It's Not Easy Being Your Love Rival's Big Brother

Translator: Mosstree

Chapter 45: On the Effects of Sappy Texts on the "Cold War"

After two days of peace, all members in the police station blew up this day because of the latest news, and they were all talking unceasingly.

【Zhao Yong, the former bureau chief of S City’s Planning Bureau, stands trial on suspicion of corruption

Zhao Yong’s final verdict was: In view that, because of Zhao Yong’s investigation, he took the initiative to openly confess the facts of part of his crimes, proactively returned the spoils, had a rather good repentant attitude, and returned the large part of the stolen money before the incident while the rest of the money was also recovered, the court was lenient in his punishment.】

The grumpy Brother Zhang threw the newspaper and was hopping mad. “Fuck, isn’t this the corrupt official we arrested last week? Who’s defending him?”

On the side, Sister Yao shook her head. “I don’t recognize him. It’s a new lawyer surnamed Qi.”

“Yeah, I already know of this matter. I thought that he’s such a big official, but the one he requested wasn’t a famous lawyer, but a newcomer. At that time, I was really happy! Fancy that I thought he’d lose this time to the point of not being able to turn his body. But who’d have thought, ai…” Little Yang sighed and also joined the gathering.

“Defending a sacked official isn’t simple. The case is big and the energy invested is really great. I have read some people’s comments and it’s said that the rookie lawyer surnamed Qi did quite well,” Sister Yao said.

“Hey, which side are you trying to help? We had a hard time arresting Zhao Yong. That also took a lot of effort, okay?” Brother Zhang ground his teeth and hatefully said.

“……” Sister Yao nudged up her glasses and said nothing.

Everyone was in the same office. The sound of their discussion certainly spread to Wei Han and Jiang Chengrui on this side.

Jiang Chengrui patted Wei Han’s shoulder and whispered, “Silly Han, Brother Zhang and them, the rookie lawyer they’re talking about wouldn’t be…”

“Don’t ask, it must be.” Sitting next to the two people, Shao Yi also came over and put his head together.

Wei Han pursed his lips, took his cell phone and stood up. “Little Jiang, I’m going outside to make a call. Help me watch it here for a bit.”

Guessing eighty percent that Wei Han wanted to give Qi Zhifan a call, Jiang Chengrui nodded. “Yeah. Silly Han, if you have something, don’t stifle it in your heart. Just ask him clearly.”

“I know.”

Although knowing that the rookie lawyer was surnamed Qi and should be Qi Zhifan, Wei Han still wanted to call and confirm. When the call was answered, Wei Han went straight to the topic and explained the situation briefly.

“Yeah, it’s me.” At that end, Qi Zhifan’s voice was somewhat indifferent, but even more exhausted.

“Odd Trouble, why did you…”

There was still a pile of work on hand. Qi Zhifan didn’t listen any further and directly interrupted Wei Han, “Before sentencing, he’s only a criminal suspect. Therefore, he also has the rights granted by law. When he is sentenced, then he’s a criminal. It’s also justice for me to defend the officials and to ensure that the legal rights conferred by the law are safeguarded. I think you should also know that this is my work.”

“……” Wei Han was suddenly somewhat unable to respond. They both came from S Uni’s Law Department. Wei Han also roughly understood some of the work of lawyers.

Qi Zhifan’s professional level and political quality were quite excellent, so the scope of practice was also very wide. There were companies and enterprises’ investment financing, restructuring of assets and other businesses, but also property management, engineering reduction, and other fields. Of course, his focus was still on defending criminal cases, especially cases related to abuse of political power.

Speaking of this, the case of corrupt officials were often more complex. On one side, there was the boiling public opinion, and on the other, there was the need to abide by professional ethics. It was easy for him to be put in an awkward situation. Once he took such a case, Qi Zhifan must eliminate all interference and strive to manage it well.

“Wei Han, you’ve always hoped that I can understand your police work a little more. Now, I hope you can understand me.”

“Odd Trouble, I…”

Qi Zhifan once again interrupted Wei Han’s words, a little irritated, “Well, I’m busy right now. If there’s something, let’s wait until we’re home to discuss it again.”

Wei Han sighed and listlessly returned to the office.

At lunchtime, seeing Wei Han’s mood was very depressed, Shao Yi came over again and sat together with Wei Han and Jiang Chengrui.

He wanted to tell a few jokes to tease Wei Han to feel better, but to no avail: they were all corny jokes and Wei Han almost had no reaction. Only Jiang Chengrui rather speechlessly “hehe” two sounds.

Knowing Wei Han’s heart was tied up with Qi Zhifan, Shao Yi softly sighed, also giving birth to some feelings. “Ai, speaking of yours and Qi Zhifan’s work…tsk, it’s also really complicated. One is a police officer and the other is a lawyer. It looks like both are for fairness and justice, but they can often be opposed.”

“……” Wei Han was silent, not uttering a word.

What Shao Yi said was right. From the macro industry perspective, he and Qi Zhifan were legal workers, and the purpose of their work was to maintain the authority of the law and to achieve social fairness and justice.

However, when it came to criminal cases, the police and lawyers were opposed in terms of work. He had to do everything possible to collect all kinds of evidence to prove that the suspect was guilty; and Qi Zhifan would rack his brains to prove that his client was not guilty or should receive a lighter sentence.

“Shao Yi, why do you insist on touching on the sore point? Will you die if you say two words less?” Jiang Chengrui glared at him.

Shao Yi curled his lips. “Well, I won’t say it.”

As soon as he got off work, Wei Han received a call from Mother Wei.

“Han-han, do you want to go on a blind date?”

This first sentence scared Wei Han a lot. He wiped his sweat. “Uh, mom, you’re being too anxious.”

“Han-han, I remember that around this time last year, you were heartbroken, and then you’d shaven yourself bald. Now after so long, your hair has also grown out and looks black and shiny. You’re also a lot handsomer so why don’t you think about finding another girl?”

Wei Han: “……”

What a mess! Mom, don’t mention that year’s “bald head” and we can still be good mother and son.

From that time last year to now, Wei Han had realized that he only liked their family’s Trouble, just this one man. His mood’s ups and downs were also because of him being hot and cold, ai.

“I just want to work hard now. Mom, you don’t have to worry so much,” Wei Han stressed.

“Oh oh.” Mother Wei was obviously a little bit at a loss. “Fan-fan is going on a blind date this afternoon. I’m also feeling anxious for you as the older brother.”

After hearing this, Wei Han’s face changed greatly. “What?! Mom, say that again. Qi Zhifan, he…he’s going to do what?”

“A blind date. I heard that it’s also a boss’s daughter who just returned from France. This girl is a mixed and looks very pretty.”

“……” Afterwards, whatever Mother Wei said, Wei Han didn’t hear at all. He just nodded perfunctorily and soon hung up the phone.

When he’d called Qi Zhifan before, he’d said that he was very busy. How could he have time to go on a blind date in the afternoon? Clearly, he was deceiving him.

When it was time to get off work, Jiang Chengrui said farewell to Wei Han and hurriedly left.

Recently, because his sister Jiang Chenghui had been busy with work, working overtime all day and working hard, her body was always uncomfortable. And his little brother, Little Yi, was also busy with exams this week. He’d discussed it with Pei Yuyang and decided to go home to take care of his family’s sister and brother.

After a while, everyone was almost all gone. Shao Yi saw that Wei Han was still in a daze, and finding it strange, he said, “Wei Han, I remember that you’re not on duty tonight. Why don’t you go back home?”

“I…” Wei Han wanted to say something but hesitated, then suddenly, he wryly smiled. “Shao Yi, can you come drink with me?”

Shao Yi’s eyes lighted up. “OK, of course I’m happy to keep you company.”

Past 9 o’clock in the evening, at a bar on the Southeast Road.

Wei Han was already a little drunk. He shook his head, and his mouth disjointedly mumbled a lot of words, “Shao Yi, you…you don’t know, at first…I and Qi Zhifan…I and him ah, looked at each other…not…not very agreeably, but later…also don’t know how, just so…love each other so much, heheh.”

Shao Yi listened and inexplicably, was somewhat sad. “Then since you’re living with him now, you should be happy?”

Wei Han immediately nodded and laughed foolishly. “Hap…happy, but sometimes…happiness…happiness makes me want to numb myself, and not dare…not dare to think about our future…”

“Don’t drink.”

After grabbing Wei Han’s glass, Shao Yi tried to reach out to pat Wei Han’s back, but was suddenly cut off by a voice.

“Wei Han!”

Behind them, Qi Zhifan gnashed his teeth and yelled, his eyes extremely fierce.

What time was it? Wei Han still hadn’t returned home, so Qi Zhifan had called him and his phone was actually turned off! When he’d momentarily been unable to find him, Qi Zhifan had thought that this fool was leaving home.

After searching the streets near the police station for half a day, he’d quickly become anxious to death, even having the urge to call the police. He hadn’t expected that Wei Han was leisurely drinking with Shao Yi!

Qi Zhifan pulled his tie and, face filled with anger, walked over and suddenly picked up Wei Han. “Fuck! Didn’t I tell you to quit drinking? How dare you still drink?”

“Uh…” Wei Han drunkenly hiccuped. His head was reeling, his feet were also somewhat unsteady, and his body swayed.

Shao Yi to his side couldn’t stand seeing this. “Qi Zhifan, stop. Don’t be so fierce to him.”

“I’m managing my wife. It’s none of your business, you outsider.”

Qi Zhifan sneered and continued to stare at Wei Han. He patted the burning hot face twice with his hand, trying to sober him up a bit.

The slight sting indeed stimulated Wei Han a little. He opened his eyes and saw that the man in front of him was Qi Zhifan. He immediately punched Qi Zhifan’s chest ruthlessly. “Odd Trouble, you lied to me. This afternoon…why did you go…go on a blind date?”

“……” This statement surprised both Qi Zhifan and Shao Yi. It turned out that Wei Han was hiding this grievance in his heart.

Qi Zhifan was startled for a moment and then held Wei Han’s clenched fist. “That was arranged by my grandfather. There’s nothing I could do.”

Wei Han decisively took out his hand and smiled disapprovingly, “Heh, before you…didn’t you say that your grandfather was abroad?”

Qi Zhifan heard this and was shocked. He didn’t explaining more. “Don’t make a fuss. Come home with me.”

“No, I hate liars!” Wei Han shouted, turning and pulling Shao Yi. “Shao Yi, let’s go. I’ll go be a guest at your house tonight.”

“Wei Han! If you dare go, believe it or not, I…”

Not waiting for Qi Zhifan to finish, Shao Yi supported the stumbling Wei Han and left.

The next day in Shao Yi’s rented apartment.

Wei Han woke up with a hangover. He recalled what happened last night at the bar and immediately turned pale with fright, the whole person suddenly becoming incomparably sober.

They said that wine makes people daring. He thought that it’d been so long since he’d used that kind of attitude and tone of voice to talk with Qi Zhifan; they had such a large dispute last night; and he also went back home with Shao Yi in a fit of pique, so Qi Zhifan must have already blown his top off ah!

After scratching his head, Wei Han found his mobile phone and discovered that Qi Zhifan hadn’t even called him after he’d gone with Shao Yi last night. There wasn’t even a single text message.

Wei Han was both disappointed and angry. It turned out that Qi Zhifan hadn’t cared that much about him, and didn’t even feel like explaining the misunderstanding?

Waiting for a day, Qi Zhifan still hadn’t taken the initiative to contact him. Several times, he’d wanted to call to ask clearly, but each time, he’d endured and held back. Maybe they both needed time to calm down.

“Silly Han, why don’t you come back with me and stay at my house for the time being?”

Jiang Chengrui said. He saw that Wei Han had a falling out with Qi Zhifan, and definitely wouldn’t go back to Qi Zhifan’s villa. He also didn’t dare to return to the home in the district for fear that Uncle Qi and Mother Wei would worry. Temporarily a little “homeless”, it was quite pitiful.

Wei Han waved his hand. “Don’t bother. Besides, doesn’t your sister not welcome outsiders?”

“This…” Jiang Chengrui scratched his head. “I’ll try to plead with her.”

“I think it’s better to forget it.”

“Wei Han, why don’t you stay with me. You’ve already slept one night anyway,” Shao Yi said while smiling ingratiatingly.

Wei Han gave two hollow laughs, “Hehe, no.”

In the end, Wei Han still stayed outside in a hotel. The “cold war” between him and Qi Zhifan erupted.

The two people had kept up the “cold war” for three days. On the fourth day, because Wei Han was always perturbed, he’d charged his mobile phone in the bureau today and forgotten to unplug it and left. Jiang Chengrui happened to discover this by chance.

This day, Jiang Chengrui had promised Pei Yuyang that he’d go back and stay with him for one night. When Pei Yuyang drove in to pick up Jiang Chengrui, he saw Wei Han’s fallen phone, and immediately, his playful heart jumped up. “Curlie, this is a magical object ah.”

“What’s the matter? What idea are you playing at again?” Looking at the mischievous smile on his face, Jiang Chengrui could see that he was up to something.

“You don’t have to rush to give it back to Wei Han. We can use it to tease Ah Fan first.”

Jiang Chengrui heard this and rolled his eyes, but also smiled and nodded. “Yeah, we must reconcile them as soon as possible.”

At 8 o’clock in the evening, Qi Zhifan was still working.

In recent days, Wei Han wasn’t home. It didn’t make any sense for him to return to an empty house. He’d be better off working overtime here.

Suddenly, his mobile phone vibrated. Irritated, Qi Zhifan glanced at it in a bad mood, only to have his pupils dilate in an instant.

What appeared on the phone’s screen was actually “Stomach Cold”? Wasn’t this his family’s brain-dead fool of a wife!

With a bang, Qi Zhifan’s trembling hand accidentally overturned the teacup, but at this moment, he couldn’t attend to anything else. Qi Zhifan clenched his phone and for the first time, felt that his phone had become very heavy. Separated for so many days, what would Wei Han say to him?

Qi Zhifan somewhat nervously swiped it open to seeー

【Trouble, I miss you】

Qi Zhifan’s Adam’s apple rolled and he stared blankly for a long time. Then, he immediately put on his coat and threw working overtime and everything to the back of his mind, driving all the way back home.

“Young Master Qi?! Didn’t you say you weren’t coming back tonight?” Butler Sun was a bit surprised.

Qi Zhifan didn’t answer and searched everywhere in his house, both inside and outside, but he didn’t even find a shadow of Wei Han. All of a sudden, the ignited fire of hope was extinguished, and the sense of loss was even heavier.

Fancy that he’d still thought Wei Han finally couldn’t bear the loneliness, knew that he was good and also had thoroughly figured it out, and was obediently waiting for him at home.

“Young Master Qi, since you’re back, then you should rest early.” Butler Sun could also see his disappointment and immediately consoled.

“Mm.”

On the other side, Pei Yuyang repeatedly shook his head at the message Jiang Chengrui had sent.

“Alas, Curlie is still very pure ah! Facing Ah Fan, that kind of extreme pride and arrogance, sending this kind of message won’t do. We still need to give another dose of fierce medicine!”

Jiang Chengrui patted himself, his entire body filled with goosebumps and frowned. “I think that this is already very sappy ah. Then what do you want to send?”

“Heheh, watch me.” Pei Yuyang raised his eyebrows, a smile flowing from his peach blossom eyes.

At night, Qi Zhifan was depressed and had already laid down to sleep. However, he was sleeping in Wei Han’s room. Looking at the various kinds of Doraemon and lying in Wei Han’s bed, he smelled his scent but was unable to hold Wei Han. It simply was hard for him to fall asleep.

Suddenly, the cell phone vibrated again, and it was sent by Wei Hanー

【Hubby, I really want you】

“……”

Qi Zhifan, as if struck by lightning, completely couldn’t remain calm and collected!

With a roll, he climbed out of bed. Qi Zhifan took several recipes that he’d bought a long time ago and hurriedly went downstairs. He also had Butler Sun prepare a bunch of ingredients, then he rolled up his sleeves and bang bang bang started cutting up the vegetables in the kitchen.

Butler Sun glanced at the clock on the wall: 11PM.

“Young Master Qi, it’s better to let me do it,” Butler Sun wryly smiled and said. Where would their family’s young master learn to cook? After all, did he receive some stimulation in the middle of the night?

“No need, I can do it myself.”

Qi Zhifan earnestly said. He’d long thought that his first cooking must be specially made for Wei Han.