The Perfect Relationship

Chapter 108 To accompany you

After returning to their rooms, Mi Xiu changed into casual clothes and was planning to cadge a meal off Yin Chang, when he received a message from him: "Big Mi, sorry, I just asked Junling and he said he wants to spend tonight with only me. The three of us can go out to eat tomorrow.”

Mi Xiu was confused.

On the twelfth floor of the hotel, in Yin Chang's room.

Yin Chang had just sent the message to Mi Xiu and was opening a bottle of wine while asking Shao Junling, "You know Mi Xiu too. It's a rare birthday, wouldn't it be better to celebrate with more people?"

Shao Junling glanced at him, "You didn't invite anyone for your birthday either."

This shut Yin Chang up, leaving him with nothing to say. He smiled helplessly, "It's your birthday after all, so it's up to you."

Flowers and wine were ready, and the cake with its candles was on the tea table. The hotel conditions for the crew were not as good as those of a five-star hotel, and there wasn't even a proper dining table in the room. They had to make do with the tea table. But the narrow space drew the two of them closer together, sitting on a sofa where their knees could touch each other when they stretched their legs out, and it felt warm and intimate.

As Yin Chang poured Shao Junling a glass of wine, he asked involuntarily, "Have you ever drank before?"

Yin Chang had been drinking since he was sixteen, but like most hypocritical adults, he forbade Shao Junling from touching alcohol before he turned eighteen. Shao Junling was obedient and, at least in his presence, never touched a drop of alcohol. However, it was normal for boys of his age to be curious about new things and occasionally slip up. Yin Chang had heard what Luo Chuan said jokingly at dinner and was curious if Shao Junling had ever secretly drunk without him knowing.

"No," replied Shao Junling.

Yin Chang was quite satisfied with his little brother's obedience, which also deepened his desire to protect him. "This wine is mild in taste and low in alcohol content. It's suitable for someone who is drinking for the first time...try some." The bottle of dry white wine was specially chosen by Yin Chang for Shao Junling and sent to the hotel in advance by a friend from Haicheng.

As their glasses clinked, the crisp sound filled the air. Shao Junling took a sip and frowned. "It doesn't taste good."

Yin Chang laughed. "If you don't like it, don't force yourself."

Shao Junling put down his wine glass and didn't touch it again.

Yin Chang didn't mind wasting such an expensive bottle of wine. Drinking was just a ritual to celebrate his little brother's coming of age, and if Shao Junling didn't want to drink, he didn’t need to.

Sipping his wine on the sofa, Yin Chang thought of what Mi Xiu had said, "Aren't you bored staying in your room everyday?"

Shao Junling replied, "Not really."

Yin Chang smiled, "It's not good to be so reclusive. I remember you used to go out running every day, but why have you become so lazy since you started college?"

Shao Junling said, "I do five hundred push-ups every day in my room."

Yin Chang: "..."

In addition to the cake and wine, Yin Chang also had Lu Lingjuan order some delicious food. But because of the small table, they couldn't lay it all out to eat. Shao Junling found a food container in his bag, picked some of each dish with a spoon, and put it in an empty container.

"Also, you'll feel more at ease if I don't go out, right?" said Shao Junling.

Yin Chang was stunned. "Huh?"

Shao Junling didn't explain. He handed the container of food to Yin Chang, "Eat something. Drinking on an empty stomach is bad for your stomach."

Holding the food container, Yin Chang was still thinking about Shao Junling’s words. He wanted to hide his good little brother away, not let anyone see him, and was also secretly worried that he might get hurt. This was indeed the "messed up" thoughts that Mi Xiu had described, but Yin Chang didn't understand why Shao Junling knew.

Looking up at Shao Junling's face in the flickering candlelight, the little boy from back then had grown into a handsome and considerate young man who not only understood people's feelings but also took care of them. Yin Chang felt a warm and tingly feeling in his heart.

He ate two mouthfuls of food before suddenly remembering something. He put down the food container and went to the safe in his room to get a small velvet box.

When Shao Junling saw the "Svenky BG" logo on the box, Yin Chang opened it, and inside was indeed a wristwatch.

"I'm not as smart as you. I can't program and make AI like you. I can only spend money and buy luxury items like this..." Yin Chang laughed and looked at him, "Give me your hand."

Shao Junling: "..."

Yin Chang took his hand and personally put the watch on for him, and then rubbed his wrist admiringly, "It looks great on you."

Shao Junling looked carefully and was also amazed.

The design of the watch was not extravagant, mainly a circle of broken diamonds embedded in a platinum case. The dial was a starry blue mica with "Junling" engraved slightly off-center, highlighting the uniqueness of the watch.

Shao Junling remembered that Svenky BG was the first commercial endorsement that his brother received, and he even went with his brother to Switzerland to visit the watch factory. The strict and meticulous manufacturing process left a deep impression on him when he was young. Luxury watches were already quite expensive, and the one his brother gave him was a custom-made model, showing how much thought he put into it.

Yin Chang saw that Shao Junling was staring at his wrist, "Do you like it?"

Shao Junling replied with a sound of agreement. Yin Chang smiled brightly, "It's good that you like it. Happy adulthood."

"Thank you, brother." Shao Junling was undoubtedly moved. When Yin Chang helped him put on the watch, the focused and gentle expression in Yin Chang's eyes was that of a man putting on a promise ring for his loved one. Shao Junling recalled the words Yin Chang said to him on the night he got drunk and his heart threatened to jump out of his chest. "I..."

"Don't thank me," Yin Chang interrupted his unspoken words. "Actually, there is another thing I haven't told you yet. I've been waiting for you to become an adult to tell you."

Shao Junling's eyes lit up with anticipation. "Really? What is it?"

"Do you know that when Dad passed away, he left behind a large inheritance? At that time, I didn't know he planned to adopt you, so it was fully transferred to my name. Later, when I found out, I decided to give you half of it. I already had a property division certificate made by Lawyer Wang in advance... But you were still young back then, so I didn't tell you," Yin Chang looked at Shao Junling, his eyes full of admiration and approval. "But now that you are grown up, it's time for you to take what belongs to you. When you have time to come back to Haicheng, we'll have Lawyer Wang take care of it."

The light in Shao Junling's eyes dimmed, and he lowered his head. "I don't want it."

Ignoring Yin Chang's reaction, Shao Junling muttered, "Why does it have to be cleanly divided like this?"

"It's not like that," Yin Chang quickly explained. "It's something that you deserve. If Dad knew, he would also divide it this way..."

"And then?" Shao Junling suddenly looked up, his eyes a bit cold. "You just want me to be an adult so that you can cut off all ties with me, right?"

Seeing that Shao Junling misunderstood, Yin Chang panicked. "That's not what I meant. You are so smart, I think these assets may be more valuable in your hands."

Shao Junling tilted his head. "But is the money burning your hands?"

"I didn't..." Yin Chang tried to explain.

Shao Junling continued, "I remember that you told me eight years ago. When I become an adult, I have to be responsible for myself and make my own decisions. If I make a mistake, I have to bear the consequences. I'm an adult now, and you can give me the money you owe me. After that, you won't be responsible for me anymore, right?"

Yin Chang was at a loss for words. He vaguely remembered saying something like that, but it was before he knew about Shao Junling's true identity. He thought his little brother was his responsibility, but it was different now... And he never thought Shao Junling would repeat his words verbatim in such an intimidating way.

Without waiting for Yin Chang to defend himself, Shao Junling said, "From now on, I don't want to be your little brother anymore."

Yin Chang could only feel his blood run cold. "What... are you saying?"

"I said I don't want to be your little brother anymore," Shao Junling seemed to have made a significant decision. When he looked at Yin Chang again, his eyes were burning with a cold fire. "I want to be your boyfriend."

"What are you talking about!" Yin Chang couldn't believe his ears.

"If you care about blood ties, I can tell you that I'm not Mr Yin's child at all..." At this moment, Shao Junling also changed his way of addressing Yin Dong. "My biological father was a scoundrel. When I was four years old, my mother killed him with a knife in front of me and then slit her own throat. She hated that man, so she hated me too."

As he spoke, Shao Junling's expression was like a ferocious demon, and his eyes were filled with blood. But his words were as cold as the air around him.

Yin Chang's voice trembled. "You remember all of that?"

Shao Junling didn't doubt that Yin Chang knew his heritage. "Yes, I remember. I've never dared to tell you because I was afraid you wouldn't want me. No one likes the son of a murderer. But now...," he clenched his fists, "If this becomes a reason for you to reject me, I would rather you hate me first."

Yin Chang was speechless.

"I guess you misunderstood me before. I'm not Mr Yin's illegitimate child. He is not related to me at all. He might have adopted me because I look like him, or he just took pity on me. I'm grateful that he gave me a new life, and I thank him for letting me meet you, but I have no right to claim your money..." Shao Junling said.

Yin Chang's lips quivered, "Don't you know why he adopted you?"

Shao Junling asked him instead, "Wasn't it to keep you company?"

Yin Chang shook his head, feeling particularly pained. The phrase "to keep you company" had become the heaviest burden in his heart.

He stood up and directly told Shao Junling the truth. "He's your biological uncle..."

Shao Junling was completely stunned. "Biological uncle?"

Yin Chang took a deep breath. He had to tell Shao Junling everything he knew to stop him from misunderstanding. He had to be ruthless to himself. "Listen, Shao Junling, Yin Dong adopted you because you are his nephew. He didn't want to see his only blood relative wandering outside. I brought you home initially to fulfill Dad's wishes, but as I spent time with you, I developed a deep affection for you. Although we're not real brothers, we're cousins... The so-called 'keeping you company' was just a responsibility that Yin Dong gave you. But I don't need you to repay me. You should let it go!"

Shao Junling sat there dumbfounded, as if his brother had just sentenced him to death.