Bai Xinyu entered with a mournful expression, stammering out a halting "Brother."
Jian Suiying shot him a disappointed look. "You're rarely here for anything good. Spit it out." Bai Xinyu glanced hesitantly at Li Yu.
Jian Suiying glanced at Li Yu too, deciding to spare the twenty-something kid some embarrassment. He addressed Li Yu instead, "You can go back first."
Li Yu stood up and exchanged a glance with Jian Suilin, who nodded at him.
After Li Yu left, Bai Xinyu finally stammered out the matter, carefully watching Jian Suiying's expression the whole time, ready to bolt if he flew into a rage.
Jian Suiying's expression darkened with each word, his fists clenching so tightly they cracked.
It turned out the kid had lost over three million yuan gambling on soccer matches. His uncle had beaten him senseless in a rage and made a vow.
This time, he'd be left to fend for himself. His aunt, being soft-hearted, couldn't persuade her enraged husband, so she had sent Bai Xinyu to beg him.
Bai Xinyu's gambling addiction dated back to high school. Over the years, his family had paid off countless debts for him. His aunt and uncle had truly broken their hearts over this son.
No wonder Jian Suiying looked down on him—he couldn't earn a damn thing but knew how to spend it. His aunt had a weak heart; the anger had made her sick.
Bai Xinyu was on the verge of tears. "Brother, please help me. This is absolutely the last time. I swear I won't do it again. You... you go talk to my dad. Or, could you just lend me a little..."
"Bullshit! If you ever truly reform, the sun will rise in the west. You—" Jian Suiying was so furious he trembled all over, nearly unable to speak.
shook with rage, nearly unable to speak.
Bai Xinyu sniffed, his eyes reddening. "Brother, please save me. If you don't help me, they'll beat me to death.
to death. I swear I'll never do it again."
Jian Suiying growled hoarsely: "Save you? I'd rather see you dead! All that money Auntie and Uncle worked so hard to earn—
enough for you to squander!"
Bai Xinyu began sobbing. "Brother, please help me. I want to earn money properly too."
Now that he was grown, when his aunt and uncle couldn't manage him, they had no choice but to turn to Jian Suiying.
Thinking of Little Lin, he asked: "Why did you come along?"
Jian Suilin replied, "I ran into him at the company."
Jian Suiying looked at Bai Xinyu and said, "Little Lin, you should leave too."
Jian Suiying stood up and walked toward him step by step.
Bai Xinyu jumped up from the sofa in fright.
Jian Suiying lunged forward in a single stride, grabbed him by the collar, and slammed him against the wall. His piercing glare felt like a knife cutting into Bai Xinyu's skin.
Bai Xinyu begged for mercy, trembling, "Brother, brother."
Bai Xinyu trembled like a leaf, tears welling in his eyes as he stared at Jian Suiying. She released him. "Get out."
"Brother, what are you planning to do..." "I'll talk to your father."
"But... my dad doesn't seem to have any money..."
Jian Suiying shot him a fierce glare. "Whose fault is it your dad has no money? Do you expect me to bail you out?" Bai Xinyu immediately fell silent.
"Get out."
Bai Xinyu dared not linger and quickly fled.
Jian Suiying paced furiously around the room several times before his breathing finally steadied.
Jian Suiying ended up sitting on the sofa, smoking and lost in thought, forgetting to eat lunch altogether.
As Bai Xinyu walked out of the company building, looking utterly devastated, someone called out to him from behind. He turned to see Jian Suilin.
Jian Suilin approached with a gentle smile: "Brother Yu, are you alright?"
Bai Xinyu nodded and sighed. He felt a bit embarrassed and didn't want to say much.
Jian Suilin placed a hand on his shoulder. "Brother Yu, you must be hungry. Come on, let me treat you to lunch. We should have a proper chat."
."
Bai Xinyu stared at him blankly, filled with confusion, before letting himself be half-pushed out the door.
Jian Suilin had been exhausted all day and didn't get home until past eight.
When he visited his aunt and uncle that afternoon, he felt they seemed to have aged considerably in just two months. This left him feeling quite unhappy.
Bai Xinyu was nowhere to be found, having gone off to who knows where. By this hour, he still hadn't come home for dinner, so in the end, Jian Suiying had to eat alone.
.
Thinking of that good-for-nothing Bai Xinyu, Jian Suying seethed inwardly. He was only his cousin—otherwise, he'd have beat him to death.
As he slumped on the sofa to rest, thoughts of Li Yu inevitably surfaced again. Without hesitation, he pulled out his phone and dialed call.
The phone rang for ages before someone picked up, Li Yu's breathless voice coming through. Jian Suiying asked, "What are you doing? Still training?"
"Yeah, not done yet," Li Yu panted. "What's up?"
Li Yu asked, "Why? Wanna come over?"
"Just to see the action. I've never watched boxing live." "By the time you get here, we'll probably be done."
"Just tell me where you are. I'll head over now."
Li Yu gave him an address. Jian Suiying perked up instantly, grabbed his coat, and dashed out the door.
The thought of seeing Li Yu soon made him feel energized again.