June 09, 2023 by Wyrd
The street here was a sleepless city. People come and go on the road, and the number of people didn’t decrease just because it’s late at night. There were also many food stalls selling snacks along the road.
At this moment, Xu Ze didn’t bring his giant chainsaw. He stood in front of a stall selling skewers, holding a skewer and staring intently at Ruan Qing.
On his fair and handsome face, there was still a trace of confusion.
The Xu Ze holding a grilled skewer in the crowd looked completely different from the one who had attacked Ruan Qing.
During the attack, he appeared like a pure lunatic, but now he seemed like an innocent and naïve student, with his thoughts written all over his face.
Ruan Qing didn’t even need to think to know what he was puzzled about.
Probably how his deceased younger brother suddenly came back to life.
If he thought further, he might realize that it wasn’t his deceased brother who had come back to life, but the newly recognized “cheap” brother had been playing tricks on him all along.
Ruan Qing tried to calm himself down. The figure in the alley hadn’t left; they were still standing in the shadows, staring straight at him.
Retreating in this situation was impossible. He could only stay and face this chilling situation.
This was a bustling street with many pedestrians. Xu Ze would never make a move here.
At least he was safe for now.
Moreover, the excuse he had given for disappearing wasn’t too bad. The most important thing to explain now was why he appeared here.
Ruan Qing had already taken off his mask after he fell on the lake, and although his heart sank when he saw Xu Ze, he didn’t show any unusual expression on his face.
Ruan Qing’s reaction was quick. He widened his eyes as if trying to recognize the man in the distance. His eyes were filled with joy, and the next second, he ran straight towards Xu Ze, his tone filled with happiness. “Brother Ze!”
The lights on this street were very bright, as if it were daylight, reflecting in the beautiful eyes of the young boy. They were bright and sparkling, no less intense than when the young boy started crying.
Xu Ze’s pupils dilated, and he was stunned in an instant.
Not only Xu Ze, even the pedestrians nearby instinctively stopped and looked at the young boy with amazement in their eyes.
The young boy ran over joyfully, as if he wanted to hug Xu Ze tightly.
Although Xu Ze was infatuated with the young boy’s beautiful eyes, when the young boy approached, Xu Ze instinctively raised his hands to protect the skewers in his hand.
However, it seemed that he had misunderstood. The young boy had no intention of hugging him.
Ruan Qing stopped in front of Xu Ze, looking up at him with an exceptionally aggrieved expression. “Brother Ze, where did you just go? I couldn’t find you anywhere...”
Xu Ze glanced at the young boy’s pitiful eyes and then at the skewers in his hand, lost in thought.
How could he tell his younger brother that he thought he was dead, so he came to have a midnight snack first?
Wait a minute.
Wasn’t his younger brother supposed to have drowned?
That’s why he left.
After Xu Ze looked at Ruan Qing, who was obedient and aggrieved, he began to narrate his recent encounter. “I was so scared when I saw the snake. Fortunately, I grabbed onto the grass by the lake and climbed up. But I couldn’t find Brother Ze anywhere. I thought you didn’t want me anymore. Luckily, I found you now.”
After briefly explaining, Ruan Qing didn’t give Xu Ze a chance to continue pondering. He looked up at Xu Ze and asked, “Brother Ze, where’s the water you bought for me?”
Xu Ze never shifted his gaze from the young boy’s beautiful eyes. “I drank it all.”
Although the water was gone, Xu Ze’s response was confident, without a hint of guilt.
“I see.” Ruan Qing looked at Xu Ze and changed the topic directly. “Brother Ze, are these skewers you bought? Can I have some?”
This time, Xu Ze finally looked away. He glanced at the skewers in his hand and answered firmly, “No.”
In order to prevent Xu Ze from thinking about his near-drowning incident, Ruan Qing slightly lifted his chin and looked softly at a nearby spot, his voice full of grievances. “But other people’s brothers give food to their younger siblings...”
The young boy’s delicate face was filled with a pitiful expression, as if he hadn’t received the toy he desired. It was full of disappointment, and even his bright eyes seemed somewhat dimmed.
It made people want to immediately buy it for him.
Xu Ze followed the young boy’s gaze and looked over.
Not far away, there was a man buying snacks for a woman. The man appeared slightly older than the woman, likely her older brother.
After the younger sister received the snacks, she happily kissed her brother on the face.
Then the brother ruffled his sister’s hair and returned the kiss, both of them looking very joyful.
As for the young high school student holding the not-yet-three-year-old younger brother next to the man and woman, Xu Ze completely ignored him.
Xu Ze hesitated a bit. Shouldn’t they be the same as that pair of brother and sister?
He looked at his own younger brother, and then at his younger brother’s beautiful eyes.
In the end, with a painful expression, he reluctantly gave the young boy a string of something he didn’t particularly like.
His expression was as if his parents had forced him to give his favorite toy to a relative’s child.
Ruan Qing: “...”
...It seemed that Xu Ze’s emotional age and intellect were even younger than he guessed.
Perhaps he’s at the level of a third-grade elementary school student.
Ruan Qing calmly took the grilled skewer, took a bite, then looked at Xu Ze and blinked his bright eyes, happily saying, “Thank you, Brother Ze.”
Xu Ze looked at the young boy’s eyes, shining like gemstones, and it didn’t seem too difficult for him to share something he liked with his younger brother.
However, Xu Ze felt somewhat regretful as he watched his younger brother finish the skewer in one go. He unhappily said, “You just eat it when I give it to you?”
Xu Ze probably felt it was not good to go back on his word, so he awkwardly sought an argument. “And why don’t you kiss me? Don’t other people kiss their brothers?
Ruan Qing took a moment and looked at Xu Ze, who looked sorry that he ate the skewer too quickly.
‘...Maybe I overestimated him a bit by thinking he’s in the third grade.’
Ruan Qing lifted his head slightly and gave a somewhat imperceptible peck on Xu Ze’s cheek, feigning nonchalance.
However, what Ruan Qing didn’t expect was that in the instant he kissed Xu Ze, Xu Ze turned his head to the side and looked at him, saying, “Give it back...”
Ruan Qing didn’t anticipate that he would turn his head, so he ended up kissing the corner of Xu Ze’s lips.
Ruan Qing’s pupils contracted, his eyes widened, and his whole body stiffened as if time had frozen.
After about two or three seconds, he finally snapped out of it, immediately taking a few steps back, subconsciously wiping the corner of his lips with the back of his hand. It was the first time he couldn’t control his emotions.
Fortunately, the next second, he regained his composure and quickly concealed the expression in his eyes.
Xu Ze didn’t notice because he was also stunned. He subconsciously touched the corner of his lips that the boy had just touched and swallowed the words “give it back” that were on the tip of his tongue.
So...soft...
It was like a warm pudding, soft and slightly sweet.
No one could resist it.
Xu Ze looked at his younger brother in front of him, who had lowered his brows and eyes, unusually obedient. His gaze involuntarily stopped at the boy’s slightly pursed lips. His throat moved subconsciously, and he instinctively swallowed some saliva.
The boy’s lips, due to his forceful wiping, had a faint blush, looking incredibly alluring, like ripe red cherries, making one inexplicably tempted to take a bite.
It seemed even more beautiful than precious gemstones.
Xu Ze blinked and rubbed the corner of his lips with his thumb a few times.
Although they had separated quickly just now, that soft and warm sensation seemed to linger on the corner of his lips, leaving him with an inexplicable itchiness in his heart.
It’s quite strange; it’s a feeling he had never experienced before, a bit tingly and somewhat exciting.
He didn’t even know what he’s excited about; he just couldn’t seem to calm down.
Even his heart felt a bit tingly, as if something was about to break out of its shell.
It’s a feeling that was even happier and more joyful than finding the best gemstone.
No wonder that older brother earlier was willing to share his food with his younger sister to eat. It turned out that sharing something you like with your younger sibling was really comfortable.
Xu Ze thought for a moment, then handed another skewer to the young boy. This time, he was extremely generous, regardless of whether it was his favorite or not.
He watched as the young boy took the skewer, his gaze burning on the young boy’s lips, his eyes filled with obvious joy and anticipation.
However, ten seconds passed.
Thirty seconds passed.
...
One minute passed...
The young boy still didn’t move, holding the skewer but not eating it.
Xu Ze held back for a moment, but he wasn’t someone who could hold back. In the end, he couldn’t help but ask, “Why aren’t you eating, little brother?”
His tone was intimate, as if they were true brothers.
“...Not hungry.” Ruan Qing directly ignored Xu Ze’s burning gaze and handed the skewer back.
“You can still eat the skewer even if you’re not hungry. It’s delicious,” Xu Ze didn’t back down, and even pushed it towards him again.
Completely different from the hesitation to even share a skewer a while ago, this time Xu Ze seemed like a generous older brother.
But his gaze couldn’t be considered innocent and pure at all.
Anyone with discerning eyes could see his obvious intentions. After all, his gaze was blatantly fixed on Ruan Qing’s lips, his eyes filled with excitement and eagerness.
But fortunately, it seemed that he understood that in order to get something; you need to offer something in return, rather than arrogantly possess and plunder from the very beginning.
‘As a hunter, one generally needs to have extraordinary patience when capturing prey.’
Ruan Qing smiled slightly and handed it over again, saying, “Brother Ze, you can eat it. I don’t like eating skewers.”
“Oh.” Xu Ze’s face clearly showed a hint of disappointment. However, he spoke again, “Then what do you like to eat? Brother will buy it for you.”
Ruan Qing smiled obediently once again and declined, “Brother Ze, it’s not necessary. I’m not hungry.”
“Then let me buy you some water. Weren’t you thirsty earlier?” Xu Ze stuffed the skewer into Ruan Qing’s hand. Without waiting for Ruan Qing to respond, he ran to another stall to buy water.
Ruan Qing couldn’t find a way to refuse and could only look down at the skewer in his hand, trying hard to calm himself down.
Xu Ze’s mind was like that of a child. A child’s attention should be easily diverted.
Moreover, there were many people coming and going on the street. Even if Xu Ze had outstanding perceptual abilities, it should be relatively easy for him to find an opportunity to leave.
Thinking about this, Ruan Qing discreetly looked around. The figure of the person lurking in the dark corner seemed to have already left.
But there were already quite a few people scrutinizing him, and if this continued, it would certainly attract more trouble.
Unfortunately, all his masks were soaked from falling into the water.
He must buy a hat or a mask first.
The night market had everything for sale. Ruan Qing looked at Xu Ze, who was buying water.
There were snack stalls nearby, but the water vendor’s stall wasn’t particularly close, and it was separated by numerous pedestrians.
It wasn’t impossible to shake him off.
Just as Ruan Qing was preparing to find an opportunity to leave, a man walked up to him, his face full of concern, and spoke, “Little brother, what’s wrong? Did you get lost?”
Ruan Qing heard the voice, lowered his gaze, shrank back a little, and didn’t speak. In the end, he just shook his head pitifully.
The man frowned as he looked at the young boy in front of him.
The young boy’s delicate appearance was unlike that of a real person, but now he looked quite disheveled. His clothes were partially dry, wrinkled into a mess, and he was dirty all over. Indeed, he seemed like a lost child.
The man tried hard to smile, attempting to appear gentle. “Little brother, don’t be afraid. I’m not a bad person; I just want to help you.”
Ruan Qing lifted his head to glance at the man, then used his peripheral vision to look at Xu Ze, who was still fetching water in the distance.
It was hard to say whether the man was a good person, but he was certainly a better choice than a hunter in the horror livestream room.
Moreover, there were several people between Xu Ze and him, blocking their line of sight. Perhaps this was an opportunity to escape.
Ruan Qing lowered his head, trying hard to make himself look more pitiful.
Seeing the young boy remain silent, the man continued, “If you have any difficulties, you can tell your big brother. Your big brother can help you.”
Ruan Qing bit his lip and hesitated before finally speaking, “I...”
“Big brother?” However, Xu Ze had already returned with water. He stood behind the man, his expression displeased, and repeated the man’s self-proclaimed title that the other just said.
Ruan Qing silently swallowed the rest of his words and stood innocently by the side.
Xu Ze seemed to become more and more unhappy. Without any mercy, he delivered a swift kick to the man, sending him crashing to the ground. The man groaned in pain, clutching his leg.
Holding the water, Xu Ze spoke from a superior position, “You think you’re worthy of being my little brother’s big brother?”
The man’s face twisted in pain, but when he met Xu Ze’s gaze, he seemed to see something terrifying. His pupils contracted, his whole body trembled uncontrollably, his lips quivered, and though he tried to speak, no sound came out for a while.
Many people witnessed the man being kicked to the ground, yet no one stepped forward to speak up for him.
After all, they saw the man approaching someone else’s little brother with ill intentions. They all saw it.
If it were them, they would kick too.
Because he had lost his younger brother once, Xu Ze always turned his head to look at his foolish and clumsy younger brother when he went to buy water, fearing that he would lose him again.
So when the man approached, Xu Ze saw him and coincidentally heard the man say, “Brother can help you.”
Brother?
His younger brother was his own; he only had one younger brother, and his younger brother could only have him as his brother.
The man looked into Xu Ze’s eyes, sweating profusely and feeling fear growing deep in his heart, as if he would die in the next second.
Ignoring the pain in his body, the man panicked and tried to get up to leave. Even if his leg was injured and he couldn’t walk, he dragged his leg and struggled to leave quickly.
Seeing the clueless man leaving, Xu Ze snorted unhappily and turned to Ruan Qing, looking like an adult, and admonished, “Don’t talk to strangers. They are all bad people who like to capture and sell foolish and clumsy younger brothers like you.”
After a momentary pause, Ruan Qing obediently nodded and said, “I understand.”
Seeing his younger brother obediently agreeing, Xu Ze handed the water to Ruan Qing and said, “Drink.”
Ruan Qing held the skewers in both hands and didn’t take the water. Just as he was about to refuse, Xu Ze suddenly seemed to realize something, and considerately took back the water. First, he unscrewed the cap and then brought it closer to Ruan Qing’s mouth.
Ruan Qing: “...”
Perhaps Ruan Qing hadn’t moved for a while, as Xu Ze furrowed his brow. He brought the water even closer and asked, “Why aren’t you drinking? Weren’t you thirsty?”
Ruan Qing couldn’t say that he wasn’t hungry, but he couldn’t deny that he was thirsty because that was the excuse he had used before.
Moreover, the teenager in front of him was not a genuinely kind and good brother. Once he sensed something was amiss, Ruan Qing would probably be in trouble.
Ruan Qing handed the skewers to Xu Ze, then reached out and took a few sips of water.
Seeing his younger brother drink the water, Xu Ze smiled brightly and leaned in slightly, as if he was in a posture that was asking for a kiss.
Ruan Qing, in order to maintain this false relationship of being good brothers, could only slightly lift his head and pecked him on the face, a touch and then separated.
“No, not like that,” Xu Ze expressed dissatisfaction, pointing to his own lips. “It should be a kiss here.”
Although a kiss on the face was also comfortable, it didn’t have the same feeling as the kiss earlier.
Ruan Qing lowered his head, avoiding Xu Ze’s gaze. “Brother Ze, brothers should not... kiss there.”
Xu Ze tilted his head, full of confusion in his eyes. “Why not?”
Ruan Qing explained softly, “Because only two people who love each other can do that.”
Xu Ze confidently responded with a domineering tone, “Then you love me.”
“And you’re my younger brother, so you must love me.”
Ruan Qing choked, shaking his head slightly. “Brother Ze, it’s not like that. It’s not that kind of love between brothers. That kind of thing is only for lovers.”
Xu Ze pondered for a moment. “Then we’re lovers now.”
Xu Ze’s level of persistence exceeded Ruan Qing’s expectations.
Children were easily deceived. As evidence of how everything had been going smoothly before.
Ruan Qing lowered his gaze, feeling somewhat hesitant. “...Brother Ze, two men cannot be lovers. It can only be a man and a woman.”
Xu Ze furrowed his brows, his delicate and handsome face scrunching up, appearing unusually distressed and conflicted.
He thought for a while, and finally his eyes brightened. His tone was filled with joy and excitement, as if he had found a solution and was happy about it.
“Then, little brother, just become a girl.”
Ruan Qing shook his head again and spoke softly, “I can’t become one. I’m just a boy...”
Xu Ze didn’t even listen to Ruan Qing and continued excitedly, “I heard from Senior Ji before that if you cut off a boy’s private part, he can become a girl.”
“That way, we can be a couple!”
As Xu Ze spoke, he became more and more excited. His gaze even fell on a certain part of Ruan Qing, with an eager expression, as if he was about to take action in the next second.
He didn’t find his words shocking or cruel in the slightest, nor did he consider other people’s feelings.
Ruan Qing’s expression rarely showed a moment of hesitation. He looked at Xu Ze, whose gaze fell on him, swallowed a mouthful of saliva, silently took a step back, and instantly changed his statement.
His tone carried a hint of reluctance. “...Actually, two men... can also be lovers...”
June 09, 2023 by Wyrd
The street here was a sleepless city. People come and go on the road, and the number of people didn’t decrease just because it’s late at night. There were also many food stalls selling snacks along the road.
At this moment, Xu Ze didn’t bring his giant chainsaw. He stood in front of a stall selling skewers, holding a skewer and staring intently at Ruan Qing.
On his fair and handsome face, there was still a trace of confusion.
The Xu Ze holding a grilled skewer in the crowd looked completely different from the one who had attacked Ruan Qing.
During the attack, he appeared like a pure lunatic, but now he seemed like an innocent and naïve student, with his thoughts written all over his face.
Ruan Qing didn’t even need to think to know what he was puzzled about.
Probably how his deceased younger brother suddenly came back to life.
If he thought further, he might realize that it wasn’t his deceased brother who had come back to life, but the newly recognized “cheap” brother had been playing tricks on him all along.
Ruan Qing tried to calm himself down. The figure in the alley hadn’t left; they were still standing in the shadows, staring straight at him.
Retreating in this situation was impossible. He could only stay and face this chilling situation.
This was a bustling street with many pedestrians. Xu Ze would never make a move here.
At least he was safe for now.
Moreover, the excuse he had given for disappearing wasn’t too bad. The most important thing to explain now was why he appeared here.
Ruan Qing had already taken off his mask after he fell on the lake, and although his heart sank when he saw Xu Ze, he didn’t show any unusual expression on his face.
Ruan Qing’s reaction was quick. He widened his eyes as if trying to recognize the man in the distance. His eyes were filled with joy, and the next second, he ran straight towards Xu Ze, his tone filled with happiness. “Brother Ze!”
The lights on this street were very bright, as if it were daylight, reflecting in the beautiful eyes of the young boy. They were bright and sparkling, no less intense than when the young boy started crying.
Xu Ze’s pupils dilated, and he was stunned in an instant.
Not only Xu Ze, even the pedestrians nearby instinctively stopped and looked at the young boy with amazement in their eyes.
The young boy ran over joyfully, as if he wanted to hug Xu Ze tightly.
Although Xu Ze was infatuated with the young boy’s beautiful eyes, when the young boy approached, Xu Ze instinctively raised his hands to protect the skewers in his hand.
However, it seemed that he had misunderstood. The young boy had no intention of hugging him.
Ruan Qing stopped in front of Xu Ze, looking up at him with an exceptionally aggrieved expression. “Brother Ze, where did you just go? I couldn’t find you anywhere...”
Xu Ze glanced at the young boy’s pitiful eyes and then at the skewers in his hand, lost in thought.
How could he tell his younger brother that he thought he was dead, so he came to have a midnight snack first?
Wait a minute.
Wasn’t his younger brother supposed to have drowned?
That’s why he left.
After Xu Ze looked at Ruan Qing, who was obedient and aggrieved, he began to narrate his recent encounter. “I was so scared when I saw the snake. Fortunately, I grabbed onto the grass by the lake and climbed up. But I couldn’t find Brother Ze anywhere. I thought you didn’t want me anymore. Luckily, I found you now.”
After briefly explaining, Ruan Qing didn’t give Xu Ze a chance to continue pondering. He looked up at Xu Ze and asked, “Brother Ze, where’s the water you bought for me?”
Xu Ze never shifted his gaze from the young boy’s beautiful eyes. “I drank it all.”
Although the water was gone, Xu Ze’s response was confident, without a hint of guilt.
“I see.” Ruan Qing looked at Xu Ze and changed the topic directly. “Brother Ze, are these skewers you bought? Can I have some?”
This time, Xu Ze finally looked away. He glanced at the skewers in his hand and answered firmly, “No.”
In order to prevent Xu Ze from thinking about his near-drowning incident, Ruan Qing slightly lifted his chin and looked softly at a nearby spot, his voice full of grievances. “But other people’s brothers give food to their younger siblings...”
The young boy’s delicate face was filled with a pitiful expression, as if he hadn’t received the toy he desired. It was full of disappointment, and even his bright eyes seemed somewhat dimmed.
It made people want to immediately buy it for him.
Xu Ze followed the young boy’s gaze and looked over.
Not far away, there was a man buying snacks for a woman. The man appeared slightly older than the woman, likely her older brother.
After the younger sister received the snacks, she happily kissed her brother on the face.
Then the brother ruffled his sister’s hair and returned the kiss, both of them looking very joyful.
As for the young high school student holding the not-yet-three-year-old younger brother next to the man and woman, Xu Ze completely ignored him.
Xu Ze hesitated a bit. Shouldn’t they be the same as that pair of brother and sister?
He looked at his own younger brother, and then at his younger brother’s beautiful eyes.
In the end, with a painful expression, he reluctantly gave the young boy a string of something he didn’t particularly like.
His expression was as if his parents had forced him to give his favorite toy to a relative’s child.
Ruan Qing: “...”
...It seemed that Xu Ze’s emotional age and intellect were even younger than he guessed.
Perhaps he’s at the level of a third-grade elementary school student.
Ruan Qing calmly took the grilled skewer, took a bite, then looked at Xu Ze and blinked his bright eyes, happily saying, “Thank you, Brother Ze.”
Xu Ze looked at the young boy’s eyes, shining like gemstones, and it didn’t seem too difficult for him to share something he liked with his younger brother.
However, Xu Ze felt somewhat regretful as he watched his younger brother finish the skewer in one go. He unhappily said, “You just eat it when I give it to you?”
Xu Ze probably felt it was not good to go back on his word, so he awkwardly sought an argument. “And why don’t you kiss me? Don’t other people kiss their brothers?
Ruan Qing took a moment and looked at Xu Ze, who looked sorry that he ate the skewer too quickly.
‘...Maybe I overestimated him a bit by thinking he’s in the third grade.’
Ruan Qing lifted his head slightly and gave a somewhat imperceptible peck on Xu Ze’s cheek, feigning nonchalance.
However, what Ruan Qing didn’t expect was that in the instant he kissed Xu Ze, Xu Ze turned his head to the side and looked at him, saying, “Give it back...”
Ruan Qing didn’t anticipate that he would turn his head, so he ended up kissing the corner of Xu Ze’s lips.
Ruan Qing’s pupils contracted, his eyes widened, and his whole body stiffened as if time had frozen.
After about two or three seconds, he finally snapped out of it, immediately taking a few steps back, subconsciously wiping the corner of his lips with the back of his hand. It was the first time he couldn’t control his emotions.
Fortunately, the next second, he regained his composure and quickly concealed the expression in his eyes.
Xu Ze didn’t notice because he was also stunned. He subconsciously touched the corner of his lips that the boy had just touched and swallowed the words “give it back” that were on the tip of his tongue.
So...soft...
It was like a warm pudding, soft and slightly sweet.
No one could resist it.
Xu Ze looked at his younger brother in front of him, who had lowered his brows and eyes, unusually obedient. His gaze involuntarily stopped at the boy’s slightly pursed lips. His throat moved subconsciously, and he instinctively swallowed some saliva.
The boy’s lips, due to his forceful wiping, had a faint blush, looking incredibly alluring, like ripe red cherries, making one inexplicably tempted to take a bite.
It seemed even more beautiful than precious gemstones.
Xu Ze blinked and rubbed the corner of his lips with his thumb a few times.
Although they had separated quickly just now, that soft and warm sensation seemed to linger on the corner of his lips, leaving him with an inexplicable itchiness in his heart.
It’s quite strange; it’s a feeling he had never experienced before, a bit tingly and somewhat exciting.
He didn’t even know what he’s excited about; he just couldn’t seem to calm down.
Even his heart felt a bit tingly, as if something was about to break out of its shell.
It’s a feeling that was even happier and more joyful than finding the best gemstone.
No wonder that older brother earlier was willing to share his food with his younger sister to eat. It turned out that sharing something you like with your younger sibling was really comfortable.
Xu Ze thought for a moment, then handed another skewer to the young boy. This time, he was extremely generous, regardless of whether it was his favorite or not.
He watched as the young boy took the skewer, his gaze burning on the young boy’s lips, his eyes filled with obvious joy and anticipation.
However, ten seconds passed.
Thirty seconds passed.
...
One minute passed...
The young boy still didn’t move, holding the skewer but not eating it.
Xu Ze held back for a moment, but he wasn’t someone who could hold back. In the end, he couldn’t help but ask, “Why aren’t you eating, little brother?”
His tone was intimate, as if they were true brothers.
“...Not hungry.” Ruan Qing directly ignored Xu Ze’s burning gaze and handed the skewer back.
“You can still eat the skewer even if you’re not hungry. It’s delicious,” Xu Ze didn’t back down, and even pushed it towards him again.
Completely different from the hesitation to even share a skewer a while ago, this time Xu Ze seemed like a generous older brother.
But his gaze couldn’t be considered innocent and pure at all.
Anyone with discerning eyes could see his obvious intentions. After all, his gaze was blatantly fixed on Ruan Qing’s lips, his eyes filled with excitement and eagerness.
But fortunately, it seemed that he understood that in order to get something; you need to offer something in return, rather than arrogantly possess and plunder from the very beginning.
‘As a hunter, one generally needs to have extraordinary patience when capturing prey.’
Ruan Qing smiled slightly and handed it over again, saying, “Brother Ze, you can eat it. I don’t like eating skewers.”
“Oh.” Xu Ze’s face clearly showed a hint of disappointment. However, he spoke again, “Then what do you like to eat? Brother will buy it for you.”
Ruan Qing smiled obediently once again and declined, “Brother Ze, it’s not necessary. I’m not hungry.”
“Then let me buy you some water. Weren’t you thirsty earlier?” Xu Ze stuffed the skewer into Ruan Qing’s hand. Without waiting for Ruan Qing to respond, he ran to another stall to buy water.
Ruan Qing couldn’t find a way to refuse and could only look down at the skewer in his hand, trying hard to calm himself down.
Xu Ze’s mind was like that of a child. A child’s attention should be easily diverted.
Moreover, there were many people coming and going on the street. Even if Xu Ze had outstanding perceptual abilities, it should be relatively easy for him to find an opportunity to leave.
Thinking about this, Ruan Qing discreetly looked around. The figure of the person lurking in the dark corner seemed to have already left.
But there were already quite a few people scrutinizing him, and if this continued, it would certainly attract more trouble.
Unfortunately, all his masks were soaked from falling into the water.
He must buy a hat or a mask first.
The night market had everything for sale. Ruan Qing looked at Xu Ze, who was buying water.
There were snack stalls nearby, but the water vendor’s stall wasn’t particularly close, and it was separated by numerous pedestrians.
It wasn’t impossible to shake him off.
Just as Ruan Qing was preparing to find an opportunity to leave, a man walked up to him, his face full of concern, and spoke, “Little brother, what’s wrong? Did you get lost?”
Ruan Qing heard the voice, lowered his gaze, shrank back a little, and didn’t speak. In the end, he just shook his head pitifully.
The man frowned as he looked at the young boy in front of him.
The young boy’s delicate appearance was unlike that of a real person, but now he looked quite disheveled. His clothes were partially dry, wrinkled into a mess, and he was dirty all over. Indeed, he seemed like a lost child.
The man tried hard to smile, attempting to appear gentle. “Little brother, don’t be afraid. I’m not a bad person; I just want to help you.”
Ruan Qing lifted his head to glance at the man, then used his peripheral vision to look at Xu Ze, who was still fetching water in the distance.
It was hard to say whether the man was a good person, but he was certainly a better choice than a hunter in the horror livestream room.
Moreover, there were several people between Xu Ze and him, blocking their line of sight. Perhaps this was an opportunity to escape.
Ruan Qing lowered his head, trying hard to make himself look more pitiful.
Seeing the young boy remain silent, the man continued, “If you have any difficulties, you can tell your big brother. Your big brother can help you.”
Ruan Qing bit his lip and hesitated before finally speaking, “I...”
“Big brother?” However, Xu Ze had already returned with water. He stood behind the man, his expression displeased, and repeated the man’s self-proclaimed title that the other just said.
Ruan Qing silently swallowed the rest of his words and stood innocently by the side.
Xu Ze seemed to become more and more unhappy. Without any mercy, he delivered a swift kick to the man, sending him crashing to the ground. The man groaned in pain, clutching his leg.
Holding the water, Xu Ze spoke from a superior position, “You think you’re worthy of being my little brother’s big brother?”
The man’s face twisted in pain, but when he met Xu Ze’s gaze, he seemed to see something terrifying. His pupils contracted, his whole body trembled uncontrollably, his lips quivered, and though he tried to speak, no sound came out for a while.
Many people witnessed the man being kicked to the ground, yet no one stepped forward to speak up for him.
After all, they saw the man approaching someone else’s little brother with ill intentions. They all saw it.
If it were them, they would kick too.
Because he had lost his younger brother once, Xu Ze always turned his head to look at his foolish and clumsy younger brother when he went to buy water, fearing that he would lose him again.
So when the man approached, Xu Ze saw him and coincidentally heard the man say, “Brother can help you.”
Brother?
His younger brother was his own; he only had one younger brother, and his younger brother could only have him as his brother.
The man looked into Xu Ze’s eyes, sweating profusely and feeling fear growing deep in his heart, as if he would die in the next second.
Ignoring the pain in his body, the man panicked and tried to get up to leave. Even if his leg was injured and he couldn’t walk, he dragged his leg and struggled to leave quickly.
Seeing the clueless man leaving, Xu Ze snorted unhappily and turned to Ruan Qing, looking like an adult, and admonished, “Don’t talk to strangers. They are all bad people who like to capture and sell foolish and clumsy younger brothers like you.”
After a momentary pause, Ruan Qing obediently nodded and said, “I understand.”
Seeing his younger brother obediently agreeing, Xu Ze handed the water to Ruan Qing and said, “Drink.”
Ruan Qing held the skewers in both hands and didn’t take the water. Just as he was about to refuse, Xu Ze suddenly seemed to realize something, and considerately took back the water. First, he unscrewed the cap and then brought it closer to Ruan Qing’s mouth.
Ruan Qing: “...”
Perhaps Ruan Qing hadn’t moved for a while, as Xu Ze furrowed his brow. He brought the water even closer and asked, “Why aren’t you drinking? Weren’t you thirsty?”
Ruan Qing couldn’t say that he wasn’t hungry, but he couldn’t deny that he was thirsty because that was the excuse he had used before.
Moreover, the teenager in front of him was not a genuinely kind and good brother. Once he sensed something was amiss, Ruan Qing would probably be in trouble.
Ruan Qing handed the skewers to Xu Ze, then reached out and took a few sips of water.
Seeing his younger brother drink the water, Xu Ze smiled brightly and leaned in slightly, as if he was in a posture that was asking for a kiss.
Ruan Qing, in order to maintain this false relationship of being good brothers, could only slightly lift his head and pecked him on the face, a touch and then separated.
“No, not like that,” Xu Ze expressed dissatisfaction, pointing to his own lips. “It should be a kiss here.”
Although a kiss on the face was also comfortable, it didn’t have the same feeling as the kiss earlier.
Ruan Qing lowered his head, avoiding Xu Ze’s gaze. “Brother Ze, brothers should not... kiss there.”
Xu Ze tilted his head, full of confusion in his eyes. “Why not?”
Ruan Qing explained softly, “Because only two people who love each other can do that.”
Xu Ze confidently responded with a domineering tone, “Then you love me.”
“And you’re my younger brother, so you must love me.”
Ruan Qing choked, shaking his head slightly. “Brother Ze, it’s not like that. It’s not that kind of love between brothers. That kind of thing is only for lovers.”
Xu Ze pondered for a moment. “Then we’re lovers now.”
Xu Ze’s level of persistence exceeded Ruan Qing’s expectations.
Children were easily deceived. As evidence of how everything had been going smoothly before.
Ruan Qing lowered his gaze, feeling somewhat hesitant. “...Brother Ze, two men cannot be lovers. It can only be a man and a woman.”
Xu Ze furrowed his brows, his delicate and handsome face scrunching up, appearing unusually distressed and conflicted.
He thought for a while, and finally his eyes brightened. His tone was filled with joy and excitement, as if he had found a solution and was happy about it.
“Then, little brother, just become a girl.”
Ruan Qing shook his head again and spoke softly, “I can’t become one. I’m just a boy...”
Xu Ze didn’t even listen to Ruan Qing and continued excitedly, “I heard from Senior Ji before that if you cut off a boy’s private part, he can become a girl.”
“That way, we can be a couple!”
As Xu Ze spoke, he became more and more excited. His gaze even fell on a certain part of Ruan Qing, with an eager expression, as if he was about to take action in the next second.
He didn’t find his words shocking or cruel in the slightest, nor did he consider other people’s feelings.
Ruan Qing’s expression rarely showed a moment of hesitation. He looked at Xu Ze, whose gaze fell on him, swallowed a mouthful of saliva, silently took a step back, and instantly changed his statement.
His tone carried a hint of reluctance. “...Actually, two men... can also be lovers...”
