Dai Linxuan turned back and pried Lai Li’s fingers away. “Spare it already.”
Lai Li forcibly suppressed his displeasure and stood indifferently with his hands in his pockets, staying by his brother’s side.
Huo Wenhai teased, “What’s up with Little Chestnut? Hungry enough to bite your hand?”
Dai Linxuan patted the back of a chair and said to Lai Li, “Sit here.”
Then he responded to Huo Wenhai, “He’s throwing a young master’s tantrum.”
The words sounded like criticism, but anyone could hear the indulgence in his tone.
Huo Wenhai couldn’t help but chuckle. “He’s a grown man now, and he still needs his big brother to coax him?”
“He looks grown up, but he hasn’t been an adult for long.” Dai Linxuan smiled faintly. “Right in the rebellious phase.”
“I’ve heard early on that President Dai and his little brother have a great relationship. Today, I’ve finally witnessed it.” A middle-aged man sighed and shook his head. “If only my two sons could get along like you two.”
Huo Shuang’s gaze had been drifting between Dai Linxuan and Lai Li. Hearing this, she smiled.
If they were truly as “harmonious” as that, you’d probably be six feet under already.
She withdrew her gaze and chimed in, “Kids are like that. They seem to bicker every day, but in reality, neither can live without the other.”
“You’re right.” The middle-aged man couldn’t resist bragging about his own kids. “My two boys start arguing the moment they meet, but when the older one went to stay at his grandma’s for a few days, the younger one video-called every night, and you couldn’t even pry the phone away from him.”
Dai Linxuan seemed to think of something and smiled for a moment.
Lai Li felt even more displeased.
It was like a shared experience was being monopolized.
He stood outside the door of those memories, with a lock in front of him. Though Dai Linxuan hadn’t put the lock there himself, he clearly had the key but insisted on keeping Lai Li out.
Besides the Huo siblings, there were three other people in the room. Dai Linxuan briefly introduced them to Lai Li. “This is Director Wang…”
Lai Li cooperatively greeted each one.
This luncheon clearly revolved around Director Wang. His position at customs was probably not low; “director” was just a nominal title.
But he had a laid-back personality and loved a lively atmosphere. He chatted from family trivialities to all corners of the world, talking himself while enjoying others’ gossip. Huo Shuang wasn’t good at this, so she brought Huo Wenhai along to “promote” the entertaining stories from Danshi’s elite social circles.
After a few rounds of drinks, their addresses had shifted from surnames to “Uncle” and nicknames.
Director Wang said, “Linxuan was raised too well. He doesn’t gossip behind people’s backs.”
Dai Linxuan smiled and shook his head. “I’ve been abroad these past two years, so I really don’t know much about that.”
Director Wang neither confirmed nor denied it and raised his glass to Huo Wenhai. “No offense meant. I just like energetic young people like you.”
Huo Wenhai didn’t mind. “If I were like Linxuan, I’d suffocate to death.”
“Linxuan’s family must be strict with him, right? Must be a lot of pressure.” Director Wang shook his head. “An old friend of mine is the same way. His son became the captain of the city’s criminal investigation team at twenty-nine. Isn’t that young and promising? But my friend was never satisfied, pressuring him year after year. The father and son interact like superiors and subordinates, all polite and formal—no fun at all.”
The topic shifted abruptly, but Director Wang’s tone remained natural.
“Their line of work values seniority, doesn’t it?” Huo Wenhai asked in surprise. “Becoming captain so young means it’ll take years of grinding for another promotion.”
“It’s about time.” Director Wang said meaningfully. “He’s thirty-three this year. Handle a few more eye-catching cases, or snag a big one to gild his resume… He’s still young, but you get it—some places value background more than the business world.”
Lai Li looked up and picked up a dish with his chopsticks.
Dai Linxuan placed the peeled crab meat into a bowl and handed it to Lai Li. “With security so good these days, big cases are hard to come by.”
“You never know.” Director Wang said as if suddenly remembering. “You all know where your previous Danshi police chief ended up, right?”
Huo Shuang’s eyes flickered slightly. “I heard from the elders at home. He’s at the deputy provincial level now?”
“Yeah, he was overage back then, and his resume wasn’t standout enough—he wasn’t in line for it.” Director Wang lowered his voice. “But then the Dai Family’s Saibo City project—the massive slum clearance operation that shocked the nation—propelled him up there. Timing and luck, I suppose.”
Huo Wenhai shrugged it off. “Things were chaotic back then. Can you even find another slum like that now?”
“That’s why it’s all about timing and luck.” Director Wang laughed heartily, leaned back in his chair, and took a sip of baijiu. “But my friend’s son has decent career luck too, or he couldn’t have become captain so young.”
He paused, then added, “No cases is for the best. Means everything’s peaceful and harmonious.”
The topic ended there. Director Wang suddenly turned to Lai Li, teasing Dai Linxuan about being so patient and loving with his little brother, and how he’d surely make a great father someday.
As he said this, he glanced pointedly at Huo Shuang.
Dai Linxuan curved his lips slightly. “One is exhausting enough.”
Director Wang took it to mean he’d only have one child in the future, but Huo Wenhai frowned, thinking the “one” referred to Lai Li.
Last time at the club playing pool, he’d vaguely sensed a rift between Dai Linxuan and Lai Li, but today it seemed mended—if not better than before…
He whispered to Huo Shuang, “Don’t you think something’s off with those two?”
Huo Shuang ignored him lazily. “Isn’t it normal?”
Dai Linxuan peeled two more shrimp and placed them on Lai Li’s plate. Noticing Director Wang’s surprised expression, he chuckled lightly. “Little Chestnut was spoiled by the aunties at home. He doesn’t know grains from chaff and is useless with physical labor.”
Huo Wenhai shot his sister a look: This is normal?
Huo Shuang calmly picked a few dishes for him. “Just a bit better relationship than us.”
Huo Wenhai wasn’t convinced. To prove he was also a caring big brother, he joined the shrimp and crab peeling brigade. Soon, Huo Shuang’s bowl was piled like a mountain.
“…” What an idiot straight guy.
Lai Li should have stopped his brother from feeding him like this—it was too conspicuous, especially with the Huo siblings there. It was easy to give something away.
But this scene felt so familiar. Flashes of similar moments from different times crossed his mind.
Late at night sometimes, he’d sit on Dai Linxuan’s lap, encircled in his arms, as those slender fingers peeled shrimp or seafood and fed them to him one by one.
“Shh, quietly now. Xiao Yi would be upset if she knew.”
…
Another night, after feeding the last one, Dai Linxuan wiped his mouth with a napkin. “Can’t eat too much, or you’ll get indigestion.”
…
One daytime, in a restaurant private room like this, Tang Yue across from them sighed, “Does your brother have no hands or what? Can’t even peel his own shrimp?”
Dai Linxuan placed the plate of shrimp in front of Lai Li with a smile. “Last time he tried peeling them himself, he got several bloody punctures. How could I let him do it again?”
…
It had never been the aunties at home who spoiled Lai Li—it was always Dai Linxuan.
Reason told Lai Li not to be so intimate in public, but his body craved this special treatment from his brother. In an instant, he convinced himself: peeling shrimp and crab was nothing—just not evidence of any “forbidden love.” It wasn’t like it hadn’t happened before.
So Lai Li enjoyed it with a clear conscience, casually glancing at Huo Shuang’s reaction as if by accident.
If his brother liked women, he’d suppress all his dark thoughts and support Dai Linxuan’s life.
Unfortunately.
Or not so unfortunate.
A lifetime unmarried and childless wasn’t much of a flaw—just a “regret” at most. A century later, the world might even think Dai Linxuan had devoted his life to charity, with no time for romance—a fine reputation.
Lai Li happily ate the big shrimp.
The meal ended after more than an hour. Dai Linxuan’s appetite seemed fine; he’d eaten quite a bit.
Before parting, Director Wang patted Huo Wenhai’s shoulder. “If the weather’s good next spring, come back for a few more days. Our flowers and grass here have a unique flavor—I’ll make sure to book everything up for you.”
Huo Wenhai took it as politeness and smiled in agreement.
After seeing Director Wang off, Huo Shuang asked, “When are you heading back to Danshi, Linxuan?”
Dai Linxuan replied, “Tomorrow.”
“So soon?” Huo Wenhai was surprised. “Doesn’t Dai Corporation have the shareholders’ meeting this afternoon?”
“We’ll arrive by noon. Plenty of time.”
Huo Wenhai turned to Lai Li. “What about you, Little Chestnut? Don’t you have classes? You can ride back with me.”
Lai Li said coldly, “No need.”
“He’s taken leave. He’s coming back with me tomorrow.” Dai Linxuan handed the car keys to Lai Li and said mildly, “Go get the car. I need to use the restroom.”
Lai Li was about to say “I’ll wait for you,” when his phone buzzed in his pocket. He refused the server’s offer to help and walked toward the parking lot with a grim face, holding the umbrella open.
Huo Wenhai watched his back and tsked softly, probing, “Your brother’s temper really isn’t likable.”
Dai Linxuan withdrew his gaze, eyes full of amusement. “As long as he pleases me, that’s enough.”
Huo Wenhai: “……?”
Last time you weren’t saying that. Something about not abandoning a dog after twelve years.
Huo Shuang called out, “Bro.”
Huo Wenhai snapped back and said quickly, “I’ll go get the car too.”
He hurried into the rain curtain, also declining the server’s offer to move his car.
“Together?” Dai Linxuan headed to the restroom. “Wenhai seems eager for us to get married.”
Huo Shuang followed, walking side by side with him.
She lowered her eyes first, then revealed a faint smile moments later. “You might not believe it, but he knows nothing.”
Dai Linxuan sighed softly. “I could tell.”
They reached the public washbasin, exchanging words amid the sound of running water.
Huo Shuang said, “Dad’s attitude is firm, and he has no choice. He thinks if a marriage sacrifice is inevitable, pairing up with you is the best outcome.”
Dai Linxuan rinsed his hands. “Sorry for dragging you into this.”
“I’ve been in the water all along. No need for your apology.” Huo Shuang smiled mockingly. “I told Dad you’re not as upright as you seem on the surface, and he was actually pretty pleased.”
Though Huo Jingyun hadn’t smiled then, Huo Shuang hadn’t missed the flicker of interest in his eyes before he put on a show of comforting his daughter. “Are you misunderstanding Linxuan? No one’s truly perfect in this world. Just work through it…”
Her happiness meant nothing to him.
Any comfort now rang hollow, especially since Dai Linxuan was the other party involved, so he said nothing.
Huo Shuang suddenly asked, “Does your brother know you’re getting involved in these matters?”
Dai Linxuan slowly washed his hands. “No.”
Huo Shuang said, “He’s wearing your clothes today, right? Doesn’t suit his vibe.”
Dai Linxuan hummed in acknowledgment. “He came on short notice, no luggage.”
“You should at least explain things about us to him.” Huo Shuang finished washing and pulled out a paper towel. “To avoid unnecessary misunderstandings.”
She didn’t bluntly say “I know there’s something between you two,” settling for a mutual understanding where you know that I know, and I know you know.
“It’s not quite what you think. Little Chestnut, he…” Dai Linxuan smiled for a bit, sighed, and trailed off.
Huo Shuang didn’t press. “Actually, I met your brother a long time ago.”
Dai Linxuan was somewhat surprised. “Last time you were back?”
Huo Shuang shook her head. “Twelve years ago.”
“The Slum District?” Dai Linxuan guessed immediately. “What were you doing there?”
During that time, Huo Shuang always suspected Huo Jingyun of having something on the side, especially since her mother had passed just a few years prior. That spring, she tailed him to the Slum District, growing suspicious. She couldn’t understand why her father would come to such a rundown place.
