Shou-Switching System Has Been Bound - Chapter 14

Chapter 14: Taking Medicine

It was clearly a hand meant to provide warmth and security, but after seeing Ji Lianyi’s face, Qi Youli felt as if a venomous snake had coiled around him. Before his brain could react, he had already shaken off Ji Lianyi’s hand.

The movement wasn’t large and didn’t attract much attention from others.

He gave Ji Lianyi a warning glare, then turned around to chat with the group at the next table.

Ji Lianyi didn’t react much. He rubbed the fingers that had just touched the puppy, still feeling the warmth of the other’s skin—it was a bit too hot. Those eyes were also brimming with water, looking as if a little bullying would make tears fall.

Shen Aoming: “Lianyi, if you don’t hurry up, Shengjin is going to sweep the board.”

Ji Lianyi smiled: “No rush.”

This time, Gu Shengjin sank one ball after another, turning Ji Lianyi into a spectator. He looked toward the other group; the puppy was leaning over the pool table. Because he was tall, his legs had to be spread very wide, causing his waist to slump into a breathtaking curve and making his upturned rear look particularly full and rounded.

The movement was beautiful, but the thrust was a bit weak; the ball spun at the edge of the pocket but didn’t go in.

When the puppy stood up, his body swayed slightly. That uncomfortable face still wore a smile as he responded to the others’ teasing.

Finally, it was Ji Lianyi’s turn. He walked to the space between the two tables. Three balls were clustered near a pocket in a tricky position.

Qi Youli let out a muffled cough and took a few steps back to lean against the other table. Looking up through the gaps between figures, he saw the Uncle sitting sideways on the edge of the pool table. Two buttons of his gray shirt were undone, revealing a thin black undershirt. His long legs dangled from the table, yet his feet could still touch the ground, his leather shoes shining under the lights.

He held the cue vertically; his arm span was long, so he held it effortlessly. The watch on his wrist exuded a cold, hard texture.

Beside the cue, the thigh muscle pressed against the table filled out his trousers, the parts in shadow faintly revealing a silhouette due to the posture.

Beautiful, yet erotic.

It was a scene that looked like it belonged on a poster.

In that moment, Qi Youli even wanted to take a photo of it to use as a sign for his shop.

His gaze shifted to the Uncle’s focused face. The frames sat on the high bridge of his nose. This time, he didn’t think about aiming for the glasses in their next fight; instead, he wondered what the Uncle would look like without them.

Ji Lianyi thrust the cue; the ball went beautifully into the pocket.

He stepped down from the table, his smile gaining a touch of spirited edge.

Qi Youli’s pupils dilated slightly.

Actually… he’s not really that much of an ‘Uncle’…

Suddenly, a hand reached in and waved in front of his face. He frowned and shifted his gaze. A young guy looked confused: “Boss, what are you spacing out for? I’ve called you several times. It’s your turn.”

“Oh, sorry.”

To hit the ball he needed, Qi Youli had to stand between the two tables. Since Ji Lianyi was still standing there, he walked over as if the man didn’t exist and took his stance beside him, carefully observing the balls to adjust his position.

Shen Aoming: “Lianyi, what have you been busy with lately? We haven’t heard much from you.”

Ji Lianyi rubbed chalk onto his cue: “Lately I’ve encountered a little stray dog.”

Shen Aoming: “What kind of stray dog?”

Qi Youli raised an eyebrow silently and slowly leaned down.

Ji Lianyi made some space for him: “A naughty little stray dog that’s always baring its teeth to bite. It’s quite interesting.”

Shen Aoming: “Are you going to keep it?”

Qi Youli aimed at the 4-ball and thrust the cue.

Ji Lianyi: “Xia Xu is allergic to dog hair.”

Qi Youli’s hand slipped. The 4-ball, which should have gone straight, veered off course. The people around let out sighs of disappointment. He stood up: “Sorry, I’m not in top form today.”

Compared to before, his voice now had a noticeable nasal quality.

Ji Lianyi walked past him with his cue, continuing to Shen Aoming: “So I can only keep him outside for a while.”

The next second, the man staggered and only stayed upright by grabbing the table.

Shen Aoming: “What happened?”

A helpless smile appeared on Ji Lianyi’s lips; the puppy had just bucked and kicked him: “Nothing, just tripped.”

Qi Youli looked smug. No reason he just wanted to kick him!

Once the group’s friends arrived, he was finally able to retreat. Sitting behind the cashier desk, he felt exhausted. He just wanted to lie in bed, wrap himself in a quilt, and sleep forever.

First, he drank half a glass of the “water of life.”

A delivery guy peeked in, placed something on the cashier desk, and asked: “Boss?”

“Yeah.”

“Yours.”

The delivery guy turned and left immediately, giving Qi Youli no chance to tell him he hadn’t bought anything.

He picked up the delivery slip attached to the bag.

Medicine?

Fever reducers and cold medicine.

The customer name read: The “It’s Just a Pool Hall” Boss

Bought for him?

Who bought this for him?

Faces of the guys who came to the shop to hit on him flashed through his mind, but how would they know he was unwell? As he hesitated, his phone lit up.

Big Pervert: Take the medicine.

Qi Youli never imagined in a million years that the Uncle would buy him medicine. He looked up, and their eyes happened to meet. He couldn’t figure out what the Uncle meant.

But it didn’t matter. He wouldn’t be bought by such small favors.

Ji Lianyi leaned against the pool table behind him, the cigarette Gu Shengjin had handed him dangling from his mouth. He watched as the puppy proudly pulled out the trash can and placed it beside the cashier desk.

Staring straight at him, the puppy disdainfully tossed the bag of medicine into the trash.

Such a big temper.

Qi Youli waited for Ji Lianyi’s reaction, only to see the man turn his head. The long cigarette in his mouth met the burning one in the other man’s mouth. The flame transitioned slowly and ambiguously along with his slightly hollowed cheeks.

Gu Shengjin raised an eyebrow.

Qi Youli was stunned by the scene and returned behind the cashier desk in a huff.

Old rogue!

What decent person lights a cigarette like that!

Gu Shengjin: “You’ve taken a liking to him.”

The man’s voice was calm, his tone certain.

Thick white smoke drifted slowly from Ji Lianyi’s thin lips. He thought: He’s as sharp as ever.

Gu Shengjin: “Try switching to him. Xia Xu is useless to you.”

The three played for a while longer before preparing to leave. Although Qi Youli’s shop was clean, for people like Gu Shengjin… they were still more accustomed to playing in private rooms.

At the cashier desk, Ji Lianyi and Shen Aoming were talking while waiting to pay.

Qi Youli pursed his lips, calculating in his head. 80 per hour, they didn’t order anything else, two hours is 160. He glanced at the talking Ji Lianyi. Charging him a fee for “polluting his eyes” and “polluting the air” wasn’t excessive, right?

Today, he was going to open his mouth wide and fleece him!

Qi Youli made up his mind and said firmly: “Two hundred.”

He felt a bit guilty after saying it, fearing they would notice the price list and confront him. As it turned out, none of the three even looked at him. After Ji Lianyi scanned the code and paid, they left.

Qi Youli breathed a sigh of relief. He watched the door to make sure the Uncle wasn’t coming back, then pulled the medicine out of the trash. Waste is shameful, and besides, medicine is expensive these days; these two boxes were worth over a hundred.

He took the medicine according to the instructions.

Yuan Yuan captured this scene and sent it to Ji Lianyi.

Qi Youli held on until about 12:00 AM before closing. After his routine check of the shop to ensure no safety hazards, he was the only one left.

He grabbed his coat and turned off the lights. His steps stopped at the door. In the night, the Uncle was leaning leisurely against a car parked by the road. The chilly autumn wind stirred his hair and the hem of his coat; it looked like he was filming a music video.

Qi Youli’s grip on the door tightened.

Looking for trouble again?

But he was really tired today…

Still, he wasn’t afraid!

Qi Youli locked the rolling shutter door and strode toward his motorcycle, completely ignoring Ji Lianyi. He swung a long leg over the bike and reached for his helmet.

“Riding in your state is dangerous.”

Ji Lianyi suddenly spoke.

“If you don’t want to be run over, get out of the way.”

“It’s fine if you hit me, but if you hit someone else, it’ll be a hassle. If you’re unlucky and scratch a luxury car, the repair costs won’t be small. If it’s serious and someone ends up in the hospital, the price is astronomical. If neither they nor you can pay the medical bills, people die.”

Qi Youli froze while putting on his helmet, his glare flying toward Ji Lianyi.

Ji Lianyi tilted his head toward his car: “Get in.”

Qi Youli felt like he had heard the funniest thing in the world. A “Are you crazy or am I?” was on the tip of his tongue but wasn’t said.

Ji Lianyi: “Scared?”

The eyes behind the lenses were very serious.

“You mother.” Qi Youli pressed his tongue against his cheek, got off the bike, and defiantly opened the car door and sat inside, slamming it with a deafening thud.

Ji Lianyi silently curled his lips.

Qi Youli buckled his seatbelt. Only when the driver’s door opened did he realize he had sat in the wrong spot; he should have sat in the back. But switching now would make it look like he was afraid.

I’m sitting right here today!

Ji Lianyi reached for a thermos on the seat and handed it over: “Samgyetang (Ginseng Chicken) porridge. Good for sick people.”

Qi Youli’s eyes darted between him and the thermos: “Drugged?”

His expression was as serious as Ji Lianyi’s had been.

Ji Lianyi: “Unnecessary.”

Qi Youli truly couldn’t understand what he was playing at today.

Ji Lianyi: “Afraid to drink it?”

The next second, the thermos was snatched away.

Qi Youli held the thermos. Though he had taken it on impulse: “I haven’t looked for trouble with you lately, so don’t go crazy on me.”

“Mhm.”

Ji Lianyi drove off.

Qi Youli thought that since things were already at this point, the porridge should be fine. Besides, Samgyetang porridge sounded both nutritious and delicious. He opened the thermos; the aroma hit him, making his appetite surge after a day of hunger.

He took a cautious sip with the spoon from the lid, and his eyes widened. He had never had such delicious porridge in his life!

Bite after bite, the only sound in the car was him eating.

The car stopped at an intersection for a red light. Ji Lianyi’s gaze fell on the puppy’s exposed knee.

Late autumn.

Black ripped jeans.

His hand could easily reach through that rip.

The car crossed the intersection. The sound of the spoon scraping the thermos drifted into his ears; just by the sound, he knew the puppy was eating every last bit.

Qi Youli swallowed the last bite, still wanting more.

Still a bit hungry.

He pursed his lips and closed the lid.

A bottle of water was handed over.

Qi Youli glanced at Ji Lianyi. How is this guy acting so much like a human today!

He took the water: “If you dare drug me, I’ll dare pee in your car.”

Ji Lianyi seemed to think of something; his finger tapped on the steering wheel.

Gulp, gulp.

Qi Youli ate and drank his fill, only then noticing the seat was heated. After the porridge, he felt warm from the inside out. The scent in the car was the same as the scent on the Uncle it smelled very good.

After a day of suffering, he finally felt a bit better. Feeling drowsy, he leaned back against the seat. He tilted his head, his heavy eyelids watching Ji Lianyi as the warm yellow streetlights washed over the man like waves.

He actually felt the Uncle was a bit warm.

It was just that the small mole on his nose was too eye-catching. He really wanted to…

Considering the man wasn’t acting crazy and he was very tired, he’d reluctantly get along with him for today.

“I overcharged you by forty yuan just now.” His voice was heavy with a nasal tone and a lazy drawl, sounding almost like he was acting spoiled.

He spent a moment fiddling with his phone and then put it down: “Sent it back to you.”

Ji Lianyi’s grip on the steering wheel tightened slightly. He said nothing. He wasn’t naturally a talkative person; silence was his comfortable state, though he had always disguised himself as a conversationalist.

In front of the puppy, he didn’t need the disguise.

Soon, he heard soft snoring. The puppy’s nose, congested from the cold, was making noise. Ji Lianyi turned his head in surprise and saw a completely defenseless sleeping face. He turned his head back in a panic before his pupils could contract.

The car stopped across from the entrance to the neighborhood, but no one got out for a long time.

Ji Lianyi’s state looked a bit off; his grip was almost crushing the steering wheel. Something unexpected had happened. He had always thought he only had a desire for the fierce, disobedient puppy, but tonight, the very well-behaved puppy still gave him a strong reaction.

He took a portable pillbox from his coat pocket, tossed two pills into his mouth, and began taking deep breaths, controlling his emotions as he had done a thousand times before.

It took about 20 minutes for his grip on the wheel to slowly relax; his fingers were somewhat congested and stiff from the constant force.

Only after the medicine took effect did he dare look at Qi Youli again.

The puppy was in a deep sleep, his nose struggling to breathe. That lip he had kissed was slightly parted, kept moist and red by the constant flow of hot breath.

He slowly raised his hand and reached out.

He stopped just before touching the puppy’s head.

He actually had kept a dog.

It wasn’t exactly his; rather, the family had kept a dog.

But an accident happened when he was 8 years old. That day, he heard a loud thud in his bedroom. He ran out and looked down from the railing, only to see the dog lying motionless on the floor, blood spreading from beneath it into a net that would trap him for a lifetime.

He wasn’t the only one attracted by the sound.

His parents, his brother, and the family servants were all there too…

Everyone stood downstairs by the dog’s corpse, looking at him with shock, disbelief, and disappointment.

He was the one who killed the dog.

Everyone thought so, said so…

Because he was an “abnormal” child.

He was a “sick” child.

No one believed his explanation.

Did he want to kill that dog?

He had thought about it.

Because he truly was a sick child.

But Mama said if he did that, Mama wouldn’t like him anymore. Papa, Brother—everyone would stop liking him, stop loving him.

So he had endured.

For a child, there was probably nothing more terrifying than losing the love of one’s family.

But after that day, he lost it anyway.

He looked at the sleeping puppy, his hand slowly landing on the soft curls.

It was just the simplest touch, barely even pressing down the top layer of hair, yet Ji Lianyi obtained a satisfaction he hadn’t felt in years.

Qi Youli slowly opened his eyes. His eyes, like black gems, looked a bit dazed at the close-up of Ji Lianyi.

Ji Lianyi’s expression was calm: “We’re here.”

Qi Youli gradually sharpened his focus, sat up straight, and unbuckled his seatbelt to get out.

An overcoat was handed over.

“If the illness gets worse, you won’t be able to open the shop tomorrow.”

Qi Youli hesitated for a second before taking the coat: “Thanks for tonight. But business is business; I’m still going to settle the previous scores with you.”

“Mhm.”

Ji Lianyi didn’t drive off immediately. He watched as the puppy, wearing his coat, jogged toward the neighborhood across the street, those curls blowing wildly in the wind.

Not yet.

It’s not time yet.

He still can’t control himself.

Ji Lianyi picked up his phone.

The puppy had transferred four hundred yuan to him.

He must have transferred the wrong amount. He accepted the transfer.

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