To Treat Each Other Like Brothers - Chapter 23

Bai Ye felt goosebumps break out all over his body.

To this day, he still clearly remembered the words Xie Shiyao had once spoken.

“If you are going to kiss someone, it has to be with someone who is truly important to you, right?”

Yet, to Xie Shiyao, that important person was his own younger brother.

Bai Ye’s brain felt completely overwhelmed. His mouth fell wide open, and his jaw practically dropped to the ground.

Consequently, Bai Ye did not even have time to notice that his tightly gripped mobile phone had just received a WeChat notification.

On the screen, Gu Jinsheng’s message contrasted with the fireworks lighting up the sky.

“Where are you guys? Lu Yingcheng and I have arrived, but we cannot find you anywhere.”

The sound of the fireworks was too loud. Even Xiao Guai, who stood right next to Bai Ye, could not hear the buzzing of the mobile phone.

Xiao Guai was similarly frozen in absolute shock.

But beyond the shock, a wave of sadness washed over Xiao Guai, leaving him feeling completely played.

No wonder that younger brother had burst into the hotel room with such an intense aura back then.

No wonder, indeed. It truly was not a normal sibling argument. No wonder Xie Shiyao never showed up again afterward, and no wonder Lin Zhuyi looked so much like him.

Xiao Guai’s eyes gradually turned red. He clenched his fists and walked quickly toward Xie Shiyao.

Xie Shiyao was completely unaware that someone was walking toward him.

Lin Zhuyi’s embrace was warm, his actions were forceful, and the movement of his tongue was utterly unrestrained. Their bodies pressed against each other, nearly producing sparks at any given moment.

Xie Shiyao widened his eyes in surprise, but then, as if suddenly understanding something, he let out a laugh of utter disbelief.

Soon, Xie Shiyao’s eyelashes trembled slightly as he lowered his gaze. The disappointment hidden in his eyes and heart was something that even his thick, long eyelashes could not conceal.

Xie Shiyao allowed himself to indulge for one final moment, cooperating with this highly aggressive kiss a little longer.

Just as his body grew increasingly hot, reaching a threshold where the heat almost drowned out the sound of his breaking heart, Xie Shiyao grabbed Lin Zhuyi’s hair and pulled him backward.

Their lips parted with a faint sound. Xie Shiyao calmly said to Lin Zhuyi, “Is someone here? Tell me, who did you see?”

“Whose presence did you want to use to ruin me this time?”

He did not intend to wait for Lin Zhuyi’s answer. Xie Shiyao turned his head, searching for the answer himself.

Then he saw him. It was Xiao Guai, squeezing through the crowd with red eyes.

Xie Shiyao shifted his gaze.

Not far behind Xiao Guai stood Bai Ye, whose face was completely pale as their eyes met.

At that exact instant, for some unknown reason, Xie Shiyao felt an inexplicable sense of relief in his heart.

It turned out that you were merely displeased.

Xie Shiyao released his grip. Knowing full well that they were being watched, he firmly pinched Lin Zhuyi’s chin and bit down hard on his lips. “I will deal with you later.”

He pulled a face mask out from his overcoat pocket and put it on Lin Zhuyi, using it to cover his bleeding mouth and most of his face.

After finishing all of this, Xie Shiyao took a deep breath, turned around to face Xiao Guai, who was about to rush over, and forced a standard social smile onto his face.

The bloodshot lines in Xiao Guai’s eyes were even more pronounced than before, making it obvious that he was in a terrible state. He pushed his way through the crowd clumsily, as if swimming through a sea of people.

“Brother Xie, is it really him?” Xiao Guai’s voice trembled slightly. “Is it truly the person from the hotel room? Did I not see incorrectly?”

Since there was no way to explain the situation, Xie Shiyao did not want to lie either, so he nodded honestly.

Xiao Guai bit his lip, his emotions overwhelming him as he shouted, “But he is your younger brother”

Before the word brother could completely leave his mouth, a large hand adorned with Chrome Hearts rings reached out from behind Xiao Guai, timely covering his mouth.

Gu Jinsheng’s small face was completely concealed by his decorative glasses and a face mask.

Holding Xiao Guai under his arm, he smiled at Xie Shiyao and said, “Hey, brother. What a coincidence, you are here too.”

Gu Jinsheng gave Xie Shiyao a subtle look before glancing at the man beside him, who was half a head taller than himself. “This is Lu Yingcheng, whom you have met before. Since we ran into each other, why not say hello?”

Lu Yingcheng, wearing a black haute couture overcoat, nodded toward Xie Shiyao.

After acknowledging him, Lu Yingcheng looked at Lin Zhuyi with an unbothered, amused gaze. He studied him thoughtfully for a moment, then let out a faint smile. “Director Xie, this person is?”

Xie Shiyao exchanged looks with Lu Yingcheng.

Lu Yingcheng’s expression made Xie Shiyao realize instantly that Lu Yingcheng and Gu Jinsheng must have witnessed the kiss.

Xie Shiyao remained silent, contemplating his next words.

How should he answer? If he said it was his younger brother, it would simply be far too outrageous.

Another firework burst through the sky with a loud crash.

The moment the light exploded, it illuminated countless open mouths in the square, and it also illuminated Xie Shiyao’s selfish motive, which he had persistently delayed, agonizing over and refusing to face.

As the rain of light cascaded in the sky, Xie Shiyao felt immense bitterness in his heart, yet he still maintained a relieved expression as he announced, “He is my personal assistant, and he will start working after the New Year.”

Lin Zhuyi thought he had misheard and immediately looked at Xie Shiyao.

Xie Shiyao slowly took two steps forward. Facing the group of people whose expressions were spectacular, he raised his index finger and elegantly made a shushing gesture with a smile. “I have truly embarrassed myself in front of you. I must trouble you to keep this little secret about me and my assistant to yourselves.”

Gu Jinsheng nodded quickly, patting Xiao Guai on the shoulder. “No problem.”

Xie Shiyao then continued walking toward Xiao Guai.

Stopping in front of Xiao Guai, Xie Shiyao lowered his head and whispered softly, “In the future, if you ever run into any difficult situations, feel free to contact me at any time. I will do everything within my power to help.”

“I am sorry.”

Xie Shiyao looked straight at Xiao Guai, the apology hidden within his gaze feeling far heavier than the words he spoke.

Across the crowd, Xie Shiyao looked at Bai Ye again, giving a slight nod.

Bai Ye did not say much, only waving his hand understandingly to signal that they should leave quickly.

“Then I wish everyone a Happy New Year.”

Leaving those words behind, Xie Shiyao grabbed Lin Zhuyi’s wrist and departed under the gaze of everyone present.

Their tall figures disappeared into the crowd just like that.

But he is your younger brother.

He is your younger brother.

The words that Xiao Guai had not managed to finish saying echoed in Xie Shiyao’s mind over and over again.

Once he was sure they had walked far enough, Xie Shiyao’s footsteps became unsteady. Lin Zhuyi looked at his older brother with worry, supporting him by the arm.

The moment that hand touched his arm, Xie Shiyao’s long-repressed emotions exploded instantly.

With a sharp slap, he smacked Lin Zhuyi’s hand away. He stared at Lin Zhuyi with a complicated gaze in his light-colored eyes, which were growing increasingly red.

“Brother is angry,” Lin Zhuyi said nonchalantly. “Then hit me. Do whatever makes you feel better.”

After speaking, Lin Zhuyi even spread his hands and deliberately turned his face to the side, presenting himself to be struck.

The surrounding area was filled with the laughter and joyful voices of passersby.

Xie Shiyao did not hold back either, raising his hand and delivering a heavy slap.

Half of Lin Zhuyi’s cheek turned red instantly. Feeling the burning sensation on his face, he used his tongue to touch his struck cheek. “This is more like it, brother. If you are not satisfied, keep going. Do whatever you want.”

Hearing this, Xie Shiyao raised his hand high once again.

But the moment his hand was about to fall, Xie Shiyao clenched his fist tightly.

Ultimately, he tightened his jaw, endured the anger, and lowered his hand.

Lin Zhuyi placed both hands in his pockets, tilting his head. “Let me guess why you are angry. Are you afraid of being seen by your friends and casual partners while kissing your younger brother on the street?”

“Then again, it truly is something worth being angry about. I understand. After all, brother has always lived a respectable life, and what you care about most is how others view you.”

Is that so?

So that is what you think.

“Very well.”

Xie Shiyao lowered his head, glancing at the tips of his polished leather shoes. In the next second, regardless of how many people were around them, he raised his hand, took off his hat, and threw it directly onto the ground.

Following that, Xie Shiyao ripped off both his own mask and Lin Zhuyi’s, pulled Lin Zhuyi toward him, and tilted his head.

Their lips crashed together, their noses almost flattening against each other. Their breath exhaled against their tightly pressed skin, feeling as hot as steam. All the anger, the confrontations, and the overwhelming thoughts that should not exist in his heart were completely sealed within this kiss that felt almost like a vicious bite.

Neither of them closed their eyes. Their gazes competed at an extremely close distance, yet they could only see each other’s enlarged, bloodshot eyes, which reflected their own twisted expressions.

This was more like it. Hatred was real, far more real and far safer than love.

The face masks of both men fluttered to the ground in the cold wind.

Xie Shiyao pulled back sharply, and the silver thread stretching between their lips snapped instantly. “What about now? What does it matter if we are seen? I do not care at all.”

Lin Zhuyi’s breathing quickened significantly. “Then what do you care about?”

“By what right do you get to know? What qualifications do you have to know?”

“Based on the fact that I am your younger brother.”

“Which of the things you have done looks like something a younger brother should do? Have you ever viewed yourself as a younger brother?”

“Then have you ever viewed yourself as an older brother!”

Lin Zhuyi’s question sliced deeply into Xie Shiyao’s heart.

Xie Shiyao lost his temper instantly. “You want to know what I care about, right? Fine. I care about the fact that when you kissed me on the street just now, even though I knew full well people were watching, and even though I knew full well you had malicious intentions, I not only failed to push you away, but I also allowed myself to act recklessly with my so-called younger brother in front of everyone.”

Lin Zhuyi could not conceal his shock.

Xie Shiyao tapped Lin Zhuyi’s chest, continuing, “I also care about the fact that when I realized you were not trying to ruin me but were merely asserting your dominance, I did not truly get angry. Instead, I even let out a sigh of relief. I was relieved that you did not betray me. At least, this time, you have not started to betray me yet.”

“You want to know what I actually care about? Lin Zhuyi, what I care about is that I will instinctively protect you in front of others. I care even more about the fact that, lately, I am actually growing increasingly terrified, terrified that even though I hate you, I cannot bring myself to hate you completely!”

Lin Zhuyi’s gaze darted between Xie Shiyao’s eyes, as if searching intensely for evidence that Xie Shiyao was lying.

His breath caught, and a wave of panic washed over him.

Lin Zhuyi picked up the hat and face masks from the ground, quickly putting them back on Xie Shiyao, speaking almost incoherently, “You have had too much to drink. You cannot drink this much alcohol anymore.”

Xie Shiyao stood completely still, his eyes filled with regret and sadness.

As if terrified that Xie Shiyao would continue speaking, Lin Zhuyi reached out and covered Xie Shiyao’s mouth.

“You cannot stop hating me. You must hate me. I will act as though I did not hear anything just now. Okay, brother? Please?”

Perhaps the one who was terrified was not you alone.

But my seemingly fearless younger brother, what exactly are you terrified of?

Separated by the face mask and the warmth of his palm, Xie Shiyao finally asked the question he had wanted to ask for a very long time, yet had never dared to ask.

“Lin Zhuyi, you have actually liked me for a long time, have you not?”

Lin Zhuyi looked up in the cold wind, his messy strands of hair unable to hide his blank eyes.

Xie Shiyao pushed Lin Zhuyi’s hand away. “You are afraid that my hatred for you is growing weaker, because that forces you to face your feelings of affection. You coward, you are terrified, are you not?”

The blankness faded from Lin Zhuyi’s eyes, and all the vulnerability from a moment ago vanished instantly.

Lin Zhuyi suddenly revealed a deeply meaningful gaze. “Xie Shiyao, do not be too arrogant.”

“I have never liked you.”

“I simply wanted an older brother who would play with me every single day.”

“That is all.”