It was eleven at night when Jiang Huaijin finally returned home, carrying a bag.
Deng Shu was still awake. "Weren't you just taking Xun to Yanli's place? Why are you back so late? You didn't answer my calls, either. Xun said you'd driven off ages ago."
She went to meet him, but before she even got close, she caught the strong smell of alcohol and cigarettes on her eldest son.
Sensing something was wrong, Deng Shu knitted her delicate brows slightly. "Why did you go drinking?"
Jiang Huaijin was only a little tipsy, nowhere near drunk. He smiled at his mother as though nothing had happened. "It's nothing. I just met up with some friends."
No one knew a son better than his mother. Deng Shu studied her eldest son suspiciously. "Are you sure nothing's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong." Jiang Huaijin's smile turned a little helpless. "Get some rest, Mom. I'm heading to my room, too."
"If something's wrong, tell me. Don't keep it to yourself. Zixing was worried about you just now, too. Remember to let him know you're back."
"Okay. I'll head upstairs, then."
"Go on."
Jiang Huaijin headed upstairs, the smile fading from his face as he let out an involuntary sigh.
Of everyone in this family, his mother cared the most about Jiang Xun. He was the child she had carried for ten months. Even if he hadn't grown up by her side, their blood still bound them together.
If she found out what Jiang Xun had suffered in the past, there was no telling how heartbroken she would be.
Jiang Huaijin still hadn't figured out how to tell his parents about it.
He stopped outside Jiang Zixing's room and knocked.
A moment later, Jiang Zixing came over on crutches and opened the door.
He had originally