GBT Chapter 143

Chapter 129 Extra 4

On the day of the court hearing, Jiao Bai was watching a movie in the cinema, while Qi Yi Liao next to him was engrossed in his phone.

Jiao Bai shot him a glance, and Qi Yi Liao leaned in to his ear, “Uncle is just dealing with some emails from abroad.”

“No problem, you go ahead with your work.” Jiao Bai said with a smile.

Qi Yi Liao looked at him and stopped working.

The light from the large movie screen shone on Jiao Bai’s face and into his eyes. He grabbed a handful of popcorn, crunching loudly as he ate, not giving Qi Yi Liao another glance.

“Are you angry?” Qi Yi Liao took hold of the hand Jiao Bai had resting on his leg, pulled it over, and lowered his head to sniff it, detecting only the sweet aroma of cream.

Jiao Bai pulled his hand back, his eyes fixed on the screen.

Qi Yi Liao was taken aback. He frowned, then got up and left his seat.

Jiao Bai: “…”

Did that old pervert just dump him and leave?

Dump him,

And leave???

Jiao Bai’s anger flared. It shouldn’t be, it definitely shouldn’t be.

Most likely, he just went to pee.

But even if he was just peeing, shouldn’t he have said something, asked if he wanted to go together? And maybe even share a kiss?

The bathroom stalls were a classic spot, but they hadn’t tried it yet.

Heh, try my ass, they wouldn’t even be able to clean up afterward, the stickiness was making him uncomfortable just thinking about it.

Jiao Bai sat in his seat, sulking. He only had the first two classes in the afternoon, and he had planned to spend the rest of his time studying at the library, but the old pervert had suddenly asked him to watch a movie.

Ever since he drunkenly mentioned wanting to watch TV together last time, the old pervert had developed this habit.

Even though they had a cinema at home, he insisted on coming out.

The popcorn burst between Jiao Bai’s teeth, and he chewed on it as if he were biting Qi Yi Liao, grinding and crushing the popcorn.

A tall figure came up from the entrance, and Jiao Bai’s eyes narrowed.

Qi Yi Liao had returned, bringing him a milk tea.

Jiao Bai smelled the scent of tobacco on Qi Yi Liao, not strong, probably just a few puffs. He took the milk tea and slurped down a couple of mouthfuls.

“This movie has many screenings throughout the day, we could totally watch it at night. By then, you’ll have finished your work, and I’ll have finished my studying,” Jiao Bai said.

Qi Yi Liao reached out, looped his arm around his waist, and slowly caressed him, saying helplessly, “I wanted to see you after the meeting.”

The next moment, Qi Yi Liao added, “Uncle’s work is never finished, and you’ll never finish studying.”

The second half of that sentence was like a fatal blow to Jiao Bai. The milk tea didn’t taste good anymore, and he glared at Qi Yi Liao. “Don’t you think I know I’ll never finish studying? Did you have to say it?”

Qi Yi Liao leaned down and used his mouth to take the straw that Jiao Bai was holding, his slightly cool lips brushing away the water stains he had left behind. He took a shallow sip of the milk tea, his prominent Adam’s apple bobbing, his dark gray eyes looking at him, filled with teasing and enchanting amusement.

Jiao Bai’s waist went numb. God damn it, even drinking milk tea was so sexy!

Bathroom stalls, huh? Try it, they had to try it!

.

They didn’t get to try it.

Because Qi Yi Liao wouldn’t allow it.

“The stalls outside are unhygienic,” Qi Yi Liao said, standing by the sink, watching the younger man wash his hands. “If you want to play in the stalls, I’ll have a public toilet built on the second floor of our house.”

“…” Jiao Bai rolled his eyes. “I don’t want to.”

Qi Yi Liao mused, “On the fourth floor, then.”

Jiao Bai’s mouth twitched. Damn it, there was going to be another public toilet on the fourth floor of the Lan Mo Mansion, all because of his own big mouth!

“What are you still washing for? Let’s go,” Qi Yi Liao tweaked Jiao Bai’s earlobe. “I’ll keep you company while you study tonight.”

Jiao Bai glanced at him through the mirror. “Isn’t it me keeping you company while you work?”

Qi Yi Liao said indulgently, “Yes.” He rested his chin on the top of Jiao Bai’s head and chuckled softly. “My Xiao Bai is so well-behaved.”

Jiao Bai’s old face flushed.

Someone came in, accompanied by the sound of talking. Jiao Bai pulled Qi Yi Liao out of the bathroom.

.

Tiny snowflakes were floating in the sky, making the inside and outside of the mall feel like two different seasons. White vapor puffed out of Jiao Bai’s mouth, and the wind and snow blew down from under the eaves, drifting into his sleeves. He shivered. “Third Brother, why don’t we just eat something inside? Let’s not look for another place.”

Qi Yi Liao brushed the snowflakes off his coat. “What kind of food could there be in a mall?”

A couple came running from the electric bicycle parking area, hand in hand and shoulder to shoulder, nudging each other as they chattered and ran under the eaves.

“I don’t want to eat beef fried rice anymore,” the girl said.

“Fried rice is a bit greasy, I don’t really want to eat it either.” The boy prioritized style over warmth, wearing little clothing and shivering as he held her close. “Why don’t we…”

“Eat hot pot!” the two of them said in unison, happily entering the mall.

Qi Yi Liao noticed his little lover staring at him, his eyes particularly bright and eager. He pressed his forehead. “Alright, hot pot.”

Jiao Bai showed his glutinous rice-like little tiger teeth and raised his smiling face.

Qi Yi Liao kissed the tip of the younger man’s icy nose, indulging his whim.

Even though Qi Yi Liao was skeptical of the hygiene levels of hot pot restaurants outside.

.

This was the first time Jiao Bai had eaten hot pot outside with Qi Yi Liao. They chose a mushroom soup base. The two of them came out after eating until past eight o’clock. Qi Yi Liao went to get the car, and Jiao Bai waited for him by the side of the road.

The snow had already stopped.

This year’s first snow in West City was just so perfunctory.

Jiao Bai stood in a slightly brighter area, reading the news. The results of the case involving the Liang and Qi families, as well as the Shen Corporation’s finance manager, had been released, with at least two-thirds of the truth revealed to the outside world.

Tan Jun recounted his motives and process in court. He cleared Shen’s Corporation, the Shen family, and Shen Er An and his mother, and calmly pleaded guilty, saying that he would not appeal.

After the judge announced the verdict, Tan Jun was escorted away. He looked back, his eyes facing the direction of the audience.

Shen Er An had come, and the members of that black technology team from Ke had also come. Who else was Tan Jun looking for?

As he was about to be escorted away, Tan Jun’s gaze shifted towards the courtroom doorway. He repeatedly turned his head, twisting his neck back with difficulty, as if waiting for something.

A pair of leather boots appeared in Jiao Bai’s field of vision. He raised his eyelids, unsurprised to see the person in front of him.

Qi Lin.

He had attended the court hearing today.

Shen Ji wanted to eradicate the Qi family, not Shen Er An. He did not intend to pursue the matter of Qi Lin taking him away and locking him in a small clinic after the car accident.

Therefore, with Shen Ji’s downfall, the battered Qi family was safe and could return to the country at will.

Qi Lin was still the same as before, with semi-long hair, excellent taste in clothing, and exceptionally handsome features that carried a natural melancholy. However, all of the earrings on his ears had been removed, leaving none behind. He wore a ring on his hand, indicating he was married.

“Long time no see,” Qi Lin said, his eyes filled with warmth.

Jiao Bai didn’t react.

“My mother passed away in the nursing home at the beginning of this year,” Qi Lin said mournfully. “There are only three of us left in the family.”

Jiao Bai turned off his phone, looking at him expressionlessly. So what? What did that have to do with him?

The melancholy in Qi Lin’s eyes deepened. “Cen Yu said she gave you my contact information. I’ve been waiting for you to call me.”

“I thought you understood that the best relationship for us is to go our separate ways,” Jiao Bai pulled down his mask, leaned forward slightly, and smiled at him.

Qi Lin’s heart tightened. “So much time has passed, and you still hate Big Brother.”

Jiao Bai said, “It’s not about hate.”

Before Qi Lin could respond, he heard him say, “Just irrelevant strangers.”

The two brothers stood, one below the steps and the other above, seemingly the most familiar of strangers.

Familiar because of blood ties.

Strange because they had no emotional connection.

Qi Lin saw Jiao Bai get into Qi Yi Liao’s car at the entrance of the Medical University and followed them all the way to the mall, waiting for a long time. He didn’t expect time to heal Jiao Bai’s pain, he just wanted to have a beginning.

Jiao Bai could give them a chance, for the brothers to start over, because the family was still there.

But clearly, he was thinking too much.

Jiao Bai didn’t even acknowledge the surname “Qi,” let alone his family.

Qi Yi Liao’s car drove over, and Qi Lin couldn’t stay any longer. He left behind a sentence, “I will settle down in the country,” and left.

Qi Lin got into the car, and the sound of coughing in the back seat was accompanied by heavy panting. “He’s doing very well.”

“Yeah.” Qi Lin ran his hands through his damp hair. “Qi Yi Liao has given him enough respect. There’s no issuing of orders or dictatorial control from a figure of authority. They’re an ordinary couple.”

Qi Zi Zhi closed his bloodshot eyes. Last year, when he learned of the death of that child, his condition deteriorated. He refused treatment, refused medication, letting the pain tear his heart and soul apart. The second personality never appeared again.

Until Cen Yu told him that the child wasn’t dead, that he was still alive. Then he wanted to return to the country, but he was delayed because of his health. Only today did his wish come true.

The Cadillac headed this way.

Qi Zi Zhi’s morbidly pale face pressed close to the car window, his features distorted, his dry, muddy eyes glued to that car.

He faintly felt a gaze from the passenger seat of that car, and Qi Zi Zhi shrank back into the car in embarrassment.

He would never dare to appear in front of him.