Chapter Fifty-Three

Zhang Yi stared at Xiao Jian in disbelief. "You did this to yourself? How could you possibly bring yourself to self-harm?"

"Don’t mock me. I’m starving—so hungry I had to step outside for some air and look for something to eat," Xiao Jian explained.

"Where are your parents?"

"They went to work and won't be back until tomorrow. With no one bringing me food, I simply can't continue my retreat."

"Let’s not dwell on this. Here, take five yuan and get yourself a bowl of noodles nearby." Zhang Yi pulled out five yuan and handed it to Xiao Jian, who grabbed it hurriedly.

"Thanks, brother, I’ll pay you back soon."

Zhang Yi laughed. "We’re part of the same team. Helping each other in tough times is the rule of our Tianyuan Squad."

After Xiao Jian left for the noodle shop across the street, Zhang Yi felt relieved. David, his pet, was still bathing and couldn't be left alone, or people might think he'd abandoned his own pet.

By the time Zhang Yi returned, David had finished his bath. The efficiency of this pet store was impressive—barely ten minutes had passed, and David was already dry.

After paying, Zhang Yi didn't head home immediately; instead, he went to the noodle shop across the street to check on Xiao Jian, and, as his own stomach began to rumble, ordered a bowl of noodles for himself.

He sat beside Xiao Jian and ordered beef noodles. Watching Xiao Jian eat with such gusto made Zhang Yi’s mouth water. Xiao Jian noticed Zhang Yi’s longing gaze.

Xiao Jian picked up a piece of beef and placed it in Zhang Yi’s mouth. "Open up."

Zhang Yi opened his mouth, letting the beef fall in and chewing it. Almost instantly, he felt reinvigorated. He then asked Xiao Jian, "Senior Xiao, tell me, how did you end up like this? I’m really curious."

Xiao Jian gave a bitter smile. "Some things are best left unspoken. After this incident, it became the darkest chapter of my life. If I’d known, I wouldn’t have listened to Little Raindrop’s advice."

"What happened with Little Raindrop?" Zhang Yi asked.

"It’s a complicated story. If you have the patience to listen, you’ll understand everything."

"Go on, I’ll analyze it for you."

Xiao Jian began recounting his tale. His habit of touching men was widely known, and aside from Zhang Yi, no one would approach him. Little Raindrop suggested a remedy: smear charcoal on his face and look in the mirror, so the urge would disappear. Xiao Jian realized that Little Raindrop was calling him ugly, but after smearing his face, he was so disgusted by his own reflection that the desire vanished. However, it left him with a lingering side effect—he became afraid to look in the mirror.

Zhang Yi couldn’t help but laugh at the story. As he chuckled, his beef noodles arrived, already cooling. Xiao Jian said, "I know it’s funny, but you don’t have to laugh so loudly."

"Sorry… But Little Raindrop, she…" Zhang Yi laughed even harder. Even David, curled up in the pet backpack, was startled by Zhang Yi’s laughter, his fur standing on end.

After his laughter subsided, Zhang Yi began eating his beef noodles, then said, "Hey, I have something to tell you. Want to hear it?"

"Are you going to mention Rain Brother’s mother possibly getting married?"

"How did you know?"

---

Xiao Jian replied, "Rain Brother kept it bottled up for so long, he finally told me. I assume he mentioned it to you as well?"

Zhang Yi nodded. "Now Xingyue is confused. We’ve been chatting about this for a long time. He’s probably at his future stepfather’s house now, taking care of his future sister."

"Do you think Rain Brother is truly happy about his mother joining this family?" Xiao Jian asked, worried.

"Xingyue is happy for now, but who knows how long that will last? We have no right to interfere with others’ lives," Zhang Yi said.

"At least Rain Brother won’t have to endure his father’s harassment anymore." Xiao Jian sighed. "Rain Brother said his father always disturbed their peaceful life, but there was nothing they could do."

"I have a good idea. Want to hear it?" Zhang Yi said.

"Tell me."

"Come closer." Xiao Jian leaned in, and Zhang Yi whispered something into his ear. Xiao Jian’s brows knitted as he listened, realizing it was no simple matter.

When Zhang Yi finished, Xiao Jian asked, worried, "Will this really work?"

"For Xingyue’s sake, a little lesson for his father isn’t wrong. Maybe Xingyue will be grateful we did it," Zhang Yi said.

"Though it’s rather underhanded, I like it," Xiao Jian laughed. Both of them chuckled, their secret plan known only to the two of them. They would have to wait for Rain Xingyue’s father, Rain Chun, to appear.

Just then, another person entered the noodle shop. Zhang Yi called out, "Brother Feifan, over here!"

It was Huang Feifan. After David’s bath, Zhang Yi had called Huang Feifan to meet him at the noodle shop. Upon arriving, Huang Feifan was delighted to see Zhang Yi, but his expression soured when he saw Xiao Jian.

Zhang Yi stood and patted Huang Feifan’s shoulder. "Brother Feifan, I’ve heard all about Senior Xiao Jian’s situation. Sorry if you got a bad impression," Zhang Yi apologized on Xiao Jian’s behalf.

Huang Feifan said, "It’s not about impressions. What he did left me with unforgettable memories."

Xiao Jian apologized, "Sorry, Feifan. My past actions left a bad impression. You don’t hold it against me for being gay, do you?"

Huang Feifan burst out laughing. "Oh, cut it out! Just hearing you say that gives me goosebumps all over."

Zhang Yi said, "Brother Feifan, let me tell you, Senior Xiao Jian is changing his ways. Haven’t you noticed how gaunt his face has become?" He looked at Xiao Jian.

Huang Feifan took note. Xiao Jian’s physique and face had grown much thinner. "Don’t mess up again. If you do, I won’t be so polite next time," he said, cracking his knuckles.

Xiao Jian laughed. "Relax, I won’t. I’ll be mindful of the situation."

Huang Feifan was shocked. "You mean you still need to consider the situation? So you haven’t completely kicked the habit in private?" He instinctively guarded himself.

The three chatted and laughed, growing closer as a result.

...

---

Early in the morning, Rain Xingyue woke up and, as usual, went to wash up. Unfamiliar with the villa, he didn’t know where the bathroom was. If not for Sun Ying’s habit of rising early, Rain Xingyue would have remained clueless.

Sun Ying led Rain Xingyue to the bathroom. Out of respect, Rain Xingyue let Sun Ying wash first, then waited his turn. Sun Ying took her time, spending half an hour before leaving.

Rain Xingyue noticed Sun Ying’s made-up face—it was obvious she’d only put on makeup if she was heading out. "Little one, why are you putting on makeup at home? Who are you trying to impress?"

Sun Ying replied, "I’m going out. Big brother, do you want to come?"

"Where to?" Rain Xingyue asked.

"Not far, really. I’m just headed to my tutoring class," Sun Ying explained.

"I see. But won’t your teacher say anything about your makeup?"

"The teacher used to comment, but eventually got used to it and stopped mentioning it."

"When does it start?" Rain Xingyue asked.

Sun Ying glanced at the clock on the wall. "Half an hour left. No rush—I’ll go have breakfast first."

"Alright. Do you want me to take you there?"

Sun Ying smiled. "Grandpa Luo always takes me, but I’m tired of that. I want big brother to take me."

Rain Xingyue gazed at Sun Ying with fondness. "Alright, alright. Wait for me outside after I wash up. By the way, does your family have a motorbike?"

Hearing this, Sun Ying was puzzled. "Why do you want a motorbike, big brother?"

"I can ride a motorbike. Want to try it?"

"Sure! I’ve never been on one. There’s one in the garage outside; dad has a bad habit of never taking out the keys," Sun Ying complained.

"That’s not good. I’ll return the keys to your dad’s room, alright?"

"Thank you, big brother." Sun Ying went upstairs to change, while Rain Xingyue washed up in the bathroom. As he washed, Sun Ying asked Luo Er to let Rain Xingyue escort her. Luo Er initially objected but relented under Sun Ying’s insistence.

When Rain Xingyue finished washing, he saw Luo Er’s reflection in the mirror. Turning around, Rain Xingyue faced Luo Er, who said, "You’re someone Miss trusts, so I’m letting you escort her. If anything happens to her, I won’t forgive you."

"Don’t worry, Butler Luo. I’ll deliver Miss safely to her destination," Rain Xingyue said, saluting. Luo Er saluted back in kind.