Chapter 1312: NONE OF IT

SHEN JI YUN pressed down on the accelerator, pushing the car to go faster.

That morning, he had woken up early. He moved around the kitchen, packing the leftover dishes from the night before into containers. His plan was simple. Drive to the Bai family mansion, pick up Luo Yan, and take him somewhere for a picnic. Luo Yan's father and brothers were supposed to head back to S City today. That meant they could spend the day together with no worries.

He had been focused on the task, stacking containers neatly in a bag, when his uncle walked into the kitchen and told him something he hadn't expected. Something that made him stop what he was doing and just stand there for a long moment.

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"Ji Yun," his uncle called.

Shen Ji Yun looked up from the containers he was packing. His uncle stood in the kitchen doorway, phone in his hand, an odd expression on his face.

"I just got off the phone with Director Zheng," his uncle said slowly. "From the Babaoshan Funeral Home. He's someone I've known for years."

Shen Ji Yun wondered where his uncle was going with this. He didn't understand why the other was even telling this to him.

His uncle hesitated for a moment before continuing. "He called to let me know they received a request this morning. From the Bai family. They're arranging a funeral."

Shen Ji Yun's hands went still on the container he was holding.

"Apparently, the old patriarch of the Bai family passed away in his sleep," his uncle said quietly. "They just discovered it early this morning."

For a long moment, Shen Ji Yun didn't move and didn't speak. He just stood there with the container in his hands, staring at nothing. Then something shifted in his chest. A stabbing pain spread through him. Not for him, but for Luo Yan.

He set the container down slowly on the counter. Without a word, he turned and walked out of the kitchen. He grabbed his keys from the hook by the door and heard his uncle call something after him, but he didn't stop to listen. He was already out the door, already starting the car, already pressing the accelerator before he had fully thought through what he was doing. All he knew was that he needed to get to Luo Yan.

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Even as he drove, Shen Ji Yun could hardly believe it. Last night, he and Luo Yan had done a short video call before bed. The other had told him about his grandfather, how he had been doing well all day. Luo Yan had been so happy about it. His face had lit up just talking about it. Who would have thought that after a day like that, his grandfather would pass away that same night?

Shen Ji Yun thought about how sad Luo Yan must be right now. Just picturing him crying made his heart ache. He pressed down harder on the accelerator and pushed the car even faster.

***

Shen Ji Yun arrived at the Bai family mansion in record time. He didn't bother pulling through the gate. He just parked his car on the side of the road outside. This was a private neighborhood, so he wasn't worried about anyone towing it.

He rang the doorbell and waited for the gate to open. As he stood there, each second felt longer than the one before. He kept his eyes on the intercom, willing someone to answer.

No one answered the intercom. But a moment later, the smaller gate set into the wall beside the main entrance swung open. Luo Ren stood there, his face tired and drawn. His eyes widened slightly when he saw Shen Ji Yun, a flicker of surprise breaking through the exhaustion. But he said nothing. He just stepped aside and gestured for him to come in.

Shen Ji Yun walked inside without hesitating. As he passed Luo Ren, he murmured. "I'm sorry for your loss."

Luo Ren paused as he closed the small gate. He didn't know how Shen Ji Yun had found out about what happened. He knew for a fact that Luo Yan hadn't called him. His brother had barely spoken since what happened. He was probably still in shock. Which made sense, considering he was the one who found their grandfather. Luo Ren shook his head, not wanting to think about it.

Anyway, Shen Ji Yun probably found out about what happened from somewhere else. But the fact that he came straight here said a lot. And honestly, as much as he hated to admit it, Luo Ren felt like his brother probably needed Shen Ji Yun right now.

"Thank you," Luo Ren said. Then he added, "Yan Yan is in the back garden."

Shen Ji Yun nodded in gratitude before running toward the back garden. When he got there, he saw Luo Yan standing alone with his back to him. His shoulders were slumped. His whole figure looked small and lonely against the open space. Shen Ji Yun didn't call out. He just crossed the distance quickly and wrapped his arms around Luo Yan from behind, pulling him close.

Luo Yan's body went stiff at first. Then he must have recognized who it was, because he slowly softened and let himself lean back against Shen Ji Yun's chest. He lifted his hands and held onto the arms wrapped around him.

"Brother Ji Yun," Luo Yan called out softly.

"I'm here, Yan Yan," Shen Ji Yun said. He tightened his arms around him. "I'm here."

They stood there without speaking. The garden was quiet around them, and Shen Ji Yun kept his arms wrapped around Luo Yan. Neither of them moved.

"I was the last one who saw Grandpa last night, you know?" Luo Yan said. His voice was so quiet it was almost a whisper. "If I had just... if I had checked on him better, then maybe... maybe--"

"Stop," Shen Ji Yun said, cutting him off before he could finish. He gently turned Luo Yan around so they were face to face. "None of this was your fault. None of it. Do you understand me, Yan Yan?"

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