No One Else Will Do But You - Chapter 66

It was likely a pounding headache that finally forced Shu Luo to open his eyes. The moment he did, he was startled by Jiang Mu’s intense, unwavering gaze.

He tried to roll over and get out of bed, but his face instantly contorted in pain. He felt as though his waist had been—quite literally—run over by a steamroller.

He shot Jiang Mu a glare. “Big Brother… exactly how insatiable are you? Is it so hard to practice a little more self-restraint?”

“When it comes to you, I can’t,” Jiang Mu replied, his voice overflowing with tenderness.

“…” Shu Luo chose to remain silent. Arguing with someone in the middle of a “heat cycle” was a lost cause.

Perhaps their relationship had progressed in leaps and bounds after their night of honesty. However, they still had to maintain a low profile in front of their parents—especially around Shu’s father, who already knew the truth and was vehemently opposed to it. They didn’t need a grand confession to define their relationship; all they needed was the right time, the right place, and the hearts of two people who belonged to each other.

Soon, they faced their busiest period yet. By the second half of his sophomore year, Shu Luo’s major required him to go to Canada for further study—a commitment that would last four years.

“You never told me you were going abroad,” Jiang Mu said, his tone heavy with displeasure as he stood by the floor-to-ceiling window.

“It’s just for four years of study,” Shu Luo explained. “If I don’t go, I won’t be able to advance in my field. Canada has an excellent program for this specialty, and there were only two spots available for the entire department. I had to fight for this.”

Jiang Mu tugged at his tie, looking visibly agitated.

“Bro, I’m only going there to learn. If we can’t even survive four years apart, then our relationship isn’t meaningful to begin with.”

Jiang Mu narrowed his eyes at Shu Luo’s resolute stance. It was rare to see Shu Luo so unwavering about a decision. “Luo-Luo… do you truly love medicine that much?”

“Of course. I must complete my studies and return.”

The two fell into a stalemate. Jiang Mu had never imagined he would have to spend four years without this person by his side. Damn this medical field! Yet, he couldn’t bring himself to refuse Shu Luo’s request; he didn’t have the right to hold him back.

“Bro, it’s only four years. I’ll come back, and I’ll take good care of myself, okay?” Shu Luo hugged him from behind, leaning into his broad, strong frame. He didn’t want to leave either, but he had to pursue his education.

“Studying medicine is exhausting, Luo-Luo. You shouldn’t have been so impulsive back then. If you had chosen the same major as me, you’d already be helping God-Dad with the business.”

“If my entire future path was already paved for me, what would be the point of my life?” Shu Luo asked. “I already have you to protect me; shouldn’t that be even more reason for me to learn how to fly? If I keep hiding under your wing, when will I ever grow up?”

Jiang Mu was genuinely surprised by these words.

Shu Luo continued, “You have your success, and I will have mine. I don’t want to be the man ‘behind’ you—I want to be the man standing beside you.”

“When are you leaving?” Jiang Mu asked, his tone softening slightly.

Shu Luo smiled. “The day after tomorrow.”

“…” Seriously? Jiang Mu thought. Telling him this late left him with absolutely no time to prepare himself mentally. He turned around, grabbed Shu Luo by the waist, and kissed him fiercely, though even that wasn’t enough to vent his inner frustration.

The dominant aura made Shu Luo daze for a moment, but he wasn’t one to be easily bullied. He responded to the kiss, deepening the embrace. Their two shadows merged perfectly on the floor—a scene so harmonious it seemed a sin to disturb it.

Sigh.

Outside the door, Assistant Xiao Fang, acting as a lookout, felt a wave of exhaustion. Being a secretary is a thankless job.

When Shu’s parents found out, they were ready to flip the table.

“Shu Luo, you’ve grown bold, haven’t you? Planning to go abroad without even telling your mother! Do you think I can’t manage you anymore?” Shu’s mother was blindsided by the news that he would be spending the next four years in Canada.

Shu Luo shrank his neck back. “Well… I’m telling you now, aren’t I?” He looked as if he were preparing for a fight.

“Luo-Luo, you didn’t even discuss this with us,” Shu’s father added. “Going abroad so suddenly without any arrangements or preparations…” He couldn’t bear the thought of his son being alone in a foreign country.

Jiang Qin also felt it was improper. “Luo-Luo, look at you—you aren’t even eighteen yet. What if you get bullied out there? It’s not like being at home; if you cry, you can only do it over the phone.”

Don’t discourage me like that, Shu Luo thought. He hadn’t even left yet! Why did they talk as if he were incapable of independence? Were they planning to keep him in a “honey jar” forever?

Jiang Mu realized his mother was surprisingly supportive.

“I actually think going abroad is a good idea,” Jiang Qin continued. “The medical education in Canada is superior to ours. When he returns, his credentials will be much more valuable. Besides, Luo-Luo is a young man; he should go out and experience the world. A-Mu is his elder brother; Luo-Luo can learn a lot from him. One must have foresight.”

Jiang Mu almost choked on his own frustration at his mother’s words.

Shu Luo agreed instantly. “Exactly! I’m learning from Bro! I need to carve out a world for myself too, to be a good role model for Yin-Yin, right?”

Little Shu Yin didn’t understand what “going abroad” meant, but he heard his brother calling his name. “Right, right, right!”

Shu’s father, mother, and Jiang Mu: “…”

Then, noticing Casso was missing, Shu Luo asked, “Where’s Uncle Casso? Why isn’t he here today?”

Jiang Qin’s expression became slightly awkward. “Uh… he went back to France.”

Back to France? Everyone was puzzled, but they didn’t push for details.

“Shu Luo, don’t change the subject,” Shu’s mother snapped, preparing for a long-winded battle. “I’ve never seen you care this much about Casso before.”

Shu Luo sighed helplessly. “Mom, you don’t want me to be a ‘NEET’ (living off my parents) forever, do you? Finishing seven years here isn’t as good as completing my studies abroad. The quality of teaching is different. Think about the long term.”

“Even if you lived off me for the rest of your life, you couldn’t bankrupt me,” Shu’s father muttered.

Ah, my head hurts. Shu Luo realized he couldn’t convince them. He turned to head upstairs.

Jiang Mu caught him immediately. “Where are you going?”

“To pack my bags and leave right now,” Shu Luo said, playing hardball.

“I thought you said the day after tomorrow?” Jiang Mu frowned.

Shu Luo let out a dry laugh. “I was joking. My ticket is for 9:00 PM tonight.”

“You’re forcing my hand, Shu Luo.” Jiang Mu’s eyes were dark with anger.

Shu Luo could see he was upset. But if his family wouldn’t support him, what choice did he have? He had to take responsibility for his own life; he couldn’t just do nothing when a great opportunity was right in front of him.

“I’ve grown up. I might be eighteen, but I’m no different from my classmates in the same grade. I’ve seen the same things and experienced the same life. I’m younger, but that doesn’t mean I’m less capable. Maybe my light seems dim when I’m standing next to Bro, but I have my own ideas. I want to achieve things. I want my family to be proud of me. Is that wrong? I know you love me, but please, let me fly when the time is right. Don’t just spoil me. I’m an adult now; I’m no longer the child I used to be.”

His words left everyone in a stunned silence. They realized with a jolt that the child had grown up right under their noses. He was ready to take responsibility for himself.

“Bro, help me pack,” Shu Luo said before heading upstairs.

The family remained silent, which was their unspoken consent. If the child had his own path, they would let him walk it. Shu’s mother was simply heartbroken at the thought of him living alone.

“Mommy, where is Big Brother going?” little Shu Yin asked innocently.

“Big Brother is going somewhere far away to study. He’s going to be a great doctor,” Shu’s father said, ruffling the boy’s hair.

Shu Yin clapped his hands. “Big Brother is amazing! I think he’ll be a great doctor too!”

The child’s voice was loud enough for Shu Luo to hear. Yin-Yin, I’ll take that as a blessing.

Inside the room, Shu Luo was pulled into a tight embrace.

“Bro, don’t worry. If you really can’t stand it, just fly over to see me. You have plenty of money anyway.”

“I’d rather you were a bit sillier,” Jiang Mu muttered. “A happy, foolish person.”

Shu Luo didn’t like the sound of that. “How am I silly? Have you ever seen someone as handsome and smart as me being ‘silly’?”

Jiang Mu pinched his nose. “Fine. Don’t let it go to your head. Let’s pack.”

In the end, it was Jiang Mu who did all the packing while Shu Luo sat lazily to the side, playing with his phone. Jiang Mu sighed as he folded the clothes. He wondered how this lazy person would survive on his own.

“Don’t come crying to me to bring you home,” Jiang Mu muttered as he worked.

I’ll be waiting for that call, he thought secretly.