I Am Your Brother, You Are My Lord

Hai City's first snow came earlier than last year, right on the day of the annual meeting. At that moment, everyone was either idly or busily wrapping things up in the well-heated office. It's unknown who exclaimed in surprise, suddenly pointing out the window and saying, "Oh my, it's snowing!"

The floor-to-ceiling windows were misty, obscuring the view outside. A nearby potted plant, half a person's height, had long since lost all its leaves. Hearing the exclamation, everyone subconsciously turned their gaze over. Sure enough, they found fine flecks of snow drifting down from the sky. When Fang Qia breathed on the glass and wiped a clear spot with her hand, the view became even clearer.

For some reason, even though it snows every year and it's no longer a novelty after seeing it for so long, there's always an indescribable sense of joy and delight with every first sighting. Melon seeds and candies were distributed in the office, a handful for each person, creating a rare and relaxed atmosphere.

"The snow is quite early this year."

"What a coincidence. I bought a train ticket to go back to my hometown tonight."

Jiang Xu finished the last of the melon seeds in his hand, clapped his palms, and picked up a stack of documents to pretend to look for Gu Qingzhou in his office. But when he pushed the door open, he found Gu Qingzhou also standing by the window watching the snow. A spot on the windowpane had also been wiped clean.

Jiang Xu closed the door behind him and, seeing the situation, laughed softly, "Watching so intently? Has it never snowed in City A?"

Hearing his voice, Gu Qingzhou couldn't help but withdraw his gaze. He then reached out, pulled Jiang Xu to the window, and watched the snow with him. "It has, but I never caught the first snow before. I was busy with work back then and didn't pay attention."

Jiang Xu was sometimes curious about how Gu Qingzhou had spent the years they were apart. But in truth, Gu Qingzhou couldn't remember clearly anymore. Living through it felt arduous, but looking back, there was only emptiness.

His hands were still a bit cold, as they were all year round. Jiang Xu hugged Gu Qingzhou, showing a rare touch of gentleness. He covered the back of Gu Qingzhou's hand with his warm palm, then slowly squeezed it tight, as if gripping a piece of ice. "Didn't you catch it this time? I'll watch with you."

As he spoke, he tilted his head and kissed Gu Qingzhou, only to be taken aback by the bitter taste between the other's lips and tongue. He subconsciously glanced at the desk, where a cup of still-warm coffee sat quietly. He couldn't help but say, "You're drinking that bitter stuff again."

A hint of a smile was hidden in Gu Qingzhou's dark eyes. He deliberately leaned in and kissed Jiang Xu before saying, "There's only one packet left. It's almost the New Year, and leaving it would be a waste. Might as well finish it."

Jiang Xu tried to dodge but failed. Finally, he fished a fruit candy from his pants pocket, tore off the wrapper, and popped it into Gu Qingzhou's mouth, saying half-jokingly, "Tsk, so bitter I don't even want to kiss you."

After saying that, he asked, "Are you going back to City A for the New Year?"

Jiang Xu was about to buy a ticket for tomorrow. New Year tickets were hard to get, and the roads were congested, so he had to book in advance. If Gu Qingzhou wasn't going back to City A, he couldn't just leave the other person alone in Hai City.

Gu Qingzhou glanced at him, then said, "...I'll go back. Don't worry about me, just book your ticket first."

Jiang Xu reached out and ruffled his hair, messing it up before smoothing it back down again. He said with a smile, "Think it through, don't regret it. It'll be hard to buy a ticket later."

Mother Jiang's place was located in the suburban district of Hai City, in a town of moderate size. It would take about five hours to drive there. Gu Qingzhou rested his chin on Jiang Xu's shoulder and said, "Why don't I give you my car? You can drive back, save yourself from squeezing onto the bus."

Jiang Xu chuckled. "Drive your Porsche back? My mom would think I did something illegal. She might even righteously turn me over to the police."

Don't doubt it. Given Jiang Xu's notorious track record as a child, Mother Jiang was fully capable of doing such a thing.

Everyone got off work early as evening fell and headed to the booked five-star hotel for dinner. Some colleagues secretly teased Gu Qingzhou for being so generous. With so many people having a feast, it would cost at least tens of thousands, which might be more than their year-end bonuses.

Jiang Xu waited until everyone had left before getting into Gu Qingzhou's car by the roadside. He pulled open the door, sat in the passenger seat, and quickly did some mental math. Probably thinking Gu Qingzhou was a fool, he propped up his chin and said with a smile, "Manager Gu, people come to work to earn money. You're the only one spending your own."

Gu Qingzhou wanted to say that if he had to rely on that measly salary, he would have starved to death long ago. But saying that would sound like he was flaunting his wealth, so he simply remained silent. He started the car and saw that the road was already covered in a thin layer of snow, which was a bit dazzlingly white under the headlights. He couldn't help but ask, "What time is your ticket for?"

Jiang Xu said, "Tomorrow at noon."

Gu Qingzhou nodded and didn't ask any more questions.

The streets were still congested now, but in a few days, they would be as empty as a ghost town. Pedestrians in heavy clothing shuttled past on the sidewalks, some in a hurry, others at a leisurely pace. The originally pristine snow soon became dotted with dark footprints, then slowly melted and collected at the base of the utility poles by the roadside.

The traffic was a bit heavy. By the time Gu Qingzhou and Jiang Xu arrived, the private room was already more than half full. Seeing them arrive together, no one thought much of it. They asked casually, and Jiang Xu just brushed it off by saying he had hitched a ride with Gu Qingzhou, then they sat down on either side.

Li Si'ao was going to meet Fang Qia's parents this year and was probably a bit nervous, so he didn't have much of an appetite. It was only when Jiang Xu arrived that he started chatting with him idly, as if to relieve his tension.

Li Si'ao: "This is my first time visiting her family. Do you think I should bring some expensive gifts? But Qiaqia said there's no need for those formalities, just some fruit would be fine. I just don't feel right about it."

Jiang Xu offered a very unreliable suggestion: "Buy a few pounds of bird's nest to give them. Then you'll feel better."

Fang Qia, who was nearby and heard them talking, hugged one of Li Si'ao's arms and pulled him closer. Then she said to Jiang Xu, "Stop corrupting him with your bad ideas. The day you go to meet your future parents-in-law, I'd like to see what you bring."

Jiang Xu couldn't bear to look at the two of them being so clingy. He scooted his chair to the side, inadvertently moving a little closer to Gu Qingzhou. Then he said to Fang Qia, "You two, cut it out. You're not tired of this at the office, and you can't even stop during the New Year. Did you come here to eat a meal or to be fed dog food?"

He had his legs crossed, a half-handful of melon seeds in his hand, his eyes lowered in his usual lazy manner. When he glanced up inadvertently, there was always an inexplicable smile in his eyes that made people's hearts race and unable to look at him directly.

In previous annual meetings, Old Luo would always give a long-winded speech. Gu Qingzhou, however, was much more concise. After a few polite remarks, he didn't say much more. Some of the old hands in the office, after drinking a bit, started to get worked up and insisted on toasting Gu Qingzhou. One or two glasses weren't enough; they mixed red and white wine. Seeing this, Jiang Xu shifted slightly, about to get up to block the drinks for him, but Gu Qingzhou held him down by the shoulder without anyone noticing.

Gu Qingzhou's breath carried a faint smell of alcohol when he spoke. When he looked down at him, his eyes reflected the lights, shimmering like shattered stars. He said in a low voice, "I'll drink. You don't drink. You're driving later."

Jiang Xu didn't say anything. He felt that Gu Qingzhou was already a bit unsteady on his feet. He reached out to support him and then subtly turned sideways to block those who wanted to come up and toast. A veteran senior with a red face and neck said, "Xiao Jiang, this isn't right of you. It's rare for us to have a meal with Manager Gu and bond. Why are you always blocking the way? Go, go."

Jiang Xu pushed Gu Qingzhou back into his seat, pulled out a cigarette, and handed it over, still wearing that same smiling expression he showed everyone. "What are you talking about? I'm just worried you'll get too drunk and make your wife worry when you get back."

Among the married men in the office, few weren't afraid of their wives. It was precisely because they were usually kept on a tight leash that they were drinking so recklessly today, now that the ban was temporarily lifted. "Worry" was a word Jiang Xu had deliberately polished. If their wives found out they were dead drunk, a fight would be the least of their worries. Hearing this, they all unconsciously reined it in a bit. It was the New Year, after all. There was no need for that.

The alcohol went to Gu Qingzhou's head. He sat in his seat without moving, but his gaze remained fixed on Jiang Xu. Wherever the other went, his eyes followed, all his thoughts quietly hidden within, concealed from everyone at the boisterous dinner table.

Many people had booked train tickets to go home that night. After eating and drinking their fill, the banquet broke up. They left in groups of two and three. Gu Qingzhou was having trouble even standing up, which gave Jiang Xu a perfectly legitimate reason to drive him home.

They always lagged behind the crowd. Jiang Xu supported Gu Qingzhou, stepping over the mottled snow tracks on the ground. The cold wind blew away some of the alcohol fumes, but the scattered lights and shadows falling before their eyes were still a blur.

Jiang Xu suddenly sighed, then smiled. "Gu Qingzhou, Happy New Year."

When Gu Qingzhou was drunk, he was different from others. His face wasn't red, he wasn't out of breath, and he didn't even slur his words. Hearing this, he turned to look at him, his eyes momentarily blank, then he asked in a low, confused voice, "Happy New Year, Gu Qingzhou?"

"Wrong," Jiang Xu said. "You should wish me a Happy New Year."

He opened the passenger door and helped Gu Qingzhou get in, thinking to himself that every time he got drunk, he acted like a complete idiot. He could be sold off one day and wouldn't even know it.

Jiang Xu was going back to his hometown tomorrow, and he felt a bit uneasy about leaving Gu Qingzhou alone in Hai City. While driving, he took a moment to glance at the person beside him, who was drunk but not making any noise. "Gu Qingzhou, next time I'm not around, you can't drink, you know?"

Gu Qingzhou's reaction was slow. After a couple of seconds, he nodded in agreement. "Got it."

He looked both foolish and obedient.

At this time of night, the traffic wasn't as heavy as when they had come. The tires sped over the ground, splashing up bits of snow. Soon, they arrived downstairs at their building. Because the heat was on full blast in the car, the cold air that rushed in when they got out made them shiver.

Jiang Xu pulled Gu Qingzhou out of the car, then locked it. He inexplicably felt that even though he wasn't married yet, he was already experiencing the hardships of being a father. As he was leading the man into the residential complex, a sudden chill hit the back of his neck, making him suck in a sharp breath of cold air.

Jiang Xu pulled Gu Qingzhou's paw out from his collar, raised an eyebrow slightly, and asked in an unfriendly tone, "What are you doing?"

Gu Qingzhou said, "Cold."

Jiang Xu said in a low voice, "Serves you right if you freeze to death."

After saying that, he clasped Gu Qingzhou's hand in his palm and quickened his pace upstairs. As they passed by other people's doors, he noticed that they had already put up New Year couplets and the character for "fortune," looking festive and cheerful in bright red.

Jiang Xu opened the door with his key, turned on the air conditioner's heat, and helped Gu Qingzhou to the sofa to sit down. The keys twirled flippantly around his finger, making a crisp sound. "Are you still cold now?"

Gu Qingzhou didn't speak, leaning against the armrest with his eyes half-closed. At Jiang Xu's words, he opened his eyes slightly to see Jiang Xu sitting beside him, propping up his head and watching him quietly. Then, Gu Qingzhou shifted slightly and slowly crawled from the sofa into his arms.

When Gu Qingzhou spoke while leaning in his arms, his breath still smelled of alcohol. "Hot."

Jiang Xu was thinking about something else and casually replied, "If you're hot, then take it off."

Hearing this, Gu Qingzhou thought for a moment with a blank expression, then rustled as he took off his coat, followed by his light gray low-collared sweater. Jiang Xu sensed something was wrong. A quick glance revealed that he was about to take off his shirt next. He quickly pressed down on Gu Qingzhou's hand and said, "Taking off your coat is enough."

Gu Qingzhou was still struggling with his shirt. The buttons were too small, and he couldn't undo them no matter how hard he tried. Finally, he had to give up. He wrapped his arms around Jiang Xu's neck, his body temperature gradually rising. Even through a layer of cloth, it felt a bit hot.

Jiang Xu figured it was because of the alcohol. Worried he might catch a cold, he simply carried the man to the bed, threw a quilt over him, and let him take off whatever he wanted. Jiang Xu hadn't packed his luggage yet. He was about to get up to find his suitcase when Gu Qingzhou held him, making it impossible to get away. Clumsy kisses fell on his neck, wet and soft.

Jiang Xu propped himself up over Gu Qingzhou's body, his inherent rogue nature unchanged. He asked with some amusement, "Want to do it?"

Gu Qingzhou had managed to unbutton a few buttons on his collar, revealing his distinct, sexy collarbones. His white shirt was also a bit wrinkled. The cross earring in his left ear glinted slightly, adding a touch of elegance. He looked at Jiang Xu with a dazed expression, not knowing if he felt sick from the alcohol or the heat. He just grabbed Jiang Xu's hand, placed it on his collar, and said with a frown, "Hot."

Jiang Xu found this rather interesting and couldn't help but smile. His voice was low and teasing. "Call me brother and let me hear it. If you call me brother, I'll help you with the buttons."

Gu Qingzhou stared at him with dark, moist eyes, then obediently called out, "Brother."

The voice was very soft, nothing like Gu Qingzhou's usual tone.

Hearing this, Jiang Xu's eyes couldn't help but darken for a moment. His Adam's apple bobbed. He grunted an "en" that betrayed no emotion, then pinched his chin and kissed him. Gu Qingzhou kissed back obediently, but his kiss lacked the fierce intensity of Jiang Xu's, which felt like it could devour a person whole.

Gu Qingzhou's buttons were undone one by one, though by whom was unclear. The white shirt silently slipped off the edge of the bed and fell onto the smooth floor, looking desolate and limp.

The curtains were half-drawn, offering a glimpse of the distant, brightly lit skyscrapers and the boundless, deep night. Snowflakes drifted down from the sky, twirling leisurely. They were tiny and carried a freezing temperature, yet they came with the overwhelming momentum of a force of nature.

Jiang Xu suddenly sighed. He kissed the person beneath him, his voice muffled. "Gu Qingzhou..."

This was the ninth year since they had met. It would soon be the tenth.

Sometimes, waking from a dream in the middle of the night, he would often think of their youth. It always felt distant and unreal, like a long dream. That recklessness, that fearlessness—was that really something they once possessed?

As they moved forward in life, they also lost many things, whether people or objects, or the foolhardy courage of an eighteen-year-old.

Gu Qingzhou was already drunk and disoriented. Now he was completely limp, lying on the bed with only enough strength to breathe. He couldn't respond to Jiang Xu, only murmuring something unintelligible. Then he snuggled into his arms, rubbing his chin with his hair like a small animal.

Jiang Xu thought he might as well pack his luggage tomorrow morning. He lifted Gu Qingzhou from the bed to take him to the bathroom for a shower. Remembering that he wouldn't see this person for a while, he couldn't help but pinch his cheek. He felt that he could no longer be as decisive as before. He said to himself, "Being so sentimental is so annoying."

The bathtub was filled with warm water. After soaking for a long time, the air felt bitingly cold on the scalp upon getting out. Gu Qingzhou's mind had been muddled, but later, perhaps sobering up a little, he slowly opened his eyes.

Jiang Xu wasn't sleepy yet. He was leaning against the bed playing on his phone. With Li Si'ao gone, there was no one to team up with for games, so he could only browse through TV series. Gu Qingzhou's head hurt a little. He covered his eyes with the back of his hand and then kicked him gently from under the covers.

Jiang Xu ignored him, thinking he was just having a drunken fit.

Gu Qingzhou's voice was slightly hoarse and lazy as he spoke, "Jiang Xu..."

Jiang Xu: "Hm?"

Gu Qingzhou asked in an emotionless tone, "Whose brother are you?"

...

Hearing this, Jiang Xu's phone-scrolling paused. He belatedly remembered that he had just taken verbal advantage of Gu Qingzhou while he was drunk. He calmly put down his phone and said, "I am your brother, you are my lord."

Makes perfect sense.

Gu Qingzhou asked, "Is that so?"

Jiang Xu nodded. "Yes."

Gu Qingzhou: "Then call me 'lord' and let me hear it?"

Hearing this, Jiang Xu's eyelid twitched. He thought to himself that he must have gone too easy on him earlier, otherwise how would Gu Qingzhou have the energy to talk back like this? He simply turned off the bedside lamp, slid down, and pulled the covers up. "It's late, let's sleep."

Gu Qingzhou shot him an indifferent glance, thinking that this time Jiang Xu had only tricked him into calling him 'brother'. Next time, wouldn't he want to be called 'dad'? The scoundrel was definitely capable of such a thing.

Gu Qingzhou said pointedly, "Don't think I don't remember anything just because I was drunk."

Jiang Xu raised an eyebrow slightly, thinking, 'Of course I know you remember everything. Last time, you almost blurted out your bank card password. What an honor.'

Gu Qingzhou looked at the wall clock. His vision blurred for a moment before refocusing. The hands glowed faintly in the dark, pointing exactly at twelve. The wind and snow outside had not stopped. He moved under the covers and suddenly said, "Jiang Xu..."

Jiang Xu: "Hm?"

Gu Qingzhou said, "Happy New Year."

Jiang Xu was stunned for a moment, then came to his senses and said with a smile, "Yeah, you too."

The colder it was outside, the warmer it was inside. Gu Qingzhou remembered that Jiang Xu was going back to his hometown tomorrow and inexplicably couldn't sleep. He poked Jiang Xu's waist with his fingertip under the blanket. "Have you packed your clothes?"

Jiang Xu grabbed his fidgeting hand and said meaningfully, "I was just about to pack, but then you dragged me into bed. Let's do it tomorrow."

Hearing this, even Gu Qingzhou's composure had its limits. He unconsciously pinched his earlobe, which was gradually getting warmer. "That just means you don't have enough self-control."

Jiang Xu chuckled. "If I had enough self-control, you'd still be single right now."

Gu Qingzhou couldn't win the argument, so he just shut up and went to sleep. Through the quilt, Jiang Xu patted his thin back, feeling that Gu Qingzhou had never put on any weight. Even he, who ate instant noodles every day, was more robust. He didn't know if it was because he was naturally like this or because he had too much weighing on his mind.

Outside in the dark night, the snow fell with a rustling sound. The pine and cypress trees in the green belt were covered with a thin layer of snow. In just one night, a glance out the window revealed a vast expanse of white.

Jiang Xu opened the window for a look, and the wind immediately swept in with snowflakes, seeping in from every crack. He closed the window behind him. The thought of having to squeeze onto a bus back to his hometown in this weather felt pretty damn crappy.

A suitcase lay on the bedroom floor. Winter clothes were thick to begin with. Jiang Xu stuffed them in randomly, but he couldn't fit many. He had to patiently fold the clothes one by one and then pack them in.

Gu Qingzhou just watched from the side, without any intention of helping. By the time Jiang Xu had zipped up the suitcase by kneeling on it with one knee, his back was sweaty. He sat lazily on the carpet, knees bent, and said to Gu Qingzhou with a half-smile, "Manager Gu, you're too heartless. You didn't even offer to help."

Gu Qingzhou had made a cup of coffee. He was wearing a white low-collared sweater with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His dark hair wasn't combed back as usual but fell naturally, giving him a scholarly air. Hearing this, he looked down, gently kicked the suitcase, and said, "You're about to leave, and you expect me to help you pack to send you off?"

What was the difference between that and having to smile and wish your boyfriend a happy marriage with someone else?

Gu Qingzhou's way of thinking was sometimes quite willful and unreasonable. He didn't want to see Jiang Xu leave, so naturally, he couldn't bring himself to help him pack. He just wasn't in the mood.

Jiang Xu: ...

Fine, you can't reason with an idiot.