Chapter 56 – Mint Green (Extra 3)
Novel Title: 一屋暗灯 (Ephemeral Light)
Author：麦香鸡呢 (McChicken)
Translator: K (@kin0monogatari)
Protagonists: 宋谨 (Song Jin -MC), 宋星阑 (Song Xinglan -ML)
*Please read at Novels Space.space, the original site of translation. TQ*
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The weather was gradually getting hotter, and summer arrived quickly. As usual, Song Jin went to the library every afternoon and returned home in the evening. Sometimes, when he left the library and felt it was too hot, he would buy an ice cream at the entrance to cool off.
During this period, Song Jin was a bit worried because he had run into Han Zhuo.
Han Zhuo’s younger sister was about to take her college entrance exams so she came to the library every weekend. She was almost always accompanied by Han Zhuo. As a result, they bumped into each other several times.
The little girl was lively and cheerful. So after a few encounters, she naturally became familiar with Song Jin. There were even a few times when she sat next to him, asking him for help with her studies.
The girl often praised Song Jin, saying he had a great personality, was smart, and patient. Song Jin didn’t know how to dodge these compliments.
Afterward, when the two of them left the library together, it was inevitable that they would run into Han Zhuo, who was waiting at the entrance. He, too, seemed to feel the heat. So he would buy two ice creams—one for his sister and one for Song Jin.
Song Jin ate without truly tasting it.
It was just a friendly gesture. But after all, Han Zhuo had once been the catalyst between him and Song Xinglan. In Song Jin’s heart, he couldn’t fully regard Han Zhuo as a friend.
Moreover, even if Song Jin could manage to stay calm, Song Xinglan would never understand.
Song Xinglan didn’t believe Song Jin only needed him, his only brother.
Fortunately, in half a month, the college entrance exams will be over. Han Zhuo’s sister wouldn’t need to come to the library anymore. It was said that today was her last visit.
Song Jin felt like he was finally escorting a preschooler to their graduation.
But fate has a way of toying with people, especially for Song Jin.
Today, as he and Han Zhuo’s sister left the library, Han Zhuo was, as usual, standing by the small shop at the entrance, buying them ice cream.
The three of them chatted for a while. Song Jin politely wished Han Zhuo’s sister good luck with her college entrance exams. However, the girl unexpectedly asked, “When I get into college and hold a party, will you come?”
Han Zhuo smiled lightly beside them. Song Jin couldn’t refuse such kindness in this situation. So, he nodded and said, “Sure.”
“Then you really have to come!” the girl said enthusiastically.
Song Jin took a bite of his ice cream and smiled, “Okay.”
Before the word ‘okay’ even fully left his mouth, Song Jin caught a glimpse of a car with its window half-lowered parked on the roadside outside the main gate.
That white Ferrari had been there for a while, looking quite flashy. But Song Jin hadn’t given it much thought.
Now, seeing the face partially hidden behind the car window, the only thought in Song Jin’s mind was: Song Xinglan bought a new car again.
The car door opened. Song Xinglan stepped out. He was wearing a full suit, which didn’t really match the sports car. But the cold look on his face gave him a strange sense of harmony with it. It wasn’t an obvious display of arrogance but rather an aura of being ‘not to be messed with’ that radiated from within.
Song Jin felt like the ice cream wasn’t melting, but he was. Han Zhuo, however, asked calmly, “Isn’t that your brother?”
“Mm.” Song Jin mechanically raised his arm and gave a small wave towards Song Xinglan, “Xinglan.”
Song Xinglan didn’t respond. He just stared at him.
Han Zhuo’s sister, bubbling with excitement, tugged at Han Zhuo’s sleeve and whispered as quietly as she could, “Gege! He’s so handsome. So handsome!”
“I’ll be going now,” Song Jin said, “Good luck with your exams, Xiao Meimei.”
But the girl’s mind was already elsewhere. Her eyes were gleaming like stars the moment she saw Song Xinglan.
When Song Jin reached the car, Song Xinglan remained unmoved. Song Jin gave him a gentle push on the arm and whispered, “Get in the car. It’s really hot out.”
Song Xinglan glanced at Han Zhuo and then got into the driver’s seat.
Once in the car, Song Xinglan said, “It’s so hot. Yet you all stood outside chatting like that.”
Song Jin pretended not to hear, wiped his hands with a tissue, and then held the ice cream up to Song Xinglan’s mouth. He asked, “Want some?”
Song Xinglan turned his head slightly, his tone stiff, “I don’t want it.”
The phone beeped—a new WeChat message popped up on the screen. It was from Han Zhuo: Why does your brother always act like he has a grudge against me whenever we meet?
Song Jin sneaked a glance at Song Xinglan and unlocked his phone to reply: He doesn’t have a great personality. Don’t take it to heart.
Han Zhuo: Why would I? Young guys tend to be a bit more moody, right?
Song Jin couldn’t agree. Song Xinglan did not simply have a bad temper. He was afraid someone might steal his brother from him.
Just as Song Jin was about to type another reply, a hand reached out in front of him. Song Xinglan said, “Give it to me.”
Normally, they didn’t check each other’s phones. But they both knew each other’s passwords and had no reservations about handing their phones over. Still, being asked so directly like this was a first.
Song Jin handed over his phone.
As he drove, Song Xinglan glanced at the screen. He stopped at a red light and typed something. Then he sent the message.
He handed the phone back to Song Jin, who took it and saw the message on the screen: My brother doesn’t like me eating ice cream bought by others.
Song Jin held the phone in one hand and the ice cream in the other, feeling like he couldn’t finish it now. Yet, he couldn’t bring himself to throw the ice cream out the window either. So he awkwardly held onto it the whole way. Fortunately, the air conditioning in the car kept it from melting too quickly. It held its shape until they got home.
After dinner, Song Xinglan went to his study—probably because picking up the new car today meant he hadn’t finished his work, and now he needed to work overtime. After Song Jin finished his bath, he sliced a plate of fruit and went to knock on the door.
“Got a lot of work?” Song Jin asked, pushing the door open.
“A little,” Song Xinglan replied, wearing glasses. He glanced at the fruit in Song Jin’s hand and said, “You can eat them yourself.”
“I can’t finish it.” Song Jin took a fork and speared a piece of mango, holding it up to Song Xinglan. “It’s really sweet, try it.”
Song Xinglan stared at Song Jin through his glasses for a few seconds before opening his mouth and biting the mango.
“How many times?” he suddenly asked.
“What?” Song Jin was startled for a moment. But then he understood. “You mean with Han Zhuo…”
He tactfully stopped mid-sentence but honestly explained, “His sister is taking the college entrance exams soon. So she often comes to the library. We’ve run into each other a few times.”
Song Xinglan didn’t respond. He took off his glasses, turned off the computer, and stood up as he said, “I’m going to take a shower.”
Watching Song Xinglan walk out of the study, Song Jin leaned against the desk and bit on the fork. He smiled a bit helplessly.
Normally, after dinner, Song Xinglan would come to sit in Song Jin’s room for a while. But today he went straight to his own room and didn’t come out afterward. Song Jin lay in bed reading for a while and realised that his brother was genuinely upset.
Putting himself in Song Xinglan’s shoes, Song Jin could understand his feelings. After all, Han Zhuo had been close to him in the past and had even brought up the idea of recognizing him as a lover a few times. It was only natural that Song Xinglan would feel uneasy, thinking he might not be Song Jin’s only one.
Song Jin gathered a bunch of snacks and, with his usual good temper, went to knock on the door of the master bedroom again.
“Is that car you drove today new?” Song Jin asked as he walked in, looking at Song Xinglan. He wasn’t good with words, so he couldn’t come up with a clever opening line. He could only settle on this simple question instead.
“Mm,” Song Xinglan replied while replying to messages on his phone.
Song Jin placed the snacks in front of Song Xinglan, folded his knees, and sat beside him. He then asked, “So, was I the first passenger in your new car?”
Even though it was an obvious question, it seemed to work well at smoothing things over.
Song Xinglan put his phone down and tossed it aside, saying, “All my private cars have only ever had you as a passenger.” His tone was a bit cold. But his words were kind.
“Oh.” Song Jin pulled back the blanket and got into bed. “Just now, Han Zhuo messaged me.”
After saying this, he didn’t dare look at Song Xinglan’s expression. He quickly added, “He said his sister wanted your WeChat.”
“She’s about to take her exams, what’s she even thinking?” Song Xinglan remarked coldly.
“As if you used to be so focused before your own college entrance exams,” Song Jin retorted.
Song Xinglan hit the mark: “I didn’t take the college entrance exam. I went abroad.”
Song Jin swallowed and then asked, “Aren’t you curious how I responded?”
“You told her to focus on her studies?”
Song Jin suddenly felt a little tired. He was emotionally exhausted.
It was clear that talking wasn’t going to effectively smooth things over. So, Song Jin simply stood up, walked behind Song Xinglan, and started massaging his shoulders.
Song Xinglan glanced back at Song Jin with his expression still indifferent.
I must soothe him… just soothe him… just soothe him…
Song Jin kept reminding himself of this as he earnestly gave the massage. He knew his skills weren’t great because Song Xinglan had massaged him a few times before, and Song Jin knew what a good massage felt like. Even when doing something like this, Song Xinglan was meticulous. Song Jin would often be so relaxed after just a short while that he would drift off into sleep, completely at ease.
Or maybe Song Xinglan was just good at controlling his expressions. Whether he was comfortable or not, he didn’t show it much.
A cool hand reached behind, and Song Xinglan’s fingers, slightly cold, grasped Song Jin’s. He guided his hand to a sore spot, pressing his fingers down harder.
Knowing he was in the wrong, Song Jin obediently increased the pressure, focusing on the area for dozens of pushes.
But it was no use—Song Xinglan was still dissatisfied.
Song Jin, feeling a bit stubborn, became determined to give him a proper massage, pushing harder. But within seconds, Song Xinglan grabbed his arm and pulled him to the front. Now face-to-face, Song Jin looked defiant. He heard Song Xinglan say, “Aren’t you worried your hands will hurt tomorrow?”
“Why won’t you just say I’m doing a good job?” Song Jin asked dumbfounded.
Song Xinglan’s gaze was soft, filled with reliance and affection. In a low voice, he said, “Mm, you’re doing great.”
Song Jin pursed his lips and leaned closer, looking at Song Xinglan. He rarely displayed such intimacy. But knowing that Song Xinglan was feeling upset, he felt he needed to show some affection.
Although Song Jin didn’t say anything, Song Xinglan knew what he was thinking. Song Xinglan was always good at reading him. Now, Song Jin seemed even more compliant. So, Song Xinglan said, “Say what you want to say.”
Song Jin had already thought about what to say. But at that moment, his mind went blank. All the words he had planned to say to comfort him vanished.
Song Xinglan raised an eyebrow and asked, “Still can’t think of anything to say?”
Finally remembering what he was supposed to do, Song Jin, feeling a bit wronged, said, “You’ve been mad at me all night.”
“I’m not,” Song Xinglan turned his head away, “I’m just annoyed.”
“Don’t be annoyed…” Song Jin, usually more reserved, was a little less restrained at moments like this. He looked directly at Song Xinglan and mumbled, “You know… I only have you…”
He yawned and his voice was thick with drowsiness as he added, “Everything I can give, I give to you… so don’t be mad…”
It was only now that Song Xinglan felt satisfied. He let out a soft laugh.
Although his brother wasn’t very skilled at comforting people, he was incredibly sincere, responsible, and always saw things through to the end.
“I wasn’t mad at you.” Song Xinglan’s mood had lifted. He felt much more at ease. “Don’t worry about it, Ge. Go back to sleep.”
Seeing that Song Xinglan was truly no longer upset, Song Jin finally felt relieved and left the room. However, the moment he relaxed, he forgot something—he’d left his phone behind.
After Song Jin left, Song Xinglan noticed the phone. He picked it up, unlocked it, and turned to WeChat.
Han Zhuo: My sister keeps pestering me to ask for your brother’s WeChat.
Song Jin: I don’t think that’ll work.
Song Jin: I asked my brother and he said he’s in a relationship. So it wouldn’t be appropriate to give his WeChat to some girl.
Song Xinglan stared at the screen for a few seconds before turning off the phone and placing it back where it was. He was finally able to lie down in peace.
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*Translator’s Note: No one can steal your brother from you, Song Xinglan. No worries. -K
*GLOSSARY:
- Gege/Ge = (Big/Older) Brother
- Didi/Di = (Little/Younger) Brother
- Meimei = (Little/Younger) Sister
☝🏻Reiteration
Next update: 2024.09.29
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