Lu Xiaoxiao had thoroughly enjoyed venting in her thoughts, unaware that the father and son whose confrontation had been so heated in the study were both stunned after hearing her lengthy tirade.
Lu Shiyan was mostly touched. His sister really was the person who understood him best in the world. He also found her sneaky eavesdropping rather adorable, and his mood brightened at once.
Lu Yuan, however, felt rather uncomfortable. He was still angry and could not immediately put himself in his second son's shoes as Lu Xiaoxiao's thoughts urged him to.
Yet he suddenly found himself unable to keep scolding him.
Lu Yuan did not want his daughter, who was listening outside, to come away thinking, Dad, you're so mean.
His relationship with Xiaoxiao had only recently improved!
He had finally turned her impression of him around with that black card. He could not let it go downhill again so soon!
But he could hardly finish snapping at his second son one moment, then smile kindly the next and say, "Dad thought it over, and what you did really wasn't that bad," could he?
Where would that leave his authority as head of the family?
Just imagining it felt bizarre!
At that thought, Lu Yuan's expression became painfully awkward, caught between pressing forward and backing down.
In the end, he stared at Lu Shiyan for a long time before finally forcing out a line that offered him a way down. "Whatever happens, we're family. Of course I want the best for all of you. I hope you understand that."
The moment Lu Yuan finished speaking, Lu Xiaoxiao's thoughts grew excited.
*[Yes, yes, yes! That's exactly right! Dad, say more warm, heartfelt things like that. We're family! What bitter grudges could there possibly be between us? Look, you've scared Shiyan