Brotherly Disrespect

Xie Wenyu had a dream. In the dream, he went back to his childhood. Before his brother went to military training, he was a fair, tall, and thin boy who was always bullied by the mischievous little Xie Wenyu.

Xie Wenyu was satisfied with his brother’s forbearance and tolerance. He didn’t feel a trace of guilt, instead, under his brother’s repeated tolerance, he stepped over the nose and climb over the face.

Suddenly, the scene changed. His brother had grown up.

A handsome man in his twenties, with a charm unique to a mature man in his every gesture. He can easily win a woman’s heart.

The dream continued until the next ten years. Xie Wenyu dreamed that he finished college, graduated, returned to China, and started working. During this period, he met all kinds of women, and every woman he liked all fell in love with his brother in the end without exception.

Xie Wenyu was greatly shocked and asked his brother, “Did you do it on purpose?”

In the room, Xie Wenkai was reading a book and didn’t answer.

Xie Wenyu: “I used to snatch your toys when I was young, are you taking revenge on me by snatching women from me now?”

Xie Wenkai’s fingers, which were turning pages, paused.

Xie Wenyu didn’t notice it and said angrily: “You hold grudges too much.”

Xie Wenkai closed the book and said unhurriedly: “What grudges do I have? I don’t like women.”

Xie Wenyu: “What?”

Xie Wenkai: “I like men.”

The dream ended here.

Xie Wenyu opened his eyes and got up abruptly.

Due to hangover, his eyes were covered with snowflakes, his ears were still buzzing, and the only sound lingering in his head was the last words his brother said to him last night—because I like men.

Xie Wenyu shook his head, got off the bed, walked out of the room, and saw his brother sitting at the dining table having breakfast.

Hearing the sound of slippers, Xie Wenkai raised his eyes and said with a calm expression: “Your breakfast is in the microwave, go heat it up yourself.”

Xie Wenyu isn’t homophobic. He has seen a lot in the past two years abroad, and he doesn’t have a different view on sexual orientation. Just like some people prefer coriander and others prefer green onions, liking men or women is just a personal preference. For example, Fang Yang being gay does not prevent Fang Yang from being a good student, nor does it prevent Xie Wenyu and Fang Yang from becoming friends.

Logically speaking, if his brother likes men, he should also have an understanding or indifferent attitude towards his brother, just like he has always been to Fang Yang.

But why was his heart beating wildly and couldn’t calm down?

Xie Wenyu’s mind was overloaded. He doesn’t want to think more about it.

Regardless of whether his brother likes men, women, or even aliens, his brother will always be his brother, and this will not change.

Suddenly realizing this, Xie Wenyu responded and turned to go to the kitchen to get breakfast.

After Christmas, the Spring Festival came.

This year, since both sons are studying in the United States, Xie’s parents decided to fly to the United States to celebrate the New Year with the whole family.

Winter in New York is very cold, with non-stop snow. Mother Xie is getting older, her body is not as good as before, and she is especially afraid of the cold. She only visited the campuses of her two sons and couldn’t bear the ice and snow.

Xie Wenyu proposed to go to Pennsylvania next door, where the climate is milder and more livable.

Xie Wenkai had no objection, Father and Mother Xie also agreed, so the next day, the family of four drove to Pennsylvania.

Xie Wenkai was in charge of driving. Xie Wenyu was sitting in the passenger seat, helping his brother watch the road while doing travel guides.

After looking at his phone for a few minutes, Xie Wenyu felt a little motion sick. He simply posted on Moments, saying that he would go to Pennsylvania with his family for a week, so he is asking everyone to give him a travel guide for Pennsylvania.

Xie Wenkai noticed that his face was a little pale and asked: “What’s wrong?”

Xie Wenyu said weakly: “Motion sickness.”

Xie Wenkai: “After we go to the gas station ahead, let’s switch.”

The driver is concentrated, his brain is in a state of excitement and tension. It’s not easy for him to get motion sick. Xie Wenyu agreed to his brother’s proposal. After filling up the car at the gas station, he sat in the driver’s seat.

Mother Xie joked: “This is the first time mom is riding in your car, what preparations do I need to make?”

Xie Wenyu said dissatisfiedly: “What do you mean?”

Father Xie: “Prepare to ask the traffic officer for help at any time?”

Xie Wenyu: ” Why don’t you trust me so much!”

The car started and drove on the wide expressway at a constant speed, Xie Wenyu said: “You two elders sleep, I guarantee that I will drive to the hotel entrance for you as soon as you open your eyes.”

The parents laughed. Xie Wenkai also slightly bent his eyes. In the small compartment, a family of four enjoyed themselves happily.

On the way, the mobile phone stuffed in his trouser pocket suddenly vibrated.

Xie Wenyu stared straight ahead, not daring to be distracted: “Ge, help me take out my phone, it’s in my right trouser pocket.”

Xie Wenkai followed suit. He reached his hand into Xie Wenyu’s trouser pocket and soon touched the warm phone, which was warmed by Xie Wenyu’s body temperature.

The slender and strong fingers bent up and held the phone, but they didn’t pull it out immediately, they stayed for two more seconds, and then backed out before Xie Wenyu was about to realize something was wrong.

Xie Wenkai: “What to do with your phone?”

Xie Wenyu: “Help me read the message, I guess a friend sent me a guide.”

Xie Wenyu is a very careless person, he never sets a password on his phone. When Xie Wenkai swiped his thumb on the screen, the phone was automatically unlocked.

Two unread messages popped up.

An Ran: I saw your post on Moments, you are welcome to play in Pennsylvania.

Then there was a link. Xie Wenkai clicked on it and jumped to a webpage titled [Seven Days Tour in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania].

Xie Wenkai read the full text without expression, then turned off the screen and put the phone aside.

Xie Wenyu: “Is it a guide?”

Xie Wenkai gave a faint “en”.

Xie Wenyu: “Who sent it? Give them a thank you for me.”

Xie Wenkai turned on the phone again and typed “thank you”. After sending it, he was silent for a moment before saying: “Your ex-girlfriend.”

Xie Wenyu: “Oh, An Ran”

Mother Xie, who was sitting in the back seat, was closing her eyes to rest, but when she heard An Ran’s name, she opened her eyes and couldn’t help asking: “How did you break up with An Ran?”

Xie Wenyu: “We broke up because it’s not suitable.”

Mother Xie: “What’s not suitable?”

Xie Wenyu: “You know, long-distance relationship, I won’t reveal the details.”

Father Xie: “You didn’t bully the other, did you?”

“Of course not.” Xie Wenyu glanced at his brother, “Actually, I have always listened to Ge’s words when it comes to relationships. He used to tell me not to date early before I went to college. I listened. Last year, he told me not to delay the youth of a girl if I didn’t like her. I think it makes sense. So we broke up.”

Xie Wenkai repeated: “You listen to me?”

Xie Wenyu: “Don’t I?”

Just now, Xie Wenkai accidentally saw the previous chat records between Xie Wenyu and An Ran. The most recent conversation was during the New Year, the two wished each other a happy New Year.

The tree shadows by the side of the road passed through the car window and quickly passed over Xie Wenkai’s face. An unknown emotion flashed in his eyes. He said, “Why do you still keep her contact information?”

Xie Wenyu: “I have no grievances or enmities with her, there is no need to delete it.”

Xie Wenkai let out a deep laugh from his throat: “Since you listen to me, if I ask you to delete her, will you delete her?”