But you love a fool - CHAPTER 2

Jian Suilin moved quickly in the kitchen, and within forty minutes he had three dishes and a soup

steaming on the table.

Li Yu finally relaxed once he sat beside him.

Jian Suiying, meanwhile, wandered to the liquor cabinet and pulled out a bottle of fruit wine covered

in foreign words. He didn’t even know who had given it to them  some clueless guest, probably. His father, a Northeasterner through and through, only drank hard liquor and would never touch this

sugary stuff. Jian Suiying himself never bothered with it either. But for the two boys sitting there, it

would do nicely  just enough to lighten the mood.

He poured three glasses. Come on, have a sip, open your appetites.

Jian Suilin didn’t think much of it  it wasn’t unusual to have a drink at home but Li Yu glanced at the

glass and said calmly that he didn’t drink.

A man saying he doesn’t drink could mean two things: either alcohol causes trouble for him, or he’s

pretending. The first was rare. Jian Suiying wasn’t pleased. He thought, you don’t smoke, you don’t

drink what are you, a middle-schooler?

He pushed the glass toward Li Yu, smiling lazily. What’s there not to drink? If you don’t know how,

you should learn. What kind of man can’t handle alcohol? Relax, it’s so mild my dog could drink it.

Li Yu frowned slightly. Jian-ge, we still have class this afternoon.

It’s just a sip, come on, give your brother some face.

Li Yu looked at Jian Suilin, who gave him a helpless glance before lowering his head.

Li Yu’s eyes flashed with quiet irritation, but he said nothing. He raised the glass and took a small

sip.

Jian Suiying laughed loudly. What’s that, you’re a little girl? Be a man, drink like one. Xiao Lin, show

him how it’s done.

Jian Suilin obediently gulped down half his glass in one go and immediately started coughing, his

face flushing red.

Li Yu quickly patted his back, asking softly if he needed water. Jian Suilin waved it off, saying he was

fine.

Jian Suiying raised his glass again toward Li Yu. Come on, drink with me.

Li Yu sighed inwardly, clinked glasses with him, and took a proper sip this time.

Jian Suiying watched that reluctant look in Li Yu’s eyes and felt an odd thrill of satisfaction.

When Li Yu set the glass down, he didn’t look at him again and focused on eating.

The eldest young master leaned back, crossed one leg over the other, and tapped the plate of shrimp

with his chopsticks. Xiao Lin, peel a few for me.

Yeah. Jian Suilin obediently set down his chopsticks and started peeling shrimp for his brother.

Li Yu’s chopsticks paused mid-air, his eyes flicking to those slender, pale hands deftly working over

the shrimp. Those hands looked like they belonged to a girl — smooth, delicate, graceful. What a

waste, he thought. Still, this wasn’t his family, so he stayed silent.

The Jian brothers, on the other hand, seemed used to this routine. Suilin peeled a few shrimp cleanly

and placed them into his brother’s bowl before resuming his own meal.

Throughout dinner, Jian Suiying played the role of the concerned older brother — asking about their

studies, college plans, and other meaningless things he’d forget in a minute.

He kept himself in check, mindful that Suilin was there. Everyone in the Jian family knew about his

liking for men, though it was never openly discussed. His father felt guilty, his mother’s side pitied

him, and he controlled most of the family finances. Even his father pretended not to know, and

honestly, couldn’t do anything about it.

Still, he didn’t want Suilin finding out he was interested in his classmate — that would be too

awkward. And if the kid said something to Li Yu later, that could ruin everything.

After dinner, it was time for the boys to return to school.

Jian Suiying had only come home to pick something up. He barely lived there anymore — once a

week at most. The happy little family didn’t really need him, and he had no interest in seeing that

woman’s face more than necessary.

He grabbed his things. Come on, I’ll drive you two to school.

No need, ge, Uncle Ma will take us.

Let him rest. He’s old, deserves his nap. Get changed, let’s go.

Suilin looked uneasy, glancing at Li Yu before saying cautiously that they needed a shower — they

were filthy after playing ball.

Go ahead, I’m not in a rush.

He was unusually patient, which made Suilin uncomfortable. He hesitated, then nodded. Alright, I’ll

go first. Li Yu, wait for me, I’ll be quick.

You go use the bathroom in my room, Jian Suiying said to Li Yu. Save some time, traffic’s bad this

hour.

Li Yu didn’t like the idea one bit. It’s fine, I’ll wait.

Come on, we’re about the same size. You can wear my clothes.

Unable to find a good excuse, Li Yu followed him upstairs into his bedroom.

Jian Suiying pointed to the bathroom. Go ahead, I’ll find you something to wear.

Li Yu quickly slipped inside, and soon the sound of running water filled the room.

Jian Suiying stared at the thin door, his mind racing with indecent thoughts.

The temptation was torture  a living, breathing fantasy just beyond reach, separated only by a door.

The more he couldn’t have him, the more he wanted him.

A few minutes later, Li Yu peeked out, hair damp, calling for his clothes. Jian Suiying walked over

with them, and in that instant couldn’t resist peeking through the narrow gap.

That neck, that chest, those lean muscles… one look and Jian Suiying nearly lost his composure. He

wanted to kick open the door, press him against the wall, and lick every drop of water from his skin.

He didn’t move, though. Barely. But his bl00d was on fire.

Li Yu didn’t notice the hungry look in his eyes — a small mercy.

Soon both boys came downstairs at the same time, fresh and clean.

Jian Suiying jingled his car keys. Let’s go.

In the garage, Li Yu’s expression changed the moment he saw the cars. Jian Suiying caught it, pleased.

Every man loves cars. At Li Yu’s age, Jian Suiying had been sneaking his dad’s out for joyrides. Li Yu,

from a family of officials, probably wasn’t even allowed to touch flashy cars, so the look in his eyes

was familiar.

This garage was his pride  twenty-seven cars lined up neatly, most of them his collection. Finally,

something to impress the boy.

Li Yu looked around but stayed calm. Being the grandson of an old commander, he’d seen big scenes

before. That composure only made Jian Suiying like him more.

Which one do you like, he asked casually, patting Li Yu’s shoulder.

What?

Which car. Pick one. I’ll drive whichever you choose.

Li Yu’s lips twitched faintly. Whatever’s convenient for you, Jian-ge.

Come on, don’t be shy. You choose. I haven’t driven most of these in a while — they need to stretch

their legs.

His hand rested naturally on Li Yu’s shoulder.

Suilin’s body stiffened, and he quickly looked away, pretending not to notice.

Li Yu pointed to the Maserati nearest the door.

Good choice. That’s the one.

Jian Suiying grinned and led the two of them out, the car roaring to life as he sped down the road.

He’d only been to Suilin’s school once before, when his father forced him to attend a parent meeting

in his place. Suilin had been thrilled back then he’d said afterward that all the girls were jealous of

him for having such a handsome brother.

Jian Suiying hadn’t thought much of it. Of course he was handsome. And he didn’t care for girls

anyway.

This time, the sun was out, and the school gate was crowded with students. Jian Suiying noticed the

good-looking boys glancing at his car, and for the first time in a while, thought that high school

might actually be a great place to hang around.

He was a show-off by nature. When he stepped out of the car with the two boys, the nearby girls

started squealing. He couldn’t help but smile, soaking it all in.

Li Yu’s face darkened. He muttered a quick goodbye and pulled Jian Suilin into the crowd,

disappearing fast.

Jian Suiying watched his retreating back, tongue running over his lips, eyes gleaming with desire.