Chapter 321 - 319: Brothers Reconcile

Chapter 321: Chapter 319: Brothers Reconcile

"We’re family—brothers of the same flesh and blood. We’re all grown men, so let’s not be dramatic. Ping’an was in the wrong, but you have to remember that careless words from those closest to us are the ones that cut the deepest. Big Brother, you know what that little rascal is like. If he speaks without thinking again, just go ahead and give him a beating. He’ll learn his lesson once it hurts. There’s no need to take it to heart. Otherwise, you just end up hurting him and yourself."

After hearing Li Xiu’s words, the two Ping Family brothers both calmed down. It was true. They couldn’t help but facepalm and sigh. Ping Jing, in particular, didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. ’How could I not know my own brother’s character? What’s the point of being angry with him now? If I’m really mad, I should just do as Li Xiu said and beat him up to vent my frustration! It’s not like we could really become estranged over this!’

"Jin Chen, thank you. You’re the one who sees things so clearly. I often make simple things more complicated," Ping Jing said to Li Xiu with a wry smile.

Gently shaking his head, Li Xiu said slowly, "I just don’t want to live such a tiring life. A person’s life is only a few short decades. Whether you spend it crying or laughing, that’s all the time you get. I just want to live a little more simply, a little more freely, and not leave myself with any regrets."

Meeting Li Xiu’s serious expression, Ping Jing paused for a moment and said, "Jin Chen, you truly are the brilliant student taught by Old Master Yun Qi. You’ve inherited all of his noble character, and even surpassed him. I was the one being narrow-minded."

"Big Brother, you’re being too hard on yourself. Let’s drop it. What’s important is that we’ve cleared the air. Let’s get Ping’an to sleep first; he’s about to collapse. He has to rush back tonight. Big Brother, when he goes back, I’ll have someone escort him. He can go see his sister-in-law in the garden after he wakes up. Let’s not tell her he’s back just yet, or she’ll worry. Big Brother, you two chat for a bit. I’m heading out."

Watching Li Xiu’s retreating back after he finished speaking, Ping Jing was a bit stunned. ’He just up and left? There were still things to say, things that weren’t clear yet, and he’s already gone!’

"Big Brother, Jin Chen doesn’t care about any of that. He’s almost unnervingly brilliant, but he’s also the simplest of men. All he wants is to protect the few people he cares about, and I just so happen to be on his list. Big Brother, his philosophy is simple: take care of your own, and if you have the power, help everyone else. So, Big Brother, what could you possibly be suspicious of?" Looking at his older brother, Ping’an asked earnestly.

Looking at the Ping’an before him, Ping Jing was a bit dazed. ’So this reckless, willful little brother of mine has actually matured this much.’ At a loss, Ping Jing said, "Ping’an, did I... did I do the wrong thing? Then, will Li Jincheng...?"

"Big Brother, it’s not that you were completely wrong. Being suspicious is normal. It’s just... well, I guess not knowing Jin Chen very well is part of the reason. Big Brother, from now on, will you trust him? Will you trust him without reservation?" Looking at his brother earnestly, Ping’an asked with a hint of hope. These two ’brothers’ were the most important people in his life. One was his kin by blood, the one who had raised him. The other shared no bloodline, but had taught him and protected him. He didn’t want the two most important people in his life to one day turn on each other and become enemies.

As if he could see Ping’an’s worry, Ping Jing sighed and said softly, "Ping’an, I can’t promise anything about the future. But as long as Li Jincheng continues to protect you as he does now, then I will continue to believe that his feelings for you are genuine. And I will always help him. I won’t let him face all the hardships for you alone."

Tilting his head back to keep the tears from falling, Ping’an said softly, "Big Brother, thank you! Thank you!"

"We’re brothers, what are you thanking me for?" As if he hadn’t seen Ping’an’s action, a flash of heartache crossed Ping Jing’s eyes. He said to Ping’an, "Get some sleep. Don’t make me and Jin Chen worry about you. Whatever else there is can wait until you wake up."

Watching Ping Jing’s back as he quickly walked out, the tension that had gripped Ping’an’s heart for days finally eased. ’One of them doted on him and protected him since he was a child; the other taught and protected him. If those two were to have a falling out, he would be the one in the most difficult and painful position. Fortunately, they both genuinely care for him. For his sake, they won’t become enemies.’

Sitting at her vanity and combing her hair, Zhou Lian watched Li Xiu walk into the room through the mirror and asked softly, "Is Ping’an back?"

"Yes. That kid drove back all by himself, for a full day and night, without any sleep or rest." Reaching out to take the comb from Zhou Lian’s hand, Li Xiu gently began to brush her beautiful hair, his voice tinged with resentment as he looked at her reflection in the mirror.

Suppressing a sharp breath, Zhou Lian said through gritted teeth, "All by himself! For a day and a night! Without sleep! Who does that kid think he is, invincible? Does he not know the situation in the Capital City right now? He really needs to be taught a lesson!"

"Mmm, Ping Jing was just here. He’s probably stewing in anger right now too," Li Xiu said nonchalantly, gently securing a white jade hairpin in Zhou Lian’s hair.

After a pause, Zhou Lian looked at Li Xiu’s reflection in the mirror and asked softly, "What was said?"

"We talked it all out, Bao’er. They’re both smart men; they can weigh the pros and cons. Besides, Ping Jing’s feelings for Ping’an are those of a father figure. He knows what’s truly best for him. And then there’s Ping’an himself! Bao’er, the kid hasn’t changed. He’s still the same Ping’an as before." Gently pulling Zhou Lian up and into his arms, Li Xiu spoke softly.

’Still the same Ping’an as before! That’s good. It means all of Li Xiu’s years of protecting and supporting him weren’t in vain.’

"It’s good that it’s resolved. Thinking about it, sometimes the smarter people are, the more they overcomplicate simple things. That Ping Jing is really something... but forget it. This time, I’ll let it slide for Ping’an’s sake. If there’s a next time, I’ll make him regret the day he was born!" After a moment’s thought, Zhou Lian said resentfully. Even now, she couldn’t quite let it go. Just because Li Xiu didn’t hold a grudge didn’t mean she wouldn’t. ’Sooner or later, I’ll make him suffer a little!’

Smiling, Li Xiu felt Zhou Lian’s protectiveness, and his expression instantly softened. He looked at her dotingly and said, "Whatever my Bao’er says."

"Jin Chen, what about Ping’an? That boy went a day and a night without sleep. Is he still not sleeping?" Thinking of Ping’an, Zhou Lian asked Li Xiu with concern.

Sighing softly, Li Xiu said in a gentle voice, "He should be asleep by now. Ping Jing was still there when I came out. But I did tell him that Ping’an was about to collapse and that he should let him sleep first."

"That’s Ping’an’s own brother; of course he’ll look out for him. Never mind, let’s not talk about him anymore. Everything can wait until he’s woken up." Zhou Lian breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this. ’Let Ping’an get some rest. Everything can wait until he’s awake.’

"It’s getting late, Bao’er. Are you hungry? Time is getting on, let’s go get something to eat." Not wanting to dwell on the topic, Li Xiu seamlessly changed the subject.

Glancing up at the time, Zhou Lian said with some frustration, "It’s already so late. The two kids and their teacher and master must have already eaten. That girl Nuonuo is definitely going to make fun of me for waking up so late!"

"She won’t. That girl is too clever for that. Don’t worry, Bao’er. I just asked Sister Fang. The teacher and the master are taking the two kids to the library today. They’re just about to leave now," Li Xiu said, gently consoling the frustrated Zhou Lian.