Li Yu watched them walk past his car. His hand gripped the steering wheel tightly, his teeth grinding audibly.
Just as they were about to pass in front of his car, he suddenly switched on the high beams.
Both were startled by the intense glare at such close range, momentarily unable to open their eyes as they shielded them with their hands. Li Yu got out of the car and slammed the door shut.
The glare was so intense that they could barely make out a man getting out. Bai Xinyu cursed, "Dude, you didn't do that on purpose, did you?"
Only when Li Yu reached them did they recognize who it was. Jian Suiying's expression shifted slightly as she stared at him coldly.
Li Yu stared deeply at Jian Suiying, pain flickering in his eyes. His hands trembled as he rasped, "Jian Suiying, can't you go a single day without a man by your side?"
The words had barely left his mouth when a sharp slap landed on his cheek.
But this time, it wasn't Jian Suiying who struck him—it was Bai Xinyu.
Li Yu froze. He hadn't even made a move yet, and this idiot actually dared to hit him.
Li Yu slowly turned his head, about to retaliate, but as he looked at Bai Xinyu, a sudden sense of familiarity washed over him. He frowned, carefully
the man's features. Then it hit him—this was Jian Suiying's cousin.
His anger vanished instantly, replaced by relief that Jian Suiying hadn't brought some young toy to keep him company during the New Year. But as his thoughts turned
remembered Jian Suiying's other younger brother, his expression darkened again.
Bai Xinyu had already assumed a fighting stance, waiting for Li Yu to retaliate. Instead, he watched Li Yu's expression shift between relaxation and tension,
refraining from action. He could only watch him warily.
Jian Suiying patted Bai Xinyu's shoulder. "Let's go back." "Brother..." Bai Xinyu was reluctant to leave just like that. He hadn't even shown his skills yet.
Li Yu stepped forward, blocking Jian Suiying. "Brother Jian, I misunderstood. I'm sorry." Jian Suiying scoffed. "Like I care? Get lost. Don't ruin my New Year's mood."
Li Yu knew full well that meeting Jian Suiying would inevitably bring harsh words, yet his heart still ached.
"I, I came to wish you a Happy New Year. I've been waiting here all day, Brother Jian. Please let me celebrate the New Year with you."
Jian Suiying paid no heed and walked straight back.
Li Yu quickly turned off the engine and followed them step by step.
Bai Xinyu had no idea what was going on, but he couldn't shake the feeling that his brother and this pretty boy had some kind of strange connection.
Li Yu shot him a silent glare that sent a chill down Bai Xinyu's spine. His gaze was stubbornly fixed, as if refusing to let go would make him lunge and bite.
, as if he might lunge and bite if Bai Xinyu dared to follow.
Li Yu replied in a deep voice: "I just want to spend the New Year with Brother Jian."
Bai Xinyu frowned. "Are you out of your mind? My brother doesn't want to celebrate with you."
Li Yu tried to push past him and catch up with Jian Suiying.
Bai Xinyu grabbed the front of his shirt, executed a shoulder throw, and slammed Li Yu to the ground. After the takedown, he chuckled smugly
—this move was his specialty.
Li Yu grunted twice, slowly scrambling to his feet.
Bai Xinyu crouched where he fell, coughing violently. Though unable to speak, he mentally cursed Li Yu's ancestors eighteen generations back
.
The neighborhood's landscaping was meticulously designed, with trees layered like a miniature maze. Newcomers unfamiliar with the layout would surely get lost.
get lost. Li Yu caught up to Jian Suiying and blocked his path.
The look in Jian Suiying's eyes now held only coldness and impatience. Li Yu often wondered if the man who had once entered and exited his life with such tender, ardent eyes had ever truly existed.
Jian Suiying glanced back and noticed Bai Xinyu was gone. He asked coldly, "What did you do to him?" Li Yu pursed his lips. "Nothing much..."
Thinking of his unfortunate younger brother, Jian Suiying decided to go back and find him.
Li Yu clutched his arm tightly, his voice hoarse: "Brother Jian, I've done so many things wrong. You can take revenge however you want
, but please don't ignore me."
Jian Suiying looked at him and suddenly smiled. To Li Yu, that smile seemed especially cruel.
The irony was that now he could see the longing in Li Yu's eyes for him, yet he no longer wanted it.
"Since I don't owe you, can you just get as far away as possible and let me live in peace?"
"I can't, Brother Jian." Li Yu's eyes reddened. "You can't make me depend on you, only to abandon me later."
Jian Suiying gritted her teeth. "What do I, Jian Suiying, lack? What makes you, Li Yu, so special? I've had my fill of you. I'm bored and want someone new!"
Li Yu's trembling hand pulled a necklace from under her clothes. It held two men's wedding bands. The moment Jian Suiying saw the rings, her expression changed.
, his expression changed instantly.
Li Yu held the rings before his eyes and growled, "What about this? Jian Suiying, is there a single truth in your words?
A noticeable rustling came from the nearby grass. Both men turned their heads simultaneously to find Bai Xinyu staring at them with a look of shock and embarrassment.
In the dim light, Jian Suiying's face looked unusually haggard. He brushed away Li Yu's hand and whispered: "Don't get too full of yourself
I only bought her for fun."
Li Yu clenched the ring tightly, as if gripping his own heart to keep it from shattering. His eyes were bloodshot as he strained to find a crack of emotion on Jian Suiying's face.
But Jian Suiying turned his face away.
With Bai Xinyu present, neither could continue the conversation.
Bai Xinyu opened his mouth, glared at Li Yu, then walked over to his brother. "Brother, let's go upstairs."
Jian Suiying nodded and headed toward the elevator.
Li Yu watched his noticeably thinner silhouette retreat, a bitter ache welling up inside him too profound for words.
Bai Xinyu asked, "What's your relationship with my brother?"
Li Yu stuffed the ring into his clothes without responding.
Bai Xinyu pursed her lips. "You know, you really are my brother's type. But your character is too flawed. You're not worthy of him."
Li Yu lifted his pale face.
Bai Xinyu grew increasingly indignant as he spoke, while Li Yu felt his heart ache more with every word.
My love for Dajian flows like the mighty river, endless and unceasing... What man wouldn't want to dominate such a man? Right?
Right!