Another New Older Brother? - Chapter 13

Chapter 13: Baby is Pissed Off

Jiang Youyou especially liked Huo Rongchuan.

The reason was very simple: Huo Rongchuan was very pretty.

Perhaps “pretty” wasn’t the most accurate term for Huo Rongchuan, “androgynous” or “gender-blurring” was more appropriate.

That day at the Book City, he had been wearing simple, black casual clothes that felt lazy yet exquisite. Today, he was in formal attire; the well-tailored suit draped over his well-proportioned frame added a layer of heroic spirit and elegance.

Youyou was a little “beauty fanatic” who couldn’t move his feet when he saw good-looking people. After they parted last time, he had rambled about Huo Rongchuan for a long while. Seeing him again now, he was extremely excited.

Huo Rongchuan clearly hadn’t expected the child to be here. His expression flickered with a moment of unnaturalness, but he quickly recovered, following up with a smile as he waved generously. “Hello there, pretty child.”

Seeing that the Pretty Uncle still remembered him, Youyou was overjoyed. Then, remembering that Big Brother didn’t seem to like this uncle, he didn’t dare to laugh openly. He raised a hand to cover his mouth and playfully winked at Huo Rongchuan.

Being Bai Wenjin’s child, Huo Rongchuan had originally thought he wouldn’t like the boy. But looking at those crescent-moon eyes, whatever dark emotions he held in his heart melted away.

Bai Wenjin watched the back-and-forth interaction between Huo Rongchuan and Jiang Youyou with cold eyes. Frowning, he took the initiative to interrupt them, his tone cold and stiff. “President Huo, is there something?”

Huo Rongchuan acted as though he were hurt by the cold attitude. The smile froze on his face, the corners of his eyes drooped, and his voice carried a hint of heartbreak—he looked as pitiful as could be. “I heard you were ill. I made a special trip to visit you.”

Bai Wenjin didn’t buy it at all. He asked flatly, “Just that?”

Huo Rongchuan looked him in the eye, trying to capture any emotion there, but Bai Wenjin’s gaze remained motionless. He just let him look, refusing to yield an inch.

Huo Rongchuan’s eyes were filled with fragmented emotions. Those fox-like eyes had lost their usual shimmering brilliance; he gave a tragic smile, his voice raspy: “Just that.”

Bai Wenjin nodded. His gaze didn’t even brush past the bouquet of flowers the man had solemnly placed by the bed. His tone was distant and polite. “Since you’ve visited, please suit yourself.”

Huo Rongchuan looked at Bai Wenjin aggrievedly, pleading piteously, “I came in a hurry and I’m very thirsty. Surely you can give me a glass of water?”

Bai Wenjin remained as steady as a rock, showing no intention of pouring water. Huo Rongchuan, for his part, looked like he was going to loiter there until he got his drink.

The atmosphere was awkward to the extreme.

Youyou poked his little head out from behind Bai Wenjin, looking at his expressionless Big Brother, then at the lonely-looking Pretty Uncle. He sighed secretly in his heart.

It’s up to Baby to step in!

The child nimbly climbed down from the bed and walked steadily to the low table. Standing on his tiptoes, he laboriously lifted the glass water pitcher and clumsily poured half a glass of water into an empty cup.

Holding the cup with both hands, he walked up to Huo Rongchuan, his voice crisp: “Pretty Uncle, drink water.”

Huo Rongchuan glanced at the half-filled glass, took it naturally, and smiled at Bai Wenjin with a half-joking tone: “Still, it’s my… big nephew who knows how to care for people.”

As if he were parched, he downed the water in one go. Once finished, he placed it back exactly where it had been.

“Thank you, pretty child.”

“No need for thanks, no need for thanks.”

“Is Pretty Uncle still thirsty?”

“Not thirsty anymore.”

“Then Pretty Uncle, you go back now. We are going to sleep-sleep.” Youyou’s voice was crisp; he was very skillful at shooing people away.

Huo Rongchuan froze for a moment, then gave a self-deprecating laugh. “You really are your father’s son. I thought you were worried I was thirsty, but it turns out you were helping him kick me out.”

Following his words, Youyou looked back—he didn’t see Papa? Why was the uncle talking about Papa?

Just as Youyou was about to ask the question in his mind, Bai Wenjin bent down and naturally scooped the child into his arms, effectively acquiescing to Huo Rongchuan’s assumption about Youyou’s identity. “The kid is joking, don’t take it to heart.”

“President Huo, we are going to rest.”

Huo Rongchuan stared straight at him. After a long while, he sniffled slightly and said aggrievedly, “I just wanted to see you…”

“Don’t come again in the future. Our child is still young; your behavior will cause us trouble.” Bai Wenjin didn’t spell everything out, but Huo Rongchuan knew him so well that a single look was enough to understand the implication.

Although the Same-Sex Marriage Protection Act had been passed two years ago, its implementation was inconsistent, and the mainstream social model was still dominated by heterosexual marriage. Bai Wenjin clearly did not want Youyou to know about his past relationship with Huo Rongchuan.

No matter how much Huo Rongchuan could endure, his mindset crumbled at the sight of Bai Wenjin acting as if his son were the center of the universe.

“I understand,” Huo Rongchuan’s voice trembled with heart-wrenching pain.

Youyou looked at the lonely back of the Pretty Uncle and felt a bit soft-hearted. He wanted to say something nice, but seeing Big Brother’s tense face, he didn’t dare make a sound.

Once Huo Rongchuan turned his back, no one saw that pitiful face instantly become distorted and fierce. His beautiful fox eyes were full of cold light. It was the look of someone who had locked onto his prey and was determined to have it at any cost.

Bai Wenjin watched his silhouette with a complex expression, his lips moving slightly. “Wait—”

Huo Rongchuan adjusted his expression instantly and turned around, looking straight at Bai Wenjin with an expectant gaze. His lips trembled and the tip of his nose reddened instantly, as if he had countless words to say.

That burning gaze made Bai Wenjin’s heart shake. Hearing Huo Rongchuan’s choked voice and seeing his fragile expression, Bai Wenjin was indeed wavering for a moment. But a breakup was a breakup; why drag things out?

Bai Wenjin’s gaze darkened. He pointed at the flowers and health products nearby: “Please take these out with you. Pollen allergy.”

The light in Huo Rongchuan’s eyes dimmed bit by bit. As if in disbelief, he covered his face in pain, a raspy voice leaking through his fingers: “…It’s what you used to like most.”

“The past is the past.”

“You’re right.” Huo Rongchuan gave a self-deprecating smile and quickly adjusted his emotions. Pretending he hadn’t heard Bai Wenjin, he did not take the flowers.

Before leaving, Huo Rongchuan blew a kiss to the worried-looking child: “See you tomorrow, kid.”

Youyou looked at Big Brother’s tightened jawline. He silently retracted the hand he had started to raise toward Huo Rongchuan and quietly pressed his face against Bai Wenjin’s arm, remaining silent.

Although he liked the Pretty Uncle very much, he liked Big Brother more.

After Huo Rongchuan left, the ward fell silent. Bai Wenjin stood by the window, lost in thought.

Standing not far away, Youyou was a bit uneasy. He could feel that Big Brother’s mood had soured again. But he didn’t know how to coax Big Brother.

How does Mama coax me?

Feeling his hem being tugged, Bai Wenjin snapped out of it. Youyou beckoned to him, “Big Brother, lower your head.”

Bai Wenjin didn’t know what the kid was playing at. After hesitating, he bent down. The child wrapped his arms around his neck, pressing his chubby little cheek against Bai Wenjin’s, rubbing against him like a spoiled pet. His milky voice was soft and sweet: “Big Brother, Baby will stay with you forever, until you don’t have a life anymore.”

Having said this, he seemed shy, shrinking into Bai Wenjin’s embrace, leaving only a pair of dark eyes to watch him quietly. “Baby loves you.”

He stammered, imitating words Mama had said before, offering his sincere confession to Bai Wenjin.

Beyond being moved, Bai Wenjin mostly found it funny. He rubbed the child’s head: “Where did you see that I was sad?”

Youyou blinked, gesturing with his fingers over his eyelids: “Both eyes saw it!”

Bai Wenjin laughed in spite of himself. Rather than sadness, it was more of a lingering irritation. The only relationship he had ever invested his whole heart into had ended abruptly; seeing the person he had once loved deeply and then resolutely decided to give up appear without warning had left his emotions uncontrollably affected.

He was a man used to being in control of everything; this feeling of losing control was particularly unpleasant. However, the burning irritation that felt like it could consume his soul had just been truly soothed by the child’s smile.

He silently watched the child, who was acting spoiled and making heart gestures at him.

Including this time, it was already the third time.

Even though he was so tiny, he could sense Bai Wenjin’s emotions before Bai Wenjin even realized them, and then heal him in his own unique way. At this moment, Bai Wenjin finally truly agreed with Bai Xi’s words—Jiang Youyou was a little fellow who brought healing just by being seen.

“Thank you, Youyou.”

The little guy didn’t understand why Big Brother was thanking him, but seeing the faint smile in his brother’s eyes, he forgot to ask the reason. A brilliant smile bloomed on his face as he giggled and hugged Bai Wenjin: “Big Brother, did I comfort you?”

Bai Wenjin smiled and stroked his head, saying nothing.

Sensing Bai Wenjin’s mood, Youyou was extremely proud. He absolutely had to brag to Mama—Baby is very good at comforting people!

The next morning, Bai Wenjin rejected the primary doctor’s earnest advice to stay for observation and checked out of the hospital.

Actually, there was no need to be in such a hurry. It was mainly because the child had stayed the night with him in the hospital; even though the ward environment was okay, Bai Wenjin felt as though the child had suffered a grave grievance by not sleeping in his beloved cat-shaped bed. He felt terribly protective.

Before, he had treated this little cousin as a responsibility and an obligation, not taking him to heart; it didn’t matter where they made do. Now that he truly considered him family, he couldn’t bear to let the child suffer such hardship.

As soon as they got home, the little fellow was the first to run toward the kitchen.

Bai Wenjin didn’t think much of it at first, assuming he was hungry and looking for food. He simply reminded him, “Youyou, before eating, you need to wash your face, brush your teeth, and change your clothes.”

A head poked out from the kitchen, acting spoiled. “Big Brother, brush teeth later. Baby has important business!”

Bai Wenjin didn’t know what “important business” a toddler could have. He strode toward the kitchen, intending to fish him out.

Seeing him coming, the kid’s eyes darted. He quickly turned his head to say something to the people inside, then ran out da-da-da, blocking Bai Wenjin at the kitchen door. “Go, go! Big Brother take Baby to brush teeth.”

He took Bai Wenjin’s hand to lead him away. “Big Brother be good, we not go to kitchen, okay?”

Bai Wenjin raised an eyebrow. “What ‘good deed’ have you done?”

Youyou was already feeling guilty; being asked made him even more flustered. His eyes rolled around, not daring to look at Bai Wenjin. “Nothing! Nothing at all!”

“Big Brother, brush teeth.” He pushed Bai Wenjin away.

One didn’t need to think to know this fellow was definitely up to some mischief, but Bai Wenjin didn’t expose him. After taking the child to the bathroom, Bai Wenjin went to his room to freshen up.

Youyou skillfully dragged the small stool from under the sink, took his rinsing cup and toothbrush. While brushing, he must have thought of something funny; his eyes curved into crescents, and he hummed a messy song.

Once finished, Youyou went to find Bai Wenjin in his room.

Bai Wenjin was standing by the mirror tying his tie. The child walked up to him, meeting his gaze in the mirror, his eyes filled with confusion as he stared at the movements. “Why is Big Brother wearing these handsome-handsome clothes?”

Big Brother changes into these clothes when he goes to work. But Big Brother shouldn’t go to work!

Bai Wenjin skillfully finished the tie, turned to take his suit jacket from the closet, and said casually, “The company has a temporary emergency meeting. I’m going for a bit. Be good at home. I’ll be back before noon.”

Bai Wenjin headed out carrying his briefcase.

Youyou froze for a moment, then realized what was happening. He shouted loudly: “Big Brother, stop right there!”

He ran da-da-da to stand in front of Bai Wenjin, spreading his arms to block his path, his face full of anger: “Doctor said you have to… have to lie in bed and rest. You can’t go to work!”

“Big Brother is not being obedient! Baby is going to be angry!”

“Baby will call Doctor Grandpa to give you a needle-needle, this long, this long! The needle will stick you and make you cry forever!”

Youyou stretched his arms out as wide as they could go.

“It’s bed rest,” Bai Wenjin patiently explained to the child. “Youyou, I’m already better.”

“No!” Youyou argued loudly. “Your face is still so white. You’re not better at all.”

Bai Wenjin checked his watch; he was almost running late.

He patted the child’s head, trying to reason with him: “Big Brother is an adult; I can take care of myself. This meeting is very important…”

“Not important!” Jiang Youyou was clearly livid. His little face was flushed red as he stammered his rebuttal: “Work, Big Brother doesn’t eat food properly, feels bad, goes to hospital for needles.”

Seeing Bai Wenjin’s pale, still sickly face and remembering the weak sight of him leaning against the hospital bed when they first arrived, Youyou’s nose prickled. His vision blurred, and he choked out: “Baby doesn’t want Big Brother to be sick. Baby is scared of the hospital. Hospital makes Baby hurt-hurt.”

“Baby doesn’t want Big Brother to have hurt-hurt.”

Bai Wenjin saw a tear slide down the boy’s cheek. Even though that single tear fell straight to the ground, a loud shatter sounded in his heart like a thunderclap.