The Scum Is A

Fortunately, it happened underwater so the audience didn't see that they accidentally kissed. Not only they were seen as brothers, only a few people know that they aren't blood-related.

But, even so, that isn't an excuse to not feel guilty about it, Qian Meng! Qian Meng scolded himself in his mind. The heat on his face also receded because of it. Qian Meng already knew in his heart that he loves Qian Jue, secretly. He realized it when they were still young. But, he knows that Qian Jue doesn't feel anything towards him aside from treating him as a sibling.

Qian Meng took a deep breath to calm his emotions roaring inside his chest because of that accidental kiss. He doesn't know if Qian Jue felt it or seen it earlier since everything was too fast earlier, adding the fact that the flow of the river's water is somewhat strong. Only Qian Meng whose emotions gotten over him again earlier and felt overly conscious earlier, because he was blaming himself again for his mistakes, noticed their kiss, as well as have seen it clearly underwater.

"Ling Yun-ge." He called and forced a smile as he rose from the ground and greeted Ling Yun.

"Erm… shouldn't you dry yourselves first?" Ling Yun asked them as he looked at the droplets of water falling to the pebbles beneath Qian Jue's and Qian Meng's feet. Both of them are soaked from head to toe, and their hairs stuck to their faces.

They looked so pitiful.

"Oh. Right." Qian Meng muttered and fumbled for Cleaning Talismans inside his qiankun pouch. Fortunately, their qiankun pouch, although wet outside, inside was dry thus the talismans inside weren't soaked with water. "Ge." He called and turned to Qian Jue to stick the Cleaning Talisman on his clothes for him to dry faster.

Qian Jue is still a patient, after all. But, as soon as Qian Meng met Qian Jue's gaze, he immediately lowered his gaze, as well as his head, and hastily stuck the Cleaning Talisman on Qian Jue's clothes. Instantly, Qian Jue's clothes became dry.

Cheng Sheng's inventions are very effective. He thought when he suddenly sneezed. "Achoo!" he rubbed his nose that turned red.

"Dry yourself, too, immediately, or you'll catch a cold." Qian Jue finally spoke after that accident earlier. "I'll go help Ling Yun." He added and then walked towards Ling Yun who already cleaned one rabbit.

Qian Meng looked at Qian Jue's back and was about to become dazed again when he felt the wind blew and he shivered in cold. He immediately took out another Cleaning Talisman and dried his clothes. But, their wet hair… he thought and bit his lower lip. Qian Jue must be pissed at him for dragging him down with him to the water.

He heaved a sigh before he slapped his cheeks and then approached the two to help.

…

Back in the venue, Qian Tian's smile was stiff while Qian Lin's expression is blank. How can they not notice what happened to Qian Jue and Qian Meng earlier? Fortunately, the elders already know that the two are not blood-related brothers, and that the audience didn't notice anything amiss between Qian Jue and Qian Meng right now since Qian Jue has always been silent. Or else, a scandal would have broken out.

"They…" You Rou gently muttered.

"An accident, an accident." Qian Tian immediately spoke as he turned to You Rou. "They are brothers, but not blood-related. But, of course, they treat each other as brothers." He explained.

The other elders. "…" what the hell are you talking about?! Get it together! They thought.

"Of course, brothers won't do that no matter how fond they are to each other, especially the elder brother towards his younger brother like I to Qian Lin." Qian Tian continued.

Qian Lin's face turned dark while Jing Hei's brow twitched. For the first time, he is itching to beat up Qian Tian even if he knows that Qian Tian is stronger than him. Does he think everyone would think of incest?! Please don't drag Ah Lin, thank you! Jing Hei thought as he glared at Qian Tian.

Fortunately, Jing Cheng, Jing Bai and Jing Kang are fast to stop him from drawing his sword. Or else, a bloodbath would have happened between in-laws.

"Uh, yes…" You Rou forced a smile and nodded to make Qian Tian stop speaking nonsense. She chose to change the topic. "Ling Yun is really kind." She said and pointed at Ling Yun sharing his food with the Qian brothers.

"Yes, yes…" Qian Tian immediately nodded.

Everyone finally sighed in relief, especially Qian Lin. God knows how awkward he felt earlier. I can't believe my brother who I wanted to follow when I was young became this idiotic! He thought. And brother, does your conscience not hurt to say those words earlier when you also know that Qian Meng likes Qian Jue! He added and glared at Qian Tian before he looked away. He worriedly looked at Qian Meng who is laughing outside, but he knows definitely is crying inside and blaming himself again.

"Ai. This child…" he sighed.

Qian Meng is the child of their maternal cousin who died of sickness. Qian Meng's father died in an accident when he was still inside his mother's womb. Grief filled the heart of Qian Meng's mother thus there was complication when she gave birth to Qian Meng. She inevitably fell sick, and it became worse every year until she can't hold it.

The Qian family invited Cheng Sheng but even Cheng Sheng can't save her for she always had a heart sickness, and that can't be cured. Thus, Qian Meng was taken in by Qian Lin and he raised him as his own child. Qian Lin felt even more worried about Qian Meng since he had inherited his mother's sickness. To not make his body became worse, they had trained him to become physically stronger. They also asked Cheng Sheng to make medicines for Qian Meng. Fortunately, Cheng Sheng said that it isn't too late to cure Qian Meng's sickness unlike his mother's that had been going for over many years.

Qian Meng fell in the water… Qian Lin hopes he won't get sick, for he will definitely blame himself again, feel guiltier since he would inevitably drag Qian Jue down again.

…

"Qian Meng, you are very obedient!" Ling Yun exclaimed as they eat dinner and Qian Meng carefully sliced the rabbit meat as Qian Jue told so that the meat would become more tender while cooking. "Is it because you are a younger brother?" he joked.

"I – I think so." Qian Meng answered and shyly smiled. He lowered his head when he saw Qian Jue was looking at him. But, all I've done was to cause troubles for my elder 'brother'. He thought, feeling depressed. This isn't what a younger brother should do.

"I envy you. Both of you." Ling Yun suddenly said.

Qian Jue and Qian Meng looked at him.

"You have a younger brother – " Ling Yun said and pointed at Qian Jue before he turned to Qian Meng. " – and you have an elder brother." He pointed at him. "I don't know what it feels to have a younger brother or to have an elder brother." He said.

Qian Meng felt flustered since he has never been envied by others. "I – " he said as his cheeks flushed in embarrassment. "I… I feel very happy." He spoke.

"Really?" Ling Yun asked.

"My ge… ge is very dependable!" Qian Meng said. Though, even if he said that, he didn't look at Qian Jue.

"Hmm… to depend on others…" Ling Yun muttered as he tried to imagine it.

"It feels better to have a younger brother." Qian Jue suddenly spoke.

Qian Meng froze.

"Really?!" Ling Yun turned to him.

Qian Jue nodded as he sprinkled spices on the rabbit meat they are grilling. "Having someone to depend on you…" he spoke and looked at Qian Meng. "They are very obedient even though they think they cause lots of troubles to me." He said.

Qian Meng's face flushed.

"But, it made me feel to protect them more." Qian Jue said.

Qian Meng's eyes widened in shock as he slowly turned to Qian Jue.

"That feeling of being depended upon… instead of making me feel annoyed – " Qian Jue continued. " – it made me feel blessed." He said.

"'blessed'?" Ling Yun asked.

Qian Jue nodded. "Because it means you have protected them properly. It means that you are a qualified elder brother." He explained. "So, having a younger brother feels good." He added.

"I see!" Ling Yun exclaimed, feeling enlightened.

Qian Meng lowered his head when he felt his eyes became hot. He lowered his head, thus he missed Qian Jue's eyes flashing.

Qian Jue glanced at Qian Meng. It feels good to have a younger brother. He thought. Although… I feel that him being my younger brother isn't enough. He lowered his gaze and licked his lips, as if still feeling that soft sensation he felt earlier.

En.. My younger brother is really obedient, for he didn't even made a fuss this time after our (accidental) kiss.