GLIHBN Chapter 14
by VolareEvery summer vacation, Xu Chongming’s mother, Jiang Hui, would ask Chi Ye to come and stay at their home for a while.
Jiang Hui felt sorry for Chi Ye, who had lost his parents at a young age. She treated Chi Ye like her own nephew, showering him with love, while being very strict with her own son, Xu Chongming.
Chi Ye and Xu Chongming were seven years apart, so they couldn’t really play together. Plus, Jiang Hui’s differential treatment caused some resentment. Comparisons are odious, so at first, Xu Chongming didn’t like Chi Ye very much.
However, Chi Ye always behaved well, never competing or grabbing, quiet and not talkative, and kept his mouth shut. Slowly, Xu Chongming began to look at him favorably.
When Xu Chongming was a sophomore, he fell in love with someone. He was distressed that he had no one to confide in, so he tried talking to Chi Ye, since he didn’t worry about him blabbing.
Xu Chongming first asked Chi Ye, “Little Ye, are there many people at school who like you? Tell your brother secretly, are you having a puppy love?”
Chi Ye shook his head, “No.”
Xu Chongming obviously didn’t believe it, “That shouldn’t be. Isn’t your generation all about looks?”
Perhaps someone liked him, but Chi Ye never cared. He shook his head again, very sure, “No.”
Xu Chongming stared at Chi Ye, thought for a moment, and said, “Maybe you’re always cold and aloof, keeping people at a distance, so others find it hard to get close.”
That was the effect Chi Ye wanted. Chi Ye hoped that no one would bother him. Playing a well-behaved, sensible, and obedient grandson in front of his grandfather was tiring enough. He didn’t want to go to school and still have to pretend.
Although Chi Ye wasn’t interested in these kinds of topics, he still catered to Xu Chongming, following his words and asking, “Then how can one be liked?”
Xu Chongming raised his eyebrows, smugly, “Like me, with a sweet mouth.”
Chi Ye occasionally browsed his Moments and had seen some inexplicable and suggestive things posted by Xu Chongming. He subconsciously asked, “Chongming-ge, are you in love?”
That’s why Chi Ye was smart; young but clever. Xu Chongming was glad to finally hear someone ask, “Almost, I’m pursuing someone.”
Because his family was too strict, Xu Chongming couldn’t tell anyone about this.
Chi Ye was different. Chi Ye wasn’t in West Hangzhou and only came for a few days each year. Moreover, he wasn’t a nosy kid, and his mouth was tighter than anyone else’s.
Xu Chongming treated Chi Ye as his only outlet.
“What kind of person is she?”
“He ah,” Xu Chongming’s eyes sparkled, “Very good looking, like an angel, and also very kind.”
Chi Ye perfunctorily said, “Oh, then good luck with your pursuit.”
Chi Ye wasn’t really interested, but in order to quickly achieve his goals, he would cater to the other person.
Chi Ye wasn’t like this from the beginning. In fact, he was stubborn by nature and very disobedient, but under Chi Xiangqin’s thunderous methods, he was completely suppressed until he lost his temper and his pride.
Through countless lessons of blood and tears, Chi Ye finally learned to behave, learned to disguise himself, and to cater to others, so that life could be easier.
Xu Chongming wanted Chi Ye to be the best listener, and he was.
Occasionally, Chi Ye would receive calls from Xu Chongming.
Once, in the middle of the night, Xu Chongming couldn’t sleep and called Chi Ye.
“Little Ye, do you know the feeling of being moved? It’s when you see him, your heart beats fast. Sigh, why am I telling you this? You’re not allowed to have a puppy love, or my mom will think I’m leading you astray and beat me to death.”
Chi Ye just listened quietly, inwardly complaining that since you know your mom will beat you to death, why are you telling me?
“It’s okay, Chongming-ge, you just say it, and I’ll just listen.”
Another time.
“Little Ye, I’ve been pursuing him for a long time, why doesn’t he agree to be with me? Doesn’t he like me?”
Chi Ye ridiculed Xu Chongming in his heart; people in love are like fools.
“How could that be? Maybe he’s just more introverted and wants to test you further.”
After who knows how long, when Chi Ye was about to forget about this, Xu Chongming called him.
“Little Ye, I got him!”
Chi Ye: “Then congratulations.”
Xu Chongming sounded very happy, “You have a sister-in-law now! Oh right, he doesn’t like me smoking, I’m going to quit, but it’s so hard.”
Later, Xu Chongming still didn’t quit smoking.
Su Shi’s eyelids fluttered on the hospital bed, interrupting Chi Ye’s thoughts. He leaned forward and looked at him. “Su Shi-ge.”
As soon as Su Shi opened his eyes, he saw Chi Ye’s enlarged face, “You…”
“You’re awake! How do you feel?”
Su Shi moved his arms and legs. His stomach didn’t hurt anymore, but he was starving. He was about to start growling.
“I’m okay.”
The patient in the other bed had already returned, a boy who was sleeping.
Chi Ye said, “I ordered takeout. The doctor said you can only eat light things for now.”
Su Shi blinked, “Okay.”
*I’m sorry to bother you to come and take care of me*, this sentence was swallowed back by him. It’s always so distant to say that. It’s better to treat Chi Ye better in the future to make up for it.
Chi Ye helped raise the head of the bed a little, “Is this okay?”
Su Shi felt it, “A little higher.”
Chi Ye adjusted it again, finally reaching a suitable position. He took the thermos on the bedside table and poured out half a cup of hot water, then added half a cup of cold water, so the temperature would be just right.
“Drink some warm water, take small sips, and don’t drink too much.”
Chi Ye was really too meticulous, Su Shi thought. Whoever marries him in the future will definitely be spoiled rotten. So caring, so considerate, his wife would be happy to death.
“Okay.”
Su Shi sipped the water in small mouthfuls. Perhaps it was because he wasn’t concentrating, but he choked, and the water went into his throat, causing him to cough, “Cough, cough, cough.”
Chi Ye hurriedly patted him on the back, “Slow down, slow down.”
Su Shi had the illusion that he was a child again, losing face in front of Chi Ye again and again.
“It’s okay, I just choked a little.”
Soon, the takeout arrived.
Chi Ye went to the nurse’s station to get the takeout and came back. He opened the small table on the hospital bed, uncovered the takeout box, and placed it on top.
“Do you want me to feed you? Your right hand has an IV drip, which is inconvenient.”
That would be too outrageous. Su Shi couldn’t let his image plummet even further, “No need, I can use my left hand to hold the spoon.”
“Then be careful not to burn yourself.”
The gruel was very thin, steaming with heat. Su Shi blew on it several times before daring to put it in his mouth.
His phone lit up several times in a row. Su Shi was afraid it was something for work, so he quickly opened his phone.
It was Xu Chongming, who had sent several messages.
*Baby, is your cold better? Did you receive the flowers?*
*Why aren’t you replying to me?*
*Reply to me when you see the message.*
Two of the messages were from an hour ago. Su Shi put down the spoon and typed a reply with his left hand.
Xu Chongming replied quickly. Su Shi chatted with him and forgot to drink the gruel.
Seeing that the gruel had lost its heat and was about to get cold, Chi Ye picked up the spoon, scooped up the gruel, and brought it to Su Shi’s mouth.
Busy sending messages, Su Shi absentmindedly opened his mouth, eating spoonful after spoonful.
Two people stood at the door of the ward, looking at each other. One silently asked, “What’s going on?” The other shook his head, “I don’t know.”