Chapter 7 (1/2)

What A Pretty Sister

“Ningyan?” Xu Pingzhi was shocked.

The tears of joy rolled down Li Ru’s face—her expression was frozen.

“Two days ago, Xu Qian was calling for the governor. He had important information to report. After their meeting, Governor Chen solved the case. Therefore, your punishment has been lifted,” the official explained.

“Right…so that’s what happened…” Xu Pingzhi stuttered. He had taken Xu Qian in when he was just a babe. Xu Pingzhi was aware of his nephew’s strengths and weaknesses.

Hence, he doubted the official’s story but he said nothing.

That bastard nephew… Li Ru looked stricken.

It was not their son’s connections that saved them but the unlucky nephew they took in. Was he not in jail?

Head heavy with questions, Xu Pingzhi led his family out of the building. At the exit, he saw a man brushing his unkempt hair—it was Xu Qian.

The sight of his nephew dispersed all the queries in his mind. The born and bred martial artist felt a warmth in his heart. Tears prickling at the corner of his eyes, Xu Pingzhi strode up to his nephew and patted him firmly on the shoulder. He wanted to hug him but his pride and masculinity stood in the way. “Ningyan, I see you’re well.”

The gesture nearly killed Xu Qian.

“Uncle, glad to see your Qi is still strong. It seems we’re one rank apart,” Xu Qian said naturally as if they were close friends.

The pat on his shoulder was a surprise. He glanced over Xu Pingzhi’s shoulder and saw the three other members of the family.

‘Heh, who knew I’d get to see my aunt in such despair…’ The insidious thought appeared in his mind.

Xu Qian’s attention was then captured by the teenager.

The girl was in a drab prisoner’s uniform and her hair was a mess. The sharp nose and common oval face made her appear mixed-blood.

She was at the age of blooming and her natural beauty was hard to resist.

Xu Qian was shocked to find out the sister was such a pretty girl.

The girl was hazy in the host’s memories, likely because the host paid little attention to her. There was a hint of resentment toward the girl due to his aunt’s obvious bias.

The host was distant toward his cousins.

Noticing Xu Qian’s eyes on her, Xu Lingyue greeted him, “Brother!” Then, she lowered her head as if embarrassed.

Her greeting was followed by another.

Xu Lingyin’s juvenile voice called out. She tottered over to Xu Qian and raised her head, a hopeful look in her eyes.

Xu Qian showed her his empty hands. “I don’t have sweets for you. I also just came out from jail.”

The host did not like his cousins but he treated the youngest well. She was the least like her mother.

“What is jail?” the young girl asked.

“It’s the room you slept in for the past few days.”

“Where’s my other brother? Does he have sweets?”

“He’s not here.”

The disappointment on the little girl’s face was evident. The brother she asked for was her biological brother, Xu Xinnian. She was too young to understand the difference between a brother and a cousin brother.

The 5-year-old was not too bright—an inherited trait from her mother according to the host.

Lastly, Xu Qian turned to his aunt, Li Ru. The woman had always thrown her weight around the house. She never imagined the day would come when she had to show gratitude to her nephew.

The attractive woman lowered her head and said rigidly, “Tha— Thank you, Ningyan.”

At that moment, a memory resurfaced in Xu Qian’s mind.

A younger Xu Qian had been chased out of the house by his aunt. That day, the young boy swore to the sky, “I, Xu Qian, will achieve excellence in life. Just you wait!”

The memory was awkward but Xu Qian was glad to have his aunt humbled.

From a third person’s perspective, the testy relationship between the host and his aunt was not completely her fault.

Xu Qian’s martial arts lessons had cost an arm and a leg. The money spent was equivalent to the life savings of some common folks.

His aunt’s disapproval was understandable so he replied graciously, “There is no rush. Let us sit down and have a meal. You can say it again then.”

Li Ru’s sparkling eyes widened in surprise, then she glared at her nephew.