After finishing his conversation with Yao Lao, Xiao Yan headed toward the Xiao Clan's grain and oil shop in Wutan City. Since he was already out, he might as well buy some food to take home. After all, there were several more mouths to feed now. Before long, he was making his way back with some difficulty, a heavy sack of rice in one hand and a jug of clear rapeseed oil in the other.
Just as he rounded a street corner to take a shortcut back to the Xiao Clan, the rather grating creak of a bicycle chain approached, its rhythm somewhat familiar. Xiao Yan instinctively looked up and saw someone wobbling toward him on a well-used bicycle a short distance ahead. The basket on the handlebars was also stuffed with salt, sugar, meat, and vegetables; clearly, its rider had just finished shopping too. As the figure drew closer, Xiao Yan's lips involuntarily twisted. Foes were bound to cross paths-the newcomer was none other than his "dear" sworn elder brother, Xiao Yi.
Xiao Yi had evidently spotted Xiao Yan carrying his purchases as well. He planted one foot on the ground and brought the bicycle to a steady stop a few steps in front of him. Their eyes met, and the air seemed to freeze for several seconds. There was no warmth in either pair of blue eyes. Instead, they clearly reflected the lingering anger and resentment from last night's "sparring," which had been far from pleasant and positively reeked of gunpowder. Xiao Yan vividly remembered the harsh words he had thrown out at the end, while Xiao Yi's "what can you do about it?" expression only made his anger flare.
Meanwhile, Yao Lao had no great fondness for Xiao Yi either. He was clearly still brooding over the