Jian Suiying slowly sat up, staring at him in astonishment.
The Bai Xinyu before his eyes was truly a new man.
His entire frame had filled out noticeably, his back straight as an arrow, all traces of his former slouching demeanor gone.
His features now radiated a natural, innate spirit.
If the old Bai Xinyu had been a crooked tree just scraping by, the new one was a straight, spirited young poplar. Jian Suiying couldn't have imagined his cousin evolving like this.
, are you still mad at me? Then hit me. Hit me until you're satisfied. This time, you can really lay into me—no holding back. I can take it now..."
Jian Suiying held back for a long moment before finally managing, " "
Bai Xinyu's sudden appearance and his complete transformation left Jian Suiying so stunned she didn't know how to react for a long while, forcing her to lie back down on the bed.
Bai Xinyu touched Jian Suiying's forehead. "Whoa, you're really hot. I bought some medicine—take this first." He
out some fever-reducing medicine and poured him a glass of water. "Here, bro, take your medicine."
Jian Suiying opened his mouth and swallowed the pill. Bai Xinyu helped him drink a few sips of water to wash it down. Jian Suiying caught his breath and asked hoarsely, "When did you get back?"
Actually, I came back a couple days ago. I don't know how much effort it took to get this time off... I, um, I
I actually wanted to find you as soon as I got back, but my mom said you've been... not doing well lately. I was afraid seeing me would just upset you more...
...I'm not afraid you'll hit me, really. I just didn't want to upset you."
Jian Suiying pursed her lips. "I can't be bothered to beat you."
He glared at Bai Xinyu. "No matter how much you apologize, I won't let you leave the army."
Jian Suiying gave him a skeptical look. "Go get me a cigarette."
"No, give me a cigarette."
Bai Xinyu helplessly rummaged through the bedside table for a pack and lit one for him.
Jian Suiying took a drag, feeling much calmer. During the New Year, having someone to catch his breath with wasn't so bad.
"Go get some liquor. Let's have a drink. Tell me what you've been up to these past six months."
Bai Xinyu hesitated. "Brother, I know you're upset, but you're sick. Let's skip the drinking. I'll
I'll just warm up your meal."
"You think I'm some delicate flower? Go on, search the fridge and cupboards. Little Zhu must've stashed the liquor somewhere." "Who's Little Zhu?"
"My current lover... Go find it."
Bai Xinyu stroked his chin. "Bro, you're not as strong as you used to be. How long has it been since you worked out?"
Jian Suiying plopped down at the table, took a sip of wine, and murmured: "No time."
Bai Xinyu grinned foolishly, lifting his sweater to reveal his abs. "Bro, look at me now. I'm in great shape."
Jian Suiying was thoroughly annoyed and finally spoke up. "Tell me about it. How was it when you first got there? What happened later?"
."
"Oh, it was hell at first. Sixteen recruits crammed into one barracks room. Fuck, the stench of sweaty feet kept me awake nights. Then the whole bunch looked down on me,
and bullied me constantly... Bro, I'd never been treated so badly in my whole life. If my mom knew, she'd be heartbroken.
"
Jian Suiying snorted. "You deserved to be punished for holding everyone back. Sending you to the army was meant to toughen you up."
."
Bai Xinyu pursed his lips. "That's just cruel. They even picked spots on me where they could hit without showing through my clothes. How low can they go?"
..."
Jian Suiying frowned and looked up. "They hit you too?"
"Yeah, they made me do all the dirty, grueling work. Damn it, they really bullied me. When I first got there, I cried every single day. No one
one cared."
Bai Xinyu said plaintively, "Easy for you to say. The whole place is against me. How am I supposed to fight back?"
Jian Suiying seethed. "Damn it! Isn't Old Yu's grandson in your class? I asked his uncle to tell him
to look out for you. Why didn't you go to him when you were being bullied?"
Bai Xinyu's expression turned strangely twisted as he muttered: "Don't even mention him. He's the one who picks on me the worst."
Jian Suiying let out a sharp "tsk." "You useless piece of junk, where's my phone? I need to call his uncle."
Jian Suiying glanced at him. "Really? You handled it yourself?"
"Yeah, for real. If I was still stuck in that miserable situation, I wouldn't have come back even if you whipped me with a whip. I've got nothing
anything to do here. After the New Year, I'm heading back to the army."
Jian Suiying looked at Bai Xinyu with renewed respect.
How useless this younger brother used to be—everyone in the family knew it. But now he was holding his own, and Jian Suiying couldn't help but feel a sense of relief.
Jian Suiying thought of Jian Suilin, then of Li Yu. The former was already bedridden for a month or so, while the latter... he felt Bai Xinyu going after him would be pure suicide.
He shook his head. "Cut the swagger. You're heading back to the army in a few days. Don't stir up trouble. I've got ways to deal with them. You don't need to worry."
"I'll be here for a few more days. Trust me, I'll ambush them in an alley and beat them up. Who'd know it was me..."
Jian Suiying tapped his bowl with his chopsticks. "Just eat your meal."
Bai Xinyu pouted in protest, shoveling down a few mouthfuls before perking up again. "Bro, let's go out tonight
tonight."
"It's New Year's. Where are we supposed to go?"
"A friend told me there's a gay bar open tonight. It's full of folks from out of town who aren't going home. Let's all hang out together."
Jian Suiying couldn't care less, replying flatly, "Since when did you start caring about this stuff? Aren't you just into big
big breasts?"
"I'm just keeping an eye out for you. Come on, I'll tag along and see what all the fuss is about."
Jian Suiying hadn't realized Bai Xinyu could be so chatty before. He'd been nagging in his ear for ages, insisting he go out to "clear his head."
In the end, Jian Suiying refused to go to any noisy places. He said, "If you're so eager to go out, just walk with me around the neighborhood
. I'm heading downstairs to buy some cigarettes anyway."
Bai Xinyu was genuinely worried he'd get sick from bottling things up. Hearing he was willing to walk, he immediately beamed and started bundling him up.
Both feeling warm from the drinks, they slipped on their coats and headed downstairs. They strolled and chatted casually.
Li Yu's car was parked outside the complex.
So Li Yu waited outside the residential compound all day.
He knew the chances of seeing her this way were slim, but only by staying here did he feel a little closer to Jian Suiying, keeping his heart from racing with anxiety.
How he longed to see Jian Suiying, to spend a warm New Year with him. Yet the thought of that person's resistance and disgust made even his fingertips tremble.
Li Yu had prepared himself to wait at the entrance of this residential complex for days, never expecting to see Jian Suiying so soon.
Yet the next moment, his eyes nearly popped out of his head—Jian Suiying was accompanied by another young man.