Ji Yanzhi narrowed his dark eyes in displeasure and stepped sideways to stand in front of Ji Ting, blocking him from view.
The two men's gazes collided in midair, but this time, Qin Zaiye lacked his usual air of superiority. A shadow of probing uncertainty had entered his eyes.
The brothers had been on terrible terms for over a decade, yet Ji Yanzhi had hit him over Ji Ting at the hospital. That meant their relationship had undergone a fundamental change in those few short months after Sea City.
Had that change come about because Ji Ting's ability had been discovered, or had Ji Yanzhi...
"Zaiye, are... are you okay?"
Ling Xi's choked voice interrupted Qin Zaiye's thoughts. He turned to look at him, his eyes filled with irritation and icy anger.
Ling Xi shrank under his glare, but that cutting look vanished in an instant, almost as though he had imagined it.
Qin Zaiye lowered his cold eyes and replied, "I'm fine."
"Heh."
Ji Yanzhi gave an abrupt snort, and Qin Zaiye's brows knitted tightly. "What are you laughing at?"
"Ever since I was little, hearing people lie has made me want to laugh. Is that not allowed?"
It wasn't that Ji Yanzhi was looking for something to mock. Qin Zaiye's current appearance simply had nothing to do with the word "fine." After these months in confinement, he had grown considerably thinner. With the stubble along his jaw and his sunken eyes, he no longer bore any resemblance to the Lieutenant Colonel Qin who had once looked down on everyone and everything.
This time, Qin Zaiye didn't retaliate. As the visiting room door closed, Ji Yanzhi took Ji Ting's hand and sat down with him.
Just as Ling Xi was about to sit, Ji Yanzhi stretched out his long