Translator: Lynn
Approximately thirty minutes later, a busy nurse arrived to adjust Long Zichenâs position and took away the used tableware for cleaning. Long Zichen, who had been holding it in for a while, discreetly used the urinal under the covers but shyly asked Jian Jie to step out beforehand.
Shortly after, Brother Jian arrived at the ward, carrying flowers and fruit baskets. Jian Jie helped his brother arrange the flowers, and Long Zichen graciously said to Brother Jian, âYouâre too kind. You donât need to bring anything.â
âI heard from Xiao Qi that Mr. Long has always taken good care of my family, Jiejie, and I want to thank you very much,â Brother Jian replied with a smile. âItâs just a small gesture, and Jiejie never causes any trouble.â
âHow could it be troublesome? Xiaojie is exceptional and follows the companyâs arrangements. Heâs currently the best-selling singer in our company. He even participated in the Crystal Awards ceremony recently. How many newcomers can achieve such success in their first year of debut!â Long Zichen praised Jian Jie enthusiastically, knowing that praising him was the safest way to talk to Brother Jian.
Indeed, his tactic worked like a charm. Brother Jian started modestly, but after a few sentences, he switched to big brother mode and joined Long Zichen in boasting about his younger brother. With Long Zichenâs calculated flattery, Brother Jian recounted various cute behaviors of Jian Jie from his childhood. Although they were things typical of children that age, the two of them chatted with great interest. Meanwhile, Jian Jie propped his forehead, completely tuning out the two people in front of him.
Jian Bin felt like he had found a kindred spirit, and it was a rare occasion for him to have such a delightful conversation with someone of his age. Eventually, he left after chatting for a long time. Jian Jie wanted to stay until Xiao Wang arrived, but Long Zichen insisted on sending him home, saying, âThereâs nothing to worry about with me. Youâll be bored staying here. Go home with your elder brother and rest well.â
âThen Iâll come to see you tomorrow,â Jian Jie agreed, âDo you want anything to eat? Snacks, fruit? Iâll bring them tomorrow.â
âI still want to eat todayâs boiled fish! Itâll be fine if you come after mealtime,â Long Zichen pondered for a moment. âAlso, see if you can find anyone selling lemons now. I want lemons and grapefruit.â
âOkay, Iâll check if thereâs anything available. See you tomorrow,â Jian Jie bid farewell to Long Zichen.
âYeah, see you tomorrow, Xiaojie, Brother Jian,â Long Zichen watched Jian Jie and his brother leave the ward, feeling a bit dazed.
After leaving the hospital, Jian Jie wore a hat and a scarf to avoid unnecessary attention and crowds due to recognition.
Jian Bin found it amusing and remarked, âLook at all the trouble that comes with being a star. Why do so many people still want to become one?â
âBut itâs also very interesting,â Jian Jie argued with his brother, unconvinced. âTraveling to different places to sing and perform is fascinating. I get to meet many excellent musicians too.â
âOkay, as long as youâre happy,â Jian Bin changed the subject with a smile. âThe music director of your company seems quite interesting, but he appears unreliable. Can he really make good music?â
Several people had asked this question before, and Jian Jie couldnât help but laugh. âActually, Brother Chen is very strict with the companyâs singers and is highly professional in music. He produced all my albums.â
âIt seems like he is indeed taking good care of you,â Jian Bin said, sounding a bit envious. He didnât know much about music, but seeing his brotherâs happy expression when talking about Long Zichen made him feel a little left out.
With a guilty conscience, Jian Jie replied with a nonchalant âhmmâ. He still hadnât figured out how to tell his elder brother about his relationship with Long Zichen.
They made their way to Shui Xiaorenâs house again, delivering gifts to Shui Xiaorenâs family, and brought Amu back with them. When Shui Xiaoren saw Jian Jie, he exaggeratedly patted him on the shoulder and laughed, âYouâve made it big! Singing abroad and becoming an international superstar!â
âDo you want my autograph?â Jian Jie joked with him.
Shui Xiaoren shook his finger playfully, âAutograph? I have plenty of photos with the international superstar Jian Jie. Theyâre enough to scare little girls. Donât forget, I also have a picture of you in a dress~~â
âItâs as if youâve never worn one yourself!â Jian Jie teased, âI also have a photo of your naked buttocks!â
âHahaha, weâre so close, of course, we have to take care of each other. Itâs not right to take photos!â Shui Xiaoren laughed, trying to act endearing.
âDonât even think about stealing my photos anytime soon. My brother has already scanned all of them into the computer!â Jian Jie retorted with a grin.
âBrother Bin is so heartlessâ¦â Shui Xiaoren said with a mock look of sadness.
After spending some time at Shui Xiaorenâs house, they returned home. Jian Jie packed up his belongings and planned to move back to his place the next day. With school about to start, it would be more convenient for him to commute between the company and the hospital from his own home.
Late at night, just before going to bed, Long Zichen called Jian Jie. In reality, he had nothing particular to discuss, but he just wanted to hear Jian Jieâs voice.
Under the quilt, Jian Jie held his phone and asked, âBrother Chen, are you still awake?â
âAs soon as you left in the afternoon, I lay down and fell asleep. Iâm not sleepy now. How about you? Are you going to sleep?â Long Zichen asked sweetly. He had been in a great mood all day.
âI havenât slept yet. Whatâs up, Brother Chen?â
âItâs okay, I just wanted to check if you were asleep.â Long Zichen was just searching for something to talk about.
âIâll be fine tomorrow. Iâll come to the hospital early to see you. Brother Chen, is there anything you need when you come here later? We can buy it together tomorrow,â Jian Jie offered.
âNo need to worry about it. Just let Xiao Wang buy whatever is necessary,â Long Zichen replied, grinning when he mentioned the idea of living together. âI used to feel like you were angry with me. I was really worried, but now that youâre letting me live in your house, Iâm so happy!â
Jian Jie paused and softly said, âI was wrong before. Are you angry with me, Brother Chen?â
âHow could I be angry with you? Iâm glad that youâre still willing to talk to me. And even if you do get angry with me, Iâd still be happy. You donât treat me like a stranger. You wouldnât get angry with someone you donât know well!â Long Zichenâs perspective on things was quite unique.
Jian Jie couldnât help but smile helplessly as he held the phone, not knowing what to say. He could feel that Long Zichen cared for him deeply, and this affection didnât make him uncomfortable. So, Jian Jie had already made a decision, but he didnât feel the need to explain it to Long Zichen.
The next day, their diligent assistant, Xiao Wang, drove Jian Jie to the hospital. They went to the supermarket to buy lemons, but grapefruits were not available, so they settled for a box of honey grapefruit drinks. They also purchased salted plums, tangerine peels, and other snacks to pass the time when they got bored.
Jian Jie spent the whole day with Long Zichen at the hospital. They discussed the new album and future plans, but regardless of the topic, Long Zichen remained in high spirits, like an enthusiastic schoolboy going on a field trip. Jian Jie gazed at him with affection and kindness, feeling genuinely happy in his presence. Being with Long Zichen was always an enjoyable experience.
However, the following day, Jian Jieâs schedule became hectic. With school starting soon, the company arranged numerous press events and interviews for him. His album sales were excellent, and it had yet to be taken off the shelves. The company aimed to capitalize on the success and boost sales further. Jian Jie had a busy time ahead, and he would only visit Long Zichenâs place late at night, often returning home to rest after a short stay. Naturally, Long Zichen was reluctant to see him leave and complained about the companyâs relentless demands, conveniently forgetting how he had once oppressed new artists himself.
But soon, his mood changed as he got discharged from the hospital and moved into Jian Jieâs house.
Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.
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