CH 40

Ch 40: Jet Lag Shenanigans

After Yin Chang hung up the phone, he turned around and was startled to see Shao Junling standing silently behind him.

His eyes were bright, as if he’d just heard some exciting news. Yin Chang had only seen this expression on Shao Junling that time he’d received two large boxes of toys.

"Did you hear anything?" Yin Chang asked tentatively.

Shao Junling clenched his tiny fists. "Let's go together." He said with a rigid neck.

...Meaning this kid was actually eavesdropping? Yin Chang was both amused and irritated, "Do you even know where I'm going?"

Shao Junling hesitated, "Switzerland?"

Yin Chang tilted his head and asked again, "Do you know where Switzerland is?"

A hint of confusion flashed across Shao Junling's face. Indeed, he didn't even know where they were supposed to go "together".

Yin Chang was starting to really believe that Shao Junling loved sticking to him...

"Come here," Yin Chang grabbed his iPad. He opened the map, and pointed to their current location. Then he swiped to the right and pointed to a spot on the European continent. "Switzerland is here."

Shao Junling: "???"

Yin Chang continued, "We have to take a plane to get there, which will take more than ten hours. And there's a time difference of seven hours between there and here."

Shao Junling: "???"

Yin Chang: "..."

He couldn't explain anymore. This child probably hadn't left this city since birth, let alone taken a plane. He had no concept of going abroad.

Seeing Yin Chang's helpless expression, Shao Junling was afraid that his big brother wouldn't take him along if he didn't understand. He hurriedly added, "I want to go!"

"Okay, okay, I'll take you," Yin Chang put the iPad aside and said seriously. "But remember, I'm going there for work, and I might not have time to play with you. When I'm busy, you can only stay in the hotel and can't go anywhere. And on this trip, you must listen to me and not run around. It's a foreign country. If we get separated, you won't be able to come back."

He thought to himself rather than exerting a lot of effort trying to explain traveling to Shao Junling, it would leave a deeper impression to let him experience it himself.

Shao Junling rubbed his head, looking like he would listen to whatever Yin Chang said.

After confirming with Yao Manhuai it was okay, Yin Chang let her know Shao Junling was going. She went to make arrangements.

After that, there were a series of tedious tasks such as visa applications, planning, and packing. Shao Junling didn't need to worry about these things. As soon as he knew that Yin Chang would take him along, he excitedly ran around with his model toys simulating the flight of the Bumblebee.

Four days later, the rush visa was successfully obtained. Lu Lingjuan promptly bought plane tickets for the three of them and came to meet the two brothers early on the day of departure.

Yin Chang was personally helping Shao Junling with his outfit. Because they were going to meet people on this trip, appearance was important.

"Wear this," Yin Chang took out a white hoodie and a red windproof down jacket for Shao Junling to change into. He could wear just the hoodie if it got hot on the plane, and put on the down jacket if he was cold outside. Also the red was eye-catching, which would make it easier for Yin Chang to keep track of Shao Junling during the trip. Yin Chang also picked out a pair of skinny jeans with fur lining and a pair of black and red winter shoes. After changing, Shao Junling looked like a child fashion model.

After tidying up his hair, Yin Chang was finally satisfied with Shao Junling's appearance. He held his hand and bid farewell to Fiona.

The three of them took the car to the airport, and Yin Chang put on a mask and a cap to disguise himself.

His popularity had risen. Although this trip to Switzerland was a secret, news had still leaked.

Sure enough, at the security checkpoint, they saw many fans holding cameras and neon signs waiting. This was the first time Yin Chang's fans saw him taking Shao Junling on a trip in person. They excitedly took photos of Shao Junling with their phones and cameras.

Yin Chang's heart tightened. He promptly took off his cap and pressed over Shao Junling's head, pulling down the brim to cover his face. He then firmly held his hand and hurriedly passed through the crowd with the protection of airport security and Lu Lingjuan.

The sequence of taking off and putting on the cap were captured by fans in a video and turned into a gif, which was uploaded to Weibo. Weibo exploded.

"Oh my god, this move! Brotherly love at its finest!"

"Is Yin Chang protecting his little brother? He's so sweet!"

"Is little brother on break? He's being taken everywhere by Yin Chang. What a doting brother!"

"Ah, don't even mention it! These brothers are so cute!"

In the business class lounge, Shao Junling was still dazed after experiencing the crowd storm.

Yin Chang saw his silly expression and recalled a childhood memory of being surrounded by reporters and fans while going out with Yin Dong... He’d been frightened at that time. Yin Dong, not unlike him today, had pulled him behind his large figure, blocking the cameras of those reporters.

Yin Chang reached out and patted Shao Junling's back, comforting him. "It's alright."

Fortunately, the child was resilient and quickly recovered. His curious eyes looked around, fastidiously taking in his surroundings.

Lu Lingjuan, who was good at reading people's expressions, saw this and asked him with a smile, "Is this your first time at the airport, Junling? Do you want Sister to take you around?"

Shao Junling, however, looked towards Yin Chang. Yin Chang understood and waved his hand. "Go ahead, don't go too far."

Only then did Shao Junling jump off the chair and approach Lu Lingjuan, gesturing for her to lead the way.

Lu Lingjuan's mouth twitched. Was this kid only going to listen to his older brother?

"Um," Yin Chang hesitated and stopped Lu Lingjuan, giving her a word of caution, "Keep an eye on him."

"Oh, don't worry!" Lu Lingjuan responded, but didn't take it to heart.

She took Shao Junling outside to the shops and walked around, buying him a bunch of snacks like pork and beef jerky. Half an hour later, when she returned, Lu Lingjuan was panting like a dog, "Your, your little brother... he's so fast!"

Yin Chang pressed his fist to his lips to suppress his laughter, but was betrayed by his trembling shoulders.

He’d foreseen it. When he first brought Shao Junling back home, he occasionally took him downstairs to walk around, and discovered that this kid walked in a zigzag pattern, often appearing three meters away peeling tree bark in a flash. The neighborhood wasn’t busy, so Yin Chang wasn't too worried, but in a place like the airport, if one didn't keep a close eye, he could easily be lost in the blink of an eye.

On the plane, Yin Chang specially gave him the window seat.

When the plane started taxiing, Shao Junling clutched his seatbelt, clenched his jaws, and stared straight ahead. He looked as if he was preparing for frontline combat.

During take off he slowly widened his eyes as he took in the sensation of ascending. For the next half hour, he remained motionless. He leaned against the window, and gazed at the shrinking world below in amazement...

Yin Chang had initially thought that bringing him along would be troublesome, but seeing Shao Junling's numerous expressions, he felt the trip became more fun.

After take off was the in-flight meal. Business class passengers could order their own meals. Yin Chang ordered a children's meal for Shao Junling, which included carrot puree, potato chicken cubes, vegetable salad, white rice, and a Häagen-Dazs ice cream.

This would be a long and tiring twelve-hour flight. Yin Chang was used to flying and knew he’d have to adjust to the time difference later, so he closed his eyes to rest after eating. He’d also squeezed in two fashion magazine shoots that were originally scheduled for this week, so was exhausted and soon dozed off.

However, it was different for Shao Junling. It was his first time flying, and he was too excited to feel sleepy at all. After getting tired of looking at the clouds outside the window, he started fidgeting in his seat, accidentally pressing the call button for the flight attendant.

As they were flying with a foreign airline, a blonde flight attendant soon came over and asked him in a soft voice what service he needed. Shao Junling didn't know he had called her, and couldn't understand her words, so pushed Yin Chang to wake him up.

"Hmm?" Yin Chang opened his eyes drowsily and listened to the flight attendant's explanation. He asked Shao Junling, "What did you want?"

Shao Junling: "???"

Yin Chang frowned, "She's asking what you want."

Shao Junling: "...I don't want anything."

Yin Chang realized and pointed to the call button, "Did you press this?"

Shao Junling blushed slowly, "Yes..."

Yin Chang apologized and dismissed the flight attendant. He told Shao Junling, "If you need anything, just call me. Don't press that button for no reason." 

Worried that Shao Junling would be bored, Yin Chang perked up and taught him how to use the TV in front of his seat and even pulled up some cartoons for him. "You can watch movies if you’re bored."

Seeing him starting to explore on his own, Yin Chang put on his eye mask and went back to sleep.

As a result, Shao Junling selected several movies, all of which were dubbed in English, making him frustrated and anxious. But other than watching movies, he couldn't find anything else to do. So he reluctantly watched two of them, which gave him a headache.

As a naturally active child, after the novelty wore off, keeping him seated in one place felt like torture. Finally, when the plane landed, Shao Junling jumped out like a monkey escaping from a cage.

After arriving at the airport in Zurich, Shao Junling was dumbfounded - all he could see were English letters. And every passerby was speaking a foreign language.

Svenky sent someone to pick them up at the airport. After they met with Yin Chang, they greeted each other warmly in English. Yin Chang introduced his younger brother in English as well. Yin Chang was originally worried that Shao Junling would run around, but when he turned his head, he saw the little guy following closely behind him like an obedient quail.

The receptionist led them to a five-star hotel in Zurich where they checked in and rested. At seven o'clock they would pick them up to go to a special banquet for them.

At this time, it was already late evening in China, but Shao Junling had no concept of jet lag. He only knew that he’d been on the plane for a very long time and it was still daylight outside now that he was in a foreign country.

At Yin Chang's request, the hosts booked a double room for the two brothers. After Yin Chang finished unpacking, he took a hot shower. When he came out, he saw Shao Junling sleeping soundly on the bed.

He knew it wasn’t good to sleep now, because then the little guy would be wide awake at night. They were staying here for a week, and jet lag was definitely something they had to deal with.

So Yin Chang went over and shook him awake. "Don't sleep now."

Shao Junling blinked his dry eyes, looking listless.

Yin Chang sighed and called over Lu Lingjuan. "Why don't you take Shao Junling to eat something in the hotel? I'll go to the banquet alone at seven o'clock."

"Are you sure you'll be okay alone?" Lu Lingjuan asked.

"I'll be fine, I can handle it." The dinner was a formal occasion, and Shao Junling's mental state was too poor. Leaving early would leave a bad impression on others.

Lu Lingjuan thought about how Yin Chang's English was even more fluent than hers, and nodded in relief, "Alright."

Yin Chang continued, "After dinner, accompany him for a walk nearby, and try to have him hold out on sleeping until at least eight."

Lu Lingjuan hesitated. He suspected it might be harder to take care of Shao Junling than to accompany Yin Chang to the banquet.

That evening, representatives from Svenky, BG brand series designer, and Luca all arrived. The banquet was at a Michelin-star restaurant next to the hotel.

Yin Chang attended in formal attire. As soon as he appeared, everyone's eyes lit up. Luca introduced him to the representatives of the parent company with pride and confidence, "I told you, I wouldn't be mistaken about people."

A few people invited Yin Chang to take a seat, and Luca asked, "I remember you brought your brother with you, where is he?"

Yin Chang explained, "It's his first time abroad, and he hasn't adjusted to the time difference yet, so I’m letting him rest for now."

Luca winked at Yin Chang, "When he's rested tomorrow, let’s visit the watch factory. Make sure to bring him along too! Although this invitation is for work, I actually already consider you a friend. I warmly welcome both of you."

Yin Chang smiled and thanked him.

During the meal, the middle-aged men discussed the cooperation in English. Yin Chang was glad that he hadn’t brought Shao Junling, otherwise that guy would definitely not be able to sit still.

When Yin Chang finished dinner and returned to the hotel, Shao Junling was already passed out on one of the beds, exhausted and fast asleep after washing his face in a hurry.

At one o'clock in the morning, Shao Junling, who was accustomed to waking up early, was awoken by his biological clock.

Children are naturally full of energy. He didn't realize he’d only slept four or five hours, but after seeing that it was still dark outside, he tried to go back to sleep. But the more he tried, the more awake he felt. Suddenly curious, he searched his bag for his phone. His phone didn't have data nor international roaming, so it hadn't automatically adjusted the time. He was shocked. It was already past eight o'clock, why was it still dark outside?

Shao Junling anxiously looked at Yin Chang on the adjacent bed. Then looked back at his phone for a while. Then went to the window and pulled back the curtains to look outside. Then turned back to look at Yin Chang again….

Feeling that something was really off and fearing the unknown, Shao Junling couldn't help but climb onto Yin Chang's bed. He checked Yin Chang's breathing, and nervously called out, "Brother..."

Yin Chang was still adjusting to the time difference and was already sleeping lightly. He heard the little guy crawling up and down like a mouse in the middle of the night, but was too tired to care.

Now hearing Shao Junling's call, he opened his eyes halfway. He saw the little guy lying next to him, and recalled what happened the previous night. He couldn't help but want to simultaneously laugh and cry.

The little guy was wide awake and staring at him with wide, innocent eyes.

"Did you... sleep well?" Yin Chang rubbed his head and sat up from the bed.

Vignette

After Shao Junling pressed the flight attendant button, and the stewardess appeared….

He was scolded by Yin Chang.

He silently vowed to himself: No matter what, I absolutely cannot press this! It’s a dangerous button that’ll summon a woman who speaks ABC!

Yin Chang tried to find cartoons for him, but all he found were cartoons in ABC.

After getting off the plane, everything he saw and heard was still in ABC.

Shao Junling shivered: this is a terrifying place with too many challenges!!! Σ(°△°)︴

He quickly relied on his older brother...

When they arrived at the hotel and wanted to sleep, Yin Chang said, "Don't sleep, let's have some fun!"

Shao Junling: "Blue thin mushroom[1](Q︿Q)"

Author’s Note: For now, the two brothers don’t have romantic feelings towards each other. Only growing dependency and reliance, as well as a sense of responsibility and burden...

Translator’s Note:

1: Blue thin mushroom is an internet meme which means feeling very sad. 蓝瘦香菇(lánshòu xiānggū) sounds like 难受想哭 (nán shòu xiǎng kū)