Wheat Seedlings - Chapter 10

Chen Li was packing clothes at home.

The sound of splashing water came from outside.

"Mai Miao." Chen Li pulled out a locked chest from under the bed, took out a stack of money inside, and also grabbed the household register issued by the village a few years ago, stuffing them all into his clothes pocket.

He rummaged further and found several military medals, a small stack of yellowed papers, and a few black-and-white photos. Beneath these items lay a black metal object.

It was a Browning pistol.

Barking sounds came from the yard.

Chen Li closed the chest and pushed it back under the bed with one hand, then stood up and walked out: "Mai Miao—"

Mai Miao sat on the bed, his wet hair hanging down like seaweed.

The old dog outside was also vigorously shaking off water, soaking the floor.

Chen Li dried his head, then went out to dump the dirty water used to wash the dog from the basin. When he returned, he noticed Mai Miao staring intently at the military-green travel bag by the bed.

Though Mai Miao might be a bit slow, his memory was sharp.

He still recognized this bag—it was the same one Chen Li had carried on his shoulder when he first returned to the village.

Hearing the door close, Mai Miao turned his head back.

Chen Li turned off the light and walked to the bed. Mai Miao scooted further inside to make room.

Tonight, the lights went out unusually early, while the lamps in several other households in the yard were still on.

As soon as Chen Li lay down, he saw Mai Miao still looking at him.

The dimples from his smile were gone, replaced by a face full of worry.

Chen Li didn't beat around the bush and said directly, "Early tomorrow morning, we're going to the city."

Mai Miao blinked, wondering if he had heard correctly, and stammered, "Me... Miao Miao, going too?"

Ever since Mai Miao had fallen ill, Chen Li had sworn never to leave him alone at home again. Whether it was this trip to the city or any future travels, he would never leave Mai Miao behind—especially for the sake of his health.

For people like them, finding a companion was rare, and they cherished them so much they'd practically want to swallow them whole, terrified of losing them or having them taken away.

"Miao Miao is going too." It was rare for Mai Miao not to turn his back to him tonight, so Chen Li pulled him closer. "Sleep early tonight so you'll have energy tomorrow."

Now Mai Miao understood—this time, Chen Li was really taking him along.

His anxious heart instantly settled.

Chen Li could tell Mai Miao was happy, though he wasn't sure if it was because of the trip or something else.

The little fool was bad with words and couldn't express it.

Chen Li wasn't all that clever either and couldn't guess Mai Miao's thoughts, which left him troubled day after day.

Mai Miao had never been to the city before—he hadn't even properly wandered around the neighboring village.

Excited yet nervous, he felt no sleepiness at all: "We're going... for one day?"

Chen Li wasn't sure. In his mind, even excluding travel time, it would take at least two days.

"Two days, um, three days? Wow..." Mai Miao kept guessing, his face growing worried. If they were away for so many days, wouldn't the chickens and the dog in the backyard go hungry?

How could that be okay?

Chen Li lowered Mai Miao's raised fingers, then pulled him into a tight hug, counting, "One, two, three. Close your eyes, sleep."

Before dawn, Chen Li got up.

After getting himself ready, he brought a washbasin into the room, pulled Mai Miao out of bed, and rubbed his face with a towel a couple of times.

Chen Li rode the bicycle with Mai Miao sitting behind him, one arm wrapped around the man's waist and the other clutching a travel bag. His face pressed against Chen Li's back, drowsy and barely able to keep his eyes open.

Chen Li parked the bike at the commune. Chief Li had already spoken to the driver beforehand, allowing the two brothers to board the public vehicle.

It was Mai Miao's first time riding in a metal-bodied truck, and he jolted awake instantly.

Pulled along inside the truck, he settled into a middle seat, sitting quietly without making a fuss, sticking close to Chen Li while his eyes darted around curiously.

People gradually filled the vehicle. When the engine roared to life, Mai Miao's body jerked slightly, and he quickly tightened his grip on the man beside him, giggling as if secretly delighted.

Chen Li kept glancing down at him, restraining himself from planting a kiss on the boy's flushed cheeks.

The truck rolled along the road, flanked by endless wheat fields on both sides.

Mai Miao craned his neck. Dawn had just begun to break, and scattered figures were already appearing in the fields. He seemed to be searching for Aunt Liu's plot so much—so that he nearly leaned out the window before Chen Li pulled him back.

The truck wasn't full, mostly carrying county office workers—men and women—on official business.

They chatted among themselves, occasionally casting glances at the Chen brothers. Not for any particular reason, except that Chen Li stood out too much—unlike a country bumpkin and—the overly childish youth beside him should have seemed out of place, yet somehow, they fit together seamlessly.

As if their very presence hinted at countless untold stories.

Once the truck left the village, Mai Miao's initial excitement gradually faded.

The bumpy dirt road to the county town, now under the blazing sun, turned the truck stiflingly hot. The passengers lost their energy for conversation, fanning themselves with whatever they had as the vehicle jolted along, sapping even the liveliest spirits.

Then, suddenly, the truck lurched to a halt.

The driver stepped out to inspect the damage before calling for everyone to disembark.

It was high noon. The seven or eight passengers either crouched or stood around, irritable from the heat.

Mai Miao looked listless too, nauseous from the sun, unable to stomach even a bite of his steamed bun.

Seeing that waiting indefinitely wasn't an option, Chen Li rapped his knuckles against the truck's body and, shielding his eyes from the sun, called to the driver beneath the vehicle, "Hey, comrade, step aside. Let me take a look."

Chen Li, after all, had been a soldier. He'd driven rickety old trucks through harsh mountain terrain—fixing a tire or patching up minor malfunctions was nothing to him.

He crawled under the truck, tools in hand, feeling around.

The others glanced over from time to time, counting on him to get the vehicle running again.

Mai Miao crouched nearby, straining to peer underneath. In this unguarded moment, his sunburned little face was etched with unspoken worry.

After a while, Chen Li popped his head out and called to the women sitting by the roadside, "Can someone lend me a hair tie?"

"Take mine," a woman offered, swiftly untying hers.

She crouched down, placing the hair tie in Chen Li's palm, and lingered to ask, "What's the problem? Can we still move?"

Chen Li replied, "The axle's jammed by a rock, and the nut's worn. This'll hold it for now, but it'll need proper repairs later." The two struck up a conversation.

Mai Miao watched them intently, lips pressed tight, fingers fidgeting. He stared for a long time without saying a word.

Over an hour later, the truck was running again.

One by one, the passengers climbed back aboard.

"Are you going to the county town? For fun?" The woman, being from the city, wasn't shy at all. She sat down in the same row as the Chen brothers and still wanted to chat with Chen Li.

Chen Li responded, "We're transferring to Shanghai for some business." Though he answered every question, his replies were brief, showing no intention of further conversation. Yet, unable to resist the other's curiosity, they ended up exchanging words intermittently for a long stretch of the journey.

Because of the delay, they arrived at the county town nearly two or three hours later than planned. It was almost dark by then, and they had already missed the last bus to the provincial capital.

Chen Li bid farewell to the driver, shouldered his bag, and led Mai Miao off the bus.

The county town was different from the village. Even at this hour, the station was still bustling with people coming and going.

Normally, no matter how shy Mai Miao was, he would still nestle in Chen Li's arms and excitedly look around. But now, he showed no trace of happiness. The moment they got off the bus, he refused to let Chen Li hold his hand.

"Mai Miao?" Chen Li sensed something was wrong. Thinking the boy might be feeling unwell, he quickly reached out to check his forehead. But Mai Miao dodged again, lowering his eyes and turning away, his back now facing Chen Li.

Chen Li couldn't understand why he was suddenly being so stubborn.

Just then, another bus pulled in, and the crowd thickened momentarily.

Worried Mai Miao might get swept away in the flow of people, Chen Li ignored everything else and pulled him close, gripping his hand firmly.

Mai Miao struggled a few times but couldn't break free. Huffing angrily, his eyes reddened.

The two brothers left the station. Chen Li bought some food from a roadside stall before dragging Mai Miao to find a place to stay. A short walk from the station led them to a hotel. At the front desk, they were told there was one room left, reasonably priced—just three and a half yuan for one night if they checked out early the next morning.

Chen Li unlocked the door to reveal a room with only a single bed.

Mai Miao sat stiffly on the edge of the bed, clutching his small bag tightly. The bag only held some dry rations for the journey, so it was light.

His head hung low, his eyes and nose red.

Clearly, he had been quietly crying the whole way as Chen Li dragged him along.

Behind him, the sound of the door being bolted echoed.

Then, the bed dipped as a pair of arms wrapped around Mai Miao's waist from behind, holding him firmly.

Mai Miao squirmed slightly, but a warm breath laced with the scent of tobacco brushed against the back of his neck.

He went still.

"Miao Miao, what's wrong?" Chen Li only called him tenderly like this when they were alone.

It was like an unspoken secret between the two of them.

Ever since they got together, Mai Miao's inexplicable little tantrums had been growing more frequent.

Chen Li had never been an easygoing man. The villagers mostly didn't know his true nature—in the past, it was always others who begged him in terror, never him lowering his head for anyone.

Except for his little brother, his heart's companion, his Miao Miao.

Fortunately, Mai Miao wasn't unreasonable. Staring at the floor, he muttered sullenly, "You... you ignored Miao Miao."

Before Chen Li could figure out what he meant, Mai Miao's voice suddenly rose sharply, "You—you talked to someone else!"

"She... she gave you a hair tie!" Mai Miao was brimming with grievances, his whole body trembling with anger. "You kept talking and talking!"

"Talked—talked—talked nonstop!"

Mai Miao was so angry he could barely contain himself. He raised his hand, continuously wiping away his tears.

Chen Li remained silent for a long while.

Suddenly, he burst into laughter, his white teeth gleaming in the light.

Hearing that hearty laugh, Mai Miao turned his head in confusion.

For the first time in his life, Mai Miao felt a strange sensation—that living with his elder brother might just be unbearable.

Seeing him struggle, Chen Li quickly wrapped his arms and legs around him, pulling him close. He leaned in and planted a firm kiss on Mai Miao's face.

Mai Miao forcefully turned his face away, refusing to let him get close.

"Little vinegar bottle," Chen Li said, flipping Mai Miao around to face him. "Who knew Miao Miao was such a jealous little thing?"

Mai Miao, seething with anger, his chest rising and falling rapidly, shouted, "You're the big vinegar bottle! The big vinegar bottle!"

"I'm the big vinegar bottle, huh!" Chen Li scooped him up and pinned him onto the bed.

Mai Miao had no idea what vinegar had to do with anything—he thought it was just an insult. But for some reason, Chen Li seemed to enjoy being insulted, growing even more excited.

Chen Li, like a wolf, kissed Mai Miao repeatedly, even pressing their lips together.

Ever since Mai Miao had recovered from his illness, Chen Li had rarely treated him like this—partly out of fear of being seen by outsiders, and partly out of fear of losing control.

Mai Miao's face flushed red from the kisses, his breathing growing erratic. But he was still upset, unwilling to reconcile with Chen Li.

Chen Li seemed happier than he'd ever been in his life, laughing with a boyish charm. But seeing that Mai Miao was still on the verge of being unconsolable, he reined it in a little.

Chen Li deliberately put on a serious expression, though his eyes were full of amusement. "I neglected Miao Miao—that was my mistake. I talked to others—that was my mistake."

Hearing him admit fault, Mai Miao nodded vigorously.

Chen Li couldn't help but laugh again, continuing, "I—I kept talking, kept talking, wouldn't stop! A grave mistake indeed!"

"Mm!" Mai Miao nodded emphatically.

Chen Li concluded solemnly, "Since I've committed such a grave error, I must hereby offer my sincerest apologies to Comrade Miao Miao. In the future, I will never neglect Miao Miao again, never casually talk to others, and absolutely never keep talking nonstop."

Mai Miao sniffled, his anger subsiding slightly.

Chen Li watched him, his laughter fading.

Under that intense gaze, Mai Miao's cheeks burned. He awkwardly averted his eyes, and when the shadow loomed over him, he obediently closed them.

The two lay on the bed, kissing for a long while. Chen Li even slipped his hand under Mai Miao's shirt, his rough palm kneading his chest. "Mmm..." Mai Miao let out a soft moan.

Just then, footsteps and voices sounded outside the door.

Though the door was closed, it offered little soundproofing.

Chen Li inhaled Mai Miao's scent—over the past few days, his own scent had faded entirely, leaving only the alluring aroma of wheat.

His arousal pressed against Mai Miao's leg, already fully hardened.

Mai Miao bit his lip, lifting his eyes to look at him, filled with shyness.

Chen Li remembered they had to set off early the next morning—and besides, his Miao Miao hadn't even had a proper meal today. A real man would never let his partner go hungry.

He nipped at Mai Miao's neck a few times, marking him with his scent, lingering for a while longer before reluctantly letting go. The two brothers ate steamed buns and drank mutton soup together.

After traveling for over half a day and not getting much sleep the night before, Mai Miao quickly grew tired and fell fast asleep leaning against Chen Li.

Early in the morning, the two brothers packed up and headed to the train station first thing, buying ticket to Shanghai.

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