Bo Yuxu was stunned for a moment, then looked up at her. She was really too good at coaxing people. On this matter, "You really do side with him."
Bo Xin found it fascinating how his ears turned red when teased. She held back from reaching out to touch them, since the kid had already made a compromise; teasing him further might make him angry. "I'll walk you back to eat. Don't you smell it? The stir-fried peppers with eggs smell really good." Especially here in the countryside—pesticide-free peppers and home-raised eggs.
"Aren't you eating with us?"
Bo Xin tilted her head and removed a peach blossom petal from his hair. "We adults have our own table." It felt like a lie; Mom didn't drink. But Bo Yuxu obediently went back, sat at the table, took the first bite of egg, and even put some on Ji Yanyi's plate.
Ji Yanyi's eyes widened. If he remembered correctly, Yuxu had just gone to find Mom. Sure enough, Mom was the best at calming her little brother down. Ji Yanyi put chicken drumsticks and meat on Bo Yuxu's plate until it became a small mountain. Bo Yuxu helplessly stopped him. "Enough, that's enough."
Bo Yuxu looked up and met Ye Jinyi's eyes. The two might have had similar experiences; some things didn't need to be said for them to understand each other. Concern and tolerance were both in their eyes. Bo Yuxu picked out the red peppers from his bowl. "Have you remembered anything?"
Ye Jinyi glanced at him, wondering if he was being taken advantage of. But since Bo Yuxu asked, he chose to answer honestly. "I remembered that my brother is just like you—someone who holds grudges."
Bo Yuxu looked up. Before he could say anything, Ji Yanyi spoke first. "My brother doesn't hold grudges!" Then he weakly added, "...At least not now." Ye Jinyi was speechless. Had Ji Yanyi already forgotten the earlier tension? That seemed like something this kid named Yanyi would do. He made a concession and simplified. "Yes, I remember my brother is a kid who likes to hold grudges."
Repeating it made Bo Yuxu feel even weirder. He had to quickly gloss over this part. He changed the subject. "...Are you very afraid of adults?"
Ye Jinyi covered his arm, where Bo Xin, his benefactor, had applied medicine. He did dislike and fear adults a little, but not his benefactors. It was just that he felt uncomfortable here. If he couldn't find his family, he would only be freeloading. And because they pitied him, he couldn't do much labor in return. In the Ye family, he never got any money, and he had no money now. How long would it take to grow up? Not to mention his limp—before Bo Xin said it could be treated, everyone else said his foot was crippled.
Ye Jinyi swallowed and chose to answer truthfully. "A little."
Bo Yuxu took a bite of rice. "What about my mom?"
Ye Jinyi looked up and explained hastily. "Not at all."
Bo Yuxu didn't mind. He felt warm-hearted and a bit proud of his mother's thoughtfulness. Of course, there was a little jealousy, but only a little. Bo Yuxu glanced outside. "Then you should tell her."
His voice was so soft that Ye Jinyi almost didn't hear. But because he did, he realized his own failure. In front of him were his benefactor's children—this was the best time to ask questions. Ye Jinyi leaned forward slightly. "Do you think it's okay for me to earn money later and send it to Bo Xin, my benefactor?"
"Of course not!" Ji Yanyi's voice was agitated and shocked. "You actually think my mom is the kind of person who covets children's money? That's terrible, big brother!" No, Ye Jinyi just wanted to repay kindness; he had no bad intentions. Calling him "terrible" was a bit much.
Bo Yuxu gave a more proper answer. "For Mom, as long as you live happily, that should be enough." He meant that their mother didn't care about repayment. Ye Jinyi pondered for a moment, then stopped talking and picked up an egg from among the meat dishes. He thought his personality was still a bit stubborn.
After dinner, he washed the dishes—something he had to fight for. He was good at it. Here, the kids cooked light dishes, and a rub with an old loofah made them clean. Under the moonlight, the light was still on. Bo Xin ate slowly and came to return her bowl. They faced each other. Ye Jinyi remembered what Bo Yuxu had said at the table. But saying directly, "I'm not afraid of you," felt strange. He wiped his hands dry and simply grabbed the sleeve of the person about to leave.
"What's wrong?" Feeling the tug, Bo Xin slowly turned around. Ye Jinyi's face, pale from chronic malnutrition, grew even paler from nervousness. Seeing this, Bo Xin gave him an out. "What is it? Do you have something to tell me?"
Ye Jinyi snapped back to reality. He rubbed his apron with both hands, then decided to take it off. "It's just... later, I will repay you."
Bo Xin didn't help him for repayment, but from his expression, he wouldn't accept that answer. This was troublesome. She looked at his foot. Should she say he was her patient, to prove her medical skills to someone? That sounded weird, like a medical fanatic. And this kid needed something more concrete for the future. Bo Xin sighed. "Then save it for my sons."
Ye Jinyi didn't understand. "Your sons are very good." Especially Bo Yuxu, who didn't seem like he'd have a hard life. What could such kids need? Bo Xin found it hard to explain. After all, it was the plot—what if the two kids, as villains, lost to the novel's male lead? They'd end up destitute: one bankrupt and jumping off a building, the other teaching in the countryside. Both would work themselves to the bone. But to Ye Jinyi, she couldn't be that direct. "One is foolish, the other stubborn. How could they live well?"
Ye Jinyi was silent. In this short time, he had learned that the benefactor named Ji Xingzhi was the boss of Hengxing, which organized this event. With that financial strength, perhaps the two kids indeed couldn't compare to their parents' generation. He was silent for a long time. Bo Xin felt it was getting late. She was wearing a thin coat, and the spring night was a bit chilly. "Anything else to say?"
Ye Jinyi made a couple of sounds, flustered. But when it came to speaking, he hesitated. "It's just... I occasionally recall being hit back then. The person who hit me felt like Ye Laosan." He had always found it strange—how could poor Ye Laoqi afford to buy a child? If some of the Ye family were originally in the human trafficking business, it would make sense. Ye Laoqi didn't work, yet his brothers regularly sent him money. That suggested he knew, maybe even participated. But these were just his guesses, unconfirmed and without evidence. Even at the police station, they might only ask a few questions.
Bo Xin's eyes narrowed slightly. She no longer felt cold. This was really amazing. "I understand. I'll look into it later."
Night was quiet, with occasional toad and cicada sounds—just the season for them. Then a loud noise erupted outside. People were banging on tables and walls nonstop. "Are you people from 'Hengxing' all in cahoots? Did you take our Jinyi?" "Deny it? Only you outsiders have been in our village lately, especially those two in white coats. Someone saw them in our village." "You're stealing children! You're human traffickers!"
Bo Xin frowned. She didn't think Ye Laoqi was that smart. If someone could figure it out, they must be well-versed in this trade. Ye Jinyi's claim gained some credibility. Ye Jinyi, however, had no mind to think about that. His hands and feet were cold, his heart was racing, and he was short of breath. He breathed hard and put his trembling hands in his pockets, giving Bo Xin a sheepish smile. He thought he didn't want to seem so useless. But Bo Xin's expression didn't change. She smoothed his rolled-up sleeve and gripped his wrist through the fabric. "It's late. Go to sleep. When you wake up, everything will be over." No one should live in constant fear of bad people. Didn't he have his own good life to live? That was Bo Xin's thought.
Ye Jinyi himself was surprised because he miraculously felt the reassurance Bo Xin gave him. He went into the room, while Bo Xin looked outside. The people were still causing trouble in the Hengxing tent. Before they could connect Hengxing with Fan Wenhua, Bo Xin narrowed her eyes, went into the room, and slipped out the back door. At Sister Fan's place, there was a phone for work and keeping in touch with old friends. This room was a simple office. She called the police, briefly described the situation, and wondered when they'd arrive. But as she waited, she heard sirens. The sound came from far to near. Strange—the timing didn't match, and there were far more police than expected. She only reported someone causing trouble, right?
Ji Xingzhi came out behind her and explained, "I called first. How about that?" Bo Xin felt the difference. "What did you tell them?"
Ji Xingzhi leaned against the wall, one leg casually supporting his weight. "I said, 'Old Li, do you want a second-class merit?'" Bo Xin raised an eyebrow. Did former comrades talk like that, directly promising merits? But she had to admit, it was motivating. In her previous hospital, no one could refuse a huge bonus and promotion. But they still weren't sure the Ye family were traffickers. Ji Xingzhi hadn't eaten dinner; he easily lost his appetite. Even if he had one, he ate little and simply took a piece of steamed bread and bit into it. "What do you think I learned during my military years? My observation skills were the best in the company." The Ye family's homes were all connected—perfect for a transit point. And Ye Laoqi wasn't that smart or ruthless enough to cut someone's hamstring. "So you discovered it? I thought..." Ji Xingzhi was puzzled. "Thought what?" "Thought you overheard my conversation with Ye Jinyi."
"I didn't eavesdrop."
Bo Xin's gaze landed on Ji Xingzhi's ear. From this angle, she could clearly see its shape. So Yuxu not only had his eyebrows and eyes—even his ears were inherited from Ji Xingzhi. Ji Xingzhi indeed hadn't eavesdropped; he listened openly. They were in an open area, and he was just holding clothes, curious why returning a bowl took so long. Bo Xin suddenly moved. Ji Xingzhi leaned back. "What are you doing?" "Nothing. Just wanted to see if your ears turn red when you're guilty, like Yuxu." Apparently not. After all, he was older and thicker-skinned. Ji Xingzhi said nothing. He glanced away, pretending nothing happened. And he thought, no matter how he looked at it, it was Yuxu who was like him, not the other way around. It was upside down.
Ji Xingzhi wanted to say something, but Bo Xin had already straightened up and walked toward the police. Ji Xingzhi clicked his tongue, scratched his head, and followed.
"Long time no see, Old Li."
Li Guodong's eyes fell on Ji Xingzhi. News about him had spread widely recently, unfortunately not good news. Now his face was so thin. Physical weakness was easy to see. But just now, he was flirting with his wife—at least his heart was still young. "I have to thank you for this generous gift." Li Guodong was stunned himself, then rubbed his head. "I think I just rhymed." Ji Xingzhi was speechless. "Don't force yourself to learn things you're not good at just to start a conversation."
Li Guodong marveled. Did he not do it well? He was naturally dull; Ji Xingzhi always helped him integrate into circles. He really admired Ji Xingzhi's ability to get along with anyone. But seeing him go from lively to this weary state, Li Guodong felt a pang. "This is the person we've been hunting, 'Old Ghost,' who is Ye Laosan. He ruined half his face and returned to the village. Back then, he was just a small fry. Now he's become a transit point himself."
Ji Xingzhi flexed his fingers. He knew this type well. "He got a taste of it." Li Guodong split into two teams: one to arrest the Ye family here, the other to go directly after Ye Laosan. If everyone present were real relatives, Ye Laosan's conviction would be faster. "You've helped me a lot this time. What do you want?"
Ji Xingzhi's eyes lit up. "Anything?" "Yes." Li Guodong wondered what he could ask for—maybe a doctor through the government, or something else. He would help with anything he could. Ji Xingzhi nodded. "Then I want a car and a driver." "What? That's so simple." "Yes, you heard right." Ji Xingzhi stretched. "I've been driving nonstop lately, and I'm exhausted." Tomorrow, there was still a trip to the department store in the city. It was far, but the store was next to the hospital. They needed a paternity test, and only that hospital could do it. If he just said it, Bo Xin would certainly stop him from driving, but he couldn't bring himself to say it. Ji Xingzhi clicked his tongue—definitely afraid of that needle in his brain.
A car and a police officer who could drive were left behind. It was fitting because a witness now lived here; after the child Ye Jinyi recovered, he would need to give a statement. Ye Jinyi hadn't actually fallen asleep. He sat up and saw the colorful police lights outside, which gave him a strong sense of security. Before, he never felt that. He thought it was definitely because of the reliable adults. Bo Yuxu and Ji Yanyi, who were sleeping with him, also sat up. Ji Yanyi said in wonder, "This is my first time seeing a police car."
Bo Yuxu was still flipping through a book. Lately, even though he was outside, he couldn't forget that the school had monthly exams. Since he wasn't at school, he had to study on his own. "Mm. You've never committed a crime, so why would you see a police car?" Ji Yanyi didn't mean that. "...Shouldn't your first thought be about becoming a policeman?" Bo Yuxu narrowed his eyes. He didn't understand why he ruled out that possibility. "...Go wash up and sleep."
He said he wanted to be a policeman, and his brother told him to wash up and sleep. That was definitely wrong no matter how you looked at it. Ji Yanyi had to say something. "I'm very different now. I deeply understand the importance of studying, and that not everyone can study." Ji Yanyi thought that when he got home, he wouldn't slack off anymore. He even knew the phrase 'slack off'—didn't that prove his Chinese had improved greatly? "...Go wash up and sleep."
"You may not know, but I've practiced martial arts. I can take on three at once." Ji Yanyi immediately performed a flying kick, a somersault, and a horse stance. All were standard. Bo Yuxu was unmoved. Ye Jinyi watched the interaction and relaxed. So this was what Bo Xin meant by 'one foolish, one stubborn'? It was very vivid indeed.
Author's note: None.