Red Line Resurrection Chapter 6

Chapter 6

◎Brother, can I play games?◎

Zhou Shunan was young, but he had plenty of romantic experience. After all, with his family background and looks, many young men who suited his taste would naturally approach him. However, he hadn’t figured out Shen Lingjun’s background yet, so he couldn’t rush things. If Shen Lingjun turned out to be someone he shouldn’t provoke, it was better to leave himself some leeway.

Since Shen Lingjun said his family was picking him up, Zhou Shunan didn’t need to be overly proactive in showing affection.

He Wen was waiting for Shen Lingjun at the school gate. Seeing the faint mark still on his face, he asked with concern, “Young Master, you must have had a tiring day at school.”

It would have been better if he hadn’t said anything, but his tone was so sincere that it made Shen Lingjun feel even more awkward. Sitting in the back seat, Shen Lingjun leaned forward slightly. “Uncle, is my brother off work yet?”

He Wen replied, “Sir has a social engagement tonight, so he’ll probably be back late. Is there something you need?”

“I was just asking,” Shen Lingjun said. “I feel like I haven’t seen him much these past few days.”

“Uncle, how old is my brother?”

He Wen glanced at the rearview mirror and saw the boy inquiring with wide-eyed curiosity. He felt that the child might genuinely want to get closer to Liang Ji’an, so he elaborated a little. “Sir is 26 this year. He took over the family business quite early.”

“Young Master, you just arrived and haven’t gotten familiar with Sir yet. Sir doesn’t have a terrible temper, and he cares about you very much.”

Only 26!

But his demeanor seemed incredibly mature.

It wasn’t that Liang Ji’an looked old—after all, he was in his twenties and very handsome; no one would ever think he was old. It was just that He Wen’s way of addressing him and Liang Ji’an made it sound like they belonged to different generations, and Liang Ji’an was always so stern. Although Shen Lingjun was his younger brother, he was managed like a son, which inevitably led Shen Lingjun to form a preconceived notion about him.

He thought for a while and decided to wait for Liang Ji’an to return and bring up the topic of pocket money. If he had money, he wouldn’t need to sell the Learning Device.

Shen Lingjun could understand why Liang Ji’an didn’t give him money. After all, he had a long history of skipping school to go to the Internet Cafe. Cutting off his financial resources directly stifled any thought of running away. Furthermore, his brother hadn’t skimped on his food, clothing, and housing. Logically, he had no need for extra spending money.

It was nearly ten o’clock when Liang Ji’an finished his dinner engagement. The light in the first-floor living room was still on. Shen Lingjun, wearing pajamas, was sitting on the sofa eating the egg tarts and double-skin milk the housekeeper had just made. When he saw Liang Ji’an return, he quickly brought him a serving as well. Then, he looked up, staring intently at Liang Ji’an, clearly having something to say.

He had thought it through: if the mountain won’t come to me, I must go to the mountain. Since Liang Ji’an was so busy, he should take the initiative to bridge the gap between them as brothers. Otherwise, over time, they would truly become strangers living under the same roof.

But thinking was one thing, and doing was another. After stammering for a long time in front of Liang Ji’an, Shen Lingjun finally whispered, “Brother…”

This was the first time he had called him ‘Brother.’ Liang Ji’an’s heart stirred slightly, and his tone softened. “What is it?”

Although he had just returned from a dinner party, he didn’t smell of smoke or alcohol. He unbuttoned his suit jacket and sat on the sofa. “Why are you standing?”

Shen Lingjun didn’t know why he was standing, but he felt like he would inexplicably shrink if he sat down. So he remained standing. After a few seconds of internal struggle, he blurted out, “Brother, can I play games?”

“The tablet is set to Child Mode, and I don’t have the password.”

Liang Ji’an didn’t eat dessert at night, but to not disappoint his brother’s good intentions, he picked up the bowl and took a bite. Hearing the request, he didn’t answer directly but asked, “How was school today?”

“It was okay,” Shen Lingjun said shamelessly. “Although I couldn’t understand much, I listened carefully.”

Having stated his case and told his lie, Shen Lingjun moved closer to him. “Brother, I’ve been playing that game for a long time. I have to do the daily tasks every day, or my sign-in streak will break.”

Liang Ji’an didn’t play games, but he could understand. Moreover, the child was clearly trying to coax the adult. Seeing that Liang Ji’an didn’t reply for a while, Shen Lingjun’s tone became almost pleading. “Brother, I promise to study hard, and I won’t play games for more than an hour a day. Just give me the password.”

He could ask for money next time, but if he missed the sign-in streak, he wouldn’t get the free skin offered during the anniversary event. Who knew when the next re-run would be!

The double-skin milk was slightly too sweet. Liang Ji’an took two bites and put it down. He looked at Shen Lingjun and said, “Come sit here.”

Shen Lingjun sat down, nervously picking at his fingers. He heard Liang Ji’an ask, “You lived with your grandparents when you were little?”

He had reviewed these files at least three times, and he didn’t know why he was asking about it again today.

Shen Lingjun nodded. “Grandpa and Grandma were very good to me.”

Old people spoil children. No wonder Shen Lingjun was so skilled at this coaxing tone and posture. He probably clung to his elders all day long when he was young.

Liang Ji’an wanted to ask more, but the information in those files contained almost no pleasant memories. Liang Jinwei had sent living expenses to his first love in the early years, and the amount was considerable, but the first love’s later husband was a gambler. The money wasn’t enough to fill the holes, forcing Shen Lingjun’s mother to run home with the child. Shen Lingjun’s childhood must not have been affluent.

He paused and then said, “I’ll send you the password.”

“You should have also seen the phone among the stationery I gave you this morning. My number is the emergency contact, and the second one is He Wen. You can contact him if anything happens.”

He added, “You can call me too.”

Shen Lingjun happily agreed, feeling warmth in his heart. Seeing that Liang Ji’an was much easier to talk to than he had imagined, he felt too embarrassed to bring up the pocket money. He quickly said, “Thank you, Brother,” and immediately ran upstairs to find the tablet and embrace his game.

Liang Ji’an still finished the remaining double-skin milk.

There was an extra person in the house, but it was noticeably livelier. After his workout, he passed Shen Lingjun’s room and noticed a sliver of light coming from under the door crack. He knocked and reminded him, “Go to bed early.”

No one answered. Liang Ji’an knocked twice more, but it remained quiet inside. He opened the door and found Shen Lingjun asleep, sprawled on the bed, hugging the tablet.

The game interface hadn’t been exited. The tablet was hot. Checking the usage time, he saw that Shen Lingjun had been playing for nearly three hours. The promise made not long ago was completely empty.

Liang Ji’an turned him over so he was lying on his back, cleared the tablet’s background, and plugged it in to charge. The rustling noise seemed to have slightly disturbed Shen Lingjun. He groggily opened his eyes and saw a person in a tracksuit without glasses standing in front of him. He felt strange but couldn’t fight off the drowsiness. He hugged the quilt, rolled over, and fell back into a deep, peaceful sleep.

Liang Ji’an pulled down the pajamas that had ridden up, preventing his lower back from getting cold.

On the bedside table was a small photo frame. A tiny Shen Lingjun was held in his grandparents’ arms, his chubby cheeks painted with two noticeable spots of blush. He looked very cute.

The light was extinguished. Liang Ji’an closed the door, and the room fell completely into the silence of the night.