Peng Xiu caught a glimpse of a bright red bruise peeking through Han Xin’s collar as she reported back to him. Her eyes lingered on the mark, her mind racing with questions. Was it a rash? Was Han Xin allergic to something she didn’t know about? Had he eaten something unusual or changed his shower gel?
Han Xin noticed her gaze and asked, "What?"
Peng Xiu shook her head, saying, "It’s nothing." But she was already planning to get an allergy cream after this.
Han Zhan, who was lounging on the sofa playing games, looked up and said, "I am going to the café downstairs. Do you need anything?"
Han Xin tugged at his collar as if it were too tight and said, "You better not come back with cat fur."
Han Xin knew that Han Zhan wasn’t going to the café downstairs but to the Fluffy Café to play with cats. Han Zhan froze before saying, "What is your beef with cats? They’re cute."
Han Xin replied, "You better change your clothes before you come back."
"Fine, fine, cat hater," Han Zhan muttered as he walked out.
Han Xin didn’t reply. He turned back to the screen and said, "You tell them that their delays are unacceptable. If they persist, we will stop doing business with them."
When Peng Xiu didn’t respond, Han Xin raised his head to look at her. Her complexion was pale, and she wore an unsightly expression.
"What?" Han Xin asked.
Peng Xiu snapped out of it and said, "No, it’s nothing."
After she left his office, she walked two steps in a trance. She had excused the bruise on Han Xin’s neck as an allergic reaction, but when he tugged at his collar, Peng Xiu started to think it was a hickey. Jealousy rose from the pit of her stomach. She couldn’t believe it. How could it be?
She entered the elevator, her expression looking uglier than crying as she repressed the rage seething within her. As soon as she got into her office and locked the door, she swept everything off the desk, unleashing her pent-up anger. Because her office was soundproofed, she didn’t hesitate to scream in rage, having a manic episode.
Her new phone, which she had just bought after breaking the last one, buzzed as she almost threw it into the bookshelf. She unlocked it, and a creepy smile spread across her lips. Her mood took a drastic turn as she became happy again. She picked up the things on the ground and placed them back carefully.
Xiang Yu and Little Bai closed down the tattoo shop, the metallic clink of the shutters echoing in the quiet street. They walked towards the parking lot, their footsteps in sync. The black SUV was parked in the corner, its sleek frame gleaming under the dim lights.
Earlier, Xiang Yu had wanted to pick up the twins, but Han Zhan had assured him that Uncle Qing had already gone to fetch them. Xiang Yu didn’t mind; the twins were familiar with Butler Qing. Just as he was about to drive back to the seaside villa with Little Bai, Han Xin had called, offering to pick him up. Xiang Yu agreed without hesitation, eager to see him.
Han Xin stood outside the car, his posture relaxed, while Han Zhan leaned against the vehicle, a cigarette between his fingers. The smoke curled lazily into the night air.
Before they reached the car, Little Bai asked, "Are we still staying at Han Xin’s house, or should we continue with moving out in two days?"
Xiang Yu whispered, "We aren’t moving out, ever."
Little Bai’s eyes widened in confusion. Wasn’t it Xiang Yu who had been pushing for them to move out as soon as possible? Now he was saying they didn’t need to move. Little Bai was about to follow Xiang Yu when he saw Han Xin walk towards them, a rose in hand. Han Xin handed the rose to Xiang Yu, his expression softening.
Little Bai’s brow furrowed in confusion. He watched as Xiang Yu accepted the rose, and Han Xin wrapped his arms around him, lowering his head to kiss him. Little Bai’s eyes widened like saucers. This was not the reconciliation he had expected.
A pair of hands suddenly covered his eyes. "Children shouldn’t watch such things," a voice teased.
Little Bai pulled the hands away and said, "What child? I am only three years younger than you."
Han Zhan chuckled, ruffling Little Bai’s hair. "Still a kid," he said with a grin.
Han Zhan walked to the car after Han Xin and Xiang Yu had entered. Little Bai trailed behind, trying to fix his hair, but one stubborn strand refused to stay down. He huffed in frustration as he slid into the back seat.
Xiang Yu glanced at Han Xin and said, "Wow, you even had time to get a rose. You’re so thoughtful."
Han Xin smiled, leaning over to help Xiang Yu with his seat belt. "I can do even more considerate things," he murmured.
Han Zhan, who was settling into the back seat, rolled his eyes. He recalled a recent conversation with Han Xin in the elevator. Han Xin had asked, "How do people date?"
Han Zhan had replied, "Oh, so now you want to talk about it? How am I supposed to know?"
Han Xin had given him a look that clearly said, "Do you think I am stupid?"
Han Zhan, who had some experience with dating apps, had sighed and said, "Fine, fine, I’ll help you."
Han Xin had then asked, "Should I get him a ring first?"
Han Zhan had been so flabbergasted that he wanted to dissect Han Xin’s brain to understand his warped thinking process. "Noooo, you aren’t even boyfriends yet and you already want to propose?" he had exclaimed.
Han Xin hadn’t seen a problem with it. Most heirs in the triads had arranged marriages and some of them didn’t meet their partners until the wedding day. Han Zhan had yelled, "Are you serious? Just get him flowers first, don’t scare him away."