Chapter 9 – I’m Just Teasing You
Novel Title: 谁把谁当真 (Winner Takes All)
Author：水千丞 (ShuiQianCheng)
Translator: K (@kin0monogatari)
Protagonists: 黎朔 (Li Shuo -MC), 赵锦辛 (Zhao Jinxin -ML)
*Please read at Novels Space.space, the original site of translation. TQ*
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Upon arriving at the vacation area, it was just dinnertime. The housekeeper had prepared a barbecue in the courtyard. The weather this season was neither hot nor cold, perfect for outdoor activities.
The villa had two Samoyeds. Seeing many people, they became very excited. They jumped up and down, trying to pounce on Zhao Jinxin.
Li Shuo, quick-eyed and swift-handed, grabbed Zhao Jinxin’s wrist and raised it high.
Zhao Jinxin looked at Li Shuo with surprise.
Li Shuo sighed in relief: “These two little things almost touched your hand.”
Zhao Jinxin’s arm naturally hooked around Li Shuo’s neck as he affectionately whispered: “Thank you.”
Li Shuo quickly pulled his arm down and carefully examined his fingers. They weren’t as swollen as two days ago. He said: “Let’s eat first. After dinner, I’ll help you with hot compress and medicine.”
Zhao Jinxin patted both dogs’ heads with his left hand: “They’re brothers from the same litter. One is called Ann. The other Bee. But I can’t tell which is which.”
“Those names are quite perfunctory. If there was a third one, would it be called Cii?”
Zhao Jinxin laughed heartily: “If there was a third one, I’d let you name it.”
The housekeeper brought three large Canadian lobsters to the wooden table covered with a creamy white tablecloth. The aroma of butter-baked lobster wafted into their noses. There were also many seafood dishes and seasonal vegetables on the table, not only enticing in smell but also exquisitely presented.
The elders invited them to eat.
Li Shuo and Zhao Jinxin sat facing each other. Zhao Jinxin glanced at the lobster, then looked at Li Shuo with a smile.
Li Shuo put down the fork he had just picked up and switched to chopsticks. No utensil was more versatile than chopsticks. He used a knife and chopsticks to tear off pieces of lobster meat and put them on Zhao Jinxin’s plate. “Eat.”
Zhao Jinxin forked a piece and put it in his mouth, chewing while gazing at Li Shuo. He looked quite satisfied.
Li Shuo put down his chopsticks and started peeling shrimp, placing them one by one on Zhao Jinxin’s plate.
Mrs. Zhao couldn’t help but say: “Li Shuo, you don’t need to take care of him. Please enjoy your meal. He can eat things that don’t require hands.”
Li Shuo smiled and said, “It’s fine. I’m a bit airsick and can’t eat much.” He wanted to finish ‘serving’ Zhao Jinxin quickly and go inside to make a phone call. He had just glanced at his email and saw that the lawyer had sent more documents.
“Mr. Li, would you like some motion sickness medicine? I can get it for you,” the housekeeper asked thoughtfully.
“Oh, sure.” Li Shuo finally found a chance to leave. “I’ll go in with you. And I can lie down for a bit after taking it.”
“Son, you didn’t get airsick before. Are you alright?”
“It’s nothing serious,” Li Shuo blinked and flattered, “I’ve never flown on a private jet before.”
Zhao Rongtian smiled, pleased with the compliment: “Go rest for a while. If you get hungry, just tell the housekeeper. There’s food available anytime.”
“Okay. Thank you, Zhao Shushu.”
Li Shuo followed the housekeeper into the villa.
The housekeeper led him to the prepared guest room, then brought up medicine and a glass of warm water.
Li Shuo was checking his emails and said without looking up, “Thanks, you can put it on the table. I’ll take it in a bit.”
The housekeeper eagerly handed him the water and medicine: “Take it quickly. This medicine is very effective. You’ll feel better after lying down for a while.”
Li Shuo had no choice but to accept the medicine. Seeing the old housekeeper’s eager gaze, he reluctantly put the medicine in his mouth. He had planned to spit it out after the housekeeper left, like in TV shows. But due to lack of experience, he swallowed the medicine as soon as he drank the water, unable to stop it. However, he didn’t mind much, as it wasn’t poison.
After taking the medicine, the housekeeper proactively covered him with a thin blanket: “Mr. Li, this medicine will make you sleepy. If you’re hungry when you wake up, just call me.”
“Ah…? It’ll make you sleepy?”
The housekeeper nodded: “Not as strong as cold medicine. You won’t sleep until tomorrow morning. You’ll feel better after resting for a few hours.”
“Okay. Thank you.” Li Shuo felt extremely helpless.
After the housekeeper left, Li Shuo changed into his pyjamas, read the materials sent by the lawyer, and then had a phone conversation. After about ten minutes, he indeed felt drowsy and unconsciously fell asleep.
This sleep was very refreshing. When Li Shuo woke up, he felt his brain was light, his body warm, and there was a heavy weight on his waist, giving him a sense of security…-
Huh?
Li Shuo suddenly turned his head and saw Zhao Jinxin’s close-up face, sleeping sweetly beside him.
Li Shuo sprang up abruptly. The movement was so big it startled Zhao Jinxin awake. Zhao Jinxin rubbed his eyes and looked at him in confusion.
Li Shuo lifted the blanket and saw that they both had their clothes on. He felt slightly relieved. He was so surprised that he forgot to get angry: “You- why are you here?”
Zhao Jinxin was extremely calm: “I came to check on you. But you wouldn’t wake up. I got tired too. So I just slept with you for a while.”
“You!” Seeing Zhao Jinxin’s utterly natural attitude, Li Shuo almost laughed from anger. He didn’t even know what to criticise. Any reproach from him would be met with Zhao Jinxin’s casual smile. It was like punching a pillow. He gritted his teeth, “Get off the bed. Get out.”
Zhao Jinxin let out a big yawn and said reluctantly: “I’m not doing anything to you. The bed is so big, can’t I even sleep for a while?”
It sounds so damn reasonable! Li Shuo cursed inwardly.
Zhao Jinxin sat up and stared at Li Shuo’s gloomy face for a moment. He then suddenly smiled broadly and pounced on Li Shuo, hugging his waist and pinning him to the bed.
Li Shuo snapped: “Stop fooling around! Let go quickly!” He struggled a couple of times but couldn’t budge Zhao Jinxin at all. He really couldn’t understand how Zhao Jinxin’s slim build could possess such strength.
Zhao Jinxin’s arms were like iron clamps, tightly gripping Li Shuo’s waist. One leg pressed on Li Shuo’s leg as he chuckled: “It feels so comfortable sleeping with you. I really want to strip off these annoying clothes of yours.”
Li Shuo narrowed his eyes: “If you don’t let go, I won’t pay attention to you anymore.”
Zhao Jinxin’s peach blossom eyes were full of alluring smiles. But his tone had a hint of overbearingness: “Li Shuo, you’re mine when you’re in my bed.”
Li Shuo gritted his teeth: “Haven’t Ann and Bee been on your bed too?”
Zhao Jinxin burst out laughing. He buried his head in Li Shuo’s chest and rubbed hard a few times. He then released his grip as he said with a smile: “I’m just teasing you. Don’t be angry.”
Li Shuo pushed him away abruptly, saying bluntly, “Get lost.”
“Actually, I came to ask you to apply medicine for me,” Zhao Jinxin waved his other ‘tool’ – the injured hand. “You were sleeping so soundly. I didn’t want to disturb you.”
Seeing that hand, Li Shuo’s anger was half extinguished. He rolled his eyes skyward: “Wait here for a moment.” He walked a couple of steps towards the door, then turned back and ordered, “Get off my bed.”
Zhao Jinxin lifted his T-shirt, exposing a large area of his beautiful chest and abdominal muscles. He said huskily, “Darling, are you sure?”
Li Shuo grabbed the jacket hanging on the back of the chair and threw it at him.
Zhao Jinxin caught the clothes, laughing as he sat up in one swift movement.
Li Shuo went downstairs and realised it was almost 11 o’clock. The elders had long gone to bed. No wonder Zhao Jinxin dared to be so brazen. He asked the housekeeper for a new towel and hot water.
Returning to the room, Zhao Jinxin was sitting against the headboard, swinging his feet as he waited.
Li Shuo opened his suitcase and took out a portable medicine box. Though portable, it was as big as a can of baby formula. It was quite space-consuming.
Zhao Jinxin said with surprise, “You carry this with you?”
“Wasn’t I supposed to apply medicine for you?” Li Shuo opened the medicine box and took out alcohol, cotton, and medicine.
Zhao Jinxin watched Li Shuo place the items one by one on the bedside table. His bright eyes flickered as he couldn’t help saying, “I’ve never seen a man more attentive than you.”
“It’s nothing to flatter. I’m just being responsible for my actions.” Li Shuo sat beside him, placed a towel on his knee, and stretched out his hand, “Give me your hand.”
Li Shuo’s hands weren’t beautiful in the traditional sense. His fingers were long but not very slender, with slightly rounded square fingertips. His palm was dry with clear lines, and his nails were clean with a thin pink hue. These hands gave an impression of a man’s steadiness and generosity, making people want to let down their guard, just like his personality.
When Zhao Jinxin said he liked Li Shuo’s hands, he truly meant it.
Zhao Jinxin’s hands were different. From the back, they were slender, long, white, and smooth, as beautiful as the hands of a pampered young lady. But when his hand covered Li Shuo’s, Li Shuo felt a layer of calluses. And they’re not just in one place – they were also on the fingertips and pads.
When Zhao Jinxin had injured his hand earlier, Li Shuo hadn’t dared to touch it. So he hadn’t noticed. He turned Zhao Jinxin’s hand over with some surprise and asked curiously, “What instruments do you play?” He felt Zhao Jinxin’s left hand, which was much better than the right. He hadn’t noticed when they shook hands before.
Zhao Jinxin said casually, “Guns, crossbows, knives, nunchucks? Just for fun.”
They weren’t musical instruments. This made Li Shuo frown, “Do you have…-“
“-I have a gun licence. Don’t worry,” Zhao Jinxin rubbed his palm against Li Shuo’s hand, saying softly, “If anyone bullies you, I’ll protect you.”
Even if it was just a casual remark, Li Shuo still felt a slight flutter in his heart. He gently held that hand, “Don’t move now. Tell me if it hurts.”
Zhao Jinxin looked at him with affection.
Li Shuo pretended not to see. He wiped the injured area with alcohol, then poured medicine onto cotton, “This medicine will feel hot and stinging when applied. Bear with it.”
“Mm.”
Li Shuo gently wiped a couple of times. Zhao Jinxin deliberately whimpered, pretending it hurt. Li Shuo repeatedly comforted him softly, “Bear with it. It’s okay. Be good. We’re almost done.”
Zhao Jinxin looked at Li Shuo’s lowered brows and those slightly trembling, curled, thick eyelashes, which were like two fans. They stirred up a cool breeze in his heated heart. It was ticklish and particularly alluring.
He increasingly understood why his proud cousin was so wary of this man…
After carefully applying the medicine, Li Shuo let out a heavy sigh of relief. He took the hot towel from the tray and wrapped it around Zhao Jinxin’s hand, “Applying heat after the medicine can promote blood circulation. The bruising will dissipate faster.”
Zhao Jinxin pursed his lips and said softly, “When my hand heals, you won’t be this caring towards me anymore, will you?”
Li Shuo thought for a moment and said carefully, “I will treat you fairly as a friend.”
“That’s even worse than not healing,” Zhao Jinxin tried to pull his hand back.
Li Shuo gripped his wrist and gently scolded, “Don’t be silly.”
“Then let it heal slowly,” Zhao Jinxin looked deeply into Li Shuo’s eyes with his gaze looking somewhat pitiful.
Li Shuo smiled slightly, “Don’t say foolish things. It will heal quickly.”
Zhao Jinxin kept looking at him without speaking.
Li Shuo then ordered, “Go back to your room. Just keep the compress on for ten minutes and then remove it.”
Unusually, Zhao Jinxin didn’t act spoiled. After a moment of silence, he stood up and walked towards the door. He paused at the doorway, turning his head slightly to look at Li Shuo: “Do you really not have any feelings for me at all?”
Li Shuo’s heart trembled uncontrollably. He felt Zhao Jinxin’s eyes seemed particularly bright in the dim light, as if they could shine into every hidden corner of one’s heart. He suddenly felt his mouth go dry and his fists unconsciously tightened. But he said calmly, “No. I don’t.”
Zhao Jinxin turned his head away. His shoulders heaved once forcefully. He then opened the door and left.
Li Shuo fell back on the bed, staring at the unfamiliar ceiling. His thoughts were in turmoil.
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*Translator’s Note: For a moment there, did you notice ZJX’s possessiveness? I don’t think even he himself realised he was falling hard for LS. -K
☝🏻Shapes of eyes in Chinese context
*Proofread by 2024.07.23* I’m currently in the middle of the proofreading stage of my first ever translation; ‘Winner Takes All’. Lots of changes will be made especially to titles such as ‘Brother’ will be changed to ‘Ge’ and ‘Uncle’ will be changed to ‘Shushu’. I will proofread these chapters slowly when I’m free so please understand if there are any delays or discrepancies. TQ.
Proofread version of the rest of the novel will only be available on Novels Space.space while Mature Chapters will be released on Wattpad.
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