My Childhood Friend is Secretly in Love with Me - Chapter 28

“Bro, You Are Being a Hooligan!”

“Ow! Help! Someone is hitting me! Someone is hitting an old man! Help!”

Seeing that they had the advantage in numbers, Feng Zhixing lay on the ground and began to wail, shrieking and shouting for passersby to help him call the police. Unfortunately, the weather was cold and there were almost no pedestrians on the street; there was no audience to stop and watch him act out his tragic role.

Qi Yan played the video of Feng Zhixing using a belt to whip Feng Sang and said to him, “Your violent behavior has been fully recorded. If you ever lay a hand on Feng Sang again, I will turn this video over to the police. I believe a gambler should not be able to withstand a police investigation.”

Hearing the mention of the police, Feng Zhixing immediately lost his nerve. He scrambled up from the ground, spat on the floor, and cursed as he ran away, “Bah! You little brats, you just wait for me!”

“Wait for you to be sent to jail? You stinking idiot,” Zuo Yi shouted sarcastically at Feng Zhixing’s retreating back.

Even after running some distance away, Feng Zhixing did not forget to snap back, “Damn you! I will remember you!”

After Feng Zhixing left, Zuo Yi hurried forward to check the places where Feng Sang had just been struck by the belt. “Does it hurt?”

Feng Sang pushed up the glasses on his nose and answered dully, “It does not hurt. The clothes are thick.”

Zuo Yi finally felt relieved. “How did your father find this place?”

Qi Yan answered, “Today is payday.”

“Damn! That old beast. The injuries you had before were all caused by him, right?” Zuo Yi was fuming with rage. “The money was not snatched away by him, was it?”

Feng Sang’s hand was tightly gripping his jacket pocket; he shook his head. Normally, wages are deposited into bank accounts, but because Feng Zhixing found going to the bank too troublesome when demanding money, Feng Sang had specifically requested the manager to pay him in cash.

Qi Yan insisted on walking them to the dormitory building before heading home himself.

Zuo Yi watched Qi Yan’s silhouette disappear into the night before grabbing Feng Sang, who was about to enter the building. “If your father comes looking for you again, tell me.”

Feng Sang grabbed Zuo Yi’s arm in return and carefully urged him, “Zuo Yi, you are a good person, but Feng Zhixing is a rogue. Do not get involved in my business.”

“So what if he is a rogue? We have the video Yan-ge took. We can go to the police and have him locked up.”

“Do you think I have never called the police?” Feng Sang grabbed his hair anxiously. “This is my fate. I cannot escape it, but there is no need for you to get mixed up with someone like him. Can you understand that?”

Zuo Yi froze in place. Actually, he could not understand, but he could not say it out loud. He could not stand by and watch Feng Sang’s promising life sink into a quagmire without reaching out to pull him back. Even if he got some mud on himself, were there not always ways to wash it clean? What was there to fear?

“Feng Sang, do not push away the people around you who want to help. There will be a way,” Zuo Yi said with a frown. “Your life is decided by you, and it has nothing to do with Feng Zhixing. The more you fear him, the more that scumbag will haunt you.”

“I,” Feng Sang took off his glasses and hurriedly covered his eyes with the back of his hand, not wanting Zuo Yi to see him crying in such a wretched state.

“What are you two doing standing here instead of going upstairs?”

Zuo Yi saw that Guo Jingjing had returned and discreetly moved in front of Feng Sang to shield him. Zuo Yi said to Guo Jingjing, “Go on up. We are talking about some work-related things and will be back in a bit.”

“Oh. Well, keep an eye on the time; the lights are about to go out.” Guo Jingjing thought it was strange; he had clearly seen Feng Sang crying, but he said nothing and entered the dormitory.

Feng Sang quickly adjusted his emotions and gave Zuo Yi a weak smile. “Thank you.”

Zuo Yi did not like people who constantly said “thank you” or “sorry”; it made everything feel so distant. He threw an arm around Feng Sang’s shoulder and led him inside. “Stop right there. We are not that unfamiliar. From now on, do not give your father any more money. If something happens, tell me. We are brothers.”

Due to the height difference, Feng Sang looked like he was being dragged along in a hug, which was quite strange. He awkwardly broke free and said, “Mhm.” Zuo Yi giggled and teased him for being so shy.

A few days later, Liang Yi messaged Zuo Yi saying he was flying to Australia next week and would be in a training camp for about three months. Liang Yi had taken on a sports variety show last month, so the meal Zuo Yi owed him had been delayed. Now that he finally had time, Zuo Yi quickly made a reservation at the restaurant where he worked.

Zuo Yi specifically asked the manager to reserve a semi-private booth. In truth, he had his own selfish reasons for inviting Liang Yi here. Both Zuo Yi and Feng Sang had been promoted to the front of the house two weeks ago; they now wore black shirts and no longer had to wash dishes in the back.

“Yan-ge, I will introduce a friend to you later.” Seeing that there were not many diners at the moment, Zuo Yi took the opportunity to move beside Qi Yan, who was setting the tables.

Qi Yan stopped his work and looked at Zuo Yi with confusion. “Your friend?”

Zuo Yi played it coy and helped him set the remaining plates. “Mhm.”

“Do you have friends in Jingxi that I do not know?” Qi Yan asked.

“You will know in a bit.”

After eight o’clock in the evening, when there were only one or two tables of customers left in the bustling restaurant, Liang Yi finally arrived.

“Welcome. How many in your party?” Feng Sang opened the door for the guest, not taking a look at who it was.

“Feng Sang?”

Feng Sang froze completely. Perhaps it was a stress response, but hearing his full name called out without warning made him lose control of his heart and feel weak in the knees.

Liang Yi noticed his reaction. He took off his black mask with one hand and used the other to gently lift Feng Sang’s chin, forcing him to look at him. “It is me.”

Feng Sang was startled and stammered, “You, why would you come here?”

Zuo Yi and Qi Yan had just come out of the locker room after changing into their private clothes. Seeing Liang Yi and Feng Sang talking at the door, Zuo Yi immediately pulled Qi Yan over.

“Senior, you are here!” Zuo Yi greeted Liang Yi enthusiastically. Seeing this, Feng Sang ran away in a daze.

Qi Yan had not expected that the friend Zuo Yi wanted to introduce to him would be Liang Yi. After the three of them sat down, no one spoke, and the atmosphere was a bit awkward.

Liang Yi propped his chin on one hand, glanced at Qi Yan, and then said to Zuo Yi, “Junior, are you not going to introduce us?”

Zuo Yi was still immersed in the image of Liang Yi holding Feng Sang’s chin from five minutes ago and had forgotten the task at hand. He snapped out of it and said to Qi Yan, “The person across from you is my senior, Liang Yi.”

Qi Yan gave Liang Yi a nod, but his gaze was cold. Zuo Yi then took Qi Yan’s arm and said to Liang Yi, “This is my brother, Qi Yan.”

Liang Yi let out a laugh. Suddenly wanting to tease the two of them, he sat up straight and stared at Zuo Yi’s hand gripping Qi Yan’s arm. His gaze suddenly turned cold. “Your brother? Junior, if you do not introduce him clearly, I will be angry.”

Under the table where no one could see, Qi Yan involuntarily clenched his fist.

Zuo Yi had not expected Liang Yi to act like this and did not know how to respond for a moment. Qi Yan is his brother; how else could he introduce him clearly?

Qi Yan took over and answered, “I am Xiao Yi’s older brother from next door.”

Liang Yi leaned back. “Oh. As long as you are not his partner.”

Liang Yi’s startling words shocked Zuo Yi. He grabbed a tissue, crumpled it into a ball, and threw it at Liang Yi. “What are you talking about!”

Qi Yan felt that Zuo Yi was anxious to clear up the misunderstanding about their relationship, so he asked Liang Yi coldly, “In what capacity are you getting angry?”

Qi Yan’s question satisfied Liang Yi’s desire to tease, so he answered even more shamelessly, “Naturally, in the capacity of Xiao Yi’s future partner.”

“Damn, Liang Yi, what nonsense are you talking?” Zuo Yi was displeased. He picked up a soup spoon and pointed it at Liang Yi. He vowed in his heart that if Liang Yi continued to talk nonsense, he would kill him with the spoon.

Feng Sang had approached at some point. He was carrying a tray and had heard their entire conversation. He set down the dishes and turned to leave.

Liang Yi panicked. He grabbed Feng Sang’s arm and explained, “Xiao Sang, I was just joking with them. Do not take it seriously.”

“Let go,” Feng Sang barked.

Liang Yi gripped even tighter. “I will not let go. This time, I will not let you run away again.”

Now it was Zuo Yi and Qi Yan’s turn to watch the drama. Zuo Yi’s mouth was open wide enough to swallow an egg. Qi Yan realized that Liang Yi and Feng Sang had a romantic entanglement. Fearing that Zuo Yi’s jaw would dislocate if it stayed that way for too long, he manually closed it for him.

Feng Sang: “You are affecting my work.”

Liang Yi: “I do not care.”

“Um, how about Feng Sang sits down and eats with us?” Zuo Yi tried to mediate.

Liang Yi moved inward to make room for Feng Sang and patted the empty seat. “Sit here.”

But Feng Sang did not even look at him. He said to Zuo Yi with difficulty, “I have not finished my shift yet, Zuo Yi.”

Liang Yi suddenly got up and walked out, startling Zuo Yi. Seeing his posture, Zuo Yi thought he was going to hit someone and wanted to chase after him to check, but Qi Yan stopped him. “He will be fine.”

Sure enough, after a short while, Liang Yi returned with the restaurant manager. The manager was all smiles. “Xiao Feng, go change your clothes and get off work. You all enjoy your meal. I will have a colleague bring over four desserts for you.”

Feng Sang: “…”

Under the table, Zuo Yi gave Qi Yan a thumbs-up. Qi Yan took a sip of tea, feeling quite cheerful.

Liang Yi made a gesture of invitation to Feng Sang. “Let us eat together.”

It is often said that when an honest person becomes stubborn, ten oxen cannot pull them back. Feng Sang did not give anyone face; he turned around and ran away.

“Xiao Sang!” Liang Yi bolted to give chase but was pulled back. “What are you pulling me for? He ran away!”

Qi Yan did not care to meddle in others’ business, but Feng Sang had a classic avoidant personality; the tighter you pressed, the faster he ran.

“He cannot run away. This meal is Xiao Yi’s treat for you. If you leave, who will eat?” Qi Yan said.

Liang Yi kicked the sofa in frustration and could only sit back down.

Over the course of the meal, Zuo Yi and Qi Yan heard most of their story. It turned out that Feng Sang and Liang Yi were each other’s first loves. They had a very good relationship, but Feng Sang suddenly proposed a breakup and left. Liang Yi could never forget the relationship, and thus began the “you run, I chase” pursuit. Liang Yi spoke emotionally, his eyes turning red. Zuo Yi offered plenty of comfort before the dinner party ended.

Tomorrow was Saturday. After Qi Yan paid the bill, he rode his small blue scooter and carried Zuo Yi back to the apartment. As soon as he entered, Zuo Yi threw himself onto the sofa. “I am so tired today.”

Qi Yan reached out and smoothed the messy hair on the back of his head. “Go wash up and go to sleep.”

“I do not want to move,” Zuo Yi said stubbornly.

“Do you mean you do not want to wash yourself?”

“Yes. Is there a way in this world to not have to wash yourself?”

“There is.”

“What is it?”

Qi Yan said word by word, “I, will, help, you, wash.”

“…”

Zuo Yi was stunned. He propped himself up, knelt on the sofa, and accused him, “Bro, you are being a hooligan!”

Qi Yan sat over, leaned in, and asked, “Am I not your brother? If a younger brother does not want to wash himself, is it being a hooligan for the older brother to help?”

Zuo Yi felt that Qi Yan had changed for the worse and dared to make all kinds of jokes with him. He crawled toward Qi Yan, closing the safety distance between them, and stared into his eyes provocatively. “Does my brother really dare to help his younger brother wash?”

Qi Yan’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He tilted his head, his gaze sliding over Zuo Yi’s long, fair neck. He made the motion of unbuttoning his shirt with one hand and leaned into Zuo Yi’s ear. “Your brother will do as you say.”

Support