Chapter 1281 Chew Me Up
"There really isn't much I can do about that," sighed Zhai Kuijun. "I'm also very helpless regarding this matter but I don't wanna push too hard. I did have this idea but I realized it could be counterproductive. I have to slowly invade into Fai's life and let him get used to my presence. Because he is too used to my absence."
Zhai Yanjun gave his father a strange look, "Dad, did you become wise all of a sudden?"
Zhai Kuijun narrowed his eyes at his son unhappily, "Don't think I won't beat you."
"I'll hide behind my Ai, let's see if you dare to touch me."
Zhai Kuijun was slightly taken aback when he heard his elder son saying this and then he chuckled, "Are you learning this from your brother?"
Zhai Yanjun nodded, "Why? I can't do that?"
"No, you certainly can," said Zhai Kuijun. "It's good to see you this way. It makes you feel more alive."
"Did I look like a walking dead before?"
"No. But the relationship between us was definitely quite lifeless."
Zhai Yanjun was silent for a while before saying, "But can you blame me for that? You never understood my feelings and thoughts. I never tried to understand your worries. So, it'd be a surprise if we were like normal father and son. You should be glad that we managed to save this dying relationship."
"You're right. I'm thankful," said Zhai Kuijun.
Zhai Yanjun contemplated for a while and hesitated before asking him, "Dad, have you heard from Mom lately?"
Zhai Kuijun frowned visibly at the mention of his ex-wife and replied, "No. I have no interest in what she is up to lately."
Zhai Yanjun nodded to himself and said, "Right."
"Why? What happened?"
"Nothing," replied Zhai Yanjun. "Are you hiding something from me?" asked Zhai Kuijun with a serious look. "Is she bothering you again?"
"No," denied Zhai Yanjun.
"Are you sure? You better not hide things from me this time. It's your habit of hiding her shortcomings that we had to suffer for so many years."
Zhai Yanjun pursed his lips, "Do you still blame me for not telling you how she tortured me?"
"Shouldn't I? She tortured you physically and mentally but you kept giving into her connivance. She gaslighted you and you hid things from me just because she is your mother."
"I did tell you."
"When it was too late already," said Zhai Kuijun. "Anyway, I'm warning you. If you hid things from me anymore, I'll really not let you go this time."
"Dad..." Zhai Yanjun was a bit helpless. He checked the time and said, "Forget it. I don't have that much time left. I'm gonna say bye to everyone and leave. I'll see you again when I get the chance."
"Take care of yourself," said Zhai Kuijun.
"Don't be so sentimental. We are just training daily. It's not like I'm going to war. You didn't even look this sentimental when I was stationed at the border."
Zhai Kuijun hit his arm, "This is why I don't show my concern for you. You always laugh it off."
Zhai Yanjun laughed at it, "I'm just trying to make you feel at ease. I'm doing great. So, you live your own life and stop worrying about me. I know children are like a debt to their parents but I assure you, I want you to stop worrying about this debt and focus on yourself."
Zhai Kuijun nodded his head with a smile and patted his back.
Zhai Yanjun went to find his brother before leaving and found him playing hide and seek with the kids. His lips twitched for a moment but then he accepted this behavior calmly. What couldn't he possibly not accept from Hyson? This seemed very normal.
"Yo, brother! You seem to be having fun."
Hyson looked at Zhai Yanjun and frowned. "What do you want now?" n(/0VelbIn
"I didn't get to spend some time with you today. Am I not allowed to look for you? Why do you have to look so disgusted seeing me every time? I know you're secretly very happy to see me."
Hyson rolled his eyes at him and said, "Whatever floats your boat, Captain!"
Zhai Yanjun smiled at him, "You can play with them later and come spend some time with me. We rarely get the chance to meet anyway. I'm leaving in a while again and you'll also go back to the shoot. Who knows when we'll see each other again."
Hyson stared at him in silence for a while before he took a time out with the kids and went to Zhai Yanjun's side. "Say whatever you want to say first."
Zhai Yanjun placed his hand on Hyson's head and asked, "How are you, little brother?"
Hyson pushed his hand away, "Are we that close?"
"We are," said Zhai Yanjun.
"Are you shameless?"
"Learning from you."
Hyson paused and said, "Then learn good things from me."
"Like your ability to coax people or your ability to change faces?"
"You are making me seem like a scheming person now when I'm very innocent."
"I won't comment on that," said Zhai Yanjun. "Tell me honestly, how are you?"
"I'm good."
"Why are you losing weight? Haven't you been eating well lately?" Zhai Yanjun seemed distressed as he spoke and looked at Hyson. "Why don't you take care of yourself better? Do you know how..."
"Stop!" Hyson held up his hand to stop him from continuing. "You're so wordy! I don't wanna hear this nagging. Go away already."
"Okay, okay. I won't say it. Can't you give your brother a smile?"
"What will I get in return?"
"What do you want? I'll try to give anything you want as long as you want to."
"Wow! You, Captain, are so easy to deceive. Be careful of someone chewing up your flesh and spitting your bones."
"Only you'd think of chewing me up."
"No way. If I did it, I won't even spit out the bones," said Hyson.
Zhai Yanjun laughed at that and Hyson also pursed his lips to suppress his laughter.