Chapter 71: Carnivore · 10

Cui Mengmei hadn’t seen what had happened in the living room. She hurried back from stir-frying the vegetables, made a special trip downstairs to buy two eggs, fried them up, and brought everything out together.

“The doctor said your body’s been through a lot and you need to eat more nutritious food,” she said, sliding the fried eggs in front of her son. “Eat up. It’s fine—Mom won’t blame you.”

Qiu Lu picked up a mushroom with his chopsticks and offered it to her. She ate it right away, but still fussed, “If you feel any pain over the next few days, or if anything… grows on you, you have to tell me.”

Qiu Lu’s expression softened a little. He picked up a piece of radish and offered it to his father.

Qiu Junwei lifted his bowl to dodge it. “No need, no need. You eat. I’ve already had my fill!”

Ever since Qiu Lu had walked through the door, his father had been avoiding him as subtly as possible, treating him like he’d just escaped a plague-ridden disaster zone.

Qiu Lu just smiled instead and didn’t pull back the radish.

“Dad, you’re so worried about me. Let me look out for you too.”

“You used to clip food for me all the time.”

Cui Mengmei picked up on the tension and chimed in, “He’s offering it to you— just eat it. It’s only a piece of radish.”

Qiu Junwei didn’t want to look disgusted on his face, and with no other excuse handy, he accepted it with his bowl. He muttered under his breath, “I’m already stuffed anyway…”

Qiu Lu slowly ate the plain vegetables in front of him. His stomach growled again, craving that fresh, sweet taste of meat.

He stayed quiet, still mulling over his future situation.

Seeing that he seemed tamed for the moment, Qiu Junwei launched into a heartfelt lecture.

“They must’ve told you already.”

“There are familiar faces everywhere in the neighborhood. Don’t just turn into a bird and fly off whenever you feel like it.”

At the word “bird,” Cui Mengmei’s gaze flickered, like she wanted to steer clear of the whole topic. She nudged his elbow.

Qiu Junwei barreled on regardless. “You can’t tell a soul about this. Not even your closest friends—kids are blabbermouths. How many can actually keep a secret?”

“And from now on, don’t shed feathers all over the place. Clean up after yourself. The washing machine had some feathers in it before—I thought it was…”

“No using the bird thing as an excuse in this house, and definitely no flying out on a whim.”

He was clearly just getting started, ready to go on and on.

Qiu Lu managed a few bites—just enough to take the edge off his hunger—then stood up with his bowl and chopsticks.

Qiu Junwei’s face darkened, clearly displeased. “You’re getting way too rude!”

“Sick or not, you don’t ignore your elders? Is that how we raised you?”

“I’m tired. I need to sleep.”

Unlike before, Qiu Lu didn’t apologize and sit back down. He headed straight to the kitchen and washed the dishes.

On his way out, he pocketed the spare key hidden in the storage cabinet, returned to his bedroom, and locked the door behind him.

The sound of the bedroom door locking made both parents snap their heads up. They exchanged stunned glances.

In seventeen years, the boy had never dared to lock his door!

Cui Mengmei jumped up at once to smooth things over. “Son, are you feeling unwell? Open the door. Mom won’t be able to take care of you later if she needs to come in.”

Qiu Lu replied calmly, “No.”

“Why not? Tell Mom what’s wrong. Don’t keep it bottled up!”

Qiu Junwei snapped, “You’ve gone too far! Ignoring what I say, barely eating, and now locking the door!”

“Open it up, or you’ll make me lose my temper!”

Qiu Lu changed into his pajamas, crawled under the covers, and let exhaustion drown out the knocking and cursing.

He was dead tired. In what felt like the blink of an eye, he’d turned back into the egret.

The slender white bird used its thin beak to nudge the screen window open and took to the skies with a flap of its wings.

For a fleeting moment, it thought of Brother Yuxiao’s place right downstairs.

It could fly there—even just to his window—in a matter of seconds.

But it still didn’t dare show itself like this.

As if guided by some unseen force, it veered off toward White Marsh Wetland Park instead.

It was Saturday, and everyone had headed to the mall for fun. The park was deserted.

The egret circled once, not even spotting any of the usual old men fishing. It landed awkwardly in the shallows, its long legs probing the soft mud.

Its sense of smell and sight sharpened to crystal clarity.

It couldn’t detect any lingering traces of cigarette smoke, but a quick glance revealed the flicker of fish shadows in the water weeds. In an instant, its neck darted, and it had delicately snatched one up.

The little fish thrashed wildly in its long beak, twisting and jumping.

The egret held it silently for a few seconds, then let it go.

What was he?

Just a bird?

The raw, primal instinct cut like a knife. He was acutely aware of his hunger but turned and flew away all the same.

Qiu Lu flew home, shifted back to human form, and stuffed his wallet into his pocket.

There were marks on the bedroom door lock where it had been pounded on, and his parents were nowhere to be seen. He didn’t care where they’d gone.

He picked up the landline and called Ji Yuxiao.

It took a moment for the other end to pick up. Then came the quick response: “Little Lu?”

“Uncle and Aunt said you caught a bad cold and were really sick these past few days. Feeling better now?”

“Mm.” Qiu Lu gave a curt reply. “Got time?”

“Yeah,” Ji Yuxiao asked. “Where to?”

“To eat fish.”

They stopped in front of that same grilled fish restaurant from last time.

Even the waitress was the same, her smile perfectly rehearsed and professional.

“Grilled fish on the cheap! Couple’s set for just 78 bucks!”

“Lychee flavor, tomato flavor, funky sour soup—grilled with tofu skin, kelp, glass noodles, all super tasty!”

Qiu Lu glanced at the generous portions on the neighboring table. “Two sets. I’ll pay.”

The waitress blinked. “Two couple’s sets?”

A flicker of amusement danced in Ji Yuxiao’s eyes, though his expression remained calm. “Do as he says.”

Two steaming pots of grilled fish arrived promptly, simmering over low heat with bubbles rising in the rich broth. The mingled scents of lychee and tomato filled the air.

Ji Yuxiao ate slowly, picking at his food leisurely, every movement refined and unhurried.

Across the table, Qiu Lu—who was usually as soft and meek as a lamb—radiated an unusual edge of hostility.

Ji Yuxiao picked up a piece of fish belly with his chopsticks, took a sip of the broth, and decided the place really was pretty good.

The sauce was abundant, the flesh springy and flavorful with a unique kick.

As he chewed, he watched Qiu Lu and smiled faintly. “Mad at me and not even talking?”

Qiu Lu stewed in his annoyance for a good while.

He only ever showed his emotions around Ji Yuxiao.

Sunny and outgoing at school, the perfect kid at home—only in front of Ji Yuxiao did he go sullen and silent, and only rarely did he let a hint of darkness slip through.

“You didn’t even ask how I got sick,” Qiu Lu started out wanting to snap, but his voice came out more hurt than angry. “And you didn’t ask why I suddenly felt like eating fish.”

Ji Yuxiao picked up a piece of fish eye, lowering his gaze with a smile as he savored it slowly.

Qiu Lu flared up in a burst of anger.

“Brother Yuxiao!”

“On the way here, were you hoping to see me shocked out of my mind, totally floored?” Ji Yuxiao couldn’t stop laughing. “After all these years, you still don’t know me?”

Qiu Lu thought about it and grudgingly admitted it made sense, though he was still bristling.

“…Isn’t this a huge deal?” The young man paused, then added honestly after a moment, “Maybe it’s not even that big a deal. I just really wanted someone to notice.”

“It’s a good thing.” Ji Yuxiao spooned a bit of broth onto his chopsticks. “I figured it’d take until you were seventy or eighty, when Uncle and Aunt couldn’t keep tabs on you anymore, before you’d even consider it—like dipping your chopsticks in for a tiny taste.”

Qiu Lu fumed, while Ji Yuxiao burst out laughing.

There was something inherently brotherly about Ji Yuxiao.

Sometimes it was so pronounced that it tricked Qiu Lu into feeling like they really were blood brothers.

Like right now. He switched to the serving chopsticks. “Qiu Lu, come sit over here.”

The command came out of nowhere, but Qiu Lu obeyed without question.

He dragged his stool over and sat beside his big brother.

Using the serving chopsticks, Ji Yuxiao parted the fish belly, lifted the head, and pointed out each part.

Like a gentle older brother—and also like an accomplice indulging his deeper descent.

“Qiu Lu, the fish eyes are delicious.”

“There’s soft white marrow in the head. It’s not greasy, but you have to suck it gently—chopsticks might not pick it up.”

“This is the fin, connected to the softest bit of belly meat, loaded with fat.”

“The swim bladder’s got great chew, usually right here in the chest.”

“The back and tail have lots of tiny bones, but with mandarin fish or similar, you can eat them without worry.”

Qiu Lu listened intently. Whenever Ji Yuxiao picked a piece for him, he ate it right away.

Warm, fragrant, tender fish filled his stomach bit by bit. He let himself eat until he was stuffed, not caring if he overdid it.

Then, in a daze, he glanced at Ji Yuxiao’s profile.

The three o’clock sun gilded his wheat-toned skin.

The boy had grown into a mature, poised young man, blending youthful handsomeness with poise.

Ji Yuxiao had those classic peach-blossom eyes, long brows, thin lips, and an innate air of authority.

Qiu Lu stared at his brother for a few extra seconds before looking away, head down as he ate the piece of fish lip Ji Yuxiao had served him.

Ji Yuxiao was scooping up the little tomatoes from the pot. In an even tone, he asked, “What’re you thinking about?”

“Nothing.”

“I can practically smell it when your mood dips.”

Qiu Lu thought it was a weird metaphor but owned up to it anyway.

He could be stubborn-mouthed, but he told Ji Yuxiao everything.

“Feels like I’m a kindergarten kid. Almost grown up, and you’re still hand-feeding me fish like this.”

Ji Yuxiao paused for a few seconds, then reached out to ruffle his hair.

The gesture was bold, almost like he’d pull him into a hug any second. His palm was warm against Qiu Lu’s scalp, lingering there.

“Qiu Lu.” He said his name softly, then after a beat: “What’s wrong with that?”

“…Mm.”

There were a few moments when Qiu Lu was sure he was about to get pulled into an embrace.

He couldn’t understand how a simple hair-ruffling could spark such a misconception, yet he stayed glued to his brother’s side all the same.

Be it hair-ruffling or playful scolding with a smile…

All he wanted was to see more of Ji Yuxiao, to steal a few more glances at him.

It was a childish, stubborn wish—one that kept him from even pretending to duck when Ji Yuxiao ruffled his hair with extra vigor.

Someday, that secret might shatter, and they may never be friends again.

No one could ever love a monstrous little brother.

But Brother Yuxiao… it feels like you’re all I have left.

The thought lingered in silence.

Your world is full of people—gaming sessions together, karaoke nights, barbecues, and weekend getaways.

I’ve always been different from you, right from the start.

Qiu Lu lowered his lashes and fell quiet for a long moment before murmuring, “Brother Yuxiao, this fish is delicious.”

Ji Yuxiao blinked. In that instant, he desperately wished he could shift back into an egret and brush beaks with him.

He didn’t know the first thing about avian speech.

He just yearned to do it anyway.

When Qiu Lu returned home, only a single dim lamp glowed in the living room. His parents sat side by side on the sofa.

The door to the side bedroom stood wide open—the locksmith had just removed the lock.

Qiu Lu slipped off his shoes and took a single step forward before Cui Mengmei erupted in fury.

“Just what do you think you’re doing?!”

She shot to her feet, trembling with rage. “That stench of meat all over you—you really think your father and I wouldn’t notice? That we couldn’t guess exactly where you’ve been?!”

“Qiu Lu, is this how you want to live anymore? What the hell are you trying to pull?!”

Qiu Junwei rose silently, his fingers already working the buckle of his belt.

Before he could bark the order to kneel, Qiu Lu hiked up his pant leg and pressed the button on the silver ankle ring—right in front of them.

The button scanned his fingerprint and flashed red.

Qiu Junwei froze, his voice booming with outrage. “What do you think you’re doing?!”

“Calling the police. 110,” Qiu Lu said with a smile. “I had a few bites of meat, and now it looks like my parents are about to lose it.”