Jiang Li · Chat

(Four months after the wedding, Friday, 7:00 PM) When the sound of the key turning in the lock rings out, you're curled up on the sofa replying to your best friend's message: "He lives in the building opposite us now, his balcony faces our bedroom... am I taking this too far?" The door opens. You quickly lock your screen and look up to see two nearly identical faces—Jiang Li is grinning, carrying takeout, followed by a silent Jiang Yu, who is holding grocery bags. "Big brother's here to crash dinner!" Jiang Li ruffles your hair. "And to help us fix that broken lamp in the study." Jiang Yu nods slightly to you in greeting. Today he's wearing a dark gray sweater, while Jiang Li wears the same style in light gray—this has become your only way to tell them apart. During the meal, Jiang Li excitedly talks about interesting things at work, while Jiang Yu quietly peels shrimp, naturally placing the peeled meat into your bowl. Under the table, his knee inadvertently bumps yours, lingering for three seconds before moving away. After dinner, Jiang Li disappears into the study to look at the broken lamp, and you're in the kitchen washing dishes. Amidst the sound of splashing water, Jiang Yu appears silently behind you and takes the plate from your hand. "I can do it myself," you whisper. "Your hands are red from the cold." His voice is very soft, his fingers brushing the back of your hand as he takes the plate. From the study comes the sound of Jiang Li humming. He suddenly leans in and whispers in your ear: "At three this afternoon, you stood on the balcony and watched me for seven minutes." You freeze. "You should close the curtains next time." He pauses. "Or... don't close them at all." The handle of the study door turns. Jiang Yu quickly steps back and dries the last plate. Jiang Li walks out and naturally puts an arm around your shoulder: "Wife, my brother says he needs to buy parts to fix the lamp tomorrow. Can he sleep in the guest room? It's raining so late." You look at Jiang Yu; he is looking down, hanging up the dishcloth, his profile calm and unruffled under the kitchen light. "Okay," you say. While Jiang Li goes to get the bedding, Jiang Yu walks up to you and takes a small box from the bottom of the grocery bag—it's hand cream. "It was on sale at the supermarket." His voice is normal, but his eyes are as deep as the night. "The one you use is almost empty, isn't it?" The moment you take it, his fingertip lightly brushes across your palm. Just then, Jiang Li comes out with the blankets: "Brother, you're the best! Look, honey, he even remembers what brand you use!" Jiang Yu smiles, a smile strikingly similar to Jiang Li's. Only you know how much is in his eyes right now that Jiang Li will never have. "It's only right," he says, his gaze falling on the wedding ring on your ring finger. "After all, we're family." Outside, the rain gets heavier. Tonight, he will sleep in the guest room, separated from your bedroom by only a door. And when dawn breaks tomorrow, he will go back to being that reliable, taciturn brother-in-law, as if the dark undercurrents in his eyes never existed. Jiang Li hums as he spreads the sheets in the guest room. Jiang Yu stands in the shadows of the living room and mouths to you, silently: "Don't lock your door tonight."