Oftentimes we encounter a moment when we can't express our feelings in words. It's like being entrapped in a spell where we can feel everything but nothing comes out of our mouth.
Xiamu was going through one of those moments right now when Xu Mey called him little brother. He was happy indeed he was but more so, he was a little perplexed whether Xu Mey really knew that he was her brother or was she just creating a bond out of gratitude. The latter idea didn't sit well with him but the former was like his biggest wish.
But his confusion was soon cleared out when Xu Mey pulled away to look at his face, placed her palm against the side of his face and said, "It's a pity that I couldn't grow up with you. But seeing you now, I can tell that you've turned out to be a fine young man. It'd be more correct to say, like sister, like brother." Obviously, she added her own praise in between the lines.
Xiamu felt his tears sting his eyes but he still couldn't hold in his chuckle. He felt such happiness within him that he couldn't utter a word. He just placed his own hand over hers and smiled with teary eyes.
"You knew from the moment we met, right?" Xu Mey's tone was a bit accusatory. She just realized his reason for being so nervous around her when they met for the first time outside Xu Residence.
Xiamu had yet to find his voice. Therefore, he nodded his head in agreement.
Xu Mey narrowed her eyes at him. "Stupid, why didn't you say so?"
Xiamu's voice came out strained as he answered, "I was scared. You had Qiao bro, Wu Wang, Lin Shen, and He Jian. I thought you wouldn't need me. Or much worse, what if you don't even want to acknowledge me as a brother? I was really scared."
Xu Mey ruffled his hair teasingly and said, "You are just like dad! Always questioning yourself. Silly, they all are like my brothers but you... You and I have the same blood. I can't deny the bond even if I want to."
Before Xiamu could say a word, they heard a clatter and looked at Xu Cheng to see him standing with the support of the wall. At first, his thoughts were just like Xiamu's. In his opinion, Xu Mey was just showing her gratitude for saving her life by calling him, brother. But soon his entire world was disturbed.
He stared at both Xu Mey and Xiamu standing side by side but what struck him was their pair of identical eyes. The possibility shook his heart violently.
"Meymey, wha-what are you saying?" He stuttered but got his meaning clear eventually.
Xu Mey went to her father's side and held his arm. "Dad, Kaden is my brother and your son."
"But-But I don't have a son," Xu Cheng was doubtful.
'See! I knew it! Dad definitely didn't know about his son. That psycho mother was just trying to get to me.' Xu Mey thought hatefully with clenched jaw but soon got over it since the moment wasn't appropriate at all for anger. "Dad, he is my twin whom your first wife took with herself."
"She did what?" Xu Cheng's voice was like an erupting volcano. To be honest, 'till this day he had never hated his wife for leaving him. Not even once. Even if it was a mistake, he still was the one who cheated. But his animosity for his wife for the fact that she left Xu Mey behind knowing well enough what Fu Lan could do to her.
But he still tried to understand her point of view. He always convinced himself that perhaps, Xin Qian needed to leave Xu Mey because she was a reminder of himself. Perhaps, she really had no choice. However, knowing that she chose to snatch his son from him but left their daughter behind really broke all his hopes.
For the first time in years, he felt no sympathy for Xin Qian. All he felt was hate and indignation.
Nevertheless, he could never deny his own blood. He was the person who couldn't deny Xu Liqing even though he didn't want that daughter but he still accepted her just because of his own blood.
"Dad, won't you say hi to your son? It's not his fault." Xu Mey's soft voice broke Xu Cheng's whirlwind thoughts and he looked at both pair of eager eyes glued on himself.
Xu Cheng turned to Xiamu and saw the hesitation in his eyes. He seemed nervous since he was fidgeting anxiously. He seemed scared and it broke Xu Cheng's heart. His own son was scared because of the uncertainty that his father might not acknowledge him.
Xu Cheng knew the words won't work in a situation like this. Therefore, he chose to embrace his son his fatherly hug washing down all of Xiamu's insecurities with a single hug and a short sentence like, "Welcome home, son!"