This was also because his junior brother had always had things go his way. Others, out of respect for their master and his junior brother, had always treated him with consideration and indulged him.
As a result, his junior brother had developed the habit of saying whatever he wanted.
He never needed to hold back.
After all, his junior brother had always been taciturn and cold.
This habit hadn't caused any trouble.
Neither he nor their master had ever noticed it.
His occasional blunt remarks could be taken as a sign of his frankness.
But frankness was no excuse for rudeness.
"Junior Brother, aren't you going to apologize to Young Friend Xiao Xiao?"
The old man prompted the man, who had been looking at him with an apologetic expression.
The person who deserved an apology was right across from them.
The man's expression stiffened.
He hesitated for a moment, then looked toward the young man, who was sipping his tea with his eyes lowered, his posture relaxed.
"Xiao Xiao... Young Friend."
Under the old man's glare, the man reluctantly added the last two words.
It made him sound more polite.
Xiao Xiao didn't look up.
"..."
The man took a deep breath. "I'm sorry."
"I didn't mean to pry into your secrets."
"I spoke without thinking."
"Please don't take it to heart."
Watching as Xiao Xiao continued to avoid looking him in the eye, the man clenched the hand resting on his thigh into a fist.
"Xiao Xiao... Young Friend?"
He raised his voice a little.
"Junior Brother."
The old man turned and glared at his junior brother.
Then he looked toward Xiao Xiao with an apologetic expression. "Young Friend Xiao Xiao, my junior brother only asked that offhandedly. Please don't take it to heart."
Xiao Xiao set down his