Chà Chà Novel

Su Nuo felt so awkward he could have dug out a whole new villa with his toes. He planned to wait until the three Ji men had gone downstairs before coming out — and then his phone started ringing in that fairly quiet space.

“Sweetie, where are you?” It was Fu Baihan when he picked up. He probably hadn’t seen him in the banquet hall below and was a little worried.

Su Nuo took a breath. “I’m in the restroom.”

“Okay. I’ll come find you,” Fu Baihan said.

“Gege, don’t come up!” Su Nuo hurried to stop him — and then locked eyes with Ji Xinghui.

“I’ll tell you later.” Su Nuo hung up, stepped out, raised a hand, and said quietly, “Hi?”

Ji Xinghai’s look was far from friendly. In his eyes, Su Nuo was a little green tea, the kind who had Ji Xinghui wrapped around his finger. He had to be guarded against.

Ji Xinghui, on the other hand, was quite at ease. “Nuonuo! What a coincidence. Don’t worry, he’s still alive.” He pointed at Father Ji on the floor.

Su Nuo hesitated. “Star-ge, should we call an ambulance?”

If the head of the Ji family had some mishap at the Ji family banquet, it would be hard to cover up. Who knew how people would gossip.

“It’s fine. The family doctor will be here to deal with it in a minute.” Ji Xinghui didn’t care at all about Father Ji on the floor. The old man was tough as nails; otherwise he wouldn’t have had the energy for all those crazy schemes.

Seeing him knocked out so easily, Ji Xinghui actually felt a little unsatisfied. He’d prepared so much to say and hadn’t even gotten to it. The old man was way too fragile.

Father Ji, unconscious: “……” Karma, this was karma. Complaining that he wasn’t tough enough at a time like this — good thing he couldn’t hear it, or he might have coughed up blood from rage.

Ji Xinghai possessively draped an arm over Ji Xinghui’s shoulder. “Ge, someone saw us.”

Su Nuo jolted. What, he’s not thinking of silencing me, is he?

Ji Xinghui shook off the wolf cub’s hand, his face darkening. “Get away from me.”

Su Nuo was in awe. Wow. What a heartless scumbag, turning cold in an instant.

“Sweetie, what happened?” Fu Baihan came up just then, his steps a little hurried.

“I told you not to come yet…” Su Nuo mumbled. But he should have known: if Fu Baihan sensed something was off, he’d never just stay put because Su Nuo said so.

“What could happen?” Ji Xinghui guiltily rubbed the tip of his nose. He was still scared of Fu Baihan, and he knew Fu Baihan had always disliked him for being a bad influence on the little treasure. Today probably counted as the ultimate bad influence, right?

Wait, I can explain!

As Ji Xinghui was gathering his words, Fu Baihan noticed Ji Xinghai’s hostile gaze. He stepped forward half a pace and shielded Su Nuo behind him. “Ji Xinghui, keep your man in line. If he doesn’t need his eyes, I’ll gouge them out.”

Su Nuo knew it wasn’t the time, but he still thought his brother was so hot. So alpha!

Tugging Fu Baihan’s sleeve, Su Nuo poked his head out from behind him and said to Ji Xinghui, “Star-ge, I won’t tell anyone, don’t worry!”

With Fu Baihan there, he was full of confidence and wasn’t afraid Ji Xinghai would dare try anything. Su Nuo didn’t understand where Ji Xinghai’s hostility came from. They were complete strangers; they’d never crossed paths at all.

Su Nuo could also understand Ji Xinghui not wanting anyone to know. Everyone knew he and Fu Baihan had no blood relation, and even so, they had to weigh plenty of practical factors and couldn’t go public right away — let alone a taboo pair of brothers like Ji Xinghui and Ji Xinghai.

As expected of you, playboy — you don’t even spare your own little brother!

Even though Ji Xinghai was taller than Ji Xinghui, he was used to acting weak in front of him. He was also several years younger, and his face still had a bit of boyishness. Standing together, Ji Xinghui was clearly the one in charge.

Besides, Ji Xinghui was “famous for his flings.” Nothing he got up to would be surprising.

Ji Xinghai looked especially small, pitiful, and helpless.

Ji Xinghui, who had been “had” who knew how many times: “……” Pfft. Who’s small? Who’s helpless? My back is about to break!

When it came to the bedroom, he could convince himself to lie back and enjoy it, but he didn’t have the face to let anyone know he was the one getting taken by Ji Xinghai. Being seen as the scumbag was fine. At least everyone thought he was the dominant one.

Ji Xinghui gritted his teeth and barely kept his composure. “It’s okay, Nuonuo. You and Baihan aren’t outsiders. I trust you.”

Fu Baihan’s gaze swept across their faces and finally settled on Ji Xinghui. The meaning was clear: he wanted an explanation.

Just then, the family doctor rushed over and hastily took Father Ji away. Neither Ji Xinghui nor Ji Xinghai went with him. Ji Xinghui sighed. “Really, it’s nothing. Who knew the old man was so fragile?”

Ji Xinghui scratched his head, troubled. “Let’s not stand outside the restroom. If someone else comes up… Come with me to the reception room.”

He didn’t want to tell Fu Baihan what he’d just done. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Fu Baihan; he just thought it was childish and embarrassing himself.

Ugh. Making people mad feels great for a moment, but getting caught in the act is pure social death.

Walking behind, Ji Xinghai watched Su Nuo affectionately take Fu Baihan’s hand. The man who had just threatened him with a dark face had a completely different attitude toward Su Nuo — indulgent and doting.

Just how good was this little green tea at reeling men in?

Ji Xinghai wasn’t stupid. He himself harbored unspeakable feelings for Ji Xinghui, so naturally he could tell these two weren’t just ordinary brothers.

Was it all thanks to Su Nuo’s face? The little green tea did have a face that made hearts flutter.

His well-behaved expression gave him an air of innocence, but in fact his face was lush and striking. In a few more years, once he grew into it, he’d be even more dangerous.

After seeing how Su Nuo and Fu Baihan were together, much of Ji Xinghai’s hostility toward Su Nuo faded. He didn’t care how they’d gotten together. All he needed to know was that Ji Xinghui had no chance.

Young, pretty, and good at acting cute — that was exactly Ji Xinghui’s favorite type. Just thinking about the smile on Ji Xinghui’s face every time he mentioned Su Nuo made Ji Xinghai sick with jealousy.

Learning that the little thing was already taken, Ji Xinghai felt much better.

A man like Fu Baihan would never let anyone lay a finger on the person he loved. And Ji Xinghui was more scared of Fu Baihan than anyone.

“Gege, what are you holding?” Su Nuo felt something in his palm and asked quietly.

“Candy.” Fu Baihan unwrapped the sweet he’d been clutching the whole way and popped it into the kid’s mouth. “Your favorite brand.”

When he saw the candy dish, he’d wanted to call the kid over, only to find him nowhere. In that instant, Fu Baihan had panicked.

Even knowing this was Ji territory, even knowing Ji Xinghui wouldn’t let anything happen to Su Nuo, when the kid disappeared from his sight, he couldn’t help worrying and wanting to see him right away.

This controlling, suffocating love — once the kid understood it, would he accept it?

Or would he come to hate him and want to run away?

He tried his best to play the mature, steady, perfect lover, but he’d be found out sooner or later. His little treasure was so clever, after all.

With the candy in his mouth, Su Nuo’s voice was a little muffled. “Gege, you’re the best. This is my favorite flavor.”

“Mm.” Fu Baihan squeezed the kid’s palm, watching him rely on him without a care, and his heart slowly calmed.

“Kiss me.” Su Nuo tilted his face up.

Fu Baihan stopped walking, bent down full of tenderness, and kissed his soft lips, tasting the sweetness.

Ji Xinghai was stunned. This little green tea… was way too good at this!

Ji Xinghui didn’t notice what was happening behind him, or there would have been no escaping a round of teasing.

He led them into the reception room and briefly explained what had just happened, feeling the air thick with awkwardness. He swore that if he’d known this would be the aftermath, he would definitely have found another way to infuriate the old man!

The corner of Fu Baihan’s mouth twitched. He’d worried for nothing. Ji Xinghui was just an idiot. What danger could there be?

“Star-ge, don’t feel pressured. I’ll tell you a secret too,” Su Nuo spoke up, breaking the silence.

Both Ji Xinghui and Fu Baihan knew what he was going to say, but were happy to pretend to be curious. “What secret does Nuonuo have?”

“Um… actually, Gege and I are dating too.” Su Nuo hooked his arm through Fu Baihan’s. Sitting together, they looked even closer — truly a well-matched young couple.

“So, um… love isn’t a crime?” Su Nuo tentatively consoled Ji Xinghui, whose face had gone green.

Looking at Fu Baihan’s smug expression, Ji Xinghui wished he could throw water in his face.

What are you so smug about? You’re thrilled to be tricking a kid.

He’d known from the start; he’d just never let Su Nuo know that he knew, and part of him had been enjoying the show. But lately he’d been numbed by Fu Baihan’s constant showing off, and now he just wished he didn’t know anything.

Why did I get myself mixed up in this? Fu Baihan is obviously bragging.

Now that Su Nuo had said it outright, Ji Xinghui couldn’t keep pretending. He could practically foresee his fate: wasn’t he going to be eating dog food from both sides?

He mumbled a few vague responses and changed the subject. “Nuonuo, Baihan and I have something to discuss. Why don’t you go have fun for a bit?”

“Okay.” Su Nuo stood up and straightened Fu Baihan’s tie. “Gege, I’m going down to get something to eat.”

Fu Baihan wanted to keep his little treasure by his side, but seeing how eager he was, and remembering he hadn’t been to a party in a long time — it was always classes or filming — he rarely got the chance to have fun.

His heart softened, and his voice was gentle. “Go. Call me right away if anything happens.”

“Mm-hm.”

Su Nuo closed the door behind him and walked to the corner of the staircase, where he was startled by Ji Xinghai standing in the shadows. Ji Xinghai had followed them but hadn’t gone in, as if he knew Ji Xinghui didn’t want him there. Su Nuo hadn’t expected him to be waiting outside the whole time.

Su Nuo didn’t know Ji Xinghai and didn’t want to talk to him. He nodded as a greeting and started down the stairs.

“Wait.” Ji Xinghai called out to stop him.

Su Nuo turned around, puzzled. “What is it?”

Ji Xinghai’s voice was a little strained. “How did you do it?”

Su Nuo: “…… Huh?”

“How did you get your brother to love you?” Once Ji Xinghai had started, the rest came out more smoothly, even with a barely detectable urgency. “Teach me.”