Hearing HuMing say 'Madam Han' brought everyone's thoughts back.
Han YunXi's mouth was slightly agape and filled with worry.
Suddenly, she felt as if everything from the past would never return.
Everyone looked quietly at HuMing, their expressions varying.
Hu Ming approached them, casting a glance at the lavish feast spread out on the table. He arched his brow, grinned, and said,
"Today's meal is surprisingly lavish. My luck is quite good today.
"HuMing, please sit down first."
Han ShuYi pulled a chair beside him for HuMing to sit in, noticing his mother's face ashen.
If this continues, her love for HuMing may stagnate, which would be great for him.
In addition, he couldn't understand HuMing. Rather than attempting to appease his parents, HuMing spoke to them sarcastically, which puzzled him.
However, it would be best if HuMing continued to act foolishly in this manner.
That way, he could effortlessly drive him away.
Han ShuYi lifted his head and caught HuMing looking at him with a smile, but the smile completely puzzled him.
"You're so good to me, Young Master Han. Thank you very much."
"Enough! HuMing, if you have something to say, say it directly. Stop being so sarcastic here!"
Madam Han couldn't stand the way HuMing was speaking. From her memories, despite how boisterous HuMing may be in public, he always showed respect towards her once he returned home.
Having raised him for so many years, how did he change so suddenly?
Madam Han, indeed, had never considered her behavior. In her view, Han ShuYi was her biological son, so it was normal for her to be treating him so well.
Now, looking at HuMing again, a subtle old resentment welled within her, bustling to express it. After all, he was the child she raised for so many years.
But today, it was as if HuMing revealed everything, which, naturally, Madam Han couldn't accept.
Upon hearing Madam Han's words, HuMing sat in his seat and picked up his chopsticks; his expression remained unchanged, and said,
"I wasn't being sarcastic. I am grateful to the Han family for raising me. Young Master Han even put aside previous grievances to become brothers, moving me deeply. But you, Madam Han, did I say anything bad? Why do you think I am being sarcastic?"
HuMing shrugged his shoulders, his expression confused.
Han YunXi lowered her head, unsure how to persuade the pair.
One was her brother, whom she had lived with for so long, and the other was her biological mother. She wanted to help them both.
Han ShuYi remained quietly seated, thoroughly enjoying the scene before him. It would be perfect if HuMing could overturn the table and spoil this family gathering!
Han LiTian quietly watched the two, his eyes flickering with an unusual light.
"You!"
"Madam Han, if you think I am making it difficult for you to eat here, I can leave. There's no need to force yourself to eat in front of someone who you find uncomfortable."
HuMing politely reminded her, clearly not holding Madam Han in high regard.
The atmosphere between the two became incredibly tense as everyone at the table, except HuMing, stopped touching their food.
Then, Han LiTian, seated at the head of the table, let out a gentle sigh. Instantly, everyone's attention centered on him, except for HuMing, who casually continued to enjoy his meal.
"I was already aware that HuMing would be late. I had also mentioned that once HuMing returns and finishes dinner, we will discuss how to resolve the problems within our family!"
Han LiTian looked at his wife with a sharp expression.
Ever since ShuYi returned, her attention has been solely on him. Whether it was HuMing or YunXi, it was all in the back of her mind.
He could understand his wife's excitement over finding ShuYi again, plus her efforts to make amends. However, excessive bias will only drive the other children away.
He didn't want to see this happen, so he planned to make it clear today. But before it could, his wife and HuMing had already started quarreling.
And he can see that HuMing does not appear to want to explain what he has done.
Even though, in the past, he was open to sharing these things.
Was it because he believed that sharing them now would make no difference?
Han LiTian pondered thoroughly. As a businessman, he was careful and thoughtful. However, when it comes to his family, he falls short as a responsible father. Often, it is his wife who ends up teaching their children.
Now that the two have a conflict, he can only guess their relationship.
How ironic.
"Are you blaming me for not waiting for him? Do you know how exhausting it is for ShuYi to attend school all day? He said nothing and returned, even helping with this family banquet. But only to be left waiting for three hours, what if he starved?!"
Madam Han couldn't believe her husband was actually blaming her.
Everything she did was for this family, wasn't it? Why was she the one at fault?
She was furious. Seeing ShuYi's obedient eyes only fueled her anger.
"I can't understand! What could you possibly be doing after school that takes three hours?! Tell me, if you can come up with a reason, I'll apologize to you!"
"Nonsense!"
Han LiTian, glaring at his wife, rebuked angrily in an even harsher tone.
Madam Han froze, her eyes turned red, and she couldn't help but start to cry.
Seeing their mother crying, Han YunXi and Han ShuYi hurried forward to comfort her.
Meanwhile, Hu Ming observed the scene with a cold gaze. He casually wiped his mouth with a napkin, adjusted his posture, and calmly said,
"Since Madam Han is so curious, I have no problem explaining. But spare me the apology. Everyone knows no one dares to make you do such a thing. Next time, even if you find a reason, find one that's achievable."
HuMing's sarcastic words rang in Han YunXi's ears. She wanted to tell HuMing he had gone too far, but seeing his cold eyes made her swallow her words.
Han LiTian sighed helplessly. He could feel cracks forming in the family.
"Madam Han, haven't I been late coming home on the 15th of each month? But you have never asked me about it. So today, I'll tell you directly. Every 15th of the month, which is today, I visit the orphanage outside the city. There are children there who need my care!"
"Is this what you call goofing around?"
HuMing pushed himself up from the table and leaned towards Madam Han.
An invisible pressure weighed down on everyone present.
Except for Han LiTian, who has ever cared about what HuMing does?
So-called sincerity is nothing more than an illusion woven with sweet words.