The Eldest Brother is Handsome but Sick. - Chapter 27

The Morning After

That familiar wet sensation returned to his face. Little White Plum whimpered twice and began hopping and skipping across the pillow; the sting of her tail lashing his face was sharp and painful.

It was in this state that Yan Jin opened his eyes. He lay on the bed for a long time without moving, his brain a muddled mess.

What happened yesterday? Dizzily, he rolled over, gathered Little White Plum into his arms, and buried his face in her fur, trying his hardest to recall.

Oh, right. He looked at the new house, had New Year’s Eve dinner, got drunk, and then… was kissed by a celestial being?

This was truly unseemly; to think he would have such a dream. His face suddenly flushed hot. He rolled out of bed and pondered while dressing: Have I been abstinent for too long? Or is this something every man must go through?

Lacking experience, he intended to ask the System.

“System, do men usually” Halfway through the question, he froze. Wait! What did that celestial being call me at the end?

“Senior Brother.”

Suddenly, a soft call came from out of nowhere. Yan Jin was so startled his hair stood on end. He stumbled several steps, nearly face-planting into the incense burner.

He was now as awake as he could possibly be. Having managed to steady himself with great difficulty, he looked to the side. When he saw Yin Zhushuang sitting at the table drinking, he let out a long sigh of relief and said helplessly, “Master, please don’t tease me.”

Yin Zhushuang raised a wine cup toward him from a distance, a faint, lingering smile on her lips. “Someone was calling you ‘Senior Brother’ last night.”

Recalling that kiss, Yan Jin’s heart leaped into his throat again. He rubbed his hands together and asked tentatively, “Did Su Huai… return last night?”

Yin Zhushuang raised an eyebrow. “He returned.”

Yan Jin swallowed hard, an unbelievable thought rising in his mind. His voice trembled: “Then… then…” He prayed frantically in his heart that it was a dream and not reality!

Unfortunately, Yin Zhushuang did not hear his prayers. Instead, a playful glint flashed in her eyes as she said leisurely, “He kissed you.”

Yan Jin: “…………”

He felt like he was dying a little inside. Fine. Meeting in this vast world is a fate, and I suppose this is my retribution.

In a daze, he didn’t even bother with his grooming. He packed his things, intending to leave immediately.

The System asked, “Where are you going?”

Yan Jin looked up toward the horizon, his soul seemingly bathed in holy light, wearing an expression of total transcendence. “I’m joining a monastery.”

The “Green Tea” Junior Brother

However, before he could even step out of the small courtyard, he ran head-first into two people—one was Li Dasheng, and the other was exactly Su Huai.

They were holding a shovel and a broom, clearing the snow from the courtyard. Yan Jin pivoted on his heel, determined to go back and find another escape route. Yet, as if he had anticipated this, Su Huai called out without even turning his head: “Senior Brother.”

This “Senior Brother” was called out in a clear and pleasant tone, but it made Yan Jin freeze. In all the years Su Huai had spent by his side, he had never once called him “Senior Brother.” He hadn’t heard it clearly last night, but now that the address hit his ears directly, a strange feeling welled up in Yan Jin’s heart. He wasn’t sure if he was happy because it was the first time Su Huai had called him that, or if it was because the way Su Huai said it was different from everyone else—regardless, he found himself unable to take a step.

But what about that kiss? Yan Jin had never encountered such a thorny issue; he nearly pulled his own hair out in frustration.

Su Huai stole a glance at the older man’s conflicted back. He imperceptibly crinkled his eyes, handed the broom to Li Dasheng, and stepped forward to naturally take the bundle from Yan Jin’s shoulder. He asked softly, “Where does Senior Brother wish to go? I forgot to tell you the dog hole in your room has been plugged by me.”

He moved a step closer as he took the bundle, causing Yan Jin to leap three feet back. “Stop, stop, stop! Don’t come any closer. Why are you suddenly calling me ‘Senior Brother’?”

Su Huai appeared somewhat confused, his beautiful eyes slightly downcast. “Am I not allowed to? But Sister Xia and Senior Brother Lin call you that. I thought it would show more respect.” He suddenly lowered his head, his voice softening. “If you do not wish for me to call you that, I simply won’t say it. Please don’t be angry.”

The words were spoken with such a mix of grievance and obedience that Yan Jin immediately felt like a bully. He looked at Su Huai’s downcast eyes; the long, thick lashes cast a small shadow, making it impossible to remain harsh.

“It… it’s not that you can’t…” Yan Jin stammered, wanting to slap his own mouth. How can I be so useless!

Since he couldn’t escape, he might as well ask clearly. He intended to bring up the events of last night, but his usually silver tongue couldn’t manage to produce a single word.

Fortunately, Su Huai was very considerate. Appearing to carefully gauge Yan Jin’s feelings, he said, “If Senior Brother is thinking about that kiss, you truly needn’t mind. Even the little girl at the bun shop kisses her brother’s cheek when she’s happy.”

Yan Jin was stunned. Can it really be calculated that way?

His brain worked at high speed until it felt like it was about to crash; somehow, he actually found a bit of logic in it. Su Huai had been a child who expressed his affection very directly; he only became awkward later because of the kidnapping incident. It was entirely possible that after being away for two years, he had gained a new perspective and returned to his former personality!

Seeing him remain silent, Su Huai’s expression couldn’t hide his disappointment. “Senior Brother, I have missed you very much these past few years.”

That single sentence shattered Yan Jin’s defenses completely. He thought to himself: So what if he kissed me? Isn’t it just an expression of missing someone? Two men aren’t necessarily “cut sleeves” (homosexuals). To take it a step further, who says normal senior and junior brothers can’t be affectionate! Just because I haven’t seen it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist!

The System was shocked: Do you even know what you’re saying?

Yan Jin swatted the System out of his mind and, in a state of manic distortion, grabbed Su Huai’s hand. “Good Junior Brother.”

Su Huai smiled. “Good Senior Brother.”

Good. It really was my misunderstanding! Yan Jin thought. Even though he was holding Su Huai’s hand, the boy didn’t make any further moves. If it were someone like Lin Jiebai who actually favored men, they would likely have pressed closer by now.

He was about to let out a sigh of relief when he heard Su Huai say, “Senior Brother’s hair is messy. May I comb it for you?”

Yan Jin was always defenseless against this kind of care from his Junior Brother. Recalling Su Huai’s careful arrangements throughout the journey, he felt deeply comforted. He nodded and prepared to enter the room with him.

Just then, Su Huai added casually: “However, I truly do favor men.”

Su Huai said this so nonchalantly, as if he were remarking that the weather was nice today.

Yan Jin, who had just finished comforting himself: “………?”

What did you say? Do you dare say that one more time?

The Accidental Injury

Su Huai did not explain further. He offered a gentle smile and took Yan Jin’s hand tenderly. “Let’s go, Senior Brother. I will tie your hair.”

Dazed and bewildered, Yan Jin was pulled into the room. As he sat before the mirror, the phrase “I favor men” continued to echo in his brain.

Su Huai stood behind him, untying his hair ribbon and gently running his fingers through the long hair. The bronze mirror reflected their blurred silhouettes; Su Huai kept his eyes lowered, looking focused and devoted.

This scene should have been heartwarming, but Yan Jin felt like he was sitting on a bed of needles. On one hand, he felt uncomfortable; on the other, he was wondering what to do in this situation. Perhaps Su Huai didn’t really favor men, but after spending so much time with Lin Jiebai, he had inevitably become curious about such things and, lacking guidance, mistakenly thought he liked men too.

Yan Jin felt he absolutely needed to say something.

He weighed several phrases, but just as he was about to speak, Su Huai’s fingertip brushed against his earlobe. The chill of the finger sent a wave of goosebumps across his skin. The person behind him slowly leaned down, his arm about to encircle him.

In an instant, Yan Jin reacted as if he had been burned, springing up abruptly. As a result, his head slammed hard into Su Huai’s chin.

“Ugh…” Su Huai let out a muffled groan, and the comb in his hand clattered onto the table.

Yan Jin spun around in a panic to find Su Huai clutching his chin. The boy’s eyes were slightly red and shimmering with unshed tears he had actually been hurt enough to tear up.

“I-I’m sorry!” Yan Jin scrambled to check the injury. “I didn’t mean to…”

Su Huai shook his head, his voice a bit muffled. “It’s nothing. It was my own carelessness.” He lowered his hand to reveal a small reddened patch on his chin. Combined with his reddish eyes, he looked exceptionally aggrieved.

Yan Jin became anxious immediately. “Does it hurt a lot? I’ll go get some ointment…”

He was about to turn away when Su Huai grabbed his sleeve. “Senior Brother, please don’t trouble yourself.” Su Huai lowered his eyes, his long lashes trembling slightly. “I just didn’t expect Senior Brother to loathe my touch so much. I only intended to set the comb on the table.”

“I don’t—”

“Did Senior Brother think I was going to do something to you? Even though I favor men, I am not a… you think too poorly of me.” Before Yan Jin could finish, Su Huai interrupted him. As he spoke, he seemed to wither entirely. Before walking out the door, he shot one last look back at Yan Jin a look so full of grievance it felt like an accusation of a misplaced heart.

“Wait, you—”

Yan Jin prepared to give chase, but was met by the sound of the door slamming shut.

“………”

He stared at the door, replaying the events in his head. Suddenly, he didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

“You little brat! You’ve spent several years away just to bring back a mind full of schemes to use on me!”