Chapter 226: All-knowing Big Brother
“Where are your dirty clothes? Your arm was injured these past two days. Bring them over, and I’ll wash them for you temporarily.”
Mu Yi saw Shi Bai coming out of Yu Yin’s room, carrying a wooden basin, and couldn’t help but press his lips together.
After speaking with Yu Guang, he decided to stay here for the time being.
Although he stayed, he still felt uneasy and wary about living together with a demon.
It was as if a man-eating beast lay beside him. Even though everyone assured him that the beast had been tamed and wouldn’t harm anyone, he remained filled with suspicion and fear.
What made things worse was that his companions had all grown accustomed to being close to this beast, completely unaware of its dangers.
This made Mu Yi even more anxious. He feared that one day, his companions, having let their guard down, would once again fall victim to the beast’s disguise.
“Chu Shi…”
“You got it wrong again. My name is Shi Bai,” Shi Bai said as he sat down by the well with the clothes, barely acknowledging the person who had been following him around lately.
Mu Yi, who was used to his frequent slip-ups, had no choice but to correct himself. “Shi Bai, why are you voluntarily helping the demon… I mean, Yu Yin, wash his clothes?”
Shi Bai frowned. “If you hadn’t cut his arm, I wouldn’t have to help him wash his clothes.”
Mu Yi suppressed his frustration and quietly reminded him, “You shouldn’t get too close to Yu Yin. He’s too dangerous.”
Shi Bai carefully scrubbed the bloodstains on the clothes and asked, “Oh? How is he dangerous?”
Mu Yi fished a piece of clothing out of the basin, scrubbing it vigorously as he grumbled, “The demon… Yu Yin is ruthless, cunning, and vengeful…”
Shi Bai listened to him ramble on about Yu Yin’s faults in one breath and couldn’t help but think that this guy reminded him a bit of his past self from a few years ago.
Shi Bai reached out and grabbed the piece of clothing that Mu Yi was on the verge of scrubbing to shreds. Without much interest, he said, “The fact that Yu Yin is a malicious scoundrel is something I’ve known for a long time. I’m more aware of it than you are.”
This strange Mu Yi was a newcomer, but Shi Bai had already spent years working under Yu Yin, enduring plenty of torment in the beginning.
Did he need anyone to tell him how cruel Yu Yin could be? Shi Bai scoffed at the thought.
Mu Yi, fuming, snapped, “You already know how awful he is, yet you’re still washing his clothes!”
Shi Bai ignored him.
He was well aware that Yu Yin had a bad temper, was petty, and loved making others suffer. Yu Yin had even once tried to kill him.
If not for his big brother keeping Yu Yin in check, there was no way Yu Yin would behave himself.
But over the years, Shi Bai couldn’t deny that he had also been protected by Yu Yin on occasion. In fact, everyone in their group had been.
The older brothers and sisters of the Tianchong Class showed Shi Bai warmth and care, as bright as spring breezes and sunshine.
Yu Yin, on the other hand, was different. He hated when others secretly used his spider silk to fish, but when Shi Bai asked for some, Yu Yin would casually toss him a bundle without much fuss.
To be honest, out of everyone, the person who dealt with Yu Yin the most—besides his big brother—was Shi Bai.
Because of this, Shi Bai had complicated feelings toward Yu Yin. He couldn’t bring himself to like him, but seeing Yu Yin injured by Mu Yi still left him feeling annoyed.
Mu Yi didn’t understand Shi Bai’s mixed emotions. He was simply eager to find someone who could sympathize with him and stand on the same side.
“Shi Bai, aren’t you curious why it seems like I know you, Teacher Wu Jin, and the others, and yet have such a grudge against Yu Yin?”
“What if I told you that the world in my memories is completely different from this one, that we used to be allies, and Yu Yin was our enemy…?”
Mu Yi gave a brief account of what had happened in his past life.
Shi Bai continued washing the clothes without interrupting or accusing Mu Yi of spouting nonsense. He merely listened to pass the time, treating the story like idle chatter.
Hearing Mu Yi mention that he had been killed by Yu Yin in the other world, Shi Bai only asked, “What about Big Brother?”
“Yu Guang never appeared. In the world I experienced, he didn’t exist.”
This was something Mu Yi couldn’t comprehend. How could someone like Yu Guang not exist in his past life?
Upon hearing just this, Shi Bai lost interest in the story.
As he wrung out the clothes, he said, “A world where Big Brother doesn’t exist sounds terrible. I prefer things as they are now.”
Mu Yi fell silent immediately.
Yes, he knew it too. The present was the best. Shi Bai, Ban Xi, and their teachers were all alive and well.
Only he remained trapped in the tragedies of his past life, unable to move on.
Mu Yi suddenly slumped, looking dispirited as he prepared to leave.
Shi Bai called after him, “Where are you going? After we finish washing the clothes, you’re coming with me to practice horse stance. Don’t even think about slacking off.”
Even though this guy, who was about the same age as him, clearly had some mental issues and delusions, Shi Bai had been entrusted with him by Big Brother. That meant he was responsible for him.
He would make sure Mu Yi trained so hard that he wouldn’t have time for any wild thoughts.
…
Mu Yi’s arrival didn’t stir up much attention since everyone was currently busy preparing for their Big Brother’s wedding.
They were all secretly working hard, hoping that when their Big Brother gave the word, they could have everything ready and throw a lively celebration to show him just how capable they were!
Yu Guang himself was entirely unaware of this. He only noticed that lately, everyone seemed preoccupied and even less interested in fishing than usual.
That evening, as usual, he was jotting down work notes and making plans for the future when Yu Yin pushed open the door and walked in.
Yu Guang paused his writing, glanced up at Yu Yin, and asked, “Why are you here again to sleep with me?”
“Hmph.” Yu Yin let out a cold laugh, placing a hand on Yu Guang’s shoulder. “Didn’t you say I don’t have those kinds of feelings for you? If that’s the case, what’s there to fear about sharing a bed with me?”
Yu Guang: “Do you really not know why I haven’t wanted to sleep with you these past few days?”
With a serious expression, he criticized, “You stay up in the middle of the night, deliberately making little disturbances to wake me up, just to achieve your goal of getting back at me!”
Yu Yin: “…” Are you seriously reducing my attempts at seduction to a child’s midnight mischief?
Furious, he wanted to pick a fight with this big brother but instead threw himself onto the bed and lay facing the wall, letting out another cold snort.
Yu Guang glanced at his back and gave him a warning. “If you want to sleep here, fine. But behave tonight and don’t make any trouble.”
After finishing his work journal, Yu Guang lay down as well. However, he had barely closed his eyes when a hand slid over, waking him up.
Yu Guang grabbed the slender, smooth hand that had made its way under his clothes and pulled it out. “Didn’t you promise me you wouldn’t cause trouble?”
Yu Yin wrapped his arms around Yu Guang’s waist, lifting one leg to drape it over his brother’s.
“Big Brother, can you feel it? Do you know why I can’t sleep?”
As Yu Guang shifted his leg slightly, he instantly understood.
It was a natural reaction—a stage every young man goes through as part of growing up.
That’s when Yu Guang realized something important: he hadn’t yet given the youngest sibling any education on puberty.
There weren’t any books in this world to teach such things, but fortunately, he had taught his other younger brothers before and still remembered the content.
Meanwhile, in the darkness, Yu Yin was waiting for his dear big brother to lose his temper over being offended.
But instead of anger, he was greeted by the sight of Yu Guang suddenly sitting up, lighting the lamp, and putting on his shoes. Moments later, Yu Guang returned with a small blackboard.
“Perfect timing. Tonight, we’ll have a lesson on puberty education. Don’t think you can hide, Cat. You better watch closely when I draw the diagrams later.”
Yu Yin sat up, hugging the blanket, staring blankly at his busy brother.
I was trying to flirt with you just now, and this is what you’re doing?
Yu Guang relied on his memory to draw detailed diagrams of certain anatomical structures, using the opportunity to openly and thoroughly explain an otherwise delicate topic. He emphasized:
“This is a normal phenomenon. Having reactions to people you’re close to during puberty is nothing to be nervous about. It doesn’t mean anything significant—it just shows that you’re developing healthily.”
“You’re growing up, and I hope you can become a responsible person. Don’t experiment casually with others just because you’re curious…”
The fact that Yu Guang spoke so seriously about this made Yu Yin feel both amused and exasperated. After all, in his past life, he had spent considerable time in the brothels of Qiyun Tower and had seen far more than he cared to remember.
If he wanted, there were countless men and women who would line up for him, but he had no interest. His overly fragile body had always made him wary of everyone, and the only ones allowed near him were his puppets.
As Yu Guang earnestly warned about things like poor hygiene leading to risks of gynecological diseases for a female partner, Yu Yin nearly laughed.
Did his brother really not realize that he was only interested in him?
“…Some level of relief is necessary, but overindulgence can lead to…”
Yu Yin, still seated on the bed, leaned forward and grabbed Yu Guang’s hand, cutting him off. “You’ve said so much and kept me waiting for so long. Why don’t you teach me how to ‘relieve’ myself?”
“Or perhaps… you could help me?”
“Troubling someone as experienced and knowledgeable as you, Big Brother, to guide me personally.”
His slippery fingers interlocked with Yu Guang’s rough ones, pressing into the spaces between.
The flickering lamplight danced for a moment. Yu Guang lowered his gaze, meeting the burning intensity in Yu Yin’s eyes. After a moment of silence, he said calmly, “Alright, Big Brother will help you.”
…
Under the serene, moonlit night, with cold light spreading across the quiet landscape, two figures were running laps at the base of the forested mountain outside the city.
“Faster, Youngest! Pick up the pace!” Yu Guang, running ahead, shouted back at him.
“Ten laps around this mountain, and we’ll head back to rest. You’ve only done one lap so far—nine more to go! Let’s move!” Yu Guang urged energetically.
Yu Yin: “…”
Is this man made of iron? Yu Yin found it utterly baffling.
In that earlier atmosphere, when his heart had suddenly clenched from the tension, his dear brother—who had just promised to help him relieve himself—suddenly pulled him up and dragged him outside the city for a midnight run.
In the freezing winds of the winter night, Yu Guang had declared with absolute conviction, “Using exercise to release excess energy is an excellent method! It’s much better for your body!”
“Don’t worry, Big Brother will run with you and help you work through it!”
Yu Yin: Heh, I don’t want it solved anymore.
But by that point, he had no choice. Yu Guang made sure he ran all night. By the end of it, forget about other parts of his body—his legs were completely useless.
“Exhausted already, Youngest? Come on, keep going! Just half a lap left, and we’re done!”
“Adjust your breathing; don’t keep your mouth open.”
Yu Guang still looked like he could run several more laps. The sweat on his forehead and neck glistened under the soft glow of dawn.
Under his big brother’s strict supervision, Yu Yin grudgingly finished all ten laps. Once done, he absolutely refused to move anymore.
His obedience wasn’t entirely voluntary—earlier, before the run, an exasperated Yu Yin had picked a fight with his big brother. Predictably, he lost again, ending up covered in grass and dirt.
Yu Guang had given him two options: keep running or accumulate the remaining laps for tomorrow, with an extra lap added for each day delayed.
When Yu Guang made a promise, he followed through. Arguing with him never ended well.
If only he could beat him… if only! Hmph!
Yu Yin sat on a roadside rock, feeling his utterly wrecked legs and letting out another cold snort.
“Stop snorting,” Yu Guang said, looking back at him. “Too tired to walk? Come on, Big Brother will carry you back.”
Yu Guang found himself amused by Yu Yin’s appearance—hair tangled with bits of grass, face flushed red, drenched in sweat, and clearly holding back his frustration.
“And the cat too, huh? Can’t keep up either? Come on, both of you, get on,” he said with a chuckle.
The thick morning fog cloaked everything around them as Yu Guang carried both Yu Yin and the cat through the misty mountain forest and across the dew-laden farmlands.
Yu Yin’s gaze fell on the damp ends of his brother’s hair, where the dew had caused them to curl slightly upward.
The warmth radiating from Yu Guang’s body drove away the chill of the winter dawn, wrapping Yu Yin in a cocoon of heat.
“Learned your lesson? Will you try it again next time?” Yu Guang asked, teasingly.
Yu Yin scowled, leaning down to bite him on the shoulder.
Yu Guang laughed, the vibrations of his chest resonating against Yu Yin’s own.
“Don’t mess with Big Brother next time, got it?”
Yu Yin’s flushed fingers toyed with the short hair at the back of his brother’s head, his fingertips catching a droplet of dew as it slid down.
Messing around, huh?
Big Brother claimed that he didn’t understand, but did this seemingly all-knowing Big Brother truly understand either?
“Hmph.”
“There you go again. What does ‘hmph’ even mean?”
“Hmph.”
“…”
