7

The moment Ning Yang said that, the butler and servants all looked over. Someone had already dialed 120 on their phone.

Ning Father was shocked. "What's wrong with you?"

Ning Yang patted his chest to catch his breath. "My chest hurts."

Ning Father twitched at his rosy complexion.

Ning Xibai said, "Big Brother, are you okay? Is it serious? I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said those things. You must be angry with me. It's all my fault..."

Amid the chatter, Ning Yang clearly heard Ning Luo let out a quiet laugh. "Pfft."

[I only said a few more words. Why was Brother acting like this? Look at that—I really am not good enough after all.]

[If Brother doesn't want to hear me speak, then forget it. I'm just being unreasonable and annoying.]

[Pfft, hahahahaha! This sounds way too much like the pretentious tea-sipping lines I just learned. The electronic little green tea has become sentient.]

Ning Luo's wild laughter crushed the tiny bit of softheartedness that had just risen in Ning Yang, shattering it into nothing.

As Ning Xibai spoke, he tried to take Ning Yang's hand. Ning Yang instinctively avoided him, then froze once he realized what he had done. He explained to the equally stunned Ning Xibai, "I'm not angry." After a pause, he added, "Xibai, you should know that I'm not someone who gets angry easily."

Perhaps Ning Luo's brainwashing influence had really gotten to him. Ning Yang felt an indescribable strangeness at that moment.

It was as though he treated Xibai terribly, lost his temper and scolded people at the drop of a hat, and was always doing something wrong. Otherwise, why did Xibai always look as if he had been bullied, acting so meek and deferential?

But that thought lasted only a moment. Ning Yang then thought that his younger brother was simply too gentle by nature, and that was no reason to blame him.

His gaze fell on his other younger brother.

Everyone had gathered around Ning Yang, squeezing Ning Luo out. He stood alone to the side. Though he was clearly a member of the Ning Family, he looked like an outsider at that moment.

Outsider's inner thoughts: [You're the one doing taboo incestuous sibling stuff, bro. That little white flower said a few words and you got all worked up? Do you have to be this emotionally invested?]

The breath Ning Yang had just managed to steady caught in his throat again. Clutching his throbbing temple, he said weakly, "...Ning Luo, shut up."

"Huh?" Ning Luo blinked and looked at everyone's stares in confusion. "I didn't say anything."

You didn't say anything, but your inner monologue was way too loud!

Ning Yang truly was not someone prone to getting worked up, yet today he had been on the verge of losing it every moment. He would barely calm down before flaring up again.

[Getting heart palpitations so easily must be because he stays up late working overtime every day.]

[Seriously, how can someone treat work like a hobby? That's terrifying. Does he enjoy that relaxed feeling of being released from prison at dawn after leaving the office?]

[Bro, don't work yourself so hard. I'm afraid you'll wear yourself out completely. You make so much money—you should enjoy life a little.]

Ning Yang froze.

Could Ning Luo... be worried about him?

That thought made him uncomfortable all over.

Ning Father eyed him suspiciously. "Are you really in pain, or are you faking it?"

Ning Yang withdrew his gaze. "I felt bad just now, but I'm fine now." After a pause, he added, "Maybe the recent project has been too draining. I'm a little tired."

Ning Father understood. "You'll be fine once you get through this busy period. Young people should still exercise more."

He had been through the same thing himself. Back when he was building his career, he could drink three jin of baijiu at a business dinner just to win a deal, then go to the hospital after signing the contract. So Ning Father did not think Ning Yang's condition was much of a problem. It was still minor stuff.

Ning Yang lowered his eyes and gave a quiet "Mm."

Ning Xibai also sighed in relief. He knew that he had somehow displeased Ning Yang earlier, so he automatically changed the subject. Hooking his arm around Ning Yang's, he swayed it coquettishly. "It's good that you're okay. Big Brother, did you buy the dessert I asked you for? I really want to eat it."

Ning Yang handed it to him. As he watched Ning Xibai happily accept it, his gaze inexplicably landed on Ning Luo's empty hands.

The sound of the door opening came from behind them.

"Why is everyone standing here?"

Then the voice turned delighted. "Luoluo? I thought you'd be back later. I didn't expect you to come so early. Let Mommy see—have you been eating properly on set?"

The moment Ning Mother entered, she spotted Ning Luo. She did not even have time to put down her bag before warmly taking his hand and fussing over him from head to toe.

Ning Luo looked at that gentle, beautiful face that resembled his own so closely and flashed a toothy grin. "Mom."

There was no psychological burden in calling her that.

After all, when actors acted, they could call a rock Father and Mother with overflowing emotion.

But Ning Mother was overjoyed. Smiling, she answered, "Yes," and led him toward the dining room, chattering all the way. "Oh, acting is so hard, exhausting and bitter. Luoluo definitely isn't as comfortable on set as he is at home. Look at you, you've lost so much weight. Eat more later."

"Aunt Zhang, make more delicious food these next few days..." Ning Mother paused midway through her instructions, looked at Ning Luo, and carefully chose her words. "Luoluo, how many days are you planning to stay home?"

Ning Luo recalled the notice Wang Lin had sent in the production group chat. "The production is on break for the next few days, so I'm free."

"Good. Then spend more time with Mommy." Ning Mother stroked his head, her eyes full of tenderness.

This was the child she had finally managed to find again. He had suffered so much alone outside that Ning Mother wanted to make it up to him twice over.

Ning Luo obediently nodded, his fluffy head brushing against Ning Mother's palm. "Okay."

[She's so gentle, so beautiful.]

[She's the mother I wanted most when I was a teenager.]

Ning Yang glanced at him.

Ning Yang knew Ning Luo's background information. His adoptive father had died early, while his adoptive mother had been forceful and highly controlling—a typical Chinese parent who disciplined her son as though he were her possession. She had also passed away three years ago.

Ning Luo liked Ning Mother and sweet-talked her into happiness, showering her with endless compliments that never repeated. Ning Mother was happy too, constantly putting food on his plate during dinner.

Everyone else was completely ignored by the two of them.

As Ning Mother chatted, the topic turned to Ning Yang. "If you want to become a big star, you can talk more with your eldest brother. Your eldest brother has quite a few businesses in the entertainment industry. He's very capable."

Of course Ning Luo knew that those businesses would later all pave the way for Ning Xibai, but he said, "Really?"

"Yes." Ning Mother put down her chopsticks and looked at Ning Yang. "If it isn't too troublesome, I'd like Xiao Yang to look after Luoluo a little."

Her tone was politely requesting it. Ning Yang had already been in elementary school and old enough to remember things when Ning Mother married into the Ning Family, so he had never been close to her.

Ning Xibai had been in a bad mood from the moment he sat down and watched the mother-son affection between them. He spoke before Ning Yang could. "Mom, Second Brother is very capable too. Don't underestimate him. Besides, Second Brother has his own career plans. He definitely wouldn't like people interfering whenever they please."

If it had been the original owner, with one hundred and twenty pounds of weight and ninety pounds of rebelliousness, he would definitely have been displeased by that provocation. What he hated most in this life was being controlled again and forced down some path.

But Ning Luo was not like that. The moment he heard it, he immediately retorted and laid on the flattery. "How could that be? I like it when Mom handles my affairs. Whatever Mom and Big Brother choose for me is the best plan."

[Are you kidding? The golden thigh is right in front of me, and I'm supposed to refuse it? Am I such a noble and aloof person? Please don't pity this delicate flower. Just throw all the resources at me!]

[Brother, give me some resources. Please, Brother, Brother, Brother, Brother, Brother, Brother!]

Ning Yang was sitting right beside Ning Luo, and each cry of "Brother" spun and danced straight into his ears.

Then, suddenly, the voice stopped.

Ning Luo gave a quiet laugh. His voice was nearly inaudible, but Ning Yang caught it precisely. "Brother, brother, brother—haha, it laid an egg."

"..."

Ning Yang tightened his grip on his chopsticks, and his heart began racing again.

Ning Mother said, "Xiao Yang?"

Ning Yang had long expected this. For Ning Mother's sake, he could not refuse. At that moment, he looked at Ning Luo's profile as he quietly ate.

Ning Luo seemed to really like Aunt Zhang's cooking. His bowl was piled high with food, and he used his chopsticks to shovel a huge mouthful inside. His cheeks puffed in and out as he chewed. Because he had eaten something delicious, his eyes narrowed in enjoyment, making him look exactly like a happy little hamster storing food.

Ning Mother was still waiting for him to speak, so Ning Yang said, "There's a magazine shoot coming up. Let him try it."

This was for Ning Mother's sake and had nothing to do with Ning Luo.

That meant he had agreed. Ning Mother sighed in relief and smiled as she placed more food on his plate.

Ning Luo followed suit, picking up a piece of pork rib. In an earnest voice, as though he had not been the one calling him Big Silly Spring, he said, "Thank you, Big Brother."

Ning Yang gave a cold snort.

A fair-weather friend. A fence-sitter.

Only Ning Xibai refused to accept reality.

There was only one magazine shoot Ning Yang could possibly be referring to: the fashion magazine shoot with Best Actor Lu Tingzhou. Ning Xibai had long wanted to ask Ning Yang for such an enviable resource, yet it had been given to Ning Luo instead?

His changing expression fell into Ning Yang's eyes, as Ning Yang had been watching him all along.

Ning Yang lost his appetite.

Of course, he did not believe the things Ning Luo had said. Yet those voices seemed magical, planting seeds of doubt in his heart. They made him cast aside his filter for the first time and scrutinize Ning Xibai's intentions.

In fact, it was very easy to understand.

Just as Ning Xibai was trying to make Ning Yang give up on the idea, Ning Father, who had been silent and deep in thought from the beginning, spoke. "Xibai's work should be wrapping up soon, right? Do you want to come to the company and get some experience?"

The moment he said that, everyone at the table froze and covertly looked toward Ning Yang.

What was going on? Hadn't Ning Father never allowed anyone other than Ning Yang to interfere in company affairs?

But Ning Yang was distracted.

Ning Xibai sat up straight. Even trying his best to conceal it could not hide the delight in his voice. "Yes, Father, I'll be done soon."

What magazine shoot? What resources? None of them mattered as much as entering the company. This was a perfect chance to rise in one step and become the person in power in the Ning Family!

Ning Xibai had thought that, because of his identity, he would never have such an opportunity. Otherwise, he would not have been so insanely jealous of Ning Luo.

He had not expected his fortunes to turn. Father still loved him.

Ning Father gave a quiet "Mm." If one listened closely, his voice carried age and melancholy. "Then go to the branch company and follow up on a new project."

Ning Xibai eagerly agreed. "Okay, Father. What project is it?"

Ning Father said, "Oh, friendly trade negotiations with primitive tribes and the deployment of medical equipment. An international public welfare project."

Ning Xibai's voice trembled. "...Where is it?"

Ning Father gave him a definite answer. "Africa."

Clang.

A spoon dropped into a bowl, splashing white porridge everywhere.

Ning Father looked as though he had finally put down a burden and reached enlightenment. Buddhist light seemed to shine above his head, and his face was benevolent.

He had figured it out. Whether these two brothers really had something strange going on, whether Ning Luo had misunderstood Ning Xibai's affection, or whether, as Ning Xibai claimed, Ning Luo had gotten drunk and talked nonsense that night—

Either way!

There was no way he was letting these two meet again anytime soon.

However long-distance relationships died, that was exactly how these two would die!

Ning Father's eyes gleamed.

Ning Xibai's face was ashen.

Ning Luo held back his laughter until the corners of his eyes turned red.

He cleared his throat. "Father really thought this through. He was afraid Xiaobai would be tired from work, so he's even letting him take a trip to deeply experience the natural scenery."

He smiled at Ning Xibai. "Xiaobai, why aren't you smiling? Were you born without the ability to smile?"

[What's wrong, little bro? Happy again?]

[When one side is in trouble, all eight sides tear down the bridges and block the roads. Then they kick the struggling person into a ditch, stomp on him, and whip out nunchucks—hmm hmm ha hey!]

Ning Yang slowly drew in a breath of fresh air. "...Ning Luo, are you done eating? Come to the study with me when you're finished."