Chapter 112: If narcissism were a disease, you

Huo Jingcheng and Huo Beiyue were cousins, but because there was a big age gap between them and the eldest of the Huo family—who was already in elementary school—they were born a year apart. Compared to the eldest, who had been a little old-timer since childhood, these two caused plenty of mischief. Basically, from kindergarten onward, all the "stealing chickens and dogs" antics in the compound were their joint "achievements".

As the saying goes, "You can tell a person's future at three." Later, as the two grew older, their personalities didn't change; only their sphere expanded from the compound—one went to the military district, the other to the business world.

"What's wrong?" Huo Beiyue rested his left hand on his belt, stepped forward with his right leg, adopting a casual pose similar to standing at attention.

To Huo Jingcheng, his second elder brother had never seemed imposing in his presence, let alone being called "second brother".

Huo Jingcheng slightly straightened, raised his eyebrows, and held a faint, meaningful smile at the corner of his mouth, conveying an elusive significance.

Before he could speak, Huo Beiyue's phone rang; he raised his hand in a gesture asking Huo Jingcheng to wait, pulled the phone from his pocket, glanced at the name on the screen, and his eyes flickered.

His gaze lingered on the screen for three or five seconds, then he looked up again at Huo Jingcheng standing opposite, cleared his throat affectingly, and under Huo Jingcheng's stare, turned while his fingertip slid over the answer button, saying, "Hey."

……

"I still have something to do, I'll hang up now." He replied briefly, then prepared to end the call.

Not knowing what the other side had said, Huo Beiyue frowned awkwardly and spoke sternly: "Didn't I already say that last night? You're not coming back tonight……"

……

Hearing the soft words from the other end, Huo Beiyue unconsciously rubbed the phone case, his expression gradually softening, and he amended: "All right, stay where you are; I'll come find you after I finish eating."

……

"No? What's not allowed? Who spoiled you into this…… Who's missing you……"

Huo Beiyue's low voice came from the phone; Huo Jingcheng looked at his stubborn expression, couldn't help but chuckle, and his smile deepened.

He lifted his eyes to the sky gradually turning bluish-black, then, facing Huo Beiyue who had turned around, he extended his long arm and hooked his index finger.

Huo Beiyue looked puzzled, frowned, and saw Huo Jingcheng's gaze fixed on the car key in his hand; he raised the key, his eyes asking Huo Jingcheng what he wanted to do.

"You still want to take that girl home?" Huo Jingcheng's volume was moderate, just loud enough to reach the phone, his tone teasing.

The next second, without waiting for Huo Beiyue to explain, a series of busy tones "beep-beep-beep" came from the earpiece, and his face instantly darkened.

…… Huo Beiyue.

Huo Beiyue's right hand gripping the phone tightened gradually; curse words rose to his lips, but he forced them down.

He glanced at the black-screened phone in his hand, then at Huo Jingcheng waiting opposite, and reluctantly handed over the car key.

Huo Jingcheng had clearly achieved his goal, yet he still wouldn't let it go; as he walked past Huo Beiyue, he raised his hand and patted his second brother's shoulder, saying, "This time I've helped you—later, think hard about how to repay me."

His words carried a hint of Beijing accent, casual and lax.

That remark drew a brief snort.

"Yes, you'd better repay me well." Each word was squeezed out clearly from Huo Beiyue's lips, feeling like he was gritting his teeth, as if he were saying he wanted to "repay you well" in the sense of revenge.

He also slapped Huo Jingcheng's right shoulder with his backhand.

Huo Beiyue had been in the military district for many years, unlike Huo Jingcheng who had only stayed two short years; his grip was strong, and with one slap Huo Jingcheng felt his internal injuries almost being knocked out.

He coughed lightly twice, not daring to provoke Huo Beiyue further, then stepped toward the gate, walked out of the fence, his pace becoming unhurried; Su Ruoyun and Song Yunwen were standing by the car chatting.

The girl's expression was well-behaved and polite, her smile bright; she resembled the flying, floppy-eared rabbit she'd been at five, with her hair tied in drooping ear braids on either side—nothing like the "brandishing claws and teeth" she showed when with him, more like a little lion that bites anyone who sees her.

The faint footsteps reached Song Yunwen's ears; she looked up toward the sound, expecting her nephew, but it turned out to be her own son.

But with Su Ruoyun present, she felt awkward asking more, so she could only smile and say, "The third son has come; then I won't keep you—next time, if you're free, come visit often."

Su Ruoyun smiled, her eyes crinkling, and replied, "Okay."

Seeing the servant move the tea set from the Mercedes' trunk, she walked over uneasily to watch.

As she walked toward the car's trunk, Song Yunwen lowered her voice to ask Huo Jingcheng, "How come it's you? Where's the second son?"

Speaking, she glanced into the yard, trying to spot Huo Beiyue's figure.

Huo Jingcheng followed her gaze, casually glanced over, saw no one in the yard, and offhandedly disparaged his second brother without a trace, his tone indifferent: "He went inside to get the car key, then regretted it and refused to take the person home."

Hearing that, Song Yunwen furrowed her brows and casually chided, "The second son really is something."

Not seeing Huo Beiyue, she turned back, withdrew her gaze, looked at Huo Jingcheng, and urged, "You must see that girl home safely."

"Don't worry, Miss Song." Huo Jingcheng wound the key ring around his distinct knuckles.

The servant placed the tea set onto Huo Beiyue's Hummer.

Su Ruoyun curled the corner of her mouth at Song Yunwen, her gaze slipping past Huo Jingcheng standing by the driver's door without a trace, blinked, and bent to sit in the passenger seat.

After nodding at Song Yunwen, Huo Jingcheng also got into the car, pulled the seat belt over and fastened it, then started the engine.

The Hummer drove out of the parking spot, smoothly heading toward the compound's exterior; the few soldiers on guard at the gate raised their hands in unison to salute, seeing them off all the way.

As the car went over a few speed bumps and jolted slightly, Su Ruoyun looked back at the rear; the tea set in the trunk was porcelain, fragile, she worried it might break, and couldn't help saying, "Drive slower."

"How?"

His slender, distinct finger bones rested casually on the steering wheel; Huo Jingcheng gave her a sideways glance, tugged at his thin lips, knowing Su Ruoyun was worried about the tea set, yet deliberately twisted her meaning: "You just want to stay a bit longer with me?"

Although he said that, he still eased off the accelerator, and the Hummer's speed noticeably dropped.

"……If narcissism were a disease, you'd already be past cure."

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