After Huo Junnian left, Jiang Ling sprawled out on the bed. He lay there with his hands spread wide, staring blankly at the ceiling.
His ankle was indeed sprained, but it had not reached the level of a fracture. He understood his own body well; he was quite durable. At the moment, his mind was entirely occupied by other matters. He had known since he was young that he was attractive, and he never lacked pursuers, both men and women. However, he was extremely picky and never found anyone he liked. Finally, he had set his sights on someone, but he never expected things to turn out like this.
“Do I really have zero charm?” he wondered.
“Ah Ling, the doctor is here.”
Hearing the voice, Jiang Ling’s eyes shifted toward the family doctor who was entering with a medical kit. After a brief examination, it was confirmed that Jiang Ling only had a minor sprain and no broken bones. The doctor prescribed some medicine and told him to rest for a few days.
“I told you, it is no big deal, just a little twist,” Jiang Ling said casually.
Huo Junnian countered, “Then who was the one crying so miserably in the bathroom earlier?”
Jiang Ling’s eyelids drooped, and he instantly fell silent. After a few seconds, he muttered, “Did it not hurt? When it hurts, is it not normal to let out a few yelps?”
“It is normal, but I was worried something serious had happened.” Huo Junnian stood to the side. Looking at Jiang Ling lying on the bed and suddenly becoming quiet, he asked, “Why are you in a bad mood?”
Jiang Ling was feeling depressed and did not want to talk to anyone. “My mood is great.”
Huo Junnian clearly did not believe him. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he looked down at the youth who was now facing away from him and said softly, “Is it a relationship matter? If you do not mind, you can talk to me. I will see if I can help you solve it.”
Hearing this, Jiang Ling suddenly felt like laughing. He lifted his eyes and gave the man a deep look.
I just want to have a sweet romance with you! Can you solve that?
In the end, Jiang Ling turned his head away with a light snort. “You cannot solve it.”
Huo Junnian was speechless. He suddenly remembered an old saying about a three-year age gap being a generation gap. He felt like the gap between him and Jiang Ling was more than just three years; there were several gaps between them. At Jiang Ling’s age, he was neither fully a child nor an adult, right at that stage where he was curious about the world and filled with wild ideas.
Jiang Ling turned over and buried his face in the quilt. “Uncle, if there is nothing else, you should go finish your work. I am a bit sleepy and want to rest.”
Seeing Jiang Ling looking so defeated, Huo Junnian did not say anything more. He looked at the youth occupying his bed like a squatter, opened his mouth to say something, but ultimately closed it. He stepped out of the bedroom and thoughtfully closed the door.
“Ah Ling, goodnight.”
Inside the room, Jiang Ling waited until he heard the door close before poking his head out of the quilt and whispering softly, “Goodnight, Huo Junnian.”
The week passed quickly. Perhaps because his previous attempt at seduction had failed, Jiang Ling’s confidence had taken a hit. He was much quieter during the week, either reading in the attic or playing games in his room. Huo Junnian was worried at first, but after seeing that Jiang Ling was fine, he did not pry further.
It was the final day before school started. In the morning, Huo Junnian made a point to ask, “Do you really not want to go out today? There will be fewer chances to have fun once school starts.”
Jiang Ling replied, “It is fine. Playing games at home is also good.” He waved his hand at Huo Junnian and added, “Go to work, do not worry about me. I will take care of myself.”
Huo Junnian did not push. Before leaving, he said one last thing. “I will pick you up after work. We will go out for dinner tonight.”
Jiang Ling nodded, indicating he heard him. “Drive safely.”
After Huo Junnian left, Jiang Ling went back to his room and started a game. Not long after he began, his phone rang. He operated the game with one hand while pinning the phone to his shoulder.
“Ling-ge, is it convenient for you to talk?” Chen Jin’s voice sounded anxious and frustrated.
Jiang Ling frowned slightly. He paused the game, took the phone, and walked out to the balcony. “What is it, Jin-zai? Speak.”
Chen Jin stammered, “It is that man is here looking for you again.”
Jiang Ling knew exactly what he was talking about. His brows furrowed tightly, and his voice turned cold. “And?”
Chen Jin was fuming. “I told him you already left, but he refuses to believe it. He has been loitering outside the shop for three days; we cannot chase him away. He keeps asking where you went, but of course we would not tell him. He looks decent enough, but he is a total pervert!” At this point, a trace of disgust appeared on Chen Jin’s face. “The beating we gave him before should have kept him in bed for at least half a month. He just recovered and ran back here eagerly. Is he not just asking for a beating? I suspect this guy has some kind of masochistic complex.”
Jiang Ling’s eyes darkened, and he felt a wave of nausea. He said with loathing, “Ignore him. If you hit him, I am afraid he might actually enjoy it. Since I am gone, he will leave eventually when he cannot find me.”
“Oh, right. Ling-ge, what a nightmare to be stuck with a freak like that.” Chen Jin sighed. “It is a good thing you do not like men. Study hard over there, get into a good university, find a nice girlfriend, and bring her over for a meal sometime.”
Jiang Ling suddenly went silent. He listened quietly to Chen Jin rambling about the shop’s recent business. After a long while, he spoke up. “You guys are doing well. Keep it up. Maybe by the time I graduate, you will be opening branch stores.”
Chen Jin let out a silly laugh. “Heh heh, it is all thanks to your help, Ling-ge. If you had not pulled us up back then, our little shop would have closed long ago.”
Jiang Ling felt a tickle on his finger. Looking down, he saw an ant had crawled onto his palm. He lowered his gaze and said, “It has little to do with me. You did the work yourselves.”
“Ling-ge, my mom sent a lot of local specialties recently. Let me send some to you; your favorite cured meat is in there.”
Jiang Ling moved the ant to a nearby flower branch. “You guys eat it. Do not send anything to me, it is a hassle.”
Chen Jin insisted, “It is no hassle at all! After she found out you liked it last year, she was so happy. She specifically made extra today. Our freezer at the shop is full; we cannot finish it all.”
Ultimately, Jiang Ling could not win the argument and gave him an address to send the package to. After talking for a bit longer, they hung up. Jiang Ling set the phone aside and restarted his game, but he quickly put the controller down, finding it boring.
The next day, Huo Junnian drove Jiang Ling directly to the school gate. As soon as Jiang Ling got out of the car, he saw Bai Zhao on his bicycle. He said goodbye to Huo Junnian. “I am going now.”
Huo Junnian nodded. “Alright, bye. I will pick you up this afternoon.”
Jiang Ling hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “Okay.”
As Jiang Ling walked toward the school, he was intercepted by Bai Zhao, who had been waiting. Bai Zhao glanced at Huo Junnian’s car, stroked his chin, and said, “Yo, not bad! You even have a private chauffeur. It seems the new car Grandpa prepared for you is not needed. It just so happens my bike is old.”
Jiang Ling shot him a sidelong glance and sneered, “What kind of daydreaming are you doing? Who said I do not want it?”
Bai Zhao teased, “So stingy. Do you not already have someone driving you? How was your week at that uncle’s house? It was so comfortable at home while you were away.”
“Can you stop talking so much?” Jiang Ling was annoyed by the chatter but responded patiently. “You asked so many questions, which one should I answer?”
Bai Zhao pushed his bike forward. “Answer whichever you want. I am not forcing you.”
“Then I will not answer any of them.”
Bai Zhao was speechless. “You, talking to you is so exhausting.”
Jiang Ling walked forward with his head high. “If it is exhausting, we do not have to talk.”
Bai Zhao could not help but swear under his breath. Jiang Ling stopped, turned his head, and looked at him expressionlessly. “Who do you want to swear at?”
Bai Zhao was stunned. He really could not hold a conversation with this guy! He remembered his grandfather’s instructions that morning. “It is Ah Ling’s first day at school; as the younger brother, you should look after him.”
He sneered in his heart. Who would want to look after a freak like this?
The two brothers reached a disagreement at the school gate and went their separate ways. However, by the time they reached the teaching building, they merged back onto the same main path. They exchanged a glance and simultaneously looked away. Like two parallel lines, they walked into the stairwell, down the corridor, and finally stopped at the same classroom door.
Jiang Ling had transferred to the city’s top high school. Old Man Bai, wanting the brothers to look after each other, had arranged for them to be in the same class: Class 12-3. The classroom door was not very wide. The two, who were still refusing to give way to each other, had to stop.
Who would go in first? Just as they were refusing to budge, a voice came from behind.
“Bai Zhao, why are you not going in? What are you doing standing here?”
The Class 3 homeroom teacher saw the two blocking the door. He did not recognize the other boy, but he was familiar with Bai Zhao. Hearing the voice, Bai Zhao raised his hand and pointed at Jiang Ling. “Teacher Jiang, he is blocking the door and will not let me in.”
Teacher Jiang looked over and guessed this youth was Old Man Bai’s grandson. He scanned the two brothers. Compared to Bai Zhao, the tall, silent youth in the clean white shirt looked much more well-behaved.
Teacher Jiang smiled kindly. “You are Jiang Ling, right?”
Jiang Ling nodded. Teacher Jiang assumed the boy had a quiet, introverted personality and became even friendlier. “Student Jiang, let us go into the classroom. I will introduce you to everyone.”
“Okay.”
Bai Zhao, who had been blocking the way, was suddenly pulled aside by the teacher. “Xiao Bai, you need to make way for the new student.”
Jiang Ling raised an eyebrow and looked at Bai Zhao. “Xiao Bai?”
Bai Zhao was mortified. Teacher! Why did you have to use my nickname now?! How embarrassing!
“Xiao Bai, I will head in first then,” Jiang Ling said with a light smile, walking past the petrified Bai Zhao.
As Jiang Ling entered the classroom, the noisy room went silent. Everyone’s eyes focused on him. A few seconds later, a buzz of whispering broke out. Teacher Jiang clapped his hands and announced, “Alright, class, quiet down. Let me introduce our new classmate, Jiang Ling. Let us give him a warm welcome.”
The classroom erupted in applause. Almost everyone was curious about the new transfer student, and since he was very handsome, the girls were particularly excited. There were not many empty seats, and because Jiang Ling was tall, he was placed in a window seat at the back, right next to Bai Zhao.
After class, a crowd quickly gathered around him. Jiang Ling maintained a cold demeanor, but it did not dampen his classmates’ enthusiasm.
“Student Jiang, where did you transfer from?” “What was your old school called?” “Do you play basketball?”
At first, Jiang Ling patiently answered a few questions, but he soon became impatient. He caught sight of Bai Zhao snickering nearby. He leaned in suddenly close to Bai Zhao’s face. “Is it funny?”
Startled, Bai Zhao tried to back away, but he was too slow. Jiang Ling hooked an arm around Bai Zhao’s shoulder like they were best friends and smiled at the surrounding students. “This Xiao Bai is my cousin. He knows everything about me. I have to step out for a bit, so if you want to know anything, just ask him.”
Jiang Ling pushed Bai Zhao toward the crowd and walked out of the classroom alone. Bai Zhao was horrified. He never expected Jiang Ling to pull such a move.
“Okay, Bai Zhao, you played me! I asked you in class and you said you did not know him!” “Wait, let me explain.” “Since when do you have such a handsome cousin?” “Does he have a girlfriend?” “How many ex-girlfriends does he have?” “What is his type?”
Bai Zhao looked miserable as he was instantly swamped by the students.
Having escaped the crowd, Jiang Ling did not stay near the classroom but went to a secluded corner. He took out his phone and tapped on a familiar avatar. A red notification dot appeared almost immediately.
Huo Junnian: [How is your first day at school?]
Jiang Ling’s mouth curled up instinctively. He did not text back; he called. Huo Junnian was slightly surprised by the sudden call but answered immediately. There was silence on the other end for a while.
He chuckled. “Why are you not speaking?”
Hearing the man’s light laugh, Jiang Ling’s heart skipped a beat. Although he had prepared himself, being back in a school environment after so long made him feel slightly out of place. At this moment, he really missed the man.
Jiang Ling leaned against the railing, his smile widening. “I just wanted to hear your voice.”
The youth’s voice was light and clean, like a cool breeze. The way his voice trailed up at the end sounded sweet and obedient. Huo Junnian felt his heart soften. Is he acting spoiled? He imagined a kitten wagging its tail at him. So clingy on the first day of school? That will not do.
Huo Junnian was about to speak when the youth continued, “I do not know anyone here. They are all so loud and annoying.”
Knowing who was on the line, Jiang Ling relaxed his guard and spoke with more intimacy.
“Hang in there. I will pick you up after school. Is there anything you want to eat tonight?”
Jiang Ling was happy, but he could not agree today. “Next time. I have to go back and stay with Grandpa today.”
Before he could finish, he was interrupted by Bai Zhao, who had come running. “Jiang Ling, you ruined me! Those girls are interested in you, not me! You left me there and ran off to make a call!”
“Are you calling your girlfriend?!”
Bai Zhao’s voice was loud and carried right into the phone. He was angry about being set up and did not care what he said. He had seen the way Jiang Ling was smiling at the phone; the cool, aloof look from earlier was replaced by a silly, love-struck grin. If he is not calling a girlfriend, I will eat dirt!
Jiang Ling froze, then panicked. He did not know whether to hang up or cover Bai Zhao’s mouth. “Hey, Bai Zhao, do not talk nonsense!”
But it was too late. The man’s surprised voice came through the phone. “Ah Ling, since when are you in a relationship? Why did you not tell your uncle?”
Jiang Ling was stunned. He quickly stammered, “He is lying, do not believe him. Class is about to start, I am hanging up.”
Bai Zhao was now convinced Jiang Ling was calling a girlfriend. Look at that panicked face; where did the arrogant guy from earlier go?
After putting the phone down, Jiang Ling’s expression turned cold. His dark eyes pierced through Bai Zhao like knives. Seeing the murderous look, Bai Zhao finally felt a bit scared. Oops, maybe I went too far.
Jiang Ling gritted his teeth. “You. Are. Dead.”
“Having such a murderous intent is not good. Relax, I did not mean it.”
Jiang Ling clenched his fist. “Do you think I will believe that?”
Bai Zhao backed away. “We are family! Cousin, let us talk this out. No need to get handsy.”
“Now you remember I am your cousin?” Jiang Ling sneered. “Too late.”
When the bell rang, Jiang Ling entered the classroom expressionlessly. A moment later, Bai Zhao followed, clutching his face. Once they were at their seats, Bai Zhao whispered through his fingers, “You are way too ruthless! We had a deal! No hitting the face! How am I supposed to see anyone now?”
Jiang Ling flipped open his book and stared at the podium, automatically blocking out all surrounding noise. His silence only drew the teacher’s attention to Bai Zhao’s complaining.
“Bai Zhao, your mouth has not stopped since you entered. It is the first day; I do not want to get angry. Look at your classmate; is he paying you any attention? Since you want to talk so much, why do not you share with the whole class?”
Instantly, everyone’s eyes were on Bai Zhao, and they noticed his swollen face. “What happened to your face?”
Bai Zhao’s hand froze. He felt like dying from embarrassment. “I, I was not looking where I was going and walked into a wall.”
Jiang Ling just gave a light snort.
Finally, school ended. Bai Zhao grabbed his bag and vanished instantly, having no intention of waiting for anyone. He had been embarrassed enough today. Though the punch was not heavy, his skin was thin, leaving a very noticeable bruise. He had been stared at all day and did not want to be seen near Jiang Ling.
Jiang Ling did not care. He put on his headphones and stood at the gate playing on his phone. Batches of students passed by, and a few tried to approach him, but his cold aura kept them at a distance.
About ten minutes later, a familiar car appeared. A faint smile finally touched his lips. He walked to the car, suppressed his smile, and leaned down to look at the man in the suit.
“Uncle, you are late.”