Chapter Forty: The Waist Is Essential

“…” Wen Yichen stared at the photo, a host of black lines instantly spreading across his face. If he’d known, he never would have agreed to go to the amusement park—not only had he thrown out his back, he’d been turned into a meme.

Wen Yichen: [smile] I am not happy.

Bai Xu: How can you not be happy on your birthday?

Bai Xu: [picture]

Out of habit, Wen Yichen clicked on the image, only to find yet another meme-worthy photo of himself. This time, he wasn’t on the Dumbo ride, but perched atop one of the tiny carousel horses.

Warm lights softly illuminated his figure, and Wen Yichen had no idea how Bai Xu had managed to capture the moment, but even this iceberg seemed to be smiling in the photo.

Below the picture, the caption had been thoughtfully changed to: “Be happy every day, ducky!”

“…” Wen Yichen looked at his phone, typed a few words, and sent them: How many pictures did you take of me today, anyway? Send them all over.

He’d thought Bai Xu hadn’t taken many, but not long after Wen Yichen sent his message, his phone was flooded with a barrage of photos.

“…” Wen Yichen was in utter despair, but there was nothing he could do about it.

Little did he know, while he and Bai Xu were chatting, Wen Yixin had quietly sent a message to Jiang Muwen: I heard you threw out my brother’s back?

Jiang Muwen was naturally startled upon receiving the message. Seeing what Wen Yixin had sent, she couldn’t help but feel as if the elder brother was stepping up to defend his little brother.

She typed and deleted her reply several times, not knowing how to respond.

Sensing Jiang Muwen’s fluster, Wen Yixin reassured her: Don’t be nervous, I’m just asking. Our parents aren’t home these days, so there’s no one to look after him.

Jiang Muwen was just about to ask if she should come by to check on Wen Yichen the next day when Wen Yixin sent another message: But I’m already home, so… can you bring a cake over during the day?

No sooner had Wen Yixin sent that than he added: Wen Yichen said he wants to eat cake.

Upon seeing the last message, Jiang Muwen couldn’t help but laugh. Was it really Wen Yichen who wanted cake, or perhaps Wen Yixin himself?

Still, Jiang Muwen dutifully brought a cake to Wen Yichen’s house.

When Wen Yichen opened the door and saw Jiang Muwen, surprise flickered across his face. “Why are you here?”

Wen Yichen’s gaze quickly fell on the cake in her hands, and after a brief pause he asked, with a hint of unexpectedness in his tone, “This cake…”

“Your brother said you wanted some…” Jiang Muwen replied truthfully.

At that, Wen Yichen couldn’t help but chuckle softly. “It’s probably him who wanted it, isn’t it?”

Taking the cake from her, he set it on the table and turned, preparing to head back to his bedroom.

“How’s your back?” Jiang Muwen followed after him, concern in her voice.

“What do you think?” Wen Yichen didn’t answer directly. Supporting his lower back, he shuffled toward the bedroom.

Judging by his appearance… things hadn’t improved much.

Remembering that she was the one responsible for Wen Yichen’s injury, Jiang Muwen was suddenly filled with guilt. “How about… I take care of you today?”

No sooner had the words left her mouth than Wen Yichen stopped in his tracks. He glanced back at Jiang Muwen, clearly not expecting her to say such a thing. His mouth parted, about to agree, but Wen Yixin beat him to it.

“Well, well! Little Wen Wen is here!” Wen Yixin emerged from the bedroom as he spoke. “Perfect timing, I’m about to cook lunch—come help me in the kitchen.”

…

In the kitchen, Jiang Muwen stood obediently to the side, quietly watching as Wen Yixin chopped vegetables with practiced ease. At last, she couldn’t help but blurt out, “Wow! I didn’t know you could cook!”

Wen Yixin’s cheerful humming stopped abruptly, and he answered breezily, “I can’t.”

“…???”

Seeing Jiang Muwen’s stunned expression, Wen Yixin laughed. “No worries, you learn by doing.”

Before long, Wen Yixin changed the subject, “By the way, how did you manage to throw out my brother’s back?”

At the question, Jiang Muwen recalled the moment she’d leaped onto Wen Yichen, and her cheeks flushed crimson—she was genuinely embarrassed to answer.

Noting her silence, Wen Yixin continued, “You know how important a man’s back is, don’t you?”

The abrupt question left Jiang Muwen momentarily at a loss. “Huh?”

From her reaction, Wen Yixin realized she might not understand.

Determined not to lead the innocent astray, Wen Yixin kept chopping vegetables as he said, “Never mind, you’ll need it yourself in the future anyway.”

Jiang Muwen looked at Wen Yixin, half-understanding, half-bewildered. She seemed to get the gist, but not all of it.

Wen Yixin glanced sidelong at Jiang Muwen. Seeing how lovely she was, he muttered under his breath, “What a lucky kid my brother is. Why didn’t I ever have a childhood betrothal?”

So the two of them chatted away, and as it turned out, Wen Yixin managed to burn the food.

What was meant to be a hearty, nourishing homemade lunch for Wen Yichen ended up as a tableful of takeout.

After lunch, Wen Yichen retreated to his bed again, and Jiang Muwen joined him.

With no homework after midterms, the two simply curled up together to watch a movie.

“Wen Yichen, I heard there’s a new horror movie that’s supposed to be really good…”

Before she could finish, she felt Wen Yichen’s gaze—cold, tinged with resentment.

Wen Yichen—never again in this lifetime did he want anything to do with horror films or haunted houses.

Sensing the awkwardness, Jiang Muwen quickly changed tack, “But actually, I feel like watching a comedy.”

It was just a casual remark, but Wen Yichen earnestly set about choosing a comedy. After picking one that looked decent, they settled in to watch.

But honestly, Wen Yichen’s taste in movies was… questionable. Halfway through, Jiang Muwen hadn’t laughed once, only felt a growing drowsiness.

After a brief but valiant struggle, Jiang Muwen finally succumbed to sleep, her eyes drifting closed.

Wen Yichen was watching the movie when he suddenly felt a weight on his shoulder, drawing his attention from the screen.

Looking at Jiang Muwen’s peaceful sleeping face, Wen Yichen found himself reluctant to wake her. He gazed at her, the corners of his lips unconsciously lifting, a tenderness in his eyes that even he had not noticed.

He was just about to pull the covers up for her when the door was knocked twice and then pushed open by Wen Yixin.

“Wen Yi—”

Wen Yixin took one look at the scene before him, swallowed the last syllable of Wen Yichen’s name, and, seeing the warmth of the moment, paused for a couple of seconds before sensibly grabbing the doorknob. “I’ll just leave you two be. Carry on.”