Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Xia Ling and Shaohui stayed in the mountain villa for several days.
Xia Moyan arrived a few days later. When the man in the white shirt appeared amidst the falling leaves, it seemed that the world faded away, making his presence all the more distinct and clear.
“Brother!” Xia Ling saw him first and ran over to him, holding up her skirt so that she wouldn’t trip over.
A smile appeared on Xia Moyan’s usually emotionless face. “Xiao Ling.”
She happily looked up at him. It was four years since she had last seen him, and she missed him dearly. She wondered how he had been all these years. Hmm… he still looked like his old self, and there was no indication that he had grown any older. The white shirt that he always wore complemented his skin tone, and he was like a blooming snow lotus.
He was truly a very attractive man.
Seeing her look at Xia Moyan with such great awe, Li Lei was a little putout. How can his Xiao Ling look at another man like that? He looked around and saw Shaohui standing by his side, holding his hand. He could not resist but prod him and ask, “Hey, little Shaohui, do you miss your uncle? Hurry, go welcome him.”
Shaohui looked up at his dad with a confused expression, before looking over at his mum and uncle. “Oh… daddy, are you jealous?”
“Rascal…” Li Lei was mildly embarrassed from having been called out by his son. He pretended to be upset. “I’m not jealous. Your uncle raised you… shouldn’t you be welcoming him since he’s here? Quick, go over there.”
Shaohui blinked innocently. Hmph… why won’t Daddy admit that he’s jealous? What a liar.
He shrugged. Forget it, I’ll help you since you’re my dad.
Little Shaohui breathed deeply before running over on his short legs towards Xia Moyan. As he ran, he shouted out, “Uncle, uncle, uncle!” He hugged tightly onto Xia Moyan’s thigh.
Xia Moyan’s attention was successfully diverted. He lowered his head and said, “Ah, isn’t this little Shaohui?”
“Yes, it’s me, it’s me!” Little Shaohui shouted out gleefully. “Uncle, I’ve missed you so much!”
Xia Moyan gently patted Shaohui on the head.
As Xia Ling watched this scene, she suddenly thought of a question that she had forgotten to ask. “You’re that uncle that Shaohui always talks about?!” When she first met Shaohui, he constantly told her about his uncle. When she asked him who his uncle was, Shaohui wouldn’t tell her. It was really Xia Moyan!
“Yes.” Xia Moyan calmly admitted.
Xia Ling was upset in an instant. “Xia Moyan, you lied to me! You knew that Shaohui was my real son from a long time ago, right? For so many years… all these years… ” She wanted to shout and scold Xia Moyan, but as she spoke her voice caught while recalling all the hardships she went through. She had thought that her son had died… she was filled with guilt for nights and days… regret… torture…
Her tears started to fall.
Xia Moyan had been prepared to face her wrath and insults. After all, it was just words. As long as she had an avenue to throw her temper all would be fine. However, he didn’t expect her to burst out crying and was at a loss of what to do. “Don’t cry… ” He reached out, wanting to hug her.
She pushed his hands away angrily. “You imbecile!”
Her scream left him stunned.
Even Xia Ling couldn’t understand why she was suddenly so overcome with tears. She thought she understood that her brother had kept Shaohui’s identity from her for fear that she would jinx him. Yet, her tears fell uncontrollably when she recalled all the turmoil in the years past.
She couldn’t stop her tears from falling.
Xia Moyan had never had to deal with crying girls. In his world, all the girls regarded him with respect and fear, tending to be very nervous. Nobody would dare cry so uncontrollably in front of him. He was out of his depth here. He would rather face the toughest sorcery… but the problem here had to be solved…
He tried to reach out to hug her again.
He was blocked again.
However, this time it wasn’t Xia Ling that blocked him, but…
Xia Moyan’s eyes narrowed as he turned to look at the man that dared block him. Rascal… who do you think you are? My sister might have pushed me away, but she’s my sister… And you? Who are you?
Preceptor Xia’s eyes seemed to be full of fury.
Boohoohoo… Uncle looks so scary.
Little Shaohui recalled the times that he had seen Uncle show such an expression. That was always when someone was in for trouble. Shaohui took a step back carefully, wanting to be away from the outburst. On the other end, the man that his uncle was glaring at — his father — was standing motionless like a statue, hugging his beloved woman in his arms.
Li Lei stared straight back at Preceptor Xia, before smiling. “Brother, don’t worry, Xiao Ling will be fine. I’ll take good care of her.” As he spoke, he patted Xia Ling on the back, comforting her.
Xia Ling was still sniffling against his chest.
Xia Moyan said through clenched teeth, “Who’s your Brother?” How did this man dare snatch his sister from him? Did he have a death wish? His darling sister was not someone that could be messed with!
Unfortunately, Li Lei had the exact same thought as him.
His beloved woman was not to be touched by anyone else!
Even if it was her own brother, it was still unacceptable!
Hence, when Xia Moyan was about to hug Xia Ling, Li Lei had come between them decisively. Now, all the thoughts that he had before about not offending Xia Ling’s brother, especially one that was so powerful, was long forgotten. Li Lei had only one thought: “Don’t touch my girl!”
He hugged Xia Ling tighter, seemingly trying to stake his claim.
He was still smiling widely on the surface. “Brother, I’m Xiao Ling’s man.” He answered Xia Moyan’s question at face value, but at the same time reminding him: your sister is now taken, don’t hug her so freely.
“Very good…” Xia Moyan’s death glare slowly dissipated as he reverted to his usual calm nature.
However, little Shaohui was getting even more nervous. Daddy, daddy, do you know that you’ve just offended Uncle? The last person that offended Uncle is already up in heaven!
Boohoohoo… I don’t want Daddy to go to heaven…
Little Shaohui’s eyes clouded over as he was close to tears.
Xia Moyan slowly regarded his sister. “Xiao Ling, is this your man?”
Xia Ling was a little fatigued from all the crying and her tears had almost stopped. Hearing her brother’s question, she realized that she was being hugged by Li Lei. His embrace was too warm, and she was greedy for more of it. This thought shocked her and she sprung away from Li Lei. “Who said he’s my man?!”
Her face was a little red as she turned her head away.