But you love a fool - CHAPTER 3
After dropping the two boys off, Jian Suiying went back to the company.
Even though just a few hours around Li Yu had left him restless and exhilarated, like discovering a
new continent, he was still a man with responsibilities. He forced himself to set those thoughts aside
and focused on work.
When he finally finished, the sky was already dark. He called Pipi out for dinner, and that night, he
vented all his tension on the soft, pale-skinned boy beneath him.
But when it was over, he didn’t feel the usual satisfaction. His body was exhausted, but his mind was
still empty. What he wanted was for that aloof, straight-laced boy to be the one trembling under him.
Even so, Jian Suiying wasn’t completely without restraint. As much of a beast as he could be, he
wasn’t going to touch Li Yu. Not yet.
There were less than two months before the college entrance exams. The kid had studied hard for
over ten years; he couldn’t be the one to ruin that. The Li family was full of accomplished people,
generation after generation of talent. Li Yu clearly wasn’t ordinary either.
Once the first wave of desire faded, Jian Suiying started thinking rationally. Maybe he shouldn’t
mess with anyone from the Li family.
He knew a bit about them.
When Li Yu’s father already had a son, his mother became pregnant again. Everyone told her to
abort, but she refused. For a high-ranking official in the 1980s, during the strictest years of the one-
child policy, having a second child was asking for disaster. The higher your position, the less you
could afford to break the rules.
They said Li Yu’s mother claimed the child had come to her in a dream, that he was destined for
greatness, and she swore she’d rather die than get rid of him.
In the end, the family secretly registered the child under Li Yu’s aunt’s name. The aunt and uncle
nearly lost their jobs over it, but at least it protected Li Yu’s father.
Even now, Li Yu’s household registration still listed his aunt as his mother. Everyone close to the
family knew the truth, but the incident was long past, and the Li family was far too powerful for
anyone to bring it up.
A child the whole family had risked so much to protect was bound to be their most precious treasure.
To corrupt him would be suicide.
Still, Jian Suiying thought, what man hasn’t done something reckless when he was young? If he slept
with Li Yu, so what? They’d part ways eventually. The boy would move on with his life, and he’d have
had his fun. A little danger, a little pleasure—it might even be perfect.
From a logical perspective, he should have stopped there. There were plenty of beautiful boys in the
world; why risk everything for one?
But there was something about Li Yu—his looks, his calm, his pride—that hit exactly the right nerve.
The more forbidden it was, the more Jian Suiying wanted it.
He sighed, crushed his cigarette in the ashtray, and muttered to himself. To hell with it. Maybe in a
few days he’d forget the boy’s face. Why keep torturing himself?
He slipped a hand under the blanket, squeezing Pipi’s smooth skin.
Wake up, little slut, he murmured with a grin. We’re not done yet.
The boy giggled sleepily. Jian-shao, you’re insatiable… coming again?
Three weeks passed. Jian Suiying hadn’t been home once and had almost forgotten about Li Yu.
Then his father called. He was told to come home for dinner and pick up his younger brother along
the way.
His father always insisted the brothers should spend more time together to improve their
relationship. But the more time Jian Suiying spent with Jian Suilin, the more irritated he became.
It wasn’t just because of Suilin’s shameless mother; even the boy himself wasn’t the kind of brother
he wanted.
When Suilin had first moved into their house, he’d been timid and skittish, shrinking at every raised
voice, with a delicate face that looked more like a girl’s. Jian Suiying had disliked him at first sight.
Now that they were grown, he wasn’t as cruel as before, and Suilin’s life had become easier. But the
relationship between them was still brittle. Jian Suiying avoided home mostly because he didn’t want
the annoyance.
Still, when his father ordered him, he had no choice but to go. He left work early and drove to the
school.
When he arrived, most of the students had already left. He called Suilin’s phone, and immediately
heard a ringtone nearby.
Looking over, he spotted him on the basketball court. And right next to him—Li Yu.
His heart gave a few hard beats. Hanging up, he walked straight toward them.
Suilin saw him first and ran over, smiling brightly. Bro, you’re here.
Yeah, Jian Suiying said, barely glancing at him before his gaze settled on Li Yu.
The boy’s shirt was soaked through with sweat, the fabric clinging to his back. His pant legs were
rolled to his knees, showing his long, firm legs. The sunlight hit him perfectly, and it wasn’t hard to
see why half the girls around the court were staring.
Li Yu made a clean three-step layup, earning a chorus of cheers. He dropped the ball, looked around,
and finally spotted them. After a brief pause, he jogged over.
Jian Suiying couldn’t look away. Every step felt like it landed directly on his chest.
He hadn’t thought he could ever feel that spark again—certainly not for a boy. It was fresh,
dangerous, and exhilarating.
The desire he thought he’d buried came roaring back to life.
Jian-ge, Li Yu greeted him.
Li Yu, Jian Suiying said, tasting the name like fine liquor. Long time no see. Must’ve been two, three
weeks.
Yeah, said Li Yu. He turned to Suilin. Are we heading out?
Yeah.
He’s coming too? Jian Suiying asked, already knowing the answer.
Of course. A few other classmates are meeting us later. But we’re going to your house first.
Oh. Jian Suiying raised an eyebrow. What’s the occasion?
Li Yu’s tone cooled. It’s Suilin’s birthday.
Oh.
The single word hung heavy in the air. Disappointment flickered in Suilin’s eyes, and Li Yu caught it
perfectly. His expression grew even colder.
The ride home was quiet. Li Yu only answered when spoken to, never offering more. Jian Suiying
soon lost interest, and the three of them stared out their separate windows, each wrapped in thought.
The main house was bright when they arrived. Several cars were parked outside—relatives.
When Jian Suiying stepped in, all eyes turned toward him.
Suiying’s back, someone called. His second aunt approached with a smile.
He greeted her politely, then his gaze landed on a woman sitting in the corner of the sofa.
She was beautiful, elegant, and cold, clearly isolated from the crowd. No one spoke to her until Suilin
sat down beside her and softly called her mom. Only then did her expression soften.
Jian Suiying smiled faintly, with a trace of mockery.
It was Suilin’s eighteenth birthday, a milestone. The relatives chatted warmly, most of the talk
revolving around college entrance exams and schools, the kind of ordinary family chatter that bored
Jian Suiying to death.
He sat beside Li Yu, ignoring the conversation, throwing out small talk whenever he could. But Li Yu
was busy; being a Li, everyone treated him with courtesy.
Jian Suiying quickly lost interest.
After dinner, the relatives began handing Suilin red envelopes. Jian Suiying watched, then pulled out
his checkbook, wrote down a number, and tore out the page.
Here, he said, handing it over. Spend it however you want.
Suilin accepted it quietly. Thanks, bro.
Their father was nearby. Seeing the check, his expression darkened. Suiying, really? Couldn’t you
have gotten him a proper gift? He’s still a student. What’s he supposed to do with that much money?
He’s an adult now, Jian Suiying replied lazily. He can handle it.
His father frowned. Suilin, you’re grown up now. Don’t just spend money—learn to earn it. Watch
your brother, learn from him.
Yes, Dad, Suilin said softly.
Alright, said their father. Let Ma-shu drive you boys to the party. Have fun tonight.
I’ll take them, Jian Suiying interrupted.
You’re not staying to chat?
I’ve got something to do later. I’ll drop them off.
His father nodded. Fine.
Jian Suiying nearly bolted from the room.
He drove the two boys to a KTV where their classmates were waiting. Outside the door, he gave Li Yu
one last look before preparing to leave.
Bro, come up with us, Suilin said hesitantly.
What for? It’s all your classmates.
Just for a bit.
Jian Suiying shot him a look. What am I supposed to do with a bunch of kids? Forget it.
He started the engine.
Li Yu spoke quietly. Jian-ge, come up. It’s Suilin’s birthday.
The key slipped in his hand. The engine gave a dying cough and stalled.
He turned to look at Li Yu. The boy’s face, under the flashing neon lights, was sharp and beautiful,
the kind of beauty that could wreck a man’s resolve.
Li Yu was watching him with quiet expectation.
Even heroes can’t resist beauty.
Jian Suiying pulled out the keys, a smile curving his lips.
Alright then. Tonight, I’ll make an exception. Let’s go play.