Is It Really That Hard to Be the Big Brother of Two Top-Alpha Twins? - Chapter 12

A week later.
Jiang Xun’s foot had basically healed, and he could walk again.
Jiang Yongting was successfully re-elected. After returning briefly to give his re-election speech and hold a press conference, he set out once more for other states.
Jiang Xun and Jiang Ling were used to it.
Since their mother’s death, they had practically raised themselves.
Chen Luan’s work had also begun to settle into a rhythm.
The workload for a mecha-class teaching assistant wasn’t heavy—at least, not for Chen Luan.
After all, the adult cadets at the military academy were far easier to handle than the mischievous teenagers back at the base.
Relying on both his skill and good looks, Chen Luan quickly became popular among the new students, even appearing on the school’s online confession wall. By the time he finished work, unfamiliar students were already greeting him, blushing and calling out, “Hello, Teacher Chen!”—each one hoping to get his contact information.
Chen Luan politely declined them all.
At that moment, the morning news was playing on TV while Chen Luan, Jiang Xun, and Jiang Ling had lunch.
After the last incident, their relationship had improved considerably.
“Qiwei Daily News reports: Last night, another attack by a Wasteland Disease patient occurred in the Saint Ann District, resulting in two deaths and six injuries. The injured are currently being treated in the hospital, while the suspect remains at large. The station reminds the public…”
“Another Wasteland Disease attack?” Jiang Ling frowned at the screen, which was covered in red mosaic pixels.
“Mm. This should be the thirty-third case in the city this year,” Jiang Xun replied.
“It feels like they’re happening more and more often.” Jiang Ling put down his chopsticks. “What’s the task force even doing? How could they let someone escape?”
On the screen, a wounded man was being carried away on a stretcher, groaning in pain.
Chen Luan frowned. “Isn’t your school in the Saint Ann District?”
“The school security patrols daily. There shouldn’t be any problems,” Jiang Xun said.
The first Wasteland Disease case had been discovered in the ninth year after the interstellar beasts’ arrival. It wasn’t contagious, but the cause remained unknown.
In the early stages, patients were drawn to light, felt cold, and drooled uncontrollably. Soon after, their pupils dilated irregularly, their irises turned yellow, and they became increasingly aggressive and bloodthirsty—entering what was called the wasteland phase. During this stage, their bodies mutated, sprouting scales and limbs resembling wild beasts’, until they completely lost their minds and became no different from animals.
Yet, back in Chen Luan’s time, there had only been twenty-eight recorded cases across the entire base.
He never expected that two hundred years later, it would have spread so far.
“It’s time to go,” Jiang Xun said, glancing at Jiang Ling, who was sprawled across the sofa.
Then he turned to Chen Luan, who was closest to him, and reached out a hand. “Could you help me up, brother? I’m a little uncomfortable.”
The boy sat pitifully in his chair, long lashes drooping, his slender hand extended toward him.
Thinking that Jiang Xun’s foot still hadn’t fully healed—after all, he’d carried the boy on his back for days—Chen Luan didn’t hesitate.
He took Jiang Xun’s hand and placed it on his shoulder. “No problem. Hold on tight.”
“Okay. Thank you.”
The boy, still growing, wasn’t exactly light. Because of his injury, he had to lean half his weight against Chen Luan’s shoulder.
His soft hair brushed against Chen Luan’s cheek and chin, carrying the faint scent of clean soap.
Much more well-behaved than that brat Jiang Ling, who always argued with him, Chen Luan thought.
Across from them, Jiang Ling silently rolled his eyes.
He couldn’t believe his brother’s act.
He could walk just fine upstairs—but the moment they came down for lunch, he was suddenly “too weak to move.”
After seeing the twins off, Chen Luan took public transportation to the military academy.
He preferred the liveliness of the monorail to being chauffeured around.
Office workers clutched their bags and yawned, students in uniforms chatted and laughed, and golden morning light streamed through the windows, illuminating a sky of blue and drifting clouds.
This world had no dark bunkers or winged beasts lurking above.
A low hum came from afar, like a massive shadow passing overhead.
A student pressed his face against the window excitedly, pointing. “It’s the Pioneer Fleet! They must be heading out on a cleanup mission!”
Another said enviously, “I heard they recruit cadets from the Federal Military Academy every year. When will I ever get in?”
“But they only take alphas, right? We betas don’t stand a chance.”
“The task force is always short on people—they take betas too. I heard they’re forming a new division, though. Wonder what it’s for.”
Their voices faded as the train sped on.
The day passed quietly.
When Chen Luan left work, he saw Zhou Pei’s car waiting again.
He frowned. Shouldn’t a CEO be busy managing his company—or cleaning up after his delinquent brother? Why does he keep showing up here?
Maybe I’ll just pretend I didn’t see him.
But then the car window rolled down, revealing a bright, smiling face.
Wu Ning leaned against the window and waved. “Hey! Chen Luan—!”
Chen Luan sighed and walked over.
“Sister Ning.”
Then he nodded politely toward the driver. “Boss Zhou.”
“Long time no see, Chen Luan! Any plans tonight? If not, come play some pool with us!”
Zhou Pei raised his hands. “Just so you know, this wasn’t my idea. Wu Ning said you’d be off work soon and made me pick you up.”
“Where to? What kind of pool?” Chen Luan asked as he got in.
“Billiards—nine-ball. You know how to play?”
“A little.”
In truth, Chen Luan was quite good.
Back at the bunker, there hadn’t been many entertainment options. Billiards was one of them.
Young people often played in the recreation room, betting trinkets scavenged from ruins or snacks traded from the resource center—keychains, biscuits, chocolate, or soda.
Most of Jiang Mingming’s chocolate came from contribution points at the resource center, and the rest from Chen Luan’s winnings.
The billiard hall Wu Ning brought him to was members-only, with an elegant interior.
Finding the private rooms too stuffy, they set up a table in the main hall instead.
As Wu Ning lined up her shot, Chen Luan glanced at his phone.
A message popped up from Jiang Ling:
No Top Hat: Don’t wait for me for dinner.
Chen Luan: Where are you going?
No Top Hat: Mind your own business. Can’t I do my homework?
Chen Luan raised an eyebrow.

Is Jiang Ling doing homework? Since when?
He hadn’t seen that kid touch a textbook since he’d arrived.
Maybe the sun had risen in the west.
He messaged Jiang Xun next:
Chen Luan: Your brother said he’ll be home late, not coming for dinner. What about you?
Unhappy: I’m with him.
“Hey, Chen Luan! It’s your turn!”
“Coming.”
Chen Luan popped a fruit candy into his mouth and put his phone away.
After three rounds, Wu Ning threw down her cue. “You call that ‘a little’? More like ‘a lot!’ I’m done—Zhou Pei, you play.”
“Me? I’m not as good as you,” Zhou Pei protested, but still took up the cue and broke the rack.
Chen Luan leaned against the table, unwrapped a lemon lollipop, and surveyed the setup.
“That’s a nice break. Looks like I can clear the table,” he said with a grin. “But without stakes, it’s missing something.”
“Want to play for something?” Zhou Pei smiled. “So, no stakes when playing with Wu Ning, but with me, there are?”
Wu Ning burst out laughing from the sofa. “That’s what you get for being rich, Boss Zhou!”
“Fine, fine.” Zhou Pei shook his head.
Chen Luan looked around, then pointed to a large bag of fruit lollipops behind the counter. “If I clear the table in one go, that bag’s mine. If not, it’s yours.”
Zhou Pei, expecting him to demand something extravagant, blinked in surprise—then laughed. “That’s it? Deal.”
Just then, a group of young voices came from the entrance.
Chen Luan, focused on aiming, didn’t look up.
As soon as Jiang Xun entered, his gaze landed on Chen Luan—bent slightly over the table, bangs shadowing his eyes, a lollipop between his lips, his long, pale fingers poised over the green felt.
The smooth line of his back and legs formed a taut, elegant curve—like a leopard crouched and ready to pounce.
A crisp sound of balls colliding rang out.
The crimson No. 3 ball, struck by the cue ball, spun out, hit the cushion with a thud, bounced off, and dropped neatly into the pocket along with the blue No. 2.
Thump, thump—
It beat in time with Jiang Xun’s heart.
Chen Luan, who had just straightened up, turned toward the entrance. He looked up and saw Jiang Xun and Jiang Ling surrounded by a group of teenagers. Smiling, he said,
“Oh, here to do homework?”
“Hey, hey, isn’t that…” Someone nudged Jiang Ling from behind.
“I’m not blind.” Jiang Ling came to his senses, swatting the hand away and ignoring Chen Luan’s teasing. “Why are you looking at me? The pool hall doesn’t prohibit minors, does it?”
“No, it doesn’t.” Chen Luan bent down again to line up his shot. “I’m just your unrelated older brother. I can’t be bothered with you.”
Crack—
The two balls collided sharply. The cue ball struck the final black eight and sent it rolling cleanly into the pocket.
Propping himself up with his cue, Chen Luan extended a hand toward Zhou Pei and raised his chin slightly.
“You knew you could clear the table from the start. That’s why you asked for a prize,” Zhou Pei said with a helpless smile.
“Stop talking nonsense and hurry up. A bet’s a bet.”
Zhou Pei stood to pay at the counter for the candy, while the nearby boys began whispering.
“What did he just say? He cleared the table?”
“Looks like it.”
“Jiang Xun, your brother’s that good?”
“Those two shots were perfect. The balls on the table weren’t even touched—he totally cleared it.”
“Wow—”
By the time Zhou Pei returned with the candy, a small crowd of kids had gathered.
“Brother, play with us! Teach us!” one of them said eagerly, then turned toward the twins. “It’s fine if we borrow your brother for a while, right?”
“Play with whoever you want. Why are you asking me?” Jiang Ling muttered, putting on his headphones. He pulled Jiang Xun along with a scowl and went to find another pool table.
Soon, a bunch of boys had surrounded Chen Luan.
“Come on, come on! It’s more fun with more people! Who wants to play with me next?”
Wu Ning, a natural at making friends, laughed loudly. Since she couldn’t beat Chen Luan, she was more than happy to tease the younger ones.
Chen Luan simply opened the bag of lollipops and passed them around, and soon the group was playing happily together.
Jiang Ling glanced at Chen Luan—who was now the center of attention—and curled his lip.
“A peacock showing off his tail.”
Jiang Xun didn’t say anything, but his gaze lingered on the bright red mole at the side of Chen Luan’s neck.
He’d never heard of Chen Luan playing billiards before.
After the game, everyone headed home. Chen Luan had somehow already exchanged contact info with most of Jiang Xun and Jiang Ling’s friends and even joined their group chat, promising to play again sometime.
Jiang Ling was annoyed by how easily everyone was won over, but it couldn’t be helped. Whether they were drawn by looks or impressed by skill, it was just teenage instinct.
And, to be fair, Chen Luan was genuinely likable.
But that night, Jiang Ling had a dream—a rare one.
In it, his point of view seemed higher than normal, as though he were looking down at Chen Luan.
Chen Luan lay on his back across the pool table, his shirt collar torn and disheveled, his tie wrapped around his wrists. Red marks trailed down his collarbone and shoulders.
Jiang Ling’s hand rested on Chen Luan’s narrow waist, the belt still fastened snugly around it.
Those light gray eyes, half-lidded and shimmering with moisture, held a faint reddish tinge at the corners.
The air was heavy and hot.
Jiang Ling’s gaze fell on Chen Luan’s slightly parted lips—still seeming to taste faintly of candy—
Then he lowered his head…
“Holy crap!”
Jiang Ling jolted awake.
He threw off his blanket and, upon glancing down, froze in disbelief.
“Holy crap! Holy crap! This is toxic!!!”
Cursing under his breath, he hurriedly changed his pants and stormed toward the bathroom.
Damn it—it was all Zhou Jing’s fault!
That idiot’s nonsense had gotten into his head!
He’d definitely beat him up again tomorrow!
As he entered the bathroom, he could already hear running water.
When he pushed the door open, Jiang Xun was there, standing calmly with a basin of water in front of him.
Jiang Ling froze, instinctively hiding his pants behind his back. Then he peeked and noticed Jiang Xun’s pants were also soaking in the basin.
Narrowing his eyes, he asked, “Brother, what are you doing?”
Jiang Xun met his gaze.
“Whatever you’re doing,” he said evenly, “that’s what I’m doing.”