GBT Chapter 64

He pulled the blanket tighter, squinting slightly. Shen Er’an possessed a certain possessiveness towards him.

It wasn’t mixed with romantic or sexual desire, just the kind a child might have.

–My friend can only be good to me.

There were signs and reasons for this. Early on, whenever he interacted with Shen Ji, and Shen Ji subtly and deliberately asserted what he thought was his ownership, Cheng Mountain would be covered in heavy snow.

And that time at Lanmo Mansion, when Shen Er’an came to pick him up, hearing him mention Zhang Zhen, Cheng Mountain snowed again.

This wouldn’t do.

He couldn’t just have one friend.

He had to find a way to change Shen Er’an. But he couldn’t use too heavy a hand, after all, he was the most perverted slag gong in this comic. One slip and he’d be right back on the original storyline.

“Zhang Zhen is someone I met at the orphanage,” Jiao Bai simply said, referring to that old story.

Shen Er’an stared at Jiao Bai without blinking, as if he hadn’t heard a single word.

A paper dragonfly, three ribs, less than two months as roommates…it wasn’t as deep a bond as that orphanage connection.

Was he about to be pushed aside, making room for Zhang Zhen?

“Zhang Zhen is my brother, you’re my good friend, let’s all sit down and have a meal together sometime.” Jiao Bai only had one close friend in his past life and no complex social circle. This feeling was very unfamiliar to him. He winked at Zhang Zhen, who was standing to the side with his arms crossed.

Zhang Zhen grunted, “Sure, why not.”

The light in Shen Er’an’s eyes returned a little: “Then… let’s, sometime, eat together.”

Jiao Bai shook his head inwardly.

Shen Er’an suddenly said, “That person took the Old Lady abroad for treatment.”

Jiao Bai raised his eyebrows. That plot point was also in the original story.

Except, the one who’d pushed the Old Lady halfway into her coffin was Qi Shuang. And Jiang Yan had accompanied her abroad.

“He won’t… bother you for the time being,” Shen Er’an said.

Jiao Bai grabbed a handful of pumpkin seeds for Zhang Zhen, who was about to roll up his sleeves and tear into a chicken wing. Go away, don’t cause trouble.

Zhang Zhen pursed his lips and went to the side to peel pumpkin seeds.

Shen Er’an asked, “What time does the ship arrive at South City Wharf? I’ll pick you up.”

Jiao Bai said, “No. I’m going to West City.”

There was no sound from the other end.

A full two or three minutes passed before Shen Er’an moved: “Where are you staying?”

Jiao Bai muttered, “I’ll rent a place near the school once Zhang Zhen finds me one.”

Shen Er’an’s scattered gaze on the paper dragonflies instantly focused: “You’re not living at Lanmo Mansion?”

“That place is in the remote mountains, it’s a pain to travel back and forth,” Jiao Bai clicked his tongue.

Shen Er’an chuckled softly.

Jiao Bai noticed that Shen Er’an’s activity level was approaching 40. He wondered when it would break 50, and what that would bring.

“Don’t come looking for me,” Jiao Bai said as Zhang Zhen stuffed a handful of pumpkin seeds into his hand, which he ate.

Shen Er’an’s breathing paused.

“There’s only half a year left of high school, I want to focus on studying, and so should you.” Jiao Bai smiled. “Let’s meet up again in college, Shen classmate.”

Listening to his laughter, Shen Er’an lowered his eyes and curved his lips: “Okay.”

We’ll meet in college.

Jiao Bai spent his time on the ship watching movies, sleeping, and recovering from his injuries, with no one bothering him. Aside from seasickness and reading two pages of a book to Qi Yi Liao at night, everything was very relaxed.

On the seventh day of the new year, at nine in the morning, the ship was about to dock. Jiao Bai looked at the distant land with tears in his eyes.

“Is this your first time on a ship?” Zhang Zhen handed him a bag.

“Duh,” Jiao Bai took the bag, turned around, and “waaa” heaved into it. After throwing up, he rinsed his mouth, resolving never to ride a ship again in his life.

Jiao Bai paused: “Right, that Uncle Zhao who helped me…”

“His cousin,” Zhang Zhen pointed to one of his brothers, “I’ve already told him to have his cousin come over to Lanmo Mansion when we get back.”

Jiao Bai signaled Zhang Zhen to look at Qi Yi Liao, who was on the phone, speaking fluent foreign languages: “He agreed to take a picture with them?”

Zhang Zhen said heavily, “That’s your problem.”

Jiao Bai: “…”

“Bro, this big brother has really tried his best, I couldn’t convince him,” Zhang Zhen patted his head. “See if you can find a chance to mention it while reading to Third Brother.”

Jiao Bai thought, you think too highly of me. When I’m holding the book, my heart, my mouth, my brain, my lungs, my liver are all serving the words, how could I have the mind to think about anything else.

When Jiao Bai turned his gaze away from Qi Yi Liao’s back, he caught sight of the dark seawater, feeling dizzy and nauseous, he found a corner and continued to vomit.

He shouldn’t have eaten so much fried noodles under Zhang Zhen’s fatherly gaze.

Zhang Zhen only makes noodle-based foods, Jiao Bai was suffering terribly.

“Berth 05 approaching–”

“Get in position!”

Before ten o’clock, Jiao Bai got off the ship wearing a mask and hat, his hands shrunk into his sleeves as he pulled down his mask to sneeze.

If he didn’t pull it down in time, he’d get it all over his mask.

His shoulder felt heavy as a leather jacket was draped over him.

Zhang Zhen wrapped his arm around him along with the leather jacket: “Your constitution is too weak, once you’re healed, run with me in the mornings and evenings, exercise, box.”

Jiao Bai chuckled dryly, then I’d rather read books.

Qi Yi Liao, walking ahead, lit a cigarette and took a slow drag. He raised his hand, the knuckles of the finger holding the cigarette twitching slightly as he beckoned: “Let’s go.”

Jiao Bai nudged Zhang Zhen: “He’s calling you.”

Zhang Zhen, taking him along, had the surging feeling of brothers working side by side: “He’s calling both of us.”

Jiao Bai bickered with Zhang Zhen.

“What are you still talking about, stand-up comedy?” Qi Yi Liao tilted his head, a faint wisp of bluish-white smoke twining around his smiling, handsome eyebrows.

“…” Jiao Bai and Zhang Zhen quickly quickened their pace, following him, while still not forgetting to continue bickering.

The sun slowly rose behind the three of them.

It was a good day, with a warm ray of sunshine in the winter.