Are You Addicted? (English Translation Vol 1)

Chapter 38: You Can't Control Him?

Beforedinner, Bai Han Qi kept on looking at Bai Luo Yin's face, his heart full of regret. Why did I just agree like that? Why couldn't I just say the hurtful words to reject Gu Hai? Now, everything is just great. For a moment of happiness, I angered my precious son.

"How 'bout this, I'll tell your grandpa and grandma to eat in their room. Us three can eat outside."

Bai Luo Yin's expression became even more ugly, "Why should my grandpa and grandma have to eat by themselves? Will my grandpa be able to pick the bones out of the fish properly by himself? Even if we need to expel someone, we can't expel our own family. Just let him bring his bowl and chopsticks to the courtyard and eat there, since he was the one who insisted on staying."

"He's a guest. How can you treat him like that?"

Bai Luo Yin turned around to grab some bowls and didn't pay Bai Han Qi any more attention.

Bai Han Qi let out a long breath, and then went to Grandma Bai's and Grandpa Bai's room. He exhorted Grandma Bai not to talk and Grandpa Bai to eat more slowly and carefully so he won't choke and spit food everywhere.

The family of four, now with Gu Hai, which makes five, crowded around a square table.

The dishes on the table were plentiful. Besides the braised fish, there were also two more dishes Bai Han Qi made. Though they don't look appetizing, the smell is still passable.

This is their family's most silent meal ever.

Grandma Bai loves to talk, but because of her son's order, she didn't dare utter a single word. Her little eyes darted around, looking here and there, her face full of caution. However, it is easy to tell that she really likes her grandson's friend. Though she can't speak, she can still give him more food, so she will occasionally put more food in Gu Hai's bowl and then give him a big toothy grin.

Gu Hai also likes Grandma Bai. His own grandmother died when he was six, and his only memory of her was her combing her hair till it shined. Gu Hai suspected that even if his grandma was still alive, she wouldn't be as loving as Grandma Bai.

To show his respect, Gu Hai also got a piece of fish for Grandma Bai.

"Grandma, you should eat too. I can get food by myself."

Grandma Bai nodded her head repeatedly. She wanted to show her gratitude, but because she couldn't speak, she could only give a couple sad "uh, uh."

Gu Hai's expression changed. When there was a lull in the conversation between Bai Han Qi and Grandpa Bai, Gu Hai quietly asked Bai Luo Yin, "Is your grandma...mute?"

Bai Luo Yin almost threw the rice in his bowl onto Gu Hai's head.

"Your grandma is the one who's mute!"

"My grandma passed away a long time ago."

Bai Luo Yin was currently picking the bones out of a piece of fish in his bowl, and seeing Grandpa Bai's eager eyes trained on him, he could only ignore Gu Hai for the time being and finish picking the fish bones out so he can give the fish to his grandpa. Actually, Grandpa Bai can pick out the bones himself, but he never does a good job at it, so he would choke on them most of the time. Grandpa Bai's tongue isn't very nimble and it's hard for him to swallow food. Therefore, as soon as he choked, he would cough out all the things inside his mouth. Worried that he'll make the guest uncomfortable, Grandpa Bai made sure to eat very carefully.

Gu Hai saw that Bai Luo Yin hasn't eaten much since he was taking care of his grandparents, and his heart was comewhat moved. He grabbed a piece of fish, put it in his bowl and removed the bones like how he saw Bai Luo Yin do it. Then he placed the fish in Bai Luo Yin's bowl. This is the first time Gu Hai ever did something like this. He once said to people that if a woman can ever make him willingly pick out the fish bones, then she is the best candidate to be his wife. It's a pity that the first time he did it was for a guy.

Bai Luo Yin had just given the fish to Grandpa Bai when he realized that there's one more piece of fish in his bowl.

Gu Hai didn't say a word, but Bai Luo Yin already knew who gave it to him.

From when dinner started to now, Bai Luo Yin has been sulky. Only at this moment did his mood involve a little.

Gu Hai glanced at Bai Luo Yin from time to time.

Bai Luo Yin took two bites of the fish, and then he furrowed his brows and looked at Gu Hai.

"There's still so many fish bones. It would be the same if you did nothing at all!"

Fuck... Gu Hai shouted in his heart. You really have a poor peasant's body but a rich young master's life! Did I, Gu Hai, owe you something in the past life? How come when it comes to you, I am always doing these hard tasks and getting no thanks in return?

Bai Luo Yin couldn't help but feel happy. He knew exactly what Gu Hai was thinking right now.

It was almost the end of dinner. Everything has been going smoothly, until Grandpa Bai coughed.

Bai Han Qi's expression changed. He wanted to help Grandpa Bai up, but it was too late. When Grandpa Bai coughed, it means that he is already choking on the fish bone. He coughed out all the rice and fish inside his mouth, spraying bits of food everywhere. The entire delicious dishes one the table are completely ruined.

Bai Han Qi's face was tight with hints of concern, but also criticism.

"Didn't I tell you to eat slower?"

Gu Hai finally understood what Bai Luo Yin didn't let him stay for dinner like his life depended on it.

Before this incident happened, Bai Luo Yin felt anxious, but now that it happened, he actually felt tranquil. He calmly stood up, grabbed some napkins, and carefully wiped Grandpa Bai's mouth, not giving Gu Hai a single glance the entire time. He didn't want to see outsiders giving his relatives weird stares. Even if Gu Hai won't take one more bite of food after this, Bai Luo Yin still won't give him an explanation.

Bai Luo Yin wiped Grandpa Bai's collar and front lapels clean. He was about to get Grandpa Bai a new bowl of rice, when he saw a hand extending towards them.

"Let Grandpa have a sip of water first."

Gu Hai's hand was holding a cup.

Bai Luo Yin didn't say anything. He took the cup and gave it to Grandpa Bai.

Afterwards, Gu Hai came up with a conversation topic and started talking to Bai Han Qi and the two elders. When Grandma Bai heard this, she became very happy, her cheeks rosy from excitement. She really wished she could say something! Even if she can only say "good," she would feel a little less suppressed.

"Your grandson is really amazing. No one in our class dares to provoke him."

Gu Hai gave Grandma Bai a thumbs up as if he was entertaining a child.

Grandma Bai's eyes suddenly widened, a face full of shock as she looked at Gu Hai.

"Even you can't control him?"

"Uh..."

Grandma Bai realized that she just spoke and immediately panicked. Her hands flew to cover her mouth, and her eyes constantly darted to Bai Han Qi to see his reaction.

Gu Hai was amused by Grandma Bai's adorable appearance.

"Yeah, even I can't control him."