WHIF- Chapter 10

Ch. 10 Pay with my body

    Ji Shuyu’s questioning could be called an interrogation, but Yang Chaosheng answered fluently and effortlessly, as if a popular romance novel had been written in his memory, telling him that this was always meant to be the story between him and Ji Xiang.

    Ji Xiang never knew compliments could sound so genuine.

    Flattery is usually just that—empty, cliché phrases people get used to hearing. But from Yang Chaosheng’s scattered words, Ji Xiang could actually hear hints of himself reflected back.

    After lunch, Ji Xiang, not wanting to take up too much of Yang Chaosheng’s time, got ready to say goodbye to Ji Shuyu and the others.

    Before they left, Wan Wenqi brought out a bunch of local specialties for the two to take home, turning the farewell scene into something that resembled a New Year family reunion.

    Taking advantage of the commotion, Ji Chen pulled Ji Xiang aside. Just as Ji Xiang leaned in to hear her whisper, she shoved an envelope into his hand.

    It was square-shaped, adorned with the kind of bubble stickers Ji Xiang loved to use in his journals. Ji Chen told him to read it after he got in the car.

    Ji Xiang figured it must contain the words Ji Chen didn’t get a chance to say: “Alright, then I’m off.”

    Ji Chen walked a few steps with him before returning to Wan Wenqi’s side.

    Ji Shuyu was still talking to Yang Chaosheng by the car. Ji Xiang stood there watching them, his gaze fixed, unaware that his expression was tense with the fear of being exposed which to Wan Wenqi looked more like he was afraid Ji Shuyu might suddenly lash out.

    Wan Wenqi patted Ji Xiang on the shoulder. Ji Xiang had been around the same age as Ji Chen when they first met, and now he was about to start a family of his own.

    “There are some things your mother can’t bring herself to say directly, but she really has cared about you all these years. Ever since you graduated and started working, you rarely come home. Even though you’re still in the same city, she always feels like you’ve gone far away, working and living on your own. She’s tried to learn about your life through your friends, but besides that kid Xiao Shen, there’s no one else.”

    “You know, as a kid, she thought you’d be pretty popular. But now you’re nearly thirty and haven’t even been in a relationship, and that’s what made her anxious. She talks about arranging a marriage for you, but the truth is, it’s just her way of hiding the guilt for not being there for you more over the years. I can see it clearly. After she found out you’re seeing someone, she made me sit down with her last night to weigh the pros and cons of marriage. The pros were a few, but the cons filled a page. I honestly thought she was about to drag me to the civil affairs bureau for a divorce.”

    Ji Xiang burst into a laugh and hugged Wan Wenqi, as if to comfort him.

    “But she really is worried. You rarely go home, and usually only tell us good things but not the bad things. The last time you fell ill, she only found out because she happened to be nearby and dropped in. So, she genuinely hopes you find someone good, at least someone you can count on. Personally, I’m not a fan of rushing a marriage, but when parents reach a certain age, it’s natural for them to worry.”

    “Xiao Yang’s a good kid, reliable in every aspect. Don’t rush into marriage. Take your time, be cautious when choosing a partner. That’s also what your mom wants deep down. She wants you to live well and be happy,” Saying till now Wan Wenqi sighed. “I want that too. Ever since Ji Chen was born, the family’s focus shifted, and you were often overlooked. You had to grow up too quickly, keeping your feelings to yourself.”

    Ji Xiang shook his head, but his nose stung.

    When a once-loving couple divorces, the only one stuck in the same place is the child.

    He knew Wan Wenqi was a model husband and a very loving father.

    But this was never truly his home. To put it harshly, it was the home of Wan Wenqi, Ji Shuyu, and Ji Chen.

    “Alright, enough of that. Just know that you’ve always had a place in this family. Your mom’s waiting for you. Your sister too.” Wan Wenqi opened his arms. “Want a hug, like when you were a kid? Time flew so fast. When we first met, you were only about my waist. Now you’re half a head taller than me.”

    Ji Xiang stepped forward and hugged him lightly, “That’s because you’re getting old, Uncle Wan.”

    Wan Wenqi chuckled without replying. Ji Shuyu walked over just in time to catch that sentence and scolded with a smile, “Watch your mouth, show some respect.”

    Ji Xiang stuck out his tongue cheekily, then heard Ji Shuyu reminding him, “I already told Chaosheng, make sure you get that injury looked at in the hospital. And when you come back next time, you and Ji Chen can sit on the new swing together.”

    “Got it.”

    Seeing that Ji Shuyu had more to say but hesitated, Ji Xiang asked, “Did you forget something?”

    Ji Shuyu glanced sideways at Wan Wenqi before finally asking, “…What kind of swing do you want?”

    “You’re asking me?” Ji Xiang was surprised. He looked down at Ji Chen. “What kind does Chenchen want?”

    “Chenchen wants whatever kind my brother wants, so we can sit together!”

    Ji Xiang pinched her cheek, thought for a moment, then said, “Let’s get one with a canopy and room to hang star lights. I think she’d like that too.”

    “Okay.”

    Ji Shuyu agreed, then she and Wan Wenqi stood with Ji Chen, watching the two leave. Ji Xiang turned his head to wave goodbye, and Ji Chen shouted, “Brother, don’t forget to come home!”

    Ji Xiang nodded, made a phone-call gesture, and waved goodbye.

    As silence returned to the car, Ji Xiang felt a strange emptiness. He opened Ji Chen’s letter, and a few Hello Kitty-printed bandages fluttered out.

    He held it up and exchanged a glance with Yang Chaosheng, jokingly saying, “There are so many. It would be good if it was money that fell.”

    Ji Chen loved Hello Kitty, and anything with that pattern she usually kept carefully stored away. The fact she’d given so many to Ji Xiang meant that, in her eyes, they were as valuable as cash.

    He lowered his head to read the letter. Yang Chaosheng slowed the car.

    Ji Xiang skimmed through it quickly. Sixth graders were easy to read: a bit of childish jealousy over the ‘big brother’ [mfn]the one that she saw in the picture playing together with Ji Xiang[/mfn] she’d never met, all because he was the biological brother of her brother. Ji Xiang almost laughed.

    Still, it stung a little. Even Wan Wenqi and Ji Chen had sensed how out of place he felt in that home from early on, but Ji Shuyu hadn’t. The thought dampened his mood.

    He didn’t blame her. Back then, his parents’ fighting had escalated a lot. Divorce had been inevitable. While he was taken away from his dad and brother, Ji Shuyu had to rebuild her career and support a child.

    She’d already done enough. So, when she remarried Wan Wenqi, Ji Xiang never wanted to be a burden.

    Even if that meant his mother might one day also become someone else’s mother.

    Arguing over favoritism didn’t matter anymore, not at twenty-nine. Still, sometimes he just wished for a little home where he could be at the center.

    That thought led to a sudden impulse. “Lawyer Yang, what time is it?”

    Yang Chaosheng blinked at being addressed so formally, “Two thirty-five.”

    “Let’s go to the civil affairs bureau. Let’s get our marriage certificate today.”

    The words tumbled out of Ji Xiang’s mouth just as the Volvo drove onto a bridge. The wind blowing in felt like it was unclogging his whole chest.

    He felt… free, if only for a moment.

    Yang Chaosheng had to resist the urge to slam the brakes. “…But we haven’t drawn up the prenup.”

    Reality poured over Ji Xiang like a bucket of cold water.

    “Kidding. Forget I said that.”

    Yang Chaosheng wanted to say, ‘If you trust me, we can do it now. I have no objections.’

    As Ji Xiang flipped the letter over, a few banknotes were stuck to the back. “She actually gave me money? Where’d she even get this?”

    Hearing that, Yang Chaosheng’s heart clenched. Ji Xiang pulled the 500 yuan [mfn]approx. around 70 dollars[/mfn] out and turned to him, “Was this the money you hid in her workbook?”

    Yang Chaosheng hadn’t expected Ji Chen to be so upright at her age. He just hoped she hadn’t mentioned anything about how he had coaxed her into calling him ‘sister-in-law’ a few more times.

    “Lawyer Yang, if I keep owing you like this, I’ll have to pay you with my body,” Ji Xiang teased.

    Yang Chaosheng gripped the steering wheel and muttered, “Wouldn’t be the worst thing…”

    “What?” Ji Xiang gasped. “I don’t have money, and my life’s barely worth anything. Our friendship is strictly pure and revolutionary.”

    Yang Chaosheng laughed. “Sure, then let me take Mr. Ji to the hospital first.”

    He couldn’t joke too ambiguously, Ji Xiang might take it seriously.

    “No need, I’ll just treat it at home for a few days.”

    In the end, after Yang Chaosheng brought out Ji Shuyu’s name to guilt him into going, Ji Xiang ended up getting eight stitches and a tetanus shot.

    Ji Xiang: “…” Sometimes life really is just cruel.

    Yang Chaosheng couldn’t understand how someone with such a serious wound could have even thought about skipping the hospital. He’d trembled just during home disinfection, and looked as if he was ready to die during the stitches, yet still had the presence of mind to finish Ji Chen’s letter on the ride there.

    When they came out of the clinic, Ji Xiang’s lips had gone pale. Yang Chaosheng supported him the whole way, paid the fees, and brought him home.

    “I’ll help you upstairs. Don’t lift anything with that hand,” Yang Chaosheng said, getting out of the car. “You mind?”

    “Not really…”

    “Good.”

    Ji Xiang was still forming a polite refusal when Yang Chaosheng cut him off and immediately grabbed the bags.

    But he minded!

    His apartment was a mess. Nothing was in order.

    Before Ji Xiang could make up a believable excuse, they were already standing at his door.

    “Um… could you wait outside a bit?”

    Just a few minutes, enough to tidy up.

    “What’s wrong?” Yang Chaosheng looked confused.

    “Well… it’s kind of messy inside,” Ji Xiang admitted, awkwardly holding his arm. “Hope you don’t mind.”

    “I don’t.”

    Ji Xiang nodded and placed his finger on the lock.

    Beep-beep

    The door opened. He then calmly changed into slippers and handed a larger pair to Yang Chaosheng. “Might be a bit small. Try them. If they’re uncomfortable, just come in with your shoes.”

    Yang Chaosheng thanked him. They fit a bit too snugly, his heels touching the floor, but he wore them anyway, stepping inside and placing all the bags on the table.

    When he turned around, he saw Ji Xiang darting in front of the sofa like a guilty ghost.

    From the moment he walked in, Ji Xiang had been scanning for anything inappropriate or messy. Then he spotted a pair of yesterday’s underwear still on the sofa, folded but not yet put away, and immediately lunged for it, grabbing it and sprinting to his bedroom at lightning speed.

    Face flushed, ears burning, he could only pray that Yang Chaosheng hadn’t seen it yet.