, then at Chi Ya, who was looking at the phone, his lips twitched slightly, but ultimately, he said nothing.

"As for my younger brother, how he talks and interacts with his partner is his own business. As the eldest, it's not my place to meddle too much."

Author's Note:

"Thank you to all the angels who voted for me or nourished me with nutrient solution during June 10, 2023, 13:13:19 to June 11, 2023, 18:20:14~"

"Thanks to the angels who threw grenades: Pure Unlucky Egg, 2 pieces;"

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"Thanks to the angels who nourished me with nutrient solution: Fu Tu Sheng Ling, 19 bottles;"

"I'm deeply grateful for everyone's support and will continue to work hard!"