"It's nothing, nothing at all," Xue Shengjing said. "Just a few superficial wounds. Why did you have to make a special trip, brother?"
"Elder brother, when we swore brotherhood, we vowed to live and die together," Hu Xiaotian said. "Now that you're injured, how could I not come to see you?" He wore an expression of shared suffering, his concern overflowing onto his face. From the very beginning, his sworn brotherhood with Xue Shengjing had been a relationship of mutual exploitation. There had never been any deep friendship between them.
"Thank you, brother!" Xue Shengjing took Hu Xiaotian's hand with feigned warmth and led him over to sit at the table, ordering someone to hurry and brew tea.
Hu Xiaotian took a sip of tea. "Elder brother, I came specifically to see how your injuries were healing, and to examine your wounds while I'm here. Perhaps there's something I can do to help."
"It's hardly a serious injury," Xue Shengjing said. "My skin was merely scratched. Don't listen to the rumors outside."
"The rumors have already whipped the whole city into a storm," Hu Xiaotian said. "Elder brother, I was worried sick."
Xue Shengjing sneered inwardly. Worried? Do you think I don't know what sort of fellow you are? You'd worry about my life? You must have some other purpose in coming here today.
Hu Xiaotian leaned forward and lowered his voice. "Elder brother, I heard it was Huo Xiaoru who stabbed you?" He chose his words very carefully, saying only that she had stabbed him, not that she had tried to assassinate him.
"What else have you heard, brother?" Xue Shengjing asked without betraying any emotion.
"I also heard something went missing from your residence last night!"
Xue Shengjing's gaze sharpened. It seemed there truly was no secret in