Chapter 4 Carried Home
The day after I got the sneakers,
I wore them to play basketball with my roommates.
Too much excitement.
I twisted my ankle badly. It fractured.
In the hospital,
Older Brother and Jiang Huai rushed over.
Jiang Huai looked worried. “How could you be so careless? Still hurt?”
I pouted. “A little.”
He patted my head. “Be more careful next time. Safety first when playing ball. Now you’ll remember.”
Older Brother’s gaze flicked between us.
“Jiang Huai, what’s with you? Those are my lines.”
He shoved Jiang Huai aside
and smacked my head. “Be careful next time!”
I glared. “It already hurts and you hit me.”
“Stop whining. Men take small injuries. Grab your crutches and let’s go.”
I shook my head. “Carry me, or I’m not leaving.”
He rolled his eyes. “You know how heavy you are?”
As he spoke,
Jiang Huai crouched in front of me,
back to me. “Get on. I’ll carry you.”
“Older Brother, I love you. You’re way better than my real one.”
He clearly worked out.
He lifted me easily.
On his back,
I felt his solid muscles.
I couldn’t resist pinching his arm. “How do you train, Older Brother? Your girlfriend must feel so safe.”
Jiang Huai just smiled and said nothing.
The dorm had no elevator,
so I couldn’t stay there for a while.
I stayed at Jiang Huai’s place,
sharing with Older Brother.
I’d sweated all day.
I couldn’t sleep without a shower.
I put a waterproof cover on my cast.
Then I realized
I couldn’t take off my pants alone.
I opened the door and called out. “Older Brother, come help me.”
Older Brother said “coming,”
but he never showed.
Jiang Huai came instead.
“Your Older Brother went out. I’ll help.”
He pushed the door open and walked in.
I’d wanted help taking off my pants.
I couldn’t ask Jiang Huai to do that.
“It’s fine. I’ll wait for Older Brother.”
Jiang Huai tilted his head slightly. “You’re embarrassed because it’s me?”
I shook my head and smiled. “Not at all.”
I gave in. “Then, Older Brother, hold me while I take them off.”
“Lean on the sink. I’ll do it.”
Before I could refuse,
he crouched down.
My pants came off.
The sudden exposure
made my face burn.
I wasn’t usually shy.
But the position was too awkward.
His warm palm rested on my good leg. “Lift your foot.”
I braced my arms stiffly and lifted.
Finally done.
“Stand up, Older Brother,” I urged.
Jiang Huai looked up,
paused for three seconds,
then stood.