D&B5

7

Ring... ring... ring

Day's phone rang in the early morning after he went for a run in the village. As for Brick, he volunteered to make breakfast for Day, who had left his phone charging in the bedroom. When Day returned from his run, he walked in to check and saw an unknown number calling him.

"Hello," Day answered the phone.

("Um, is this P'Day's number?") A hesitant male voice replied.

"Yes," Day responded briefly.

("My name is Ice. I'm the nephew of Uncle Chan. I happened to sneak your number from Uncle Chan's phone.") Ice explained so that Day would understand. Day raised an eyebrow slightly but had a sinking feeling that something was not quite right.

"Um, is there something going on? Is Uncle Chan okay?" Day immediately asked.

("Last night, Uncle Chan had an issue with the village chief's son. He didn’t want to call you because he thought it was just a minor matter, but I think it’s appropriate to let you know. I'm not blaming you, P'Day; I just care about Uncle Chan's safety, and I wanted you to know in case you could help.") Ice explained, his voice somewhat wavering.

"Is Uncle Chan hurt?" Day inquired back.

("He has a head injury that required four stitches. The chief's son is hurt, too.") Ice replied.

"Is Uncle Chan at home right now?" Day asked. When Ice responded, he said he would head over but that it wasn't necessary to tell Uncle Chan. After finishing the conversation, Day hung up and went down to the kitchen to find Brick.

"Day, you came down just in time! I finished making rice porridge. You should try it!" Brick exclaimed excitedly.

Day walked over to taste it and nodded in approval.

"Hmm, the flavour is just right—not too strong. Just add a bit of pepper," Day said.

"Are you okay? You look a bit tense," Brick observed. Although Day usually had a stoic expression, Brick could tell there was something bothering his lover after spending so much time together.

"Last night, Uncle Chan had an issue with the chief's son. He got a head injury that required four stitches. Once we finish breakfast, we should get ready to go to Uncle Chan's," Day explained, making Brick feel quite shocked.

"Do you think it might be connected to us?" Brick asked, sounding worried.

"I think it could be related. Uncle Chan didn’t call; it was his nephew who called to tell me," Day replied. Brick then served rice porridge for both himself and his lover before quickly going to shower and change clothes to head to Uncle Chan’s house.

When they arrived, they saw some people seated conversing at a table under a tree in front of Uncle Chan's house. As soon as Uncle Chan saw Day's car, he looked surprised. The people sitting there asked him who the two were, and Uncle Chan told them before quickly getting up to welcome Day and Brick.

"Hello, Uncle Chan," Brick and Day greeted while bowing respectfully.

"How are you?" Day asked, prompting Uncle Chan to raise an eyebrow slightly.

"I know a bit about what happened," Day said straightforwardly.

"Who called to inform you? I'm fine, really," Uncle Chan responded.

"Even with a head injury like that, you can say you're fine?" Brick complained jokingly. Uncle Chan smiled faintly before inviting Day and Brick to sit together and called for someone in the house to bring them water.