"I DON’T want you to say that just because you want to compromise with me or to appease me," Luo Yan said. "I want you to say that because you truly believed it." Both his brothers didn’t respond immediately when he said that. A helpless smile appeared on his face. "See? You can’t even answer me."
He took back his hands that were being held by the two.
Luo Jin panicked. He stood up. He felt like he and their elder brother screwed up somehow. It’s easy to say that they believed him. But meaning it was the hard part. How could they when the idea of Luo Yan being a kid was embedded in their minds?
Yes, he could be scary sometimes. But that’s still within the understandable limit. He accepted that Luo Yan wasn’t that weak. That he’s smart and resourceful. But that didn’t mean that he could just forget the fact that he was in a coma not too long ago. Heck, he had only been awake for seven months.
He was sure that their elder brother felt the same. That’s why he didn’t immediately agree to what Luo Yan had said. But he didn’t want to see that expression again on his face. As if someone had hurt him in the most painful way possible. How could he say any refusal when he showed that kind of expression?
"Yan, do you really understand the ’liking’ that Shen Ji Yun has for you?" he asked to clarify.
"I already said that I do," Luo Yan said. "He wanted me to be a couple with him, like boyfriend/girlfriend type of couple. And in case you ask if I also know what that means, then it’s two people who wanted to kiss and hug and do lots more other things than that. I can explain it to you in more detail in case you still don’t believe that I understand."
"Okay, stop," Luo Jin said, his face already turning red. He couldn’t believe that Luo Yan just said all those things.
"I can say a lot more ’adult’ things if you want. If you don’t think that knowing these ’adult’ things doesn’t prove that I’m no longer a child, then maybe I should go around this city and come back safely. If that’s still not enough, maybe I should live alone somewhere for a month with no financial support whatsoever. If you still think that that isn’t sufficient, just tell what I should do so you can believe me. I will do it just so I can prove to you that I’m not a child. That I can make my own decisions well enough. Just... tell me. Please. Just—"
Luo Yan wasn’t able to finish what he’s saying because he was suddenly hugged by a pair of strong arms. Then his back was gently patted, calming him down. He didn’t even realize that he was on the verge of breaking down. It was probably the combination of the depressing thoughts he just had and the need to prove to his brothers that he wasn’t really a helpless child.
It’s like a bomb that just exploded inside him. He couldn’t stop himself once he started and it simply became a tirade one after another. He took a deep breath and tried to calm down himself.
"I’m sorry, Yan Yan. I’m sorry. We understand. You don’t have to say anything anymore," Luo Ren said while patting his brother’s back.
How stupid could they be? It’s not enough that they put that expression on Luo Yan’s face, they even made him say those things. Simply because they fond it hard to believe that he really was a 17-year-old who had a mind of his own and could make decisions all on his own.
But they were being stopped by their prejudice against Shen Ji Yun. Because they didn’t want to believe that there might be a possibility that Luo Yan also feel the same. How could they? Once they agreed, it’s like letting him walk on that path. A path that could only go two ways – happiness and fulfillment or sadness and hurt.
How could he gamble his brother’s future to such a 50/50 chance?
But he had forgotten that it was not his future but his brother’s. He could make his own choices and go to the future he wanted. And he could only intervene as much as he allowed him to.
In this situation, he, no they, were asked to step aside. And they should respect that. Because that was what Luo Yan had decided.
Luo Yan buried his face on his older brother’s chest. He didn’t raise his head and just asked in a muffled voice, "Really?"
"Yes. We will no longer interfere with you and Shen Ji Yun. Unless, there’s really a need for us to do so."
Luo Jin wanted to protest when he heard that. But then he remembered Luo Yan’s reaction and he smartly shut his mouth. If they wanted him to believe that they were really ready to listen to him and they were not just saying these things to appease him, then he shouldn’t say any refusal right now.
"Brother is right," he quickly followed. "We will try our best not to... overreact every time you’re together with Shen Ji Yun," he added almost through gritted teeth.
Because even if he didn’t approve, there was really no choice for him right now but to agree. If he didn’t, his second brother might just think that his overprotectiveness was annoying. Besides, he didn’t want to see him have a meltdown again because of them.
This time, Luo Yan got out of his older brother’s embrace. He looked at his two brothers and observed the reaction of the two.
Luo Ren seemed to really mean what he just said. All he could see on his face was the determination to make him believe that they believed him. Luo Jin, on the other hand, looked very unwilling. But he still said that most probably because he was afraid that he would react the same way he did earlier.
This was not how he envisioned things to be, because the two probably still had reservations about his request of not treating him like a child. But it’s still a step forward. As long as he continued to show his capability, he believed that sooner or later, he would get the result that he wanted.
"Thank you, Brother, Ah Jin," he said, trying his best to smile.
"But I just have one request that I hope you will follow," Luo Ren said.
"Okay. What is it?"
"First, I want to know if Shen Ji Yun knows that you know about his... feelings for you."
Luo Yan shook his head as answer to Luo Ren’s inquiry. "He doesn’t."
Luo Ren let out a bit of sigh of relief when he heard that. It’s good that that guy still didn’t know. He should just remain clueless for a long time.
"The request, I hope you won’t enter in a relationship with Shen Ji Yun until you’re really, really, really, sure that he’s the one you want to be with."
That’s reasonable. "Is there a duration?" Luo Yan asked.
"Preferably until you graduate from college," Luo Ren said with a straight face. "No maybe until you get a job?"
"I agree!" Luo Jin quickly said.
Luo Yan took what he thought earlier back, that’s definitely not reasonable. They might as well tell him not to get together with Shen Ji Yun.
So, instead of answering he just made a fake laugh. "I can only promise not to be in a relationship with Brother Ji Yun while I’m still a minor."
After all, he had already planned to confess on Valentine’s Day next year.
Both Luo Ren and Luo Jin showed an expression that was almost similar to someone having constipation. Both were imagining what would happen once their brother turned into an adult. And they couldn’t help but want to curse Shen Ji Yun.
Just what kind of potion did that guy make Luo Yan drink so their brother would be so fascinated by him?
"Ahm, Yan Yan, how- how about until at least you turn 20, okay?" Luo Ren said. He was smiling but it was obvious that it was that kind of nervous smile where he’s worried of what kind of answer the other would give.
So, Luo Yan didn’t answer and just walked out of the pavilion. "It really is a nice day, isn’t it?"
"Yan, you- do you love him?" Luo Jin suddenly asked.
Or course, Luo Yan knew who this ’him’ his brother was talking about. He smiled, the sun outside was shining down on him. It almost seemed like he was surrounded by a golden halo, making his smile shined even brighter.
"Yes, I do."
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