What If I Ended Up Marrying My Enemy? - Chapter 41
Chapter 51: Childhood Friends
Seven-year-old Yu Wenxuan recently had something very important to do.
He quietly finished his lunch at the dining table, climbed down from his chair, and said to his mother, “I’m heading out for a bit.”
Mother Yu had noticed that he had been going out every afternoon for the past few days. Sometimes he would take candy or snacks with him. This time, she couldn’t help but ask, “Are you going to hang out with a friend?”
Yu Wenxuan shook his head, paused, then nodded.
This left Mother Yu a little puzzled. She crouched down and gently ruffled his hair. “So, is it yes or no?”
After a few seconds, Yu Wenxuan finally spoke. His childlike voice was crisp and clear: “I don’t know. But I like him.”
It was quite rare to hear the word “like” from Yu Wenxuan’s mouth.
Mother Yu didn’t ask further. She handed him a pack of cookies and said, “Then remember to share with him.”
Yu Wenxuan held the cookies, feeling their weight, and nodded.
He left the house with the cookies his mother gave him and the candy already in his pocket, heading toward their usual meeting spot.
It was a quiet corner of a park where few people went. There was only an old swing set, and a small boy sat on it, lazily swinging.
Yu Wenxuan crept around the side and walked up behind the swing.
The boy hadn’t noticed him. He was still holding the swing ropes, staring off into space, wondering when Yu Wenxuan would arrive.
He looked younger than Yu Wenxuan, with soft, chubby cheeks. Deep in thought, he unknowingly puffed up his face.
Yu Wenxuan suddenly reached out and poked his cheek.
Yu Zhixue jumped in surprise and scooted to the side. But when he saw who it was, he leaned back in and let Yu Wenxuan poke again, smiling sweetly. “Gege!”
His features were already delicate and striking. Even at this young age, it was obvious he’d grow up handsome. His eyes sparkled, and his smile was radiant.
Yu Wenxuan was stunned for a moment, then responded and sat down next to him, rummaging through his bag.
Cookies, candy, folded paper animals—he had gathered all kinds of random trinkets children might like.
He pushed them over and said, blinking at him, “All for you.”
“So many,” Yu Zhixue said, randomly picking something up. “Just one at a time is fine, Gege.”
Yu Wenxuan replied, “It’s okay. There’ll be more next time.”
He had asked classmates what was fun and then bought those things at the school store.
And even if he gave away all of that, he still had a cabinet full of sparkly things left to him by his grandfather, something he’d once said was a “wife fund.”
Yu Wenxuan wasn’t sure what that meant exactly, but he knew it was his. He had peeked inside once—it was full of shiny treasures. He thought Yu Zhixue would probably like them too.
Yu Zhixue, unaware he was about to inherit a treasure chest, opened the cookie wrapper and offered one to Yu Wenxuan: “Gege, have a bite.”
Yu Wenxuan opened his mouth and ate it. Then, as if it were second nature, he leaned against Yu Zhixue’s leg while the younger boy slowly nibbled on a cookie.
Looking into his eyes, Yu Wenxuan spaced out.
What do I do? From this angle, my little brother’s eyelashes are so long and beautiful.
…
The first time Yu Wenxuan met Yu Zhixue was in this very spot.
The cat he had been taking care of had suddenly gone missing. Yu Wenxuan knew deep down it had probably been returned, but he still clung to a little hope and went outside to look.
Passing this corner, he happened to glance back—and saw a beautifully dressed boy sitting on the ground.
He looked like he’d just fallen and was still dazed, sitting there motionless and quietly staring at the ground.
Yu Wenxuan couldn’t take his eyes off him. He stood frozen.
He looked a little disheveled and stunned, but his eyes were huge, and he was so tiny.
So cute.
Without even thinking, Yu Wenxuan walked over and held out his hand, using his gentlest tone: “Do you need help?”
As for the cat—what cat?
He had completely forgotten about it. All he could think about now was the boy in front of him.
Yu Zhixue looked at the hand, tilted his head with hesitation, but finally took it and stood up, whispering, “Thank you.”
That afternoon, Yu Wenxuan tried every conversation starter he could think of, and finally got the boy’s name.
Eventually, Yu Wenxuan offered, “Want to come again tomorrow? I’ll bring you a gift.”
When he got home, his mother looked at him, concerned. She knew his temperament and could guess what he’d been up to.
Seeing him bow his head silently, she was about to offer comfort when he suddenly looked up.
And said something she didn’t understand: “I think he prefers orange-flavored candy.”
…
Back to the present, Yu Wenxuan watched Yu Zhixue eating the cookies slowly and said, “There’s plenty. Don’t worry.”
Yu Zhixue was always a neat eater, but this time he seemed more hesitant—not eating slowly, but cherishing every bite.
“Mm.” Yu Zhixue swallowed the last piece. “Mom and Dad don’t let me eat these at home.”
Yu Wenxuan sat up when he heard that. He glanced at the exposed part of Yu Zhixue’s ankle. “You’re already so skinny. Why not?”
“They didn’t say,” Yu Zhixue replied, trying to rock the swing. Yu Wenxuan saw what he was doing and gave him a push.
“They said if I keep eating it… they’ll make me cry or something,” Yu Zhixue softly said, recalling what he’d overheard through a door.
Yu Wenxuan’s brain filled in the blanks: If he kept eating, his parents would beat him until he cried.
Yu Wenxuan was horrified.
Such a cute little brother—not only are they not letting him eat cookies, they’re also hitting him?!
He jumped down from the swing and held out a hand. “I’ll carry you to my house.”
I’ll take you home. I’ll give you everything you want and make you happy every single day.
Yu Zhixue didn’t realize this was basically an abduction. He thought Yu Wenxuan was just inviting him over and obediently clung to him.
Though only two years older, Yu Wenxuan was much sturdier and held him securely.
Feeling safe, Yu Zhixue lay on his shoulder and cheerfully said, “Gege, you’re so strong.”
Yu Wenxuan hugged the sweet, soft little bundle tighter and replied, “It’s because you’re too light.”
Yu Zhixue’s fluffy head moved a bit, as if nodding. “When I grow up, will I be like you?”
Yu Wenxuan wasn’t sure, but he still said, “Maybe. But if not, I’ll always carry you. We’ll always be together.”
Yu Zhixue hummed something, then echoed softly, “Always together.”
Yu Wenxuan smiled.
…
Outside, the servants told Mother Yu that her son had brought home a younger child—and was treating him like treasure.
She thought “treasure” was an exaggeration. But if she saw what was happening at home now, she’d know even that word was too mild.
Yu Wenxuan led the boy into his room, opened his treasure cabinet, and rummaged around.
He pulled out a sapphire bracelet and waved it in front of Yu Zhixue.
Yu Zhixue instinctively reached for it.
“Do you like it? I’ll put it on for you,” said Yu Wenxuan.
Yu Zhixue liked it, but remembered he wasn’t supposed to take gifts: “…Then I’ll bring a bracelet for you tomorrow, Gege.”
He had plenty of such things at home too.
Yu Wenxuan had kept all those things tucked away, never wearing them himself. But now he suddenly said, “Okay.”
Having gotten permission, Yu Zhixue finally accepted the bracelet. “Thank you, Gege.”
Yu Wenxuan was thrilled, but pretended to be calm and pointed at his cheek.
Yu Zhixue leaned over and kissed him there.
Yu Wenxuan put the bracelet on him, then took his hand and led him downstairs, asking the servant to bring out the cake.
He scooped up a spoonful and fed it to Yu Zhixue, watching his cheeks puff up. “I’ll take good care of you.”
Yu Zhixue smiled with squinted eyes from the sweetness, and Yu Wenxuan couldn’t help brushing his fluttering eyelashes.
“Your eyelashes are so long… they tickle.”
Yu Zhixue blinked. “Really?”
Mother Yu came home to find this scene: her antisocial son feeding cake and brushing a little boy’s lashes—clearly head over heels.
Seeing her, Yu Wenxuan happily got off his chair. “Mama!”
She rarely heard him so lively. Touched, she also had a faint sense of dread.
The little boy peeked shyly from behind Yu Wenxuan, barely showing his face.
She stepped closer, and Yu Wenxuan suddenly said, “Mom, remember when I wanted to keep that kitten? And you said I couldn’t?”
Though unsure why he brought this up, she answered, “Yes. That cat belonged to Auntie. But if you want something else, Mommy can get you one.”
Yu Wenxuan’s eyes lit up. He turned around and scooped Yu Zhixue into his arms like a precious doll, even rubbing his cheek against his hair.
He said, “I don’t want a cat anymore. Can I keep this little brother instead?”
Mother Yu finally got a clear look at the boy’s face—and realized—
Wait—isn’t this the Yu family’s child??
Yu Zhixue nervously covered his face and softly said, “…Hello.”
Mother Yu, finally processing everything: “…Yu Wenxuan, what did you just say you want to raise?!”