IBFV Chapter 16

Stand by your side with equal status.

Unedited

“No,” Bai Zhi looked at him. “I was running just now and the cold wind was blowing.”

“Where have you been?”

“I went back home,” Bai Zhi thought about it and added a sentence. “I was kidnapped and taken back, then I was locked up.”

Du Huai’an’s breath tightened, then he saw Bai Zhi smile and speak.

“I jumped from a building and escaped to find you, I’m awesome, right?”

The young man’s complexion was somewhat pale, his lips with not much colour, and his eyes red. His tone, however, was full of pride. Du Huai’an’s heart trembled, he hurriedly pulled the man over to examine him.

“Do you, do you have any injuries? Do you——”

“I don’t have any,” Bai Zhi spoke. “It was just from the second floor, that’s all. Don’t mind me, this young lady is still waiting for you.”

“She isn’t——” Du Huai’an’s tone was very anxious. “I was looking for you, you were nowhere to be found. She is——“

“First class warning! The villain’s life is about to be threatened! Nephew! Push him away! Quickly!!” the system’s voice suddenly became incredibly sharp. Bai Zhi was stimulated and instinctively put his hand out, pushing Du Huai’an, who was explaining, to the side. Before he could ask the system about what was happening, he saw a light in the corner.

A fierce impact followed. 

“Jiang Jiu!!” Du Huai’an’s shocked eyes appeared before Bai Zhi’s eyes. Bai Zhi lay on the ground, frowning as he tried to get up. But he found that he was unexpectedly unable to control his body.

“Ding—— The Host’s body has received a severe blow, the Healing Mode will be activated……”

Bai Zhi thought to himself that just a small, broken car could do a severe blow. Humans are indeed weak beyond his imagination. Whilst thinking about it, he suddenly felt his sight getting dizzier and dizzier and he simply laid back and looked up.

When he woke up again, the air was filled with the scent of disinfectant. Bai Zhi rubbed his head, finding a person lying by the side of his pillow.

Du Huai’an?

He tried sitting up to take a look at Du Huai’an, but he accidentally woke up the man.

“Jiang Jiu, you’re awake?” Du Huai’an’s voice had become very hoarse. “Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere? Are you hungry? Do you want to drink water?”

Bai Zhi shook his head, somewhat shocked as he looked at the unkempt, bearded man before his eyes. 

Du Huai’an had always been very passionate about cleanliness, it wasn’t unusual for him to bathe three times a day. Why does he look like this now?

“Du Huai’an, what’s happened to you?”

Bai Zhi’s tone was filled with worry in it, “You look terrible.”

“I’m all right, I’m all right.”

Du Huai’an’s tone was very careful, it was as if he were talking to a porcelain doll.

“Do you feel uncomfortable? I’ll go call the doctor.”

“No,” replied Bai Zhi. Somewhat baffled, he then asked, “What happened to me?

Du Huai’an’s eyes instantly darkened, “You, you were hit by a car because of me and in a coma for three days.”

Heartache and guilt were in Du Huai’an’s eyes. Bai Zhi didn’t feel very comfortable looking at him. 

“What do you mean it’s because of you? It wasn’t you who ran into me. Also, wasn’t I simply in a coma? I’m awake now, too.”

“No, you don’t know,” Du Huai’an retorted, a bit emotional. “When you were sent over, that scene…… The doctor said that you were fortunate¹, if not, then……”

Bai Zhi understood clearly. It seems that the system’s so-called ‘Healing Mode’ saved this body. He thought for a moment and was about to comfort Du Huai’an, then he was suddenly held by the man, the strength very light and gentle.

“I know all about it, you intentionally came over to find me. However, I let you misunderstand and have an accident. I’m sorry, Jiang Jiu,” said Du Huai’an. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s not……” Bai Zhi couldn’t figure out what he was apologising for. He was about to explain to him when the door of the room was suddenly pushed open.

Bai Zhi stared, it opened, and there Jiang Feng was. 

He acted quickly and held Du Huai’an’s hand, gazing at Jiang Feng with wide eyes. His voice rapidly became loud and clear, “Hey, hey, hey, what do you want? I ran out on my own, Du Huai’an isn’t involved in the matter. He’s still attending me, you’re not allowed to bully him!” 

“Me, bullying him?” Jiang Feng pointed to Bai Zhi’s body. “Take a look at your wounds, have you figured out who’s bullying who?”

“I did this voluntarily!” Bai Zhi retorted. “I ran into the car myself.”

Jiang Feng went over in big strides at hearing what he said, ferociously slapped the table, pointing at Bai Zhi, cursing² him, “How did I raise such a disappointment like you!”

Bai Zhi hurriedly protected Du Huai’an, his eyes fixed onto him. Jiang Feng saw his protective manner and shook his head, hating iron for not becoming steel³. He swung his hands and left. 

Bai Zhi only exhaled when he could no longer see his figure.

“That Old…… My dad, he didn’t curse you, right?”

“No,” said Du Huai’an. “Uncle⁴ is very good.”

“En.”

“Jiang Jiu,” called out Du Huai’an.

“Yeah?”

“I was very happy when you came and found me that day,” Du Huai’an lowered his head. “I couldn’t find you everywhere, I was very worried. That young lady happened to be passing by and she said she knew you.”

Bai Zhi froze for a moment then realised that Du Huai’an was giving him an explanation. He didn’t utter a word and listened on.

“She said that you were the only young master in the Jiang family, highly favoured, and could get all of the wind and rain you want⁵.”

Bai Zhi: “Er…… This……”

“She said that you’re the proud son of heaven, born with a golden spoon in your mouth since young.”

Bai Zhi recalled his current situation of being unable to eat till he was full and felt a little sad, “No, you’ve misunderstood……”

“She said we’re not people of the same world.”

We’re indeed not in the same world, Bai Zhi silently ridiculed⁶.

“Perhaps, you don’t know me particularly well, Jiang Jiu. I’m not a good person,” Du Huai’an’s quick speech gradually slowed down. “Before I met you, my gentle and soft gentlemanly smiles were all fake. Jiang Jiu, what made me gain your favour?”

Bai Zhi blinked, “It’s because- you’re Du Huai’an.”

Bai Zhi pondered for a long time and only said a sentence.

The expression in Du Huai’an’s eyes changed.

Thanks to the system’s overpowered healing abilities, Bai Zhi went back home alive and kicking after resting in the hospital for a few days, but he didn’t go back to the Jiang residence.

When they found out Bai Zhi had nearly lost his life for Du Huai’an, Father Jiang and Mother Jiang went back to the hospital. Apart from glaring at the two people with cold eyes, they didn’t do anything else. Even when Bai Zhi had voiced that he wanted to move out, they merely peeled an apple, threw the sentence ‘it’s up to you’, and didn’t care.

The system tried persuading him for a while in the beginning, “You can’t experience the warm paternal and maternal love of a family if you move out.”

“Why would I want that?” Bai Zhi bit the cupcake Du Huai’an had baked. “My target is Du Huai’an.”

“But, don’t you want to experience family love yourself?”

Bai Zhi was nonchalant, “How could a demon get family love? I don’t even know how I got here.”

System: “Okay.”

Bai Zhi continued finishing the cake in exchange to have cookies with a normal complexion. From time to time, he would pick out a few good-looking ones and give them to Du Huai’an.

“You try some.”

Du Huai’an wore large mittens and he bit into the snacks Bai Zhi had handed over, he had a very happy appearance. 

The time Jiang Feng had gotten angry had already passed and a few days after he returned, Du Huai’an went to the Jiang residence every day, carrying several large bags of presents. Bai Zhi wasn’t at ease and followed after him. After repeating this for a few weeks, the parents of the Jiang family had, at last, had a face that was a bit more pleased, especially Mother Jiang. After adjusting her mentality, she felt that looking at Du Huai’an was incredibly pleasing to the eye.

But, Jiang Feng still felt a little uncomfortable.

At the dinner table, Jiang Feng stared at Bai Zhi, who buried his head and bitterly ate. He placed his chopsticks down with a ‘pa’.

“You can’t eat on your own? Are you a baby?”

Bai Zhi lifted his head, “Humph.”

Jiang Feng: “Do you want to snort again?”

Bai Zhi was terrified.

Du Huai’an didn’t know whether he should cry or laugh, he stopped his hand from giving him food and turned his head to pour milk for the man. 

As a result, there were more reprimanding, whispering voices.

　　……

It was probably because the happy days had gone by for so long that only when the system reminded him did Bai Zhi find that in the past week, Du Huai’an had suddenly not returned home frequently. 

Every day, he left early and returned late. Although the dishes he made were still as delicious as before, Bai Zhi still felt anxious.

“He resigned.”

“What?”

Bai Zhi couldn’t understand, “Why’d he suddenly……?”

“Didn’t like the job,” the system thought about it and spoke again. “Maybe, it’s for you. It’s actually quite a pity. With his position, he basically doesn’t need to do anything and he’ll still have a high salary to take.”

Bai Zhi was silent for a long time, then he spoke, “Then where’s he been recently?”

“He’s been busy running clients, he set up a studio,” the system uttered. “You also don’t need to worry, Du Huai’an previously chose that job because he could not quit it⁷. He has great potential and it’ll only get better and better.”

The system’s words were believed by Bai Zhi, it let out a slight sigh of relief. “Where is he? I want to go take a look.” 

It was already almost three o’clock even when he had hurried to the place the system said. Bai Zhi avoided the people in the building, walking straight to the top. He passed by the reception hall just in time to see Du Huai’an wearing a smile and saying something to the other person. 

“Your elder brother hasn’t eaten well for several days,” the system voiced. “Pay attention to that in the future, this is your responsibility.”

Bai Zhi, however, did not speak.

He looked at the man concentrating on his job, seeing his expression as he carefully explained to his clients, he suddenly felt bitter in his heart.

“Uncle, before, he didn’t have dark circles,” Bai Zhi blinked. “Before, he didn’t need to leave early and return late, he could get acquainted with very refined and courteous young ladies, he didn’t need to lower his posture in the club, and he had time to bathe three times a day.”

“But, that him, could not stand by your side with equal status.”

“What do you mean by equal status?” Bai Zhi inquired.

“It’s probably- you having the strength to help him and him being qualified to protect you?” The system guessed.

Bai Zhi’s eyes slightly twitched, after a long time, he spoke, “I understand.”

He silently left his spot, not disturbing anyone. 

The busy Du Huai’an finally signed another one. His phone suddenly vibrated, the alarm clock showing that it was five o’clock. 

His expression instantly became serious. The assistant to the side, who was collecting his stuff, saw this and tensed.

“Bo, Boss?”

Du Huai’an grunted, turning his head to tidy up his stuff, “I have some important matters to handle.”

“What is it? Can we be of any help?” the assistant promptly uttered.

Du Huai’an wore his jacket, a slight smile worn on his face, “I’m going back home to cook for my lover.”

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1. As in, he narrowly escaped death.
2. Verbal abuse, not cursing with spells or smth lol.
3. Hating iron for not becoming steel = feeling resentful towards sb for failing to meet expectations and impatient to see improvement.
4. Not his actual uncle, it’s just a term of respect for older men.
5. Means he can get whatever he wants.
6. He’s ridiculing himself, lololol.
7. Probably money reasons, etc.

Zenne: Ooooof, I’m so tired. So much happened in this one chapter like, dayum. 💀 This arc has only one more chapter, by the way! It’s gone by so quickly. 

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Kofi

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