"Then my brother and I will go!" Chen Xingyue said.
Seeing that their parents had both said they weren't going, and now he'd have to bring his younger sister along, Chen Shouyi immediately felt rather unhappy.
He was going to the European Alliance on a state visit to discuss matters of national importance... serious matters... or at least proper business. What was he supposed to do, bringing along a tagalong?
With his sister, who knew him inside out, following him around, he already felt ill at ease. He wouldn't even be able to speak properly.
And she was a spy who loved tattling on him.
"Weren't you supposed to start teaching classes?" Chen Shouyi asked.
"I can reschedule them. It's no problem," Chen Xingyue said quickly.
"If it won't get in the way, let her go. It'll be good for her to see the world," Chen Dawei urged.
It would get in the way!
Chen Shouyi thought gloomily.
But he'd already invited his parents to go. He couldn't take it back now. "It won't really get in the way..."
Before he could finish, Chen Xingyue jumped up excitedly and cut him off. "Brother, you're the best! When are we leaving?"
Chen Shouyi stared at Chen Xingyue, feeling a weight in his chest.
Was that what I meant just now?
Could you let me finish what I'm saying?
I... damn it!
"I haven't decided yet!" Chen Shouyi said irritably. "We'll talk about it in a few days!"
At least he couldn't leave in the next few days. Hedong was about to be evacuated, so they'd have to wait until everything had settled down again.
After dinner.
Carrying the invitation and the handwritten letter, Chen Shouyi returned to his room, feeling downhearted.
He opened his display cabinet and put them away.
When