But you love a fool - CHAPTER 1
The first time Jian Suiying met Li Yu was in his own living room.
He had a cigarette hanging from his lips when he walked in and saw his half-brother, Jian Suilin,
sitting on the sofa with another boy. The two were laughing about something, shoulders brushing,
the air thick with the careless energy of youth.
The boy’s back was to him. His Feyenoord jersey clung to his skin with sweat, the muscles beneath it
drawn tight and smooth. His shorts were streaked with dirt, and muddy sneakers rested shamelessly
on the edge of the cream-colored leather sofa. Empty soda cans and half-eaten cake sat abandoned
on the glass table, a dirty soccer ball rolling lazily at their feet.
When the door opened, both boys turned their heads at once.
The moment Jian Suiying’s gaze met the stranger’s, his body went completely still.
If you wanted to dress the feeling up, you could call it love at first sight.
If you wanted to be honest he got hard the second he saw him.
Later, he’d call it karma.
But right then, all he knew was that his heart had started pounding, his pulse drumming behind his
temples, his breath coming faster than it should have.
And that boy how to even describe him? His face was sharp and clean, his features almost too
perfect. To put it simply, he was exactly Jian Suiying’s type.
He’d always gone for that kind of boy fit, fresh-faced, the kind who looked both pure and strong at
once. But this one was better than any he’d seen before.
His younger brother, Jian Suilin, was already one of the prettiest boys in their circle, but the one
standing in front of him had something else entirely a calm, solid kind of beauty.
Jian’s eyes traced the line of his mouth, the pale curve of his throat, down to the firm shape of his
legs beneath his shorts.
He’d met a lot of people in his life, but never once had he wanted someone this badly, this suddenly.
Unfortunately, that someone was his brother’s friend.
He forced himself to breathe, tried to smooth his expression into something neutral, and gave them
both a cool look.
Jian Suilin jumped up the moment he saw his brother’s face.
Brother, you’re back.
Yeah, Jian answered, flatly.
This is my classmate, Li Yu. He’s Old Commander Li’s grandson.
Oh? Haven’t seen you before.
Li Yu’s uncle was transferred out of the province years ago, Suilin explained. They just moved back to
Beijing. We were friends as kids, but it’s been years.
Something clicked in Jian’s memory his father had mentioned not long ago that Old Li’s son had
been promoted and reassigned to the capital. Jian hadn’t paid much attention. The two families
exchanged visits on holidays but weren’t especially close.
If he’d known the old man had such a gorgeous grandson, though, he’d have dropped by with a gift in
hand.
He nodded, tamping down the flicker of heat in his chest, and walked forward.
Suilin stood up quickly, and Li Yu rose with him.
Li Yu was nearly his height, tall and lean, his body a perfect balance of youth and strength. His face
still held the faint softness of a teenager, but there was something compelling about him—an
unpolished sharpness that made Jian’s pulse skip.
Damn, he thought, he’s exactly my kind of trouble.
He offered a hand and smiled. So, Old Li’s grandson? Guess that makes me your elder, huh?
Li Yu’s expression was calm but polite. He shook hands briefly, his grip firm.
Jian liked that. A young man who knew his manners, who carried himself with quiet steadiness it
was rare, and it only made him want him more.
He clapped Li Yu on the shoulder, feeling the solid muscle under his palm. Just finished playing ball?
Don’t sit under the AC like that, your clothes are still wet—you’ll catch a cold.
The touch sent a jolt through him.
Suilin, thrilled to see his usually gruff brother acting so friendly, hurried to turn down the air
conditioner.
Jian glanced at the cake on the table. Eaten yet?
Not yet, Suilin said.
You two ran around all afternoon and skipped dinner for this sugary junk? Where’s Aunt Wu?
She had to go home this morning.
So no one’s here.
Dad’s out, and… Mom’s out too. Suilin hesitated, realizing too late that he’d said something he
shouldn’t.
Normally, Jian would’ve jumped at the chance to tease him, but tonight, he was in a good mood. He
let it slide.
Order takeout? I’m starving.
What do you want to eat?
He glanced between his brother’s eager face and Li Yu’s unreadable one. On second thought, forget
takeout. It’s filthy. Your friend’s here—cook something yourself. That eggplant you made last time
wasn’t bad.
Suilin blinked, surprised. Oh… okay. You want eggplant? I’ll check the kitchen.
As soon as his brother disappeared, the air between him and Li Yu grew taut. Li Yu looked a little
uneasy.
Jian smiled easily, patting his shoulder again. Why are you standing? Sit.
Li Yu sat, his posture a little too stiff.
Jian followed, close enough to feel the warmth coming off him. His eyes traced the smooth lines of Li Yu’s face, the strong cut of his jaw. Every second, his restraint felt thinner. He could practically see
himself pushing the boy down right there on the couch, peeling off that jersey, and devouring him
whole.
He’d never slept with a boy in a soccer uniform before. Maybe it was time to change that.
Keeping his face neutral, he asked in a friendly tone, You’re switching schools so close to exams.
Think you’ll manage?
Li Yu nodded, his voice calm. I’ll manage. Exams are exams, wherever you take them. His eyes
flicked toward the kitchen.
Jian lit a cigarette, then hesitated. Want one?
Li Yu shook his head politely. No, thank you. I don’t smoke.
Jian studied him—the smooth skin, the aloof expression—and liked him even more.
He wasn’t blind. He could tell the kid wasn’t interested. Probably something his brother had said
behind his back. But that only made the game more interesting.
The harder the chase, the sweeter the win.
So your name’s Li Yu, huh? Which character for Yu?
The one for jade, Li Yu said.
Ah, a delicate name, Jian laughed softly. Sounds more like a girl’s.
Li Yu’s eyes dropped, saying nothing.
Still, it suits you. Anyone else, it might sound silly. But on you, it has… flavor.
Li Yu gave a small, polite smile.
Did we meet when we were kids? When did you move away?
Li Yu’s gaze turned sharp for an instant. I don’t think we’ve met.
Maybe not, Jian said with a grin. I’d have remembered if you looked like this back then.
Li Yu’s expression tightened. He clearly wanted to leave but was too well-mannered to stand up and go.
How’s your grades? Any universities in mind?
Not bad. Planning to stay local.
Good choice, Jian said, leaning back lazily. Beijing’s the best. Why run off to some strange city? You must be exhausted, though. My brother stays up half the night studying. That’s no good. You need rest. Health first, right?
Right.
Sports are good for you too. Gotta stay strong. He took another chance to pat Li Yu’s back, fingers
brushing over tense muscle. The contact made his pulse thrum again.
Li Yu nodded awkwardly. I’ll go see if he needs help in the kitchen.
No need. If he can’t handle it, that’s pathetic. You’re a guest. Sit down. Oh, by the way—does my
brother have a girlfriend?
No.
Really? He must be popular with the girls. Not that I care it’s not the time for distractions. But if
he’s seeing someone, I should know.
He doesn’t, Li Yu said, sounding tired.
Oh. What about you?
That did it. Li Yu looked like he was ready to crawl out of his own skin. No, he said finally. I don’t.
Jian smiled. He’d gotten the answer he wanted.
He’d made his impression. Any further and he might scare him off.
He stood and stretched. Sit tight. I’ll check on the kitchen.
Li Yu exhaled the second he left.
In the kitchen, Jian found his brother in an apron, focused on the pan in front of him.
How’s it going? Jian asked, leaning on the doorframe.
Almost done, his brother said. You should wait outside, it’s smoky in here.
It’s fine, Jian said, stepping closer to look into the pan. Smells good.
Suilin, unused to this rare kindness, seemed flustered.
Jian spoke casually. So why did Old Li’s grandson transfer back now? Think he can keep up?
He’s smart. He’ll be fine.
And with looks like that, I bet every girl in your school’s gone crazy.
Suilin laughed. You’re not wrong. The day he showed up, half the girls in our grade were lined up at
the door just to see him. Not exaggerating.
For some reason, that made Jian smile a quiet, private satisfaction blooming in his chest. Maybe, he
thought, he just had good taste.