âDrunk?â Jiang Chen looked him up and down, and asked calmly, âAre you sober now?â
âYeahâŚ..â He Qianmin was about to nod his head, but when he looked up and saw Jiang Chenâs expressionless face, he immediately changed his words: âNo.â
Jiang Chenâs gaze shifted from his face to the corner of his clothes stained with blood.
Seeing that Jiang Chen only looked at him but didnât speak, He Qianmin took half a step forward and took his arm, groaning, âItâs just a small injury, Iâm used to it, there were a few times before that were much more serious than this, this one will be fine in a few days.â
âTo now in the third year of junior high school, youâve been drinking, youâve gotten used to this?â Jiang Chen raised his eyebrows.
âNoâŚ..â Seeing Jiang Chen angry for the first time, He Qianmin was flustered and at a loss: âBig Brother, thatâs not what I meantâŚ..â
The several boys from Chenghua saw He Qianmin like this for the first time. After exchanging glances, they all came forward to smooth things over. A chubby boy smiled and said, âBig Brother, donât scold him anymore, he just got stitches. He howled so loudly that people could hear it on the third floor, heâs quite pitiful, and he didnât drink on purpose, it wasâŚ..â
Jiang Chen interrupted the boy, and said to He Qianmin, âTell me yourself.â
He Qianmin pursed his lips tightly, still grabbing his arm, and lowered his head without saying a word.
The chubby boy looked at Jiang Chen and He Qianmin, and gave the others winks.
A person stepped forward and said: âBig Brother, itâs really not what you think. We just had dinner together. I donât know who changed Qian Minâs drink into wine. This guy stopped drinking after taking a sip, but he got drunk after one sip, and in a daze, he thought the fruit knife on the table was a cup, and then cut his hand.â
The other person also quickly said: âYeah, Big Brother, itâs really not Qian Minâs fault, we were all surprised, there were only drinks there, donât know who was that immoral to put the fruit knife there. When we go back to school the day after tomorrow, we must find that person and bring him out to show you!â
âYou guys are sayingâââ Jiang Chen raised his eyes suddenly, âThere was originally a drink, but without you knowing, the drink was replaced with a fruit knife?â
âThatâs right!â The chubby boy quickly added: âBig Brother, you must believe us, we really didnât lie to you, Qian Min was really unlucky this time, donât know who put the fruit glasses. Even if one did not see wrong, one would be cut if accidentally taking the drink next to it. Besides, he was so dizzy after drinking alcohol, he stretched out his hand and grabbed the knife directlyâââ He angrily said: âIf I know which idiot did it, I will definitelyâŚ..â
âOkay.â He Qianmin interrupted the chubby boy, glanced at Jiang Chen, turned his head to look at the ground, and laughed self-deprecatingly: âYou donât believe it right, it doesnât matter if you donât believe me, Iâm fine, you can nowâŚ..â
Jiang Chen: âI believe it.â
He Qianmin froze, looked up at Jiang Chen: âYou believe what they said?â
âWhy wouldnât I?â Jiang Chen hid the chill in his eyes and asked, âYou said earlier that you were injured a few times more seriously than this time, and it was also because of this kind of inexplicable situation?â
He Qianmin nodded blankly, the tip of his nose turning red: âBig Brother, do you really believe me?â
Jiang Chen saw his clear and crystal-like eyes gradually misting over and his heart pulled painfully. He raised his hand and rubbed his head, âIâm your brother, of course I believe you.â
He Qianmin blinked, then quickly turned his head and said, âYou, then thatâs good.â
The chubby boy rushed forward and said to Jiang Chen with a smile, âBig Brother, I havenât heard Qian Min mention you before. My name is He Yunlong, and Iâm Qian Minâs classmate.â
Jiang Chen withdrew his gaze, nodded and said, âHello.â
The several other people also came up to introduce themselves one by one, all of them were cheerful and friendly, and it could be seen that they had a good relationship with He Qianmin.
After Jiang Chen finished greeting, he said with a slight smile, âIâll trouble you to take care of Qian Min today, and Iâll treat you all to dinner when I have a chance.â
âDonât leave it to later!â The boys love to boo, seeing that Jiang Chen was not aloof they quickly treated him as one of their own. Hearing him say this, they all laughed and said, âMake it today! I was so scared that I didnât have time to eat just now. Iâm so hungry!â
Jiang Chen glanced at the time and agreed. He took He Qianmin and the group of young men to a nearby porridge shop.
âQian Min is injured, so he can only drink porridge. Next time, Iâll treat you all to something else.â
He Qianmin sat next to Jiang Chen, curved his lips upward when he heard this, and said, âItâs already too nice of you to treat them to eat, how can there be so many complaints.â
The boys also responded with grins: âYes, Big Brother, this place is good, we all like it.â
âThatâs right, thatâs right, my dad said, one must cultivate health at night, you need to eat these digestible things.â
âBig Brother, how old are you? Why havenât we heard Qian Min mention you before?â
He Qianmin finally couldnât bear it anymore, kicked the boy opposite him lightly and said: âThis is my Big Brother, what are you all doing calling him so familiarly, and also, do I have to report the eighteen generations of my familyâs ancestors to you guys. â
The boy didnât get angry when he was kicked, he dodged while saying: âBig Brother, you donât know how domineering He Qianmin is at school, and he isnât how he behaves in front of you at all normally, please teach us the secret! Let us alsoâŚ..He Qianmin, your shoes are made of iron, right?â
He Qianmin warned him: âIf you talk too much, I will kick you to death.â
âBig Brother!â The boy looked at Jiang Chen: âDid you see that! Thatâs how He Qianmin bully us weak classmates at school!â
âThatâs right, thatâs right!â The other people watched the excitement and only fanned the flames, all shouting to have Jiang Chen stand up for them.
Jiang Chen put a piece of sweet and sour pork ribs in He Qianminâs bowl, curved his lips upward and said, âIâm his big rother, so naturally I only stand up for him.â
He Qianminâs expressionless froze. When he turned his head and saw Jiang Chenâs smiling eyes, his ears turned red and he quickly looked away, but the corners of his mouth could not suppress their upward arc. He raised his chin and said: âYou hear that, this is my big brother, so you guys can forget it.â
The others didnât expect Jiang Chen to say that. After booing, a boy said enviously, âHe Qianmin, Iâll trade my brother for your brother. Letâs switch.â
Another person also said: âI want to switch too!â
He Qianmin crossed his arms and raised his eyebrows: âDream on.â
âHe Qianmin, youâre gloating with glee!â
âHe must be taught a little lesson!â
âCome on! Letâs get him together!â
As the boys fooled around, Jiang Chen looked at the porridge in the bowl, thoughtful.
It was getting late, and everyone dispersed when they were full.
Before He Qianmin got in the cab, Jiang Chen warned: âIn the future, if this kind of thing happens again, call me as soon as possible, and also, come to my school to find me in a few days, and tell me about the situations that happened to you before.â
He Qianminâs smiling eyes dimmed instantly, and he pursed his lips and said in a low voice, âThereâs nothing to say.â
Jiang Chen looked at him sideways, but He Qianmin refused to meet his eyes, and looked forward expressionlessly, âYou wonât believe it if I tell you, everyone thinks those things were just accidents. Without any evidence, no matter how many times I say it to anyone, the result will be the same.â
âHe Qianmin.â Jiang Chen knocked on his forehead, and when he covered his forehead and glared over, he said, âI told you, I believe you.â
He Qianmin was startled, looking into his eyes: âWhy?â
A smile appeared on the corner of Jiang Chenâs lips: âBecause you call me Big Brother.â
âŚâŚ
The next day, Jiang Chen arrived at Yan City Second Hospital early in the morning.
Jiang Zhuoâs operation started at ten oâclock, and Shen Xu and Huo Bo also came. Jiang Chen sat on the waiting chairs outside the door with the two of them, watching Yang Si pace back and forth restlessly.
âMom.â Jiang Chen walked up to her, pulled her and said, âSit down.â
âI just ate too much, now Iâm just taking a walk to digest.â Yang Si stopped and forced a smile as if to comfort herself: âYour dadâs operation will definitely be successful.â
Jiang Chen supported her: âThere are still a few hours before Dadâs surgery is over, please sit down first.â
Shen Xu also came over, took Yang Siâs other hand and said: âAuntie Yang, Uncle Jiang must be fine, donât worry, just sit down for a while.â
Yang Si took a deep breath, nodded and sat down with them.
Time passed by, and while everyone outside the operating room was waiting anxiously, the operating light finally went out.
When Shi Fengyue came out, Yang Si jumped up and walked over: âDr. Shi, how is my husband?â
âThe operation is successful.â Shi Fengyue said: âHe will be sent to the ward later, but the effect of the anesthetic has not worn out yet, and it may take two hours to wake up.â
âThank you Dr. Shi, thank you.â Yang Si thanked him again and again, her voice a little choked, but her face was full of smiles: âThank you so much, Dr. Shi.â
Shi Fengyue said lightly: âThis is my duty.â
Jiang Chen also came over and said sincerely, âThank you, Dr. Shi, for your hard work.â
Shi Fengyue nodded, and left here together with the intern doctors who came out.
Shen Xu looked at the back of Shi Fengyueâs leaving figure, ran up to Jiang Chen and said, âJiangzi, he was the one who came to our school last time, right? He can actually perform surgery at such a young age? So awesome.â
Huo Bo was curious: âHe has been to No. 1 High School?â
âI saw him there once.â Shen Xu said, âIt was the time when the results of the midterm examination came out. Did I tell you about the situation that day? You didnât see it. When Jiang Chen and I appeared in a crowd of people, someone shouted âGod Jiang is comingâ, and everyoneâs eyes were focused on us, their stares as eager as seeing a glass of water in the desert, a guiding light in the dark, and then a path opened up like the sea partingâŚ..â
Huo Bo rolled his eyes at him, passed him and followed Jiang Chen and Yang Si.
Shen Xu jumped like a monkey and called, âHey wait for me!â
Shen Xu chased after them, insisting on telling Huo Bo that wonderful and glorious moment. Huo Bo walked around from Jiang Chen to Yang Siâ side, and then from Yang Si to Jiang Chenâs. But Shen Xu was still always chirping next to him incessantly.
Seeing them like this, Yang Si couldnât help laughing and said, âItâs been a long time since you three had fooled around together, Xiao Xu is still so lively.â
Jiang Chen also chuckled: âHe hasnât seen Huo Bo for a long time.â
âI remember when you went to summer camp when you were a child, you were away for an entire summer vacation. After you came back, Xiao Xu missed you as well and stuck to you like this, telling you what happened when you were not here during the summer vacation.â
That was a memory too long ago, and Jiang Chen only had some vague impressions in his mind, but just hearing his mother talk about it, he couldnât help but curve the corners of his mouth upwards.
After seeing Jiang Zhuo, Yang Si took Jiang Chen and the others to have a meal near the hospital. After the meal, she went back to the hospital, and Jiang Chen and the others went to a cat cafe not far from the hospital under Shen Xuâs strong suggestion.
This kind of cafe was relatively rare at this time. As soon as Jiang Chen and Huo Bo walked in, they felt as if cat fur was flying all over the sky. Huo Bo frowned and stepped back in disgust, but Shen Xu forced him to go in.
The three sat in the booth by the window. After Shen Xu ordered their things, he looked around excitedly and said, âI saw this place on the forum before, and Iâve wanted to come here for a long time. There are so many cats here!â
Huo Bo gave him an eyeroll and said: âThere is also a lot of fur.â
Shen Xu also rolled his eyes back, and said, âWhat do you know?â After speaking, he began to imitate meowing, grabbing the dried fish and coaxing a Garfield-like cat who was lying on the sofa not far away: âCome on, I have a small dried fish for you.â
The Garfield cat lazily buried its face without raising its head. Shen Xu could only divert his target after teasing with no success for a while. He grabbed the dried fish and coaxed all the cats nearby, and one cat finally took his dried fish only to run away fast, not letting him even touch a single hair.
âAre these cats afraid of strangers? They donât seem to like strangers.â Shen Xu asked in frustration.
Jiang Chen lowered his head. A round orange cat sat on his shoe, as if it had decided to use him as a sofa.
âOr maybe itâs because the two of you donât speak, especially Huo Bo, with a dark face, scaring away the kitties.â
Another chubby blue-gray cat came pacing over, lay next to Jiang Chen and nudged his hand, meowing twice coquettishly, and then purring.
Shen Xu said in amazement: âJiangzi, how did you coax that cat here? Help me coax one too. Itâs all because Huo Bo is sitting next to me, so not even one cat likes me.â
A cat jumped down from the cat climbing frame at the back, landed directly on Huo Boâs lap, and rubbed against him affectionately, causing Huo Bo to lean back and freeze in place.
Shen Xuâs eyes widened: âWhatâs going on! Where did that cat come from! Why is it crawling on you!â
Jiang Chen rubbed the cat next to him, and Huo Bo also adjusted his posture, and carefully touched the cat on him. He was a little surprised at the feel under his hand, and couldnât help petting it a few more times.
Seeing this, Shen Xu was even more annoyed: âWhy didnât one come towards me!â
The waiter who happened to be wearing a coffee apron brought the coffee and juice they ordered, and Shen Xu quickly asked: âDo your cats have any quirks, why do they only crawl on the two of them, or do they not like yellow because Iâm wearing a yellow T-shirt.â
The waiter looked at Shen Xu coldly and said, âThese are all female cats.â
Shen Xu didnât understand: âWhat do you mean?â
âLook in the mirror.â
Shen Xu: â???â
âYou, what do you mean?â Shen Xu slapped the table, âYou mean I lookâŚ..Huh? Itâs you?â
The thin and fair boy glanced at Shen Xu, nodded to Jiang Chen, and left with the tray.
âThatâsâŚ..â Shen Xu looked at the boyâs back and said, âIs that the lower year boy we saw in the stairwell before?â
Jiang Chen hummed lightly. Shen Xu clicked his tongue, shook his head and said, âAlthough his eyes are not very good, he looks livelier than before.â
Huo Bo raised his eyes: âYou know him?â
âYeah.â Shen Xu said: âWhen we saw him before, he was bullied by Sun Zhi in the stairwell on the second floor. If Jiangzi and I hadnât rescued him, he would have been miserable.â
Huo Bo withdrew his gaze and said calmly, âHe doesnât look like one to be bullied in vain.â
âHow do you know?â Shen Xu curled his lips, paused, and said, âBut speaking of this, I forgot to tell you that during the time you were not at school, that boy Sun Zhi was instigated by someone, and he has been wanting to find trouble for Jiang Chen. I have been having people keep an eye on him every day these days, and I donât believe that I canât dig out the person behind him. I want to see who is so stupid, hiding in the stinky sewers and looking for trouble.â
âBy the way, didnât you catch Sun Zhi when we were in the second or third year of junior high school? You said that he stalked Jiang Chen at that time. How did you find out and did you find out anything from him?â