Xu Xie's rare loss of composure drew Ning Yan's attention.
Her Junior Brother Xu had always been mature and levelheaded, even as a boy. When they had first met, she could still tease him, but the older he grew, the more steady and sensible he became—and the less often he showed genuine emotion. Ning Yan had even complained that he was becoming more and more boring.
Now he was the head of the Xu Clan. It was hard to imagine what could make him lose his composure like this, nearly springing to his feet on the spot.
Ning Yan couldn't help looking at him curiously.
Seeing this, Xu Xie forced himself back into his seat.
But his gaze kept wandering, never daring to land on the Family Letter. Clearly, he was avoiding something. Ning Yan didn't ask, in case she hit a sore spot. Xu Xie had opened and read the letter in front of her, which was an intimate gesture in itself; she didn't want to rub salt in the wound.
"Ahem—sorry for the trouble, Senior Sister—"
"Is something the matter?"
If it was, she ought to get up and give him some privacy.
Xu Xie hurriedly waved his hands. "No, no... It's just... a little shocking. I'm having... trouble accepting it..."
He managed to make a short sentence sound tangled as a ball of yarn.
Ning Yan asked, "Does it have to do with your younger brother?"
She knew Xu Xie had a very young cousin, whose parents had reportedly died when he was little. Xu Xie had raised him like his own son, changing his diapers and feeding him by hand. He'd gained plenty of childcare experience at a young age. Naturally, the two of them were exceptionally close...
There was probably no one else who could