Chapter 13 A-13

Chapter 13 A-13

Yun Xiu felt that serving cherry tomatoes in a fruit salad without providing a spoon was an utterly inhumane design!

Jiang Tinghan handed him a spoon, and after thanking him, Yun Xiu proactively brought up their earlier conversation.

The young man chirped happily, "Whoever feeds me is my favorite!"

The two exchanged a glance: "..."

That wasn't any better; it made their previous exchange sound as childish as a game of house, squabbling over who got to be the dad and who the mom.

Although their trip to City B was primarily for the water park, they couldn't possibly spend two full days submerged.

Yun Xiu planned to visit his second brother, Yun Qian, at S University on the first morning, tour the campus, find a place for lunch, and then head to the water park in the afternoon.

Considering Jiang Tinghan hadn't been home for a week, Yun Xiu hadn't intended to invite him to S University. However, both roommates wanted to join, so it became a party of three.

That said, most university campuses are much alike. Yun Xiu found nothing particularly special about S University—it felt quite similar to Z University. After walking around for just over half an hour, he lost interest.

He sat down on a roadside bench and waved his hand. "You guys go ahead and explore. I'm tired; I'll wait here."

The other three exchanged glances. It was Yun Xiu who had wanted to see the campus, not them. Without the main person, there was no reason to continue.

Yun Xiu hadn't anticipated this. Feeling a little embarrassed for making everyone accompany him, he suggested, "Then let's find somewhere to eat—my treat!"

Yun Qian wouldn't hear of it. "Since when does a younger brother pay when visiting his older brother?"

Yun Xiu couldn't argue, so he relented.

Yun Qian offered three options: barbecue, hot pot, or a private restaurant—all places he had personally tried and found delicious.

As guests, Fang Zicheng and Jiang Tinghan deferred to Yun Qian.

But Yun Xiu couldn't let his brother choose; two of the three options weren't suitable for Jiang Tinghan. He quickly decided, "Let's go to the private restaurant. I'm craving some stir-fries!"

Jiang Tinghan's fingers twitched slightly, and his usually stern expression softened almost imperceptibly with a hint of tenderness.

"Alright, everyone, please let me know if you have any dietary restrictions so we don't order anything you can't eat."

Yun Qian didn't overthink it and immediately called to place their order and make a reservation. By the time they arrived, the food was just being served.

Fang Zicheng had no dietary restrictions, but he knew Yun Xiu had many. He leaned in to help select dishes.

Yun Qian felt both pleased and slightly uneasy realizing this roommate had a general understanding of what his younger brother couldn't eat.

The discomfort felt strange, so he attributed it to the bittersweet feeling of "my little brother has grown up."

It was similar to how he felt jealous when his brother was closer to their eldest brother—probably the same kind of emotion.

It had to be.

Even so, it didn't stop him from regarding Fang Zicheng with a wary eye. Anyone trying to get too close to his brother would receive this treatment—if they couldn't handle it, they'd better back off quickly.

The private restaurant Yun Qian took them to was near S University. Since its main clientele were students, the prices per dish were slightly higher than ordinary fast-food spots, but the quality of the food, once served, justified the cost.

Most patrons were students on group outings. As it wasn't peak hours, they managed to get a private room.

With his family absent and his two roommates present, it was a perfect opportunity to relax and have fun, but Yun Xiu was more focused on going to the water park.

He had only been once before, and even then, he had to maintain his persona and follow a script—it barely counted as fun.

If he ended up in the hospital due to an allergy, his weekend would be ruined, and his two roommates wouldn't enjoy themselves either.

Yun Xiu mentally chastised his lazy, pleasure-seeking self, then comforted himself, thinking there was plenty of time. No rush.

Definitely next time.

...

City B and City A had different designations.

The former was the capital of Huaguo, while the latter was Huaguo’s most economically developed city. Their architectural styles also differed.

Pressed against the car window, Yun Xiu saw various iconic buildings often featured in the news and couldn't help but silently compare the differences across regions of Huaguo.

The conclusion was that there wasn't much difference.

A country's name might change, but its civilization largely remains the same, resulting in cultures that aren't all that different.

Thinking Yun Xiu was curious, Jiang Tinghan couldn't help but ask, "Xiu Xiu, do you like City B?"

"Of course!" Yun Xiu answered without hesitation. "It's a bit different from City A—it seems really interesting."

Honestly, only someone tactless would criticize another person's city to their face. He was excellent at small talk!

What Jiang Tinghan truly meant by the question, only he knew. Sensing Yun Xiu hadn't picked up on it, he felt a pang of regret. But with Yun Qian present, he simply smiled and didn't press further.

That said, having a water park all to themselves with friends was a first for Yun Xiu.

In the distance, he caught sight of a vast blue pool and eagerly gestured toward a towering structure, exclaiming, "I want to try the giant slide! And the whirlpool chute!"

Both were thrilling rides, and nearly every water park had them.

Those afflicted with megalophobia would instinctively recoil from the cavernous mouth of the giant horn, while the serpentine twists of the vortex slide—oscillating between blinding light and abyssal darkness—could jolt riders into relinquishing their rafts mid-descent, risking grave injury.

Going to a water park and only playing in the water without trying any rides would be dull. But Yun Qian had only recently returned home and wasn't sure how his brother would react when scared, so he didn't dare let him try these two rides.

But if he didn't allow it...

Seeing the eager look on the boy’s face, Yun Qian felt a wave of anxiety.

Would his brother end up hating him?

Before he could make up his mind, Jiang Tinghan remarked calmly, "The megaphone will do, but the whirlpool slide isn't operational yet."

Yun Xiu hesitated for a moment before replying wistfully, "Very well. Fortunately, there are four of us, and the large sedan can accommodate that number comfortably."

He quickly cheered up again.

Everyone exchanged relieved glances.

They had been worried Yun Xiu would insist on trying the whirlpool slide—it was too dangerous for someone who didn't exercise regularly.

Before entering the water, the four of them went to shower.

A staff member approached Jiang Tinghan and asked if they needed guides to accompany them on the rides. Jiang Tinghan instinctively glanced back at Yun Xiu to ensure the boy hadn't heard, then shook his head and declined.

"No special assistance required. Simply carry out your duties as normal. If anyone inquires about riding, aside from the large horn slide, inform them that high-speed attractions like the whirlpool slide are currently unavailable."

Away from Yun Xiu, Jiang Tinghan’s expression remained cold as usual, his tone leaving no room for refusal.

This coldness was similar to Yun He’s, yet fundamentally different.

Yun He’s coldness was a distant, unconcerned composure toward everyone; Jiang Tinghan’s coldness, however, was self-isolating, an inherent resistance to engaging with the outside world.

If Yun Xiu were to describe it, he’d rather spend time with Jiang Tinghan, because he can't compete with Yun He.

*Sob*

The shower room, designed to accommodate all male visitors of the water park, was massive. Yun Xiu entered with his towel, found a corner, and tried to make it a quick shower to get out quickly.

Fang Zicheng, as if oblivious to his intention, strolled over to the spot next to him wearing only boxers.

Through the frosted glass, the outline of the other’s body was barely visible.

As a guy into men, Yun Xiu politely averted his gaze and prepared to turn away to apply shampoo.

Normally, a water park wouldn’t provide shampoo, but the Jiang family had sent it over along with the swimwear, likely aware of their young master’s particular quirks.

Yun Xiu planned to finish with the shampoo, pass it to Fang Zicheng, and then retreat safely to his corner to shower.

Unexpectedly, as he turned, he came face to face with his Second Brother’s handsome face.

Yun Xiu: “!!!”

Yun Qian stood two steps away, eyes bright. “Little bro, let me scrub your back!”

“No!” Yun Xiu’s face flushed red as he took half a step back, flusteredly covering his lower body. “Second Brother, mind your own business! This isn’t a bathhouse—no need for scrubbing!”

Fang Zicheng also peeked over. “I can help too!”

Yun Xiu shot him a glare. Like hell you will, don’t add to the chaos.

When Jiang Tinghan entered, this was the scene that greeted him. Anyone unaware might think a group action was about to unfold in the shower room.

He hesitated for a moment but ultimately didn’t join the trio’s conversation.

It wasn’t that he didn’t want to get closer to Yun Xiu; mainly, he was afraid he might lose his cool. If he embarrassed himself in front of his crush and Yun Xiu’s brother, even for someone with thick skin, it would make pursuing him harder.

On the other side.

Seeing his younger brother’s clear reluctance, Yun Qian drooped his head, pitifully saying, “I heard you went to the hot springs with Big Brother last year, and he scrubbed your back. Why can’t I?”

Yun Xiu never realized he was all bark no bite—always clamoring to see handsome guys, but when faced with an actual naked guy, he’d blush and avoid looking.

Hearing his Second Brother’s complaint, he grumbled inwardly: Who even said that? If it didn’t happen, he wouldn’t admit to it!

“There was no back scrubbing,” the young man mumbled.

Mustering courage, he lifted his gaze, his cat-like eyes gleaming. “Big Brother doesn’t like people getting too close to him. He didn’t scrub my back. If Second Brother wants, we can go to the hot springs together this winter.”

Hot springs?

No one wore clothes in the shower room. Fang Zicheng easily caught a glimpse of the youth’s well-proportioned frame, his waist and abdomen covered in a thin layer of muscle, and… his firm, rounded buttocks.

His skin was porcelain-white all over, his nails a healthy pink—even that part was pink.

Like a life-sized figurine.

Every part exquisite, every detail refined, as if crafted with the creator’s heart and soul.

Fang Zicheng awkwardly turned away, pretending to focus on showering while actually staring blankly at the white tiles near the showerhead, his mind involuntarily replaying the details of the youth’s body.

He felt like a pervert.

After all, a normal person wouldn’t dwell on the memory of their roommate’s naked body.

If his previous care