Elsewhere, Xiao Yan met no obstacles along the way and soon reached his father Xiao Zhan's study. He took a deep breath to steady his hurried breathing after the run, then knocked hard on the door.
"Father! It's me, Yan'er! There's an urgent letter from my eldest and second brothers!"
Xiao Zhan's steady voice soon came from inside:
"Come in."
Xiao Yan pushed open the heavy wooden door and saw his father Xiao Zhan seated behind his desk, his brows slightly furrowed, as though something was troubling him. At the sight of Xiao Yan-and especially upon hearing that the letter was from Xiao Ding and Xiao Li-his gaze immediately softened.
Xiao Zhan reached out and gently patted Xiao Yan's shoulder, keeping his tone as calm as he could.
"Yan'er, thank you for bringing it. Look at you, your face is red from running all this way. Go and rest, have some water. I'll deal with this letter once I've read it. It's nothing you need to worry about right now."
Xiao Yan paused briefly. He could sense the deliberate lightness in his father's voice and vaguely realized that the letter's contents were probably no small matter. But he had always obeyed his father, so he nodded at those words and bowed respectfully.
"Yes, Father. I'll take my leave, then."
With that, he withdrew from the study, looking back three times with every step. Yet his heart felt as though a cat's claws were scratching at it, filled with curiosity about the letter and worry for his two elder brothers' safety. They would never have sent such an urgent letter without reason, nor would his father have looked so grave.
Inside the study, once Xiao Yan had left, the deliberate ease on Xiao Zhan's face swiftly faded, replaced by solemn concern.