Chapter 37: That Night Part 1

“Nothing to be sorry about?” Lai Li repeated softly, as if talking to himself.

Dai Linxuan walked to the bedside. Several unread messages filled his phone, the top one from He Xunzhang organizing another gathering with the Huo Family siblings, set for next Wednesday.

Scrolling further down, Li Zheng, whom he had just added last night, had sent a voice message: “Let me know anytime if you need help.”

At least last night’s drinks hadn’t been for nothing.

Dai Linxuan had just thrown up in the bathroom, and a sour bitterness still lingered in his throat, unshakeable even after gargling several times.

Behind him, Lai Li’s gaze felt tangible, like needles pricking his back.

Dai Linxuan’s hair was very wet, water trickling down the nape of his neck. His damp shirt clung to his spine, looking uncomfortable.

This wasn’t how it should have been.

They should have been completely unguarded with each other. Even without a bathrobe after showering, he could have bared his body without issue—instead of dressing in outdoor clothes without any plans to go out or even blow-drying his hair, just to cover himself.

Lai Li clearly realized that Dai Linxuan was setting boundaries—boundaries that hadn’t existed in the past twelve years.

“Take it off.”

Hearing this, Dai Linxuan thought he had misheard. He turned back, giving a questioning look.

Lai Li stared at him and asked softly, “Your clothes are wet. Doesn’t it feel uncomfortable?”

After all, he was the younger brother Lai Li had raised. Dai Linxuan understood Lai Li’s intentions almost instantly.

He looked away, replying to messages as he said, “Do you know what it means to expose your body in front of someone who has already clearly rejected you?”

Lai Li thought for a moment. “Seduction?”

“You don’t like it anyway, so what’s there to seduce?” Dai Linxuan found it amusing. “This is sexual harassment. In the future, watch out for people like that.”

Lai Li spoke quickly. “I didn’t think…”

“I know. You have a high tolerance for your ‘brother,’ even if that ‘brother’ is gay—you’ve never called him a pervert to his face.” Dai Linxuan glanced at him faintly. “But I would feel disgusted.”

Lai Li froze, his brows furrowing. “Disgusted by what?”

Dai Linxuan had no intention of answering. Just then, a new message arrived from Uncle Ren, saying he was in the elevator but didn’t have permission to come up.

He hurried to the entryway and pressed the access key.

Moments later, the elevator doors opened, and Uncle Ren pushed a cart of daily necessities inside.

“Just leave it here, Uncle Ren,” Dai Linxuan said apologetically. “Sorry to trouble you so early in the morning.”

“No trouble at all. You sure you don’t need me to tidy up?”

“No need. I don’t have much today—I want to stretch my body a bit.”

“Alright.” Uncle Ren chuckled, checked the items once more to confirm Dai Linxuan needed nothing else, rubbed his hands, and asked, “Xiao Li hasn’t gone home during the holiday. Is he with you?”

Dai Linxuan nodded. “Yes, he’s inside.”

Uncle Ren wasn’t surprised. He hesitated before asking, “The long holiday is ending soon. Are you two coming back these next couple of days?”

Dai Linxuan didn’t answer directly. Instead, he asked, “What’s up?”

“You and Xiao Li are both busy, and Madam is away on business. Xiao Yi is home alone—it’s pretty lonely.” Uncle Ren sighed. “Before the holiday, Xiao Yi told the kitchen to prepare extra food, but in the end…”

Dai Linxuan paused. “She didn’t go out to play?”

Uncle Ren shook his head. “No, just went to Great Uncle’s for dinner a couple of days ago.”

Dai Linxuan’s eyes drooped slightly. He said mildly, “I’ve been really busy lately. We’ll head back when we have time.”

“Alright.” Uncle Ren could tell it was an excuse and sighed quietly. “Hurry back and blow-dry your hair. Don’t catch a cold.”

The elevator doors closed, carrying Uncle Ren downward. Dai Linxuan stood there for a moment, then picked up a towel to wipe his hair.

The daily necessities Uncle Ren brought were comprehensive—familiar brands from home: bath towels, bathrobes, loungewear, everything one could need. If he stayed, Uncle Ren would have stocked the fridge too.

Dai Linxuan hadn’t originally planned to move out, but he quickly realized he needed a space without Lai Li.

After moving, he hadn’t had anyone clean the place. No matter where he stayed, it wouldn’t be for long—no need to fuss. Livable was enough.

But now that Lai Li was here, he had to manage appearances.

Footsteps sounded behind him. Dai Linxuan voiced the excuse he had prepared: “I’ve been too busy since moving back in. Haven’t bought much. Pick any bedroom you like for when you come over next time. Tell me if you need anything—”

His gaze dropped to his wrist, suddenly seized.

“Dai Linxuan!” Lai Li could barely suppress his anger. “Your hand is pierced like this, and you showered without gloves?”

“…The wounds are small. Water couldn’t get in.”

Dai Linxuan tried to pull his hand back but couldn’t. Lai Li dragged him inside, nearly tripping him over the threshold.

Entering the living room, Lai Li paused, remembering there wasn’t even a sofa. He gave Dai Linxuan an inscrutable look, then pulled him back to sit at the dining table.

The camera beside them was still paused on the video from their hike two years ago.

Dai Linxuan glanced at it and looked away.

Lai Li held his hand down, opened the erythromycin ointment bought that morning, and gently applied it to his palm, bit by bit.

Dai Linxuan wanted to say it wasn’t necessary, but he swallowed the words and let Lai Li fuss.

Lai Li’s expression was grim, but his movements were gentle. “Liao De said the thorns will slowly work their way out.”

“I know.” The cotton swab tickled continuously in his palm—a torment. “I’ll do it myself.”

Irritation flickered between Lai Li’s brows. “If it’s ‘just a potted plant,’ then why is it like this?”

Dai Linxuan paused, realizing Lai Li had misunderstood.

Lai Li hadn’t been that angry even when he put the ring up for auction. A potted plant really was “just” that—a way to vent that day?

Dai Linxuan didn’t know how to describe his state of mind then. It hadn’t been rational, but the dense pain of the cactus thorns piercing his palm had brought a sharp, real pleasure.

Like the other night—not only tying up and beating Lai Li had felt good, but the pain feedback from this hand during the “violent process” had too.

Dai Linxuan couldn’t think of a good explanation and changed the subject. “How did your hand get hurt?”

He had noticed the cut on Lai Li’s middle finger while playing mahjong on set yesterday but hadn’t had a chance to ask.

Lai Li told the truth. “Bit it.”

Dai Linxuan narrowed his eyes. “Who bit it?”

“Me.”

Dai Linxuan hadn’t expected that answer. “Why bite yourself?”

“I was hungry. Call it pica if you want.” Lai Li spread the last of the ointment on Dai Linxuan’s fingertips, his gaze darkening. “Don’t use this hand for now. Let the ointment absorb.”

Who with pica bites their own hand?

Dai Linxuan frowned. “You…”

Lai Li cut him off. “Where’s the hairdryer?”

Dai Linxuan pointed to the pile Uncle Ren had just brought.

Lai Li’s expression cooled further.

Dai Linxuan had a habit of washing his hair daily. No hairdryer in the house meant he always air-dried it. Fine in summer, but now in autumn—did he want to get sick?

Dai Linxuan stood. “I’ll do it myself…”

Lai Li fetched the hairdryer and pushed him back into the chair. “Bro, please shut up.”

Dai Linxuan heard the suppressed emotion in Lai Li’s voice and felt a headache coming on.

For the next five minutes, only the hum of the hairdryer filled the room. Dai Linxuan’s hair wasn’t very curly, just with subtle waves that complemented his refined aura.

Soon, breakfast arrived from a nearby hotel.

Dai Linxuan had no appetite but hid it, calmly eating with Lai Li. “Decided on a room yet? The master bedroom’s fine too.”

Lai Li had only set foot in this apartment zero times or countless times. One led to two—it was inevitable. Better to face it squarely.

Lai Li glanced at him. “So you can sleep in the second bedroom?”

Dai Linxuan smiled without replying.

Lai Li said calmly, “I don’t want a room.”

Dai Linxuan replied, “Suit yourself.”

He pondered if he had any other properties Lai Li didn’t know about, or if he should buy one…

No need. Even if he moved, Lai Li would dig three feet under to find him, suspicious of him fooling around with men.

He found it inexplicably amusing and couldn’t help but curve his lips.

Lai Li stared at him, displeasure in his eyes. “You’re happy?”

“What?” Dai Linxuan didn’t follow his train of thought. He stood. “Clear the table. I’ll get the haircut stuff ready.”

He went to the master bathroom first, then emerged with a set of tools Uncle Ren had brought, moving a chair to the balcony. The place had no soft furnishings—hair clippings would be easy to sweep up.

Before long, Lai Li arrived, camera in hand.

“You actually remembered it.” Dai Linxuan chuckled. “Xiao Yi probably doesn’t even know where she tossed it.”

This camera and lens cost six figures each—over a million for two. For their background, it wasn’t much.

But Dai Linxuan had gone independent at eighteen. For complicated reasons, he never took a dime from the family for his ventures.

He knew he couldn’t fully sever ties with the Dai Family—without their upbringing, he wouldn’t have the vision or ability to start a business.

Still, even a slight distance brought peace. In the early years, he often scraped by financially—

Though living at home, he wired money monthly to the Manor’s household account for his and Lai Li’s expenses.

Lai Li’s food, clothing, and tutoring—all top-tier. Plus his own tuition and living costs—money never stretched far.

Not until after college graduation. Three-plus years of four hours’ sleep a night finally paid off: his career took off, cash flow turned positive, and he had spare money for pricier gifts for his siblings.

Thirteen-year-old Lai Li loved it, snapping photos everywhere with the camera daily.

Twenty-two-year-old Lai Li pulled out the chair and sat. “I’ve kept everything you gave me.”

Dai Linxuan stood behind him, noncommittal, his smile fading slightly.

“Short wolf tail?” He ruffled Lai Li’s hair. “Watched some tutorials these past couple days. If it’s no good, we can trim it shorter.”

“Whatever you like.” Lai Li didn’t care. He just enjoyed Dai Linxuan cutting his hair—as long as it wasn’t a bald spot, it was fine.

Heaven had indeed maxed out Dai Linxuan’s talent points. There was almost nothing he couldn’t do well—if he wanted to.

Little Lai Li back then had been a spiky chestnut, drawing blood from anyone who approached. Only with Dai Linxuan did he crack open slightly, revealing the soft, tender inside.

No choice. After learning to bathe and cook for the kid, Dai Linxuan picked up haircutting too—so Dai Yi wouldn’t mock Lai Li’s “dog-chewed” head. He had to learn precisely.