Chapter 46 Fine, Let’s Go

Chapter 46: Off We Go

It was Saturday again, a day for rest. Yan Zhoubai went out, heading to Nantian Street.

Nantian Street is an ancient, historically rich street in Jing City, renowned for its antiques, calligraphy, paintings, jade, and porcelain. It's also a famous tourist attraction and popular photo spot.

Yan Zhoubai came here because, beyond being a hub for rare curios, Nantian Street is also an excellent place for fortune-telling, matchmaking, and checking one's destiny. He wanted to scout the area, observe the scene, and after his entrance exams, set up a small stall here to launch his "career."

As someone who grew up in Jing City, Yan Zhoubai had, of course, visited Nantian Street countless times. Yet, never before had he found it as enjoyable as today. Perhaps it was because he was about to embark on his own venture from this very place.

Yan Zhoubai strolled from one end of Nantian Street to the other. As he was leaving, he suddenly spotted a familiar car in the bustling traffic.

It looked like Zhan Jiayu’s Maybach.

But why would Zhan Jiayu’s car be here? Nantian Street is a pedestrian zone, crowded with people. Wouldn't driving here risk scratches? It probably wasn't his car.

Yet, the next moment, Yan Zhoubai saw a tall, imposing figure step out of the car and head directly toward him.

Zhan Jiayu was dressed in a black bomber jacket paired with dark casual trousers. Without a suit, the intense aura he usually exuded was considerably softened.

Still, his height and presence made him an undeniable figure in the crowd. Even in the few steps it took him to reach Yan Zhoubai, people frequently turned to look.

“You… here…”

When Zhan Jiayu reached him, Yan Zhoubai wanted to ask, “What are you doing here?” But his speech impediment hadn't fully recovered, so he could only manage a few fragmented words.

“Something came up. I need to leave for Jiang City immediately. Do you want to come with me now?”

Zhan Jiayu gently took Yan Zhoubai’s arm and guided him to the side of the street. Nantian Street was teeming with pedestrians and tourists; standing in the middle of the road would not only block traffic but also risk others bumping into Yan Zhoubai.

Yan Zhoubai tilted his head slightly. What was going on? Why the sudden rush?

It wasn't that he couldn't leave right away, but…

“Buddy, let’s go then. We have nothing else planned anyway; we were waiting for this.”

The System didn't find the timing sudden, only Zhan Jiayu’s appearance. But it wasn't a big deal. The System considered Zhan Jiayu very reliable; if he appeared before Yan Zhoubai, he must have already arranged everything else.

A dependable boss earns a subordinate’s trust.

Moreover, the System harbored a slightly mischievous thought. If its young host left with the antagonist without informing the Yan family, it wondered how they would react.

The System didn't share this thought with Yan Zhoubai, but Yan Zhoubai usually followed its advice closely. So, Yan Zhoubai nodded to Zhan Jiayu.

A faint smile touched Zhan Jiayu’s lips as he took Yan Zhoubai’s hand and led him through the bustling crowds of Nantian Street.

Yan Zhoubai and Zhan Jiayu settled into the back seat. As soon as they sat down, Yan Zhoubai heard the driver greet him: “Hello, Young Master Yan.”

Yan Zhoubai looked over and realized the driver was the assistant who always accompanied Zhan Jiayu. Yan Zhoubai remembered him.

Yan Zhoubai wanted to greet him back but, remembering his current condition, remained silent, simply smiling and nodding at Assistant Chen.

“He’s in a special situation right now and can’t speak. Please keep an eye on him.”

Just then, Zhan Jiayu got in from the other side of the car and instructed Chen Chu. Then he turned to Yan Zhoubai and said gently, “If I’m not around in Jiang City, you can tell him whatever you need.”

After all, Zhan Jiayu was going to Jiang City to settle scores with his uncles and couldn't be with Yan Zhoubai 24/7. But he would leave Chen Chu by Yan Zhoubai’s side to ensure not only his safety but also that he enjoyed his time in Jiang City.

He had, after all, invited Yan Zhoubai to Jiang City to relax.

Yan Zhoubai smiled and nodded. Ever since Zhan Jiayu had proactively helped expose the bullying incident at Lixing High School, Yan Zhoubai had trusted him deeply. And now that Zhan Jiayu was his "big brother," it was only natural for a younger brother to trust his elder.

“Understood, boss.”

Chen Chu didn't know why Young Master Yan couldn't speak now, but his boss clearly had no intention of explaining, so he simply focused on being a quiet, diligent employee.

Yan Zhoubai typed a message on his phone’s memo and showed it to Zhan Jiayu.

“We’re heading to the airport now. Tickets are already booked. We’ll land in Jiang City this afternoon,” Zhan Jiayu said.

When Zhan Jiayu had gotten out of the car and found Yan Zhoubai at the entrance of Nantian Street, hearing Yan Zhoubai struggle to speak just those two words made him regret not having Chen Chu deal more harshly with Ji Yangwen and the others that day.

Letting them lie in the hospital for a few months was too lenient.

The more Yan Zhoubai acted cheerful and unbothered, the more it pained Zhan Jiayu.

Unable to resist, he reached out and ruffled Yan Zhoubai’s hair.

Yan Zhoubai had long hair, and his hair was soft, feeling like smooth satin to the touch. Zhan Jiayu couldn’t help but stroke it a couple more times.

Yan Zhoubai was fine with the physical contact. This was his "big brother," after all, and he trusted him completely. Plus, Zhan Jiayu was older, and the gesture felt like an elder doting on a younger one.

Chen Chu drove swiftly and smoothly. Yan Zhoubai felt like no time at all had passed before they arrived at the airport.

It wasn’t until they were about to board that Yan Zhoubai remembered he should let his family know.

“System, why didn’t you remind me? I forgot to tell my family.”

“Hehe, I did it on purpose. Your parents’ attitude toward you has changed a lot lately. Don’t you want to see how they’d react if you suddenly disappeared?” The System was eager to stir the pot.

Yan Zhoubai fell silent for a few seconds. “Never mind. We’ll be gone for several days. If they really try to find me, they’ll probably worry themselves sick.”

So, he sent messages to his father, mother, and eldest brother, saying he was going to Jiang City for a couple of days with Zhan Jiayu and leaving today.

The System shook its non-existent head in the void. The young host was still too kind-hearted.

After sending the messages, it was time to board. Yan Zhoubai saw Zhan Jiayu waving to him from ahead and turned off his phone.

For the next two-plus hours, his phone received countless calls and messages, but Yan Zhoubai missed the entire “bombardment.”

Zhan Jiayu had chartered the entire first-class cabin, so only the two of them and Assistant Chen were there. Yan Zhoubai had flown first class before, but never one this “spacious.”

Assistant Chen naturally took the seat in the most remote corner of the cabin, adhering to the principle of not disturbing his boss and acting as invisible as possible. This way, his boss and Young Master Yan essentially had the cabin to themselves.

“I want to ask you a question,” Yan Zhoubai typed on his phone memo.

“Go ahead.”

Zhan Jiayu naturally smoothed Yan Zhoubai’s long hair to keep it from getting tangled as he moved.

“Was it you who had Ji Yangwen and Dai Jian beaten up and sent to the hospital?” Yan Zhoubai continued typing.

He had initially decided to drop the matter, but that was when he was still angry. As his anger subsided, he realized that the only person who could have done it so flawlessly, leaving no evidence for the three families to seize, was Zhan Jiayu.

So, he had to ask. If the "big brother" helped a "younger brother" seek revenge, the "younger brother" couldn’t just ignore it or take it for granted. At the very least, he should show appreciation.

“If I said it was me, would you thank me?”

Zhan Jiayu reached out to tuck the stray hair behind Yan Zhoubai's ear and said with a smile, "Of course."

Yan Zhoubai was so excited that he managed to speak a complete, coherent two characters without any stammering.

He froze for a moment, and then a look of pure joy immediately spread across his face. He wanted to try speaking again, but this time he failed—the earlier success was just a flash in the pan.

"It seems your condition is improving. Don’t rush, we’ll take it step by step."

Hearing Yan Zhoubai say "of course" so smoothly naturally made Zhan Jiayu happy too, but he was afraid Yan Zhoubai would get impatient and might push himself too hard. He patted the back of Yan Zhoubai’s hand to reassure him.

"Of course I’d thank you. I’ve wanted to beat them up for a long time. You’re literally the best big brother in the world!"

Yan Zhoubai typed out this message on his phone and held it up for Zhan Jiayu to see.

The phone was held right in front of Yan Zhoubai’s face, and the words on the screen, combined with the genuine smile in his eyes, made Zhan Jiayu feel that dealing with a few troublemakers was nothing. If Yan Zhoubai wanted it, he’d even try to pluck the stars for him.

Just then, a flight attendant came over to ask if they wanted anything to drink. Yan Zhoubai waved his hand to decline, and Zhan Jiayu did the same. Only Assistant Chen, sitting quietly in the corner, asked for a large cup of Coke.

After a while, though, Yan Zhoubai started feeling a bit thirsty and also craved some Coke.

But when the flight attendant came by again, her cart didn’t have any Coke—perhaps it had all been given to Assistant Chen earlier.

When the flight attendant smiled and asked Yan Zhoubai what he’d like to drink, he felt confident. Since he’d managed to say "of course" clearly earlier, surely "Coke" wouldn’t be a problem. He opened his mouth to speak with assurance.

But this time, the words didn’t come out. Only the first syllable of "Coke" escaped, faint and stuck in his throat. The flight attendant couldn’t hear him clearly and leaned in closer to catch his request.

Yan Zhoubai gathered all his strength stubbornly to try again, but just then, a low voice sounded beside him: "He’d like a Coke. Two Cokes, thank you."

-----------------------

Author's Note:

Little Boat: Big brother is like a parental figure.

Zhan Jiayu: (Spits blood) Not really keen on being that elder. [dog head]