But you love a fool - CHAPTER 7:

Jian Suiying had twisted his ankle, so he decided not to bother going to work.

Two days of lounging around the apartment sounded much better.

The day before the college entrance exam, he was half-sprawled across the sofa,

watching a movie, when his phone started buzzing.

He glanced at the screen Jian Suilin. He hit mute and ignored it.

The phone rang again. And again.

Finally, annoyed beyond reason, Jian answered with a lazy drawl. What.

I heard from Li Yu that you hurt your foot, his brother’s cautious voice came through.

Yeah. Twisted it.

Are you feeling better? How are you eating?

What do you think, I’m starving myself to death?

Do you have anyone taking care of you?

I twisted my ankle, not broke my spine. What kind of nurse do I need?

Jian was missing half the movie by now and losing patience. Hanging up.

Wait, Ge

What now.

Did you put on medicine? Massage it? If you don’t take care of it, it’ll take two weeks to heal.

Too much trouble. A few days, it’ll be fine.

How about I bring some medicine over? We have players get injured all the time,

I know how to treat it.

The last thing Jian wanted was his brother fussing in his apartment, ruining his peace.

No need. You’ve got exams tomorrow, don’t waste time.

Teacher said no more studying this week. I’m just sitting at home anyway.

Let me come see you.

Didn’t I say no?

Ge…

You’re annoying, you know that? Stop nagging. You sound like a mother.

Jian Suilin swallowed the words that were about to come out.

Just focus on your exam tomorrow, Jian said curtly.

Don’t embarrass the Jian family. Then he hung up, grabbed a snack,

and turned back to the movie.

His foot wasn’t even that bad. He could walk fine, he just wanted an excuse to stay home.

He’d been in a decent mood, but that call soured it. If Li Yu had any manners,

he should’ve called himself to apologize for stepping on him.

Sending Jian Suilin to ask on his behalfhow ridiculous.

He wasn’t exactly furious, but he wasn’t happy either.

The image of Li Yu’s flushed ears and shifty eyes from that day slipped unbidden into his mind again.

The more Jian thought about it, the more he wanted to see that boy’s expression up close again.

He paused the movie. Silence filled the apartment. Too quiet. Too empty.

Suddenly the stillness felt unbearable.

He fished his phone out from between the sofa cushions and called his brother back.

The line picked up quickly. Ge?

Yeah.

You… want me to come over?

No. I want crayfish.

Then I’ll pack some and bring it to you?

I don’t want to eat here. Come pick me up and let’s go to Guijie.

Okay, I’ll be right there.

And bring Li Yu.

…Li Yu?

Yeah. Bring him.

There was a pause. Why?

Jian hesitated for a second, then spoke with full confidence.

He’s Old Li’s grandson never hurts to build a little connection.

You two are close anyway. I’ve been thinking of asking his brother to help me get a plot near Beihai.

Oh. I’m not that close to his brother. We’ve only met a few times.

Me neither, but it doesn’t matter. Call him out. Dinner’s on me.

…Okay.

Barely a few minutes after he hung up, the phone rang again.

What now?

Suiying. It was his father’s voice this time.

Dad?

Your brother’s coming to see you?

Yeah.

Let him bring his things and stay the night.

Stay here? Why?

You live closer to the test center. The city’s going to be jammed tomorrow. What if he’s late?

You heard him say I hurt my foot, right? I can’t drive.

You don’t need to. Even a taxi from your place is faster.

Dad, there’s nowhere for him to sleep here.

His father clicked his tongue. You’ve got a couch, haven’t you?

What’s the big deal, letting your own brother stay one night?

Jian rolled his eyes.

His father’s voice softened. Suiying, you two are grown now.

Whatever’s happened, he’s still your brother.

One day, when your parents are gone, the only one you’ll have to rely on is him

. Do you understand?

Jian stayed quiet. His father had been preaching this same

sermon for years family, brotherhood, harmony.

But it was useless. His father didn’t understand.

Ever since he’d failed to keep that woman out of their home ever since

Jian’s mother had been driven to despair there was no fixing what

had broken between the brothers.

The fact that Jian could even speak to Jian Suilin civilly these days was already a miracle.

Fine, fine, let him stay if he wants.

That’s better, his father said, satisfied. Just as he was about to hang up, Jian spoke again.

Dad, tell Linzi to bring Li Yu too. My place is big enough. I’ll drive them both to the exam tomorrow.

Will the boy even want to stay?

Ask him. His father and brother have real power never hurts to be on their good side.

All right, I’ll tell him.

When the call ended, Jian was suddenly in much better spirits.

The thought of Li Yu spending the night under his roof made the apartment feel warmer already.

He waited an hour, maybe more, dozing off on the couch, before the doorbell finally rang.

Sure enough, Jian Suilin had brought Li Yu along. Jian’s mood lifted instantly.

The younger one entered first, eyes full of concern. Ge, how’s your foot? Li Yu, look, it’s still swollen.

It’s fine. What are you looking at it for, you’re not a doctor.

Let me check anyway. I brought liniment oil. I can massage it.

No need, no need. Come in and sit. The last part was clearly aimed at Li Yu.

Li Yu nodded politely. Jian-ge, how’s your ankle?

Nothing serious.

Meanwhile, Jian Suilin knelt to roll up his brother’s pant leg, determined to see for himself.

Jian wanted to wave him off, but then thought if Li Yu saw how swollen it was,

maybe he’d feel guilty. That wouldn’t be bad.

So he set his foot up on the sofa, feigning nonchalance.

His brother frowned at the sight. Ge, did you go to the hospital?

No. It’ll be fine in a few days.

You can’t just ignore it. You won’t be able to drive for ages if you don’t treat it.

He pulled out the bottle. It’ll hurt a bit, bear with it.

Before Jian could protest, the oil was already poured over his ankle,

and warm hands began kneading gently, then harder.

Li Yu sat nearby, stiff and silent, his expression unreadable.

He felt strangely uncomfortable watching them.

He couldn’t understand why Suilin was so eager to please this kind of brother.

He knew perfectly well how Jian Suiying treated him years of resentment,

bitterness that wasn’t even his fault. Yet Suilin still spoke of him kindly, still sought his approval,

still stuck to him like a shadow.

Every time Li Yu saw Suiying order him around with that careless arrogance,

he burned with secondhand anger.

Jian Suiying, though, saw things differently.

In his mind, it was only natural that Suilin should defer to him.

He was the eldest grandson of the Jian family, the one who made money,

who handled the family’s affairs, who kept half of them in their comfortable lives.

His grandfather was old now; his father ran the house, and he was next in line.

If one day his father wasn’t around, he’d be the one everyone listened to.

Suilin’s mother had no family background, no allies in the household.

When that day came, she and her son would have to rely on him.

Of course Suilin was smart enough to stay on his good side.

So when Li Yu once said that Suilin admired him, Jian had almost laughed.

Admire him? The boy probably wished he didn’t exist.

The massage grew rougher. Jian flinched. Ow—damn, that hurts!

You trying to break it off?

It won’t work unless it hurts, his brother said patiently. It helps circulation.

Enough, stop. It hurts like hell!

Just hold on, it’ll heal faster.

I’d rather it heal slow, cut it out!

Jian tried to yank his foot back.

His brother held it firmly, coaxing him like a child. Ge, just a little longer, okay?

No. Jian gave him a light kick to the stomach more playful than cruel and pulled his foot free.

That was when Li Yu suddenly stood, face dark. Suilin’s just trying to help.

What’s wrong with you?

Both brothers froze.

This was the rhythm they were used to one pushing, one yielding.

But Li Yu’s sudden outburst broke the pattern.

Suilin looked embarrassed. Li Yu…

Li Yu realized he’d overstepped, frowned, and sat back down.

Jian stared at him, genuinely puzzled. Was he angry?

Because he’d kicked his brother? He couldn’t help but think it was oddly touching.

The kid really was loyal.

Suilin wiped his brother’s foot clean with a wet towel. You still want that crayfish? Let’s go.

Got your driver’s license yet? Jian asked.

Got it.

Good. What kind of car do you want once you start college?

Whatever you pick, ge.

We’ll see how your exams go. Do well, and I’ll get you something nice.

Thanks, Ge.