Intoxicated Friends
Translator: Jury
Editor: NomNom
First Published on Chaleuria
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23.2 – I’ll Go To The Su Group And Help You
The moment the words left his mouth, both of them were stunned. The room was unusually quiet and Su Mu clenched his fists in frustration. Damn it; wasn’t he famously calm? But looking at the cigarette stubs covering the floor and Yao Yuan’s haggard appearance, the words ‘my heart hurts, too” had slipped out, just like that.
“Your heart hurts?” Yao Yuan slowly repeated these words, his gaze never leaving Su Mu’s face. He had never imagined that these words would ever be connected to him, and from this man’s mouth at that. What exactly was going on here?
“Of course.” Su Mu amended his mistake on the spot. His tone gradually softened and he placed one hand on Yao Yuan’s shoulder, his other hand gently caressing Yao Yuan’s face. Yao Yuan’s face wasn’t smooth—it was even a little rough—but Su Mu wanted to take the excuse to linger there. He looked into his eyes and didn’t hide his worry. “Can’t I feel heartache for you? Look at how tired you are. You only ever worry about your friends, but you never worry about yourself.”
“What? Do you know what that word means? How can you call that heartache? It’s clearly concern…” Yao Yuan sighed with relief, but felt faintly disappointed. To him, ‘heartache’ had a deeper meaning.
“Regardless of why, I won’t let you hurt yourself this way. You don’t have to worry about Yao Qian. I’ve contacted a doctor from the States and once the paperwork is complete, we can go over.”
“Really?” Yao Yuan ardently caught hold of Su Mu’s hand, all his feelings from before vanishing completely. Right now, Yao Qian was clearly the most important.
“Yes.” Su Mu also calmed his emotions and smiled as he replied, “Although the doctor is only thirty or so, he is an internationally renowned neurologist. I’ve asked the Tianxia Hospital physicians. The operations he headed have had a high success rate.”
“That’s great, Su Mu.” Yao Yuan’s initially dark expression was now lit by his joy-filled eyes; he seemed to have come back to life. He excitedly ran out of the room and returned with a carton of beer. He tossed a can to Su Mu. “Today I have to drink with you. We won’t stop till we get drunk. Don’t make the excuse that you have work tomorrow. You’re not running away.”
“I’m not going anywhere. We won’t stop till we’re drunk.” Su Mu took the beer can he handed over, tilted his head back and chugged half the can. I like you better this way. This is the Yao Yuan I love.
“Not bad, brat. You’re quite something.” When it came to drinking, Yao Yuan refused to show weakness.
They quickly finished the carton of beer between them, and Yao Yuan got another carton. Noticing Su Mu’s gradually reddening face and slurred speech, Yao Yuan thought that some things were better said now. He could make use of their tipsiness, yet it would not be misunderstood for a drunken declaration. He tilted his head back and took a big gulp, then looked at Su Mu and said slowly, “Su Mu, when my sister gets better, I’ll join the Su Group.”
Su Mu inelegantly spat out the beer he had just been about to swallow. He coughed several times, his sharp gaze on Yao Yuan’s face, and asked coldly, “What did you say?”
“I’ll go and help you.” Yao Yuan subconsciously avoided Su Mu’s gaze. The next instant, he was punched in the stomach.
“If you’ve got the guts, say it again. Are those your terms of exchange?” Su Mu cursed again. What was the meaning of this? He didn’t want an exchange; he simply wanted to help Yao Yuan.
“I’ll go and help you,” Yao Yuan repeated himself. This time he no longer looked away, but looked right into Su Mu’s eyes.
“Bastard!” Su Mu punched Yao Yuan’s stomach again, not holding back at all. His voice grew chilly. “Say it again.”
“No matter how many times you make me say it, I won’t change my mind. If you want me to say it, then I will. I’ll go to the Su Group and help you.” Yao Yuan wiped away the blood at the corner of his mouth, his tone resolute.
Su Mu’s punch landed on his stomach this time as well. The alcohol made Su Mu reckless. He caught hold of Yao Yuan by the collar and yelled, “What do you take me for? Yes, I’m a businessman. I’m concerned only about profits and I don’t do unprofitable business, but Yao Yuan, you’re not my business rival. You taught me how friendship works. What is this? You’ll join the Su Group and help me? Is that how you compensate me?”
“It’s repayment. Su Mu, I have principles. You say this sum of money is a small amount to you, but to me, this isn’t about money. It’s about my sister’s life. You’ve saved the person dearest to me, and no matter what I do I can’t pay you back.” Yao Yuan lit a cigarette. This was what he had been considering for the last several days. Although he sincerely disliked the dog-eat-dog business world, if Su Mu needed him, he would stay there for a lifetime.
“Repayment, is it? You don’t have to go to such lengths. I know a simpler way.” Su Mu smiled coldly. In all these years, this was the first time Su Mu had wanted to help someone, with no ulterior motive in mind. He simply didn’t want to see Yao Yuan fragile and despondent, but Yao Yuan had actually… he was talking about goddamn repayment. The alcohol and anger made Su Mu’s rationality snap. He snatched the cigarette from Yao Yuan’s mouth, tossed it to the ground, moved closer, caught hold of Yao Yuan’s face with both hands, and fiercely kissed the lips which had appeared many times in his dreams.