Danger Averted

There was a lot going on at the company in the second half of the year, and I had no time to return to our Hometown. Mom shuttled between the New Home and the Hometown. I discussed it with Dad and suggested that Mom live with me most of the time so we could look out for each other if anything happened. Dad did not think too much about it. He simply felt that it was always good for family to be together, so he agreed.

Mom and I could finally live together openly, and I was very happy. I could see my beloved Mom every day and hold her as we slept.

Having an assistant had many benefits. For example, I no longer had to work overtime. My assistant could help me handle many things, leaving me more time to stay with Mom and be with the person I loved.

As New Year's Day approached, Dad called Mom. Brother had returned from the military on leave. He had been out of touch for several years while serving, and this year he had finally come home to visit. Dad asked us to find time to return to the Hometown so the whole family could reunite. He had specifically taken half a month off to stay there.

Because of company matters, I could not leave right away. Mom said she would go back first. I was worried, but there was nothing I could do. Dad was at home, and it was not good for Mom to keep living with me all the time.

All I could do was handle and arrange my work as quickly as possible, then hurry back to the Hometown.

The day after Mom returned, she called me and said, "I'm home. Your Dad and Brother are both here. When are you coming back?"

I said, "Probably not until the New Year's Day holiday. I'm really busy right now and can't get back."

Mom said, "Oh. Then come back early."

Something seemed off about Mom's tone that day, but I had too much work on my hands and did not think deeply about it. That night, while working overtime, I received a message from her: "There's something I have to tell you. When I came back, your Dad had already let Brother stay in your room for several days. The clothes, underwear, and panties we wore during our time alone are all in your wardrobe. I didn't dare take them out. Most importantly, the journal from our honeymoon trip is also in your room. I don't know whether Brother has read it. I'm terrified. Come back quickly!"

When I saw the message, I realized something was wrong. That bastard Brother had always harbored improper thoughts toward Mom. If he learned about Mom and me, he might hurt her. I asked Mom, "That bastard hasn't done anything excessive to you, has he?"

There was no reply from Mom.

I had to go home immediately.

I called Uncle Li and asked for leave. I told him there was an emergency at home and I had to return at once. I arranged my work with my assistant and told him to keep me updated at all times.

Uncle Li agreed, and I bought a plane ticket that night and flew back to the Hometown.

After a connecting flight, I arrived home the next morning. Standing in front of the house, I felt deeply uneasy, wondering how I should deal with everything.

Mom opened the door for me. When she saw that I had come home, the panic in her eyes eased somewhat. I knew she must have spent the past few days on edge. I signaled for her not to be afraid. I was back.

When Dad saw me, he asked in surprise, "Didn't you say yesterday that you wouldn't come back until the New Year's Day holiday? Why are you back today?"

I said, "Dad, Brother came home on leave, and you and Mom are both back home. It wouldn't be right if I were the only one who didn't return. I thought about it, and a family reunion wouldn't be complete without me. I arranged my work and rushed back overnight."

Dad said, "It's good that you're back. When your brother first came home, his own room had been empty for years, so he stayed in your room for a few days. He only moved out of your room last night. Are you twins telepathic or something? Did he know you were coming back?"

I went along with Dad's words. "Maybe. We are brothers, after all."

Brother came out of his room as well. Seeing me, he smiled and said, "Xiao Tian, you're back."

We had not seen each other for years, and we had both changed greatly. The military had trained him into a tall, strong man. He no longer looked like the delinquent he had been years ago. His skin was a little darker, but his face carried an air of righteousness.

Even though he looked righteous, I still hated him deep down. More accurately, ever since High School, our relationship had been like fire and water.

We had not seen each other for years, and this was supposed to be a family reunion. I did not show that hostility, lest I make Dad and Mom uncomfortable. I said, "Brother, you've really changed a lot in the past few years."

Brother said, "You've changed a lot too. You've grown into quite a handsome guy. Dad said you started a company?"

I said, "I didn't start it. I'm just one of the partners."

Brother said, "Well, that's still impressive. From now on, the family will depend on you to be filial to Dad and Mom."

I changed the subject. "Brother, you've been out of touch all these years. Didn't you ever have time to come home on leave?"

Brother said, "I took part in some training in the military. I wasn't able to take leave until this year."

I said, "Oh, no wonder there was no news from you for so long."

Mom said, "Give me your bag. I'll go tidy up your room. You came back overnight, so you must be tired."

Dad said happily, "Haha, it's been five years. Today, the whole family is finally together. Let's have a proper family gathering."

The atmosphere at home did not seem especially unusual

, so I felt somewhat relieved. After we ate breakfast together, Brother greeted Dad and Mom, then went out.

I found a chance to ask Mom, "Qiu Xia, you didn't reply to my message last night. I was worried sick. Nothing strange has happened at home, right?"

Mom said, "Your Dad kept talking to me last night, so I didn't dare take out my phone to reply. I was terrified. Brother stayed in your room for several days, and I don't know whether he went through our things. I'm afraid he knows about our relationship."

My mind was in chaos too, but I still had to comfort Mom. "Don't be afraid. At worst, we'll run away together." At that time, I could not think about anything else. I had to stay calm before I could reassure her.

That evening, Dad had Mom prepare a lavish dinner. He was very happy and said, "The family is finally reunited today. The three of us father and sons are going to have some drinks. Even if we get drunk, Qiu Xia, don't stop us. It's rare for us to be this happy."

Since Dad had spoken, Mom could not say much. The three of us drank at home until eleven at night. Dad was drunk, happy, and delighted. Brother also seemed drunk, as though he had something heavy on his mind. I had worries of my own. Though I tried hard not to get drunk, I could not hold my liquor and ended up dizzy and unconscious. I only vaguely remembered Mom helping me to bed.

When I woke up the next day, my head felt like it was splitting apart. Dad and Brother acted as though nothing had happened, even laughing at me for having such a poor tolerance for alcohol despite already working. Mom glared at Dad and said, "Alcohol is no good. Can anything good come from drinking too much? It's all your fault for making your son drink so much."

When she got angry, she looked like a tigress.

During the days I stayed at home, I did not dare go anywhere. I remained in the house, guarding against Brother making trouble for Mom, because my instincts told me that he knew about Mom and me.

The company still needed me to handle its affairs, and I could not stay on leave forever. I had no choice but to return to work. Before I left, Mom looked at me with hopeful eyes, wishing I would not go. I told her I would be back that weekend and would only be gone for two days.

After working for two days, I returned to the Hometown on Friday night.

When I got home, I saw that Mom was somewhat downcast, as though something weighed heavily on her mind.

I felt that Brother had probably gone to see Mom. I asked her privately what had happened, but she said it was nothing and told me not to overthink it.

I wanted to beat that bastard up, even if I could not defeat him. No, this could not go on. I had to take Mom away.

On Saturday night, Mom went out for a walk with Dad. Brother came to my room to find me on his own.

He said directly, "Xiao Tian, I know about you and Mom."

It felt as though ice water had been poured over me. My hands and feet instantly turned cold, and my mind went blank. I guessed he was trying to scare me, so I pretended to be calm and said, "What do you know? Mom and I are doing fine."

He said, "I know everything. I received reconnaissance training in the military. Your expression right now, the women's clothes in your wardrobe, and that notebook all prove that what was recorded in it was true. I think the notebook belongs to Mom. When I discovered it by accident, I truly didn't want to believe it."

All strength left my body. I felt as though I were about to collapse, as though I had been stripped bare and exposed before everyone.

He continued, "Don't be afraid. This is a family matter, and I don't want outsiders to know. This family still needs to go on. Dad couldn't bear such a blow, and Mom wouldn't be able to go on living either. I think Mom and you truly love each other. Even though this kind of relationship is not accepted by society, Mom is also the goddess in my heart. I once had thoughts of possessing her too. But since Mom has feelings for you, I have no objections. I don't want to destroy this family, so I'll act as though I know nothing and nothing ever happened."

Hearing those words, I finally felt some warmth return to my body.

"I already spoke with Mom. I'll be returning to my unit the day after tomorrow, so you don't need to guard against me anymore. But if you ever dare betray Mom, I'll come back and kill you!"

He stood up, patted my shoulder, and said, "Take good care of Mom."

I did not know where I found the strength, but I straightened my back and said, "You don't need to tell me that. Taking care of Mom is my duty."

He said, "That's more like it. If you dare to do it, you should dare to take responsibility."

Then he returned to his room.

After he left, I felt reborn. Then I suddenly remembered that I still had a question to ask him. Had he bullied Mom while I was gone? If he had hurt her, I would not forgive him now.

I pushed open his door and asked, "Did you bully Mom these past two days?"

He said, "No. Don't worry."

He was about to return to the military. Before he left, the three of us father and sons got thoroughly drunk again. Dad drank because he was happy, while Brother and I drank because the knots and suspicions between us had been untangled.

On Monday, I did not return to the company. I went to see him off. At the station, he patted my shoulder and said, "The family is in your hands now." Then he bid farewell to Dad and Mom and boarded the train that carried him away.

When we got home,

I discussed it with Dad. "Dad, I have to return to the company tomorrow too. You'll be leaving on a business trip soon, and Mom will be home alone again. How about she comes with me and stays at my place? When you next take leave, you can come directly to my place."

Dad said, "That works. Take good care of your Mom. She has given a lot to this family." Then he called to Mom, "Qiu Xia! Qiu Xia! Come over for a moment."

Mom asked, "What is it?"

Dad said, "Go with Xiao Tian tomorrow."

Mom said, "What will you do if I leave?"

Dad said, "I have to go to work the day after tomorrow too. Otherwise, you'll be home alone again. Go stay with Xiao Tian so someone can look after you."

Mom glanced at me and said, "All right."

I brought Mom back to live with me again. Having learned from what happened before, Mom packed all her clothes from the wardrobe in my room and brought them with her, including that notebook.

I had more and more time with Mom. In a sense, we had already become husband and wife in all but name, while Dad and Mom were only legally recognized as a married couple. That single bond was all that maintained the title of husband and wife between them.

Now, almost all the troublesome problems had disappeared, and I felt much more relaxed. But seeing that Mom still looked somewhat worried, I held her and asked, "Mom, do you have something on your mind?"

Mom said, "No. I'm just a little tired from the trip."

I said, "When I went home this time and saw you looking down, I guessed that bastard Brother had bullied you. I almost wanted to fight him."

Mom smiled. "Could you even beat him?"

I remembered something that had been hidden deep in my heart for a long time, the reason I hated that bastard Brother. Carefully, I said to Mom, "Do you know why I started hating that bastard Brother back in High School? That summer, during vacation, you cried in pain in your room in the middle of the night. The next day, I guessed that bastard Brother had put drugs in dinner and bullied you that night, so I hated him. I was furious and fought him at school. Later, Dad beat me half to death. Qiu Xia, did he bully you that time, or when he came home this time? When I came back last weekend, I really wanted to beat him up. But if you don't want to talk about it, forget it. We can talk about something happier."

Mom turned onto her side to look at me and said, "It was nothing. Back then, I thought you had already guessed what happened. That bastard put Sleeping Pill in the dinner he made. While you and I were asleep, he tried to molest me, but he did not succeed. Still, he got me all dirty. Then you woke up, and I was saved. You were always close to me when you were young and always so considerate. You fought him because of me. From that time on, I felt that you were the only one in the world who truly understood and cared for me. When your Dad beat you, my heart ached terribly. I felt that, besides you, I had nothing left in this world. At the time, I hated your Dad too. But later, I thought about it and realized he was innocent as well. He knew nothing, and he usually loved and cared for me very much, so I forgave him."

Mom continued, "At home, I barely spoke with Brother. During the two days when you went back to the company, one night your Dad went out and Brother came to my room. When I saw him standing before me, I was terrified. I was afraid he would use our secret to threaten me. He said, 'Mom, I only came to say a few things to you.' I said, 'Say them from over there.' He said, 'I happened to read the journal in the room. I already know about you and my younger brother.' When I heard that, I nearly fainted. I asked, 'What do you want?' He said, 'I don't want to destroy this family. I can pretend not to know about you and my younger brother, but please don't destroy Dad either. Dad loves you. I hope all of you can be well.' I didn't dare interrupt him. I didn't know what he was trying to say. Then he continued, 'I've done things that wronged you before. I wasn't your Good Son, but I will strive to be a good son of the motherland.' After that, he left. I was truly frightened and helpless then. All I wanted was for you to come back quickly."

As Mom said those things, I felt her trembling. I said, "Qiu Xia, don't be afraid anymore. I'm here with you. I can protect you."

Mom said, "Do you think he changed for the better after all those years in the military?"

I said, "The military can really shape a person. I think he has changed a great deal. Qiu Xia, let's not talk about him anymore. Let's talk about something else."

Mom said, "Mm."

I said, "I want to move into a bigger place next year. A two-bedroom apartment feels a little small. I want to build a bigger Love Nest for us." Ai Du Free Novel App had no ads and updated the fastest. To avoid losing content during transfer, download it:

Mom said, "You decide. I don't earn money anyway. You've kept me like a precious beauty in a golden house."

I said, "That's because you're too precious. A small place like this can't match your worth. I need to buy a better home to keep you hidden away."

Mom said, "I don't want anything. As long as I'm by your side, I feel safe."