Turning Danger into Safety

The second half of the year was very busy at the company, so I didn't have time to go back to my hometown. My mother was running between our new home and my hometown. My father and I discussed it, and my mother would stay with me normally, so we could look after each other if anything came up. My father didn't think too much about it, believing it was good for the family to be together, and agreed.

I was very happy that my mother and I could live together openly, seeing my beloved mother every day and sleeping in her arms.

Having an assistant had many benefits. For example, I didn't have to work overtime anymore. My assistant could handle many tasks for me, giving me more time to spend with my mother, with the one I loved.

As New Year's Day approached, my father called my mother. My brother, who was in the army, was coming home to visit relatives. He hadn't been heard from for several years while in the service, but this year he was finally coming home. He asked us to make time to go back to our hometown for a family reunion. My father specifically took half a month off to be there.

Due to company matters, I couldn't leave immediately. My mother said she would go back first. I was worried but couldn't do anything about it. It wouldn't be good for my mother to always stay with me when my father was at home.

I could only handle and arrange my current tasks as quickly as possible and rush back to my hometown.

The second day after my mother left, she called me and said, "I'm home. Your dad and your brother are both here. When are you coming back?"

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

My mother said, "Oh, well, come back as soon as you can."

My mother's tone seemed a bit off today, but I had too much on my plate to think about it carefully. That evening, while working overtime, I received a message from my mother: "There's something I have to tell you. When you get back, your dad has already let your brother move into your room for several days. The clothes and underwear we wear for our private time are in your closet, and I don't dare take them out. Most importantly, the diary from our honeymoon is also in your room. I don't know if your brother has seen it. I'm so flustered, hurry back!"

When I saw the message, I realized something bad had happened. That bastard brother of mine had a covetous heart towards my mother. If he knew about my mother and me, he might do something disadvantageous to her. I asked my mother, "That bastard didn't do anything excessive to you, did he?"

There was no reply from my mother.

I had to go home immediately.

I called Uncle Li to request leave, saying there was an urgent family matter and I had to go back right away. I arranged for my assistant to handle my work and report to me regularly.

Uncle Li agreed. I bought a plane ticket overnight and flew back to my hometown.

After a layover, it was already the next morning when I arrived home. Standing in front of my house, I felt very uneasy. I thought about how to cope.

My mother opened the door for me. Seeing me home, the panic in her eyes subsided a little. I knew she must have been on pins and needles at home these past few days. I hinted to my mother not to be afraid, that I was back.

My father saw me return and asked strangely, "Didn't you say you were coming back on the New Year's Day holiday? Why are you back today?"

I said, "Dad, my brother is back to visit relatives, and you and Mom are both home. It wouldn't be right for me to be the only one not here. I thought about it, and how could a family reunion be complete without me? I arranged my work and rushed back overnight."

My father said, "It's good you're back. When your brother first came back, his room hadn't been used for years, so he stayed in yours for a few days. Your brother just moved out of your room last night. Are you twins? Do you have telepathy, knowing you were coming back?"

I went along with my father's words, "Maybe, we are brothers after all."

My brother also came out of his room. Seeing me back, he smiled and said, "Xiao Tian, you're back."

We hadn't seen each other in years, and we had both changed a lot. His body was very strong from training in the army; he was tall, a far cry from the hooligan image he had a few years ago. His skin was a bit dark, but he had an upright demeanor.

Despite his upright appearance, I still hated him deep down. To be precise, our relationship had been like fire and water since high school.

After years apart, at a time of family reunion, I didn't show our animosity to avoid embarrassing my father and mother. I said, "Brother, you've changed so much after all these years."

My brother said, "You've changed a lot too. You've grown so handsome. Dad said you run a company?"

I said, "It's not mine. I'm just one of the partners."

My brother said, "Well, that's still impressive. You'll have to be the filial one for Mom and Dad from now on."

I changed the subject. "Brother, you haven't been in touch for years. Didn't you have time to come back for visits?"

My brother said, "I was participating in some training in the army, and I could only take leave this year."

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

My mother said, "Give me your bag, I'll tidy up your room. You must be tired after rushing back overnight."

My father said happily, "Haha, it's been five years. We're finally reunited today. Let's have a good family gathering."

Seeing that the atmosphere at home wasn't particularly abnormal, I felt a little relieved. After we had breakfast together, my brother greeted my father and mother and went out.

I found an opportunity to ask my mother, "Qiu Xia, you didn't reply to my message last night. I was so worried. Is everything okay at home?"

My mother said, "Your dad kept talking to me last night, so I didn't dare reply to you on my phone. I was very flustered. Your brother stayed in your room for a few days. I don't know if he went through our things. I'm so afraid he'll find out about our relationship."

I was also very upset, but I still had to comfort my mother, "Don't worry, worst-case scenario, we'll run away together." At that moment, I couldn't think of anything else. I had to stay calm to comfort my mother.

That evening, my father asked my mother to make a lavish dinner. My father was very happy and said, "Our family is finally reunited today. The three of us men should have a drink. Don't stop us, Qiu Xia, even if we get drunk. It's a rare occasion."

Since my father had spoken, my mother couldn't say much. The three of us drank at home until eleven o'clock at night. My father was drunk and very happy. My brother also seemed tipsy, as if he had heavy worries on his mind. I already had my own worries. Although I tried my best to avoid getting drunk, I wasn't a good drinker and was also dizzy and unconscious. I vaguely remember my mother helping me to bed.

The next day, I woke up with a splitting headache. My father and brother seemed fine and even laughed at me for having such a low alcohol tolerance despite working. My mother glared at my father and said, "Alcohol isn't a good thing. Is it good to drink too much? It's all your fault for letting our son drink so much."

Her angry expression was like a tigress.

For the few days I was home, I didn't dare go anywhere and just stayed at home. I had to guard against my brother making a move on my mother because my intuition told me he knew about my mother and me.

Company matters kept calling me, and I couldn't take an indefinite leave. I had to return to the company to handle things. Before I left, my mother looked at me with pleading eyes, hoping I wouldn't go. I told her I would be back on the weekend; I was only going for two days.

I worked for two days, and on Friday night, I returned to my hometown.

When I arrived home, I saw my mother looking a bit downcast, seeming to have a lot on her mind.

I suspected my brother had spoken to my mother. I privately asked her what happened, but she said it was nothing and told me not to overthink it.

I wanted to beat that bastard up. Even if I couldn't defeat him, I couldn't let this continue. I had to take my mother away.

On Saturday night, while my mother was out walking with my father, he came to my room on his own.

He directly told me, "Xiao Tian, I know about you and Mother."

(Some content has been omitted due to content policy conflicts)