At the dinner table, Han YunXi couldn't see HuMing's figure.
Didn't he say he was back, so why wasn't he joining them for dinner?
Moreover, her mother's expression suggested that she was troubled by something. Was it because of HuMing?
Han YunXi couldn't help but recall Hu Ming's words to her.
He seemed to be disappointed in them. Han ShuYi too. Didn't he know about HuMing and LiYue's relationship? Why did he still actively engage with LiYue and want her to keep it a secret? Weren't they excluding HuMing?!
Thinking this, she felt upset and looked up at her mother, asking,
"Mom, where's brother?"
"Huh...Isn't your brother here?"
Madam Han looked at Han ShuYi beside her, who also seemed stunned.
But he quickly realized who Han YunXi was referring to. His face was expressionless, but inside, he felt a chill.
He had no idea what ecstasy HuMing had given to Han YunXi, but they had nothing in connection previously. But now, Han YunXi was unexpectedly beginning to care about HuMing.
This was bad news for him!
He slowly lowered his head and continued to eat. Madam Han, seeing this, subconsciously assumed that Han Shuyi was unhappy.
Did YunXi make him feel excluded? He was clearly YunXi's biological brother. Yet YunXi was now referring to someone else as 'brother', which must have made him uncomfortable.
With this in mind, Madam Han's expression hardened as she scolded Han YunXi.
"YunXi, didn't I tell you? Han ShuYi is your brother. HuMing is just someone else's child!"
"Mom, aren't you the one who raised Huming? We've lived together for so many years. Is it too much for me to call him 'brother'?!"
"There's no blood relation between you two! And besides, he doesn't even want to come out for dinner. Is he treating us as a family?!"
Han YunXi's eyes widened with disbelief. It was difficult to believe that the woman before her, so sharp and hostile, was her own gentle and caring mother. After all, her mother once doted HuMing to the heavens!
Why had her attitude changed so dramatically now that she knew HuMing's real identity? Did all those years of raising him mean nothing?
Han YunXi struggled to accept reality. She set down her chopsticks and said, "I'm full," before turning and leaving.
Madam Han's face turned pale with rage as she looked at the large portion of food still in YunXi's bowl. Her previously obedient daughter now defied her because of HuMing.
Even though what she said was true, why couldn't her daughter understand?
"Are you seeing this? I don't know what HuMing did to her, but you're her real brother! You two were getting along so well, and now this happened!"
Madam Han was furious, while Han Shuyi consoled her on the side.
"Mom, it's understandable that YunXi would not accept this so quickly. Furthermore, HuMing is indeed a member of our family, and YunXi is simply concerned that your relationship with HuMing may deteriorate."
"And now it's me who wants our relationship to deteriorate? It's Han HuMing's family who have ulterior motives!"
"Enough!"
Suddenly, Han LiTian, sitting quietly on the side, looked at his wife sternly and spoke up.
"Whatever the couple does is irrelevant to HuMing. What are you blaming HuMing for?"
"I..."
Madam Han wanted to explain, but when she recalled what she said to Hu Ming earlier today, she couldn't help but feel guilty.
[That was something I said out of anger. It's not true.]
Madam Han comforted herself so.
Han ShuYi's expression was gloomy momentarily, and his fist clenched beneath the table.
...
HuMing was nowhere to be seen on Saturday and Sunday. It was as if he had vanished from the face of the earth, and no one could find him.
However, someone witnessed him returning to his room every night, but no one knew what he was doing. The servants in the Han family villa talked amongst themselves. They believed that HuMing would be driven out soon.
After all, they knew about the incident when his parents arrived to cause trouble. They wanted Han ShuYi back, claiming he was their child! As for HuMing, not a word about him was mentioned, probably because they didn't want this child who had already ruined his reputation.
Soon, Monday came, the day for school.
Han LiTian got up early today, changed his clothes, and waited at the door for HuMing. As expected, HuMing was walking towards the door early in the morning, dressed in his school uniform.
"HuMing."
When HuMing passed by him, Han LiTian called out to him.
HuMing's face showed a slight surprise. To think Han LiTian was waiting for him so early in the morning.
"Dad."
"Get in, I'll drive you to school."
"...Alright."
HuMing could have refused if it had been someone else, but this was the Han family's head. HuMing was well aware of his position within the Han family. He couldn't say no, emotionally or logically.
He opened the back door and entered. However, upon seeing this scene, Han LiTian's eyes darkened slightly. HuMing used to like sitting in the front passenger seat.
[He has really changed a lot.]
Han Litian couldn't describe this feeling. He noticed that Hu Ming had grown more mature and composed than before but also more silent.
"YunXi told me what happened on Friday. Is your face still hurting?"
"It's fine. It wasn't a strong punch."
"The principal messaged me and said the student had been expelled. Regarding the driver, your mother stated that he was assigned to ShuYi and that she did not want to dismiss him. So I found a new driver to pick you up."
Han LiTian opened his mouth and finally added,
"Sorry that you had to suffer."
HuMing looked out the window and made a muffled "Emm" from his throat.
The atmosphere inside the car became tense for a brief moment. However, two voices could be heard from the back of the car.
"Dad, why did you wake me up so early? I'm so sleepy."
"Do you want coffee?"
"No, it's too bitter!"
Han YunXi opened the car door. Her eyes, which had been so sleepy they could barely open, suddenly lit up!
"Brother! Are we going to school together today?!"
Han ShuYi opened the door, but he froze when he saw HuMing sitting in the back seat. He had not expected HuMing to be here. No wonder Han LiTian had asked them to get up early yesterday. He had already planned this.
Han Shuyi bent down and sat in the back seat, smiled at Hu Ming, and said,
"HuMing, I haven't seen you for a few days."
It was still the same bright and sunny smile, but what twisted face was hidden behind that jealous and hypocritical mask?
HuMing's lips curved into a smile.
"We'll be seeing each other often."