Ying Mao sat silently in the car, looking out the window at the passing clouds. His hands anxiously gripped the end of his coat, his fingers tightening around the fabric as though he could hide away his anxiety, but his face showed nothing but calm.
Ying Di gazed back at him from the front seat. "You're awfully quiet today. What happened? You feeling good?"
"Yes, Brother. I'm just worried about Brother Jua. I hope he can get well soon." These words were genuine, though, because he really was worried about Jua. Not just about his health, but also because Ying Di was going to meet him.
"Don't worry. I'll take good care of him," Ying Di said without looking back, his voice carrying a faintly smiling tone.
That tone alone made Ying Mao slightly shudder. 'I need to protect Brother Jua…'
Soon, the hospital came into view. Ying Di got down first and opened the door for him. Ying Mao smiled up at him as he usually did and jumped out. But unlike usual, he did not reach out to hold his dear brother's hand.
Ying Di, who noticed this weirdness, gazed down at him. But seeing the young, stupid kid anxiously biting his lips as he looked ahead, it was clearly obvious he was worried about Jua, so he assumed that was why he was not showing his usual habits.
'Stupid, gullible idiot.' Thinking with a grin, he led them to Jua's room.
Inside, the young teen was eating an orange with an expressionless face. He calmly peeled another section of the fruit, seemingly unbothered by anything happening around him.
"Jua, look who is here to meet you." He opened the door wide enough.
"Brother Jua." Ying Mao ran into the room, immediately hugging Jua's feeble hands.
Jua, who was reading a BL, quickly hid it when the door to his ward opened. "Ying Mao? Aren't you on the way to school now? What are you doing here?" He was pleasantly surprised by this visit, of course.
"I wanted to see you." Ying Mao gazed up at him with tears in his eyes.
Seeing his cute face made all the pain Jua Gu was feeling go away. He gently ruffled his soft black hair. "Really? I wanted to see you too," he whispered.
"Oh, what a lovely scene you two make." Ying Di walked up to the bed and gently cupped Jua Gu's face. "How are you feeling, Jua?"
As soon as those cold fingers touched his skin, Jua felt his heart race. Strange images and scenes ran through his mind like a television playing inside his brain. He saw Jua being tied up to the bed, crying and begging Ying Di. Another showed Jua standing in the rain, drenched and kneeling as Ying Di watched him while standing and laughing.
Jua instantly pulled away from his touch. "I... I'm feeling good. Thank you." He whispered without looking his way. His mind was racing, as was his heart. 'What was that…? Were those Jua Haisin's memories? Good lord…'
Ying Di's expression froze at his rejection, but soon he put on that sweet, innocent smile on his face. "Little brother, since you took a look, shall we get going? You have school. And if Dad knows that I helped you cut classes, I will be in so much trouble." He said with that fake smile still on his face.
Ying Mao worriedly gazed at Jua. "Can I stay longer, please?"
"No, sorry. I can't let you do that." Ying Di nudged him out the door. As soon as the kid was out, he closed the door behind him.
Rushing back to the bed, he gripped the bed's railing while gritting his teeth. "Jua Haisin, I think you forgot who you belong to." He gripped his chin and made him face him. "You think you can escape from me?"
Jua just looked at him, stunned.
"You… I'll deal with you later." With that manic look in his eyes, the man walked out of the room.
Outside, Ying Mao was shocked and worried. He didn't expect Ying Di to close the door behind him. "Brother Jua…"
Suddenly, the door opened, and Ying Di came out with that same smile. "What are you doing right by the door? You could get hurt." He moved Ying Mao away from the door.
Inside, he saw Jua's face had two finger marks close to his jaw.
'Ying Di hurt him…'