CH 15

Ahh hello! Cherry here! I’m going to have to reduce my posting to one chapter part per week until I’m less busy… So sorry and thank you for being patient~ I’ll up my upload amount when I’m free!

Translated by: Cherry

At the fountain of People’s Square, a tall, good-looking man with a good figure was wearing a white T-shirt and standing on the People’s Square, his hands in his pockets. He looked extremely tired, and his brows were still knitted together.

Yisheng got off the taxi and looked around, spotting him from very far away. She took a breath and ran over.

“Senior.”

Yan Heng turned his head to look over, and his eyes twinkled. He walked over to her and chuckled, “You’re brave, aren’t you worried that you’ll get fired?”

Yisheng glanced at him, she obviously did not like his joke. She went straight to the main topic, “Don’t you know where your younger brother normally goes to?”

“It’s his first time coming to B City, he’s not familiar with this place at all. This time, he probably ran away from home because my mother was being too controlling,” He brought Yisheng to his car and opened the car door for her. After that, he got on the car himself.

The two of them were sitting in the car and Yisheng said, “What does he like to do?”

“Play games, and get beautiful women.”

“Oh,” Yisheng started to sweat. The first time she had seen that mischievous boy, he seemed to be the kind to fool around a lot, that was probably how he was as a person. She paused for a moment, “Then let’s got to a place with a lot of games and beautiful women.”

“There are so many places of entertainment, how can we find him?”

Yisheng tried to recall. Yan Heng’s brother was very much like a rich second generation who spent a lot of money, and these sorts of people would normally go to more luxurious places. However, he was just a child, did he have enough money with him to go to such extravagant places? She could not help but ask, “Does he have enough money on him?”

“He has never lacked money,” Yan Heng smiled, “A typical wastrel.”

“Then let’s go to the most expensive entertainment place in B City,” Yisheng answered.

Yan Heng smiled and said, “Hai Kuo Tian Kong?”

(T/N: The ‘Hai Kuo Tian Kong’ 海阔天空 means a place that is endlessly vast (like the boundless sea and sky), but I translated it as how it is read in in Chinese.)

‘Hai Kuo Tian Kong’ was a large-scale entertainment place with every possible facility. There were food and drinks, girls and gambling. It was a very extravagant place and a gathering place for the upper class that was filled with a corrosive atmosphere. It was often on the news headlines for pornography and gambling. However, no one knew what the background of the new boss was, but after it was closed down for half a year, it was opened again a few months back. Although it was said to have changed entirely, the place did not actually change, it was just that the authorities no longer conducted checks on this place. Because of that, everyone in B City said that the new boss was powerful.

However, would an underage boy go to that sort of place? Yisheng was doubtful. However, Yan Heng smiled and said, “Actually, we can go and take a look.”

“Pft!” Yisheng was quite speechless. It was more suitable for men to go to such places. She opened her mouth, wanting to get off the car but feeling too embarrassed. She was the one who had come over to show her concern, if she said that she did not want to go now, wouldn’t it be very strange?

She frowned. She was really looking for trouble for herself.

Hai Kuo Tian Kong is not in the uptown area, but not in the suburb either. It was in B City’s unique entertainment city. B City is a vice-provincial city and an economic hub, rich bosses from other places often came to this entertainment place to play.

When they reached the entrance of Hai Kuo Tian Kong, Yisheng finally understood what was luxury. The black color scheme was particularly eye-catching, colorful lights shining on it, and the fountain at the entrance was light blue, the door was gold in color. The ceiling was covered with many shining stars, causing people to feel like this was a dream. The two of them had just parked the car at the entrance when a waiter came to stand by the car and smiled at them, greeting them.

Yan Heng got off the car and opened the door for Yisheng, “Stick close to me.”

“Alright,” Yisheng followed Yan Heng and got off the car, nodding her head. Yan Heng threw the car key at the waiter and a VIP card. The waiter said politely, “After the car is parked, your key will be hung at the front desk.”

Yan Heng nodded his head and walked on the red carpet. Yisheng faltered, the lights were so bright, and with the red carpet, there was a feeling of being a celebrity. She followed Yan Heng and walked inside. When she opened the door, the orange light stung her eyes for a moment and she could not react. It was even brighter than the lights outside. Yan Heng brought her to the gambling area. There were all kinds of gambling games there, and all Yisheng recognized were Texas Hold ‘Em, Baccarat, Blackjack, and Roulette. Yan Heng looked around the whole hall. When his eyes locked on a youthful boy who was playing Blackjack, his expression changed instantly. He walked over to that table and looked at the boy quietly.

(T/N: I have no idea what 杰克森 is, and I can’t seem to find anything on it, anyway just take it as a gambling game. I replaced it with Blackjack… But I don’t think it’s that…)

Yisheng followed him. Yan Heng’s younger brother’s face was a little pale, and it was obvious that he had not recovered from his surgery. However, this boy seemed very experienced, using methodical ways to call out ‘Draw cards’, ‘Stop drawing’, ‘Double my bet’. His gaze was focused, and it was hard for her to imagine that this was the same bored child who was randomly pressing the bell.

When applause sounded, she saw him smile slightly and reach out his arm to hug the pile of chips to his chest. Yisheng blinked, that was a lot.

There was someone who mumbled next to her, “This young man is good. In two hours, he’s made fifty thousand from three thousand.”

Yan Heng seemed to have heard that as well. His hands were clasped together as he looked at his younger brother quietly. He then saw his younger brother boldly bet all the money he had just earned. In the new round, everyone was obviously a lot more nervous, and everyone held their breath and watched without turning their gazes.

There was one of each card, and the card in front of him was Q, the number was very big and it was easy to exceed the maximum number of points. The dealer had an A, and they were playing soft total this round, so A could be one point or eleven points. It was very advantageous. Now, all that mattered was whether he was going to take more cards, stop taking cards, or increase his bet. Normally, people would continue taking cards, to try their luck. However, he did not do so and directly said, “I’ll stop drawing cards.”

(T/N: I’m so so sorry I really have no idea about this game or gambling in general, so I might translate it wrongly…)

That meant that this round had already ended, it only depended on the still hidden card. The dealer smiled and opened up the card to show a nine. That means that it was twenty points. The dealer had an A in his hand, and it was the highest card, which meant that he had twenty-one points. The card that the youth had in his hand was a Q, which was ten points. The only one that could get eleven points was an A, if he got eleven points, that was a Blackjack, he would get 1.5 times of his bet back. If it was not an A, then the fifty thousand would be lost, without a single cent left.

The on-lookers were nervously looking at his other card. The pessimistic people naturally did not hold much hope. How many As could there be in the eight remaining cards? There was already one A out, how could there be another A?

The young man yawned and flipped the card. The moment a spades ace appeared on the table, the whole Blackjack area cheered. Yisheng was stunned, how did he increase his money by 1.5 times just like that?

The dealer pressed his lips together, a little helpless, “Young man, you have a good future ahead of you.”

He stood up to cash in his chips, ready to leave, but he happened to face the enigmatic Yan Heng. He smiled, “Brother.”

Yan Heng patted his shoulder and had his brother follow him. Before Yan Heng left, he instructed Yisheng, “You can hang out here for a while. I’ll be back soon.”

Yisheng instantly nodded her head. Yan Heng’s brother looked at Yisheng and widened his eyes, pointing at her, “You… You…” He had yet to finish his sentence when he was dragged away by Yan Heng. Yisheng chuckled, did she look very scary? She looked at the whole gambling hall, lacking interest and unsure about what she should look at to pass time.

“Eh? Yisheng?” A woman said from behind her.

Yisheng was stunned and turned around, a little confused. She saw a woman with a hairstyle that was popular among the elegant high-class ladies and wearing a tight black dress that was off-shoulder and long, walking towards Yisheng with a smile on her face.

Her smile was a little familiar. She remembered looking at that smiling face when she was young and holding onto Song Anchen’s hand, saying, “Your Mom is so pretty.” After that, his mother left and what took her place was Song Anchen’s stunning face that he had inherited from his mother.

After many years, Song Anchen’s mother did not change at all. She was still as beautiful as ever, although she was older now, she was still very charming. Every step she took, many people turned to look at her.

“Auntie,” Yisheng felt very uneasy. If she had not forced Song Anchen to stay at that time, he would probably be together with his mother now.

Song Anchen’s mother chuckled, “So the first person I met as soon as I returned to China is my child daughter-in-law.”

(T/N: Like the exact phrase is probably more similar to child bride daughter-in-law, but the main idea is that it’s someone they decided to have as a daughter-in-law since young? Like it’s a joke. After this, if I use child bride and child daughter-in-law, it doesn’t mean that they actually got married when they were young, it’s just a joke since their parents ‘decided’ they wanted them to get engaged when they were young(a joke too).)

Yisheng forced a smile. When they were very young, the two families liked to joke around and decided to betroth Song Anchen and Yisheng when they were young. At that time, she did not understand and even called Song Anchen’s mother ‘mother-in-law’. However, that was something that had happened a very very long time ago.

Song Anchen’s mother glanced around, “You came here alone?”

“No, I came with a friend.”

Song Anchen’s mother nodded her head in understanding, “I’ve already been back for two months, but I haven’t had the opportunity to look for Song Anchen. Is he doing fine now?”

“Oh, he should be doing very well. He’s a doctor in the Third Affiliated Hospital of B City, and I’m a nurse there as well.”

“Is that so,” Song Anchen’s mother covered her mouth and chuckled, “At that time, I asked him to study economics, but he refused to and insisted on going to medical school. I didn’t know what’s so good about being a doctor. It was only after that I found out it was for his child bride. He could not bear to separate from her,” Song Anchen’s mother teased Yisheng, “The two of you got together in high school, and it’s already been seven to eight years now. When are you  two getting married?”

Yisheng was stunned, not sure about how to answer. She had not thought that Song Anchen had chosen medical school for her, and she had not expected that Song Anchen’s mother would not know about what had happened to them six years ago.

Song Anchen’s mother saw Yisheng looking at her in shock and misunderstood. “Oh, I’ve been in Las Vegas with my foreigner husband these few years, and have not asked Song Anchen about his matters at all. Did you two already get married?”

“No,” Yisheng hurriedly waved her hands.

“Find a suitable time and go get married.”

“Ah?” Yisheng said, “No, we…”

“What are you saying no for? The two of you are already twenty-five. I know that you young people like to live together unmarried. But Yisheng, although I have confidence in my son, that his heart is completely with you, the longer you are together, the less passion you’ll have. If you get pregnant before marriage, you won’t even be able to wear a wedding dress. The time that you’re most beautiful is when you wear a wedding dress,” Song Anchen’s mother was serious, but Yisheng was breaking out in cold sweat. What was going on? She wanted to explain when a waiter walked over, “Madame, the boss is calling.”

Song Anchen’s mother glanced over and hummed, expressionless, “Alright.” After that, she turned to smile at Yisheng and say, “I’m a little busy, I’ll go to the hospital on another day to look for you two.”

“Okay,” She gave up, sending off Song Anchen’s mother who rushed off as quickly as she had arrived.

She did not even have time to explain. This misunderstanding was quite bad, she hoped that the next time Song Anchen’s mother came to the hospital to look for them, there would not be such an embarrassing misunderstanding, she really wanted to find tofu and knock her head on it.

Just when she was feeling conflicted, the two people who were done talking returned.

“Hi, Sister Nurse,” His younger brother waved at her three steps away from her. She politely waved back and said, “Hi.”

“Pft,” His younger brother started to laugh, holding onto Yan Heng’s shoulder and saying, “Brother, your lover is so amusing. She’s suited to be a kindergarten teacher.”

Yan Heng pressed his lips together, obviously finding the childlike nature of Yisheng quite funny. He cleared his throat and told Yisheng, “Let’s send my younger brother back to the hospital first. After that, I’ll send you back home.”

Yisheng nodded.

On the way back, in a car.

“Hey, Sister Nurse, I’m Yan Yan. Gender male, likes females,” Yan Heng’s brother was sitting in the backseat, his body leaning forward, grinning at Yisheng who was sitting in the front passenger seat.

(T/N: In case you were wondering, the two ‘Yan’s in the brother’s name are not the same character. They are also pronounced a little differently)

Yisheng was a little speechless, “My name is Ye Yisheng, my gender is the opposite of yours, but what I like is exactly the same as what you like.”

Yan Yan stiffened and muttered in a low voice, “No wonder you like guys like my brother.”

A chestnut hit Yan Yan’s head and Yan Yan glared at Yan Heng, “I’m a patient, I need to be taken care of.”

“I’m taking care of you and giving you chestnuts to eat,” Yan Heng rolled his eyes at him.

Yan Yan asked Yisheng, “Sister Yisheng, do you think that I’m good at Blackjack?”

“You’re good.”

“My older brother is even better, he’s the one who taught me… Ah!” Yan Heng directly reached out his hand at Yan Yan and pushed him back on his seat. “If you don’t shut up, I’ll throw you out of the car.”

At that moment, the car happened to be in a place with very few people. Yan Yan instantly shut his mouth. After he pondered for a long time, he said, “Sister Nurse, is my brother this violent to you?”

“Ah?”

“He’s actually a beast wearing clothes, right? When he removes his clothes, his original self is exposed.”

Yisheng instantly choked.

“Yan Yan, if you say one more word, I’ll make you get off the car instantly.”

“Okay, I’ll close my anus.”

“I’m surprised you know that your mouth stinks.”

“…” The person behind kept quiet. Yisheng could not help but laugh. She had not realized until now that her senior had this side to him. The truth was, she did not know him very well, she had always complained about her life to him, but had never asked him about his life before.

When they reached the hospital, Yan Heng ordered him to get off the car by himself and return to his ward. Yan Yan said his goodbyes to Yisheng unwillingly. After Yan Heng had left Yan Yan behind, Yan Heng sent Yisheng back home.

On the way back, it became very quiet suddenly. Yisheng looked at the side of his face and suddenly felt that the atmosphere had become very serious. He sent her to the entrance of the estate she lived in and stopped the car.

Yisheng picked up her bag and got ready to get off the car. Yan Hen suddenly asked, his voice very soft, “Yisheng, why did you act like this today?”

“Hm?” She took a while to react.

“Do you know? That one day, I’m worried that I’ll be unable to control myself anymore.”

She looked at him quietly.

“Your childhood friend is Song Anchen, right?”

She did not move.

“You still love him, right?”

She remained quiet, not moving at all.

“I understand, good night,” He smiled at her, his gaze returning to how it was before, a gaze that held the care that a senior had for a junior. Yisheng gritted her teeth and remembered Song Anchen’s words, “Go date someone.”

Her senior’s words caused her to overthink the meaning of his words, but she would not think lightly of herself either. She pressed her lips together and simply said, “Song Anchen is only someone I used to love.” After she said that, she got off the car and walked towards her house.

Yan Heng, who was left in the car watched her in a daze, unable to return to his senses for a long time.

***

Yisheng was feeling very troubled. She sped up as she walked towards the building she lived in and saw a Bentley with its headlights on. A man was half-sitting, half-leaning on the front of the car, a cigarette in one of his hands as he rested both of his hands on the front of the car. His gaze kept flitting to some part of the building and he looked especially lonely. The cigarette in his hand was still lit up, and the ashes from the cigarette falling to the ground, there were a few cigarettes by his feet, and she suddenly thought of the boy who had been at the bicycle parking lots after Valentine’s day that year, smiling as he ate the chocolate she had given him. Gold paper scattered around his feet, the youth who had looked at her in anticipation.

This was someone she had once loved…