Ding Dong!

The maid opened the door to receive the couple with a bright smile on her face.

​​

"Aunt Jing," both of them greeted the maid with hugs, she has been working in their mansion for years so they are acquainted with her.

"Your families have been waiting for you, you should come in," she said

"My parents are already here?"

"Yes, they came about an hour ago," she answered then ushered them into the house, immediately the twins saw her, they ran toward her and threw their arms around her.

"Aunt," their longing was visible in their voices, with all the commotion, they haven't been able to see her since they have to go to school.

The adults laughed at the teenagers who are acting like little kids.

"You are going to suffocate her if you keep hugging," Han Chen said jokingly, they pulled away from her with bright smiles.

"We have been waiting for a while now," His aunt said, raising her tea cup to her lips in an elegant manner, unlike what Jia Yu described her to be, she was looking very radiant in her black bodycon long sleeved gown, layered pearl necklace, french updo and heels.

Even with her light makeup, she still looks in her prime.

His uncle and Yu Yan's parents were also seated together with welcoming smiles at them, both walked towards them then greeted each of them before taking their seat on the sofa while the maid returned with tea for them.

"Aunt, did Jia Yu lie about you being sick?" Yu Yan asked understanding what must have happened.

"We are here!" Jia Yu announced as she came out of the kitchen in apron with Ji Chen behind her, her face was covered in flour.

"Here are the cupcakes," she placed the tray of cupcakes on the table while Ji Chen helped her take off the apron.

"You liar." Yu Yan accused with a playful glare.

"What, don't accuse me," she retorted then took her seat next to her mom.

"Don't blame her, the both of you are too busy to come visit me so I decided to trick the both of you into coming," her mom defended.

"You guys must be bored sitting with the adults, why don't I show you guys something fun," Jia Yu said, taking the kids away with her but just as they left, Han Li entered the lounge.

"Han Li," Han Chen called, he froze but soon turned around to leave, if he had known Han Chen was coming then he would have gone to Jia Yu's.

They all turned solemn but Yu Yan nudged him to go after Han Li, he nodded then stood up.

"I will go after him," he said before leaving.

He had just gotten to the passage where he disappeared from but Han Li had already banged the door to his room.

Han Chen followed him into his room but he saw him covered with his duvet in his king-sized bed.

"Han Li," he called but earned no response.

He repeated his name again.

"I don't want to see you please leave," he said in a hostile tone, instead of leaving, Han Chen forcefully pulled the duvet off him but Han Li sprung up from his bed with his fist balled to hit Han Chen who stood still to receive the punch.

"Brother," Han Li exclaimed, he was expecting Han Chen to dodge it.

"I deserve it so please let me talk now," he pleaded, he balled his fist tightly hosting a sharp look in his eyes, he really doesn't want to give in but in front of Han Chen, he always ends up faltering, in truth he really wants to hear what he has to say, he wants to hear that he is not a substitute but the younger brother of someone he really admires.

"Alright, cut it short," he looked away from him.

"Han Li, I am really sorry for leaving you with the misconception that you are a substitute for my late older brother all these years, it is indeed true that I noticed you because you looked so much like him but I really considered you a brother before making aunt add you to my family register," he explained but Han Li wasn't convinced.

"Then why didn't you tell me before you left, you had so many chances or was it just that you couldn't bother explaining that to a poor orphan you adopted out of pity!" he yelled, his hands were pointed at him aggressively and his voice could be heard by everyone outside the room.

His chest heaved up and down in anger and pain, he really really admired Han Chen and he wanted to be close to him from the moment they met, if he was a female then he would have called it love at first sight, how he felt is just like being used by a guy who thinks you look like his ex-girlfriend when all he needed was an explanation.

"I know, but at that time the whole thing threw me back into grief so I wanted to lie to myself that I wasn't happy because of you but because I was seeing my brother in you, so Han Li, you are really a true younger brother to me and you should always remember that you are the younger son of the Han family, everything that belongs to me also belongs to you," he exhaled deeply as he waited for Han Li to say something, he could see tears gathering in his eyes and the effort he is making to not let him drop.

It reminded him of how happy he was when he entered the family, they used to practice martial art together and play sports together, back then, he was really happy.

"Come here," he said, opening his arms.

He gave in.

"Brother," he muttered, burying his head in his chest and his hands tightened around his back while Han Chen stroked his hair, he realised just how long it was since they have hugged.

"I really hate you brother," he muttered as his tears dropped on his chest.

Finally, the burden on their shoulders has been eased.

A few minutes later, Han Chen returned to the lounge where they were all seated with tenses look on their faces, they were relieved when he told them their relationship is now mended, their joyful mood returned.

Meanwhile, Han Li was still feeling awkward with Yu Yan so he decided to take a walk in the garden with his dog, Bruno, a golden retriever when he saw Li Na walking in the large garden, he stood still for a while as he watched her enjoy the scenery until his dog leash suddenly went loose and his dog started running towards her and barking aloud.

Instead of running, she squatted and opened her arms wide to receive the dog, she rubbed his fur with a bright smile on her face then raised her head to see him standing afar, she held the dog leash and walked towards him.

"Your dog?"

He hummed.

"What is his name?"

"Bruno, what are you doing here?" he thought she would be with the others.

Over time, they have gotten close enough to acknowledge each other presence.

"Just taking a walk, Li Jing keeps pissing me off so I left him,"

Both went silent for a while until she decided to satisfy her curiosity, she didn't have the guts to ask him anything in school because she was scared he would be hostile to her like he was to Yu Yan.

"Are you really an orphan?" she asked, he raised his brow at his question, not knowing how to interpret it.

"I don't mean to be rude but I just wanted to know," she quickly clarified before he flips out, he hummed in affirmation but raised his brow again at the expression on her face as though she is about to tear up when she suddenly pulled him in a hug.

"If I knew you had such a story, I would have treated you better," she said as she patted his back, he couldn't believe she is actually hugging him, he pulled her away then straightened his shirt.

"What do you think you are doing?!" he yelled

"Giving you a bear hug,"

"Bear hug? I never said I needed a hug from you or anyone and don't you dare pity me, I was an orphan but I am no longer an orphan, alright!" he scoffed at her then jacked away the dog's leash and scurried away as fast as he could before she notices his red cheeks.

Tsk.

"Why is he so irritable, I was just trying to be nice,"

The maid now served them dinner at the large dining room with the assistance of Jia Yu and Yu Yan then the three of them sat at the dining with the rest of the family, they already started eating when Yu Yan and Han Chen exchanged glances.

"We are getting married next month," they chorused in unison.

Crash!

Red wine spilled on the floor.