Intoxicated Friends
Translator: Jury
Editor: NomNom
First Published on Chaleuria
—
21.1 – Thank You, Su Mu
Su Mu pulled Yao Yuan out of the hospital. They crossed the main road and reached the court where they had played basketball before. On the way, Yao Yuan kept trying to escape his grip, but Su Mu seemed to have steeled his heart today and wouldn’t let him break free, holding on with unusual strength. Along the road, patients who had come out for a stroll all looked on with surprise, uncertain what the two guys were up to. A security guard tried to reach out to them, but his partner recognized Su Mu as the young master of the hospital’s parent organization and quickly stopped him. In this day and age nothing was as important as job security.
The sky was darkening and the court was empty. The moment Su Mu let go of Yao Yuan’s hand, Yao Yuan punched him in the stomach. Su Mu, unwilling to show weakness, returned a blow to Yao Yuan’s shoulder. Yao Yuan retaliated and the two began fighting, trading punches and kicks. Neither was willing to give an inch until they had both left many injuries on the other and they collapsed exhausted to the ground.
“Thank you, Su Mu.” Yao Yuan looked up at the sky gradually filling with stars. He had slowly come back to his senses and now he understood that Su Mu had accompanied him through this fight to let him vent his worry and fear.
“You’re calm now?” Su Mu turned to look at Yao Yuan’s profile and said sincerely, “Then listen to me. It’s up to you whether to proceed with the operation, but that’s all you need to think about right now. Leave all the other problems to me. I’ll find Yao Qian the best hospital and the best neurologist. Don’t worry about the costs.”
“Su Mu.” Yao Yuan turned to look at him, surprised. Under the serene moonlight, Su Mu’s gaze seemed unusually gentle, causing Yao Yuan to avert his eyes awkwardly. “Why?”
“Good friends will be there for each other, right, People’s Hero Yao?” Su Mu sat up and looked down at Yao Yuan. The feelings roiling in his chest nearly burst forth uncontrollably. He had tried for so long to go back to being just friends with Yao Yuan, but a single glance at the fragile look in Yao Yuan’s eyes had him announcing defeat. Yao Yuan was something different to him now. They could no longer go back to being friends.
“But, Su Mu…”
Su Mu reached out and put his index finger on Yao Yuan’s lips to prevent him from saying anything more. He watched Yao Yuan attentively, his other hand going to Yao Yuan’s stomach where a scar had been left behind because of him…
“Su Mu.” The moment the name left his mouth, Yao Yuan couldn’t continue. Su Mu’s finger moved along his lips, a tingling sensation plucking at a string deep in his heart. He looked at Su Mu incredulously, unsure what Su Mu was trying to do. Damn it, Yao Yuan cursed inwardly. He felt constantly at a disadvantage tonight.
“You nearly died because of me. Why can’t I help solve this for you? Besides, it might seem like a large sum to you but it’s small to me. Yao Yuan, you also want Yao Qian to wake up, right?”
Yao Yuan shut his eyes and thought hard. Of course he wanted his sister to wake up. Yao Qian had sacrificed so much for him, and she had been injured because of his mistake this time. If something really happened to her, Yao Yuan wouldn’t be able to forgive himself. He could not let his sister continue to lie there until… Yao Yuan shook his head. He refused to consider the possibility. The operation had to be done.
“Thank you, Su Mu.” He could only choose to accept Su Mu’s help.
Su Mu laughed lightly. “This is the second time you’re thanking me tonight. That’s too polite. Do you consider me a friend or not?”
“Of course. Of course you’re my friend, just like Zhang Chen and Jiya.” Who knew which of them Yao Yuan was trying to convince with these words.