8 Meeting The Family - 3.1 (1/2)

After separating from Bai Nian Zu, Fan Hui Zhong and Fan Zhu Xia walked around a bit and ended up in the city square while talking about random things when Fan Zhu Xia fell silent.

Amidst the noisy crowd of people in the square that were filled with merchants calling from their stalls to those who can be heard laughing and conversing with each other, Fan Zhu Xia exuded a somber atmosphere that seemed out of place.

It was like she was a lone island in the midst of a sea of loneliness; aloof and indifferent, lost in her thoughts.

The sight of her looking a bit lost and dazed made Fan Hui Zhong's eyes narrow and heart tighten with worry.

”Xia'er?”

”Oh, sorry Father. I was just thinking about something.” Fan Zhu Xia distractedly replied, flashing him a small smile from under her hood.

Studying his daughter, Fan Hui Zhong noticed how her usually languid posture was unusually tense making his brows furrow even further in concern.

Stopping in his tracks, Hui Zhong grabbed Zhu Xia's shoulder and turned her to face him and said, ”Girl, tell me what's bothering you.”

”I... it's nothing to worry about Father... I'm just feeling a bit nervous.”

”About?”

Sighing, Fan Zhu Xia grabbed Fan Hui Zhong's arm before walking again.

”I'm nervous about meeting your family. I know you have a brother and a nephew but-”

”Nephews.” Hui Zhong interjected, effectively cutting off what his daughter was going to say and leaving her dumbfounded.

”Nephews?!”

”Yes Xia'er, nephews. They are all older than you.”

”Why didn't you tell me?” Fan Zhu Xia asked indignantly; looking especially aggrieved.

”Sorry, forgot to mention them.”

Hearing Fan Hui Zhong reason in an off-handed manner almost made Fan Zhu Xia's blood boil before she slowly breathe in and out to calm herself and to her father's amusement.

”Then will you tell them about me now?”

”Sure. Where should I start?”

”How about explaining to me why you only mentioned Fan Xian Liang as my cousin and not the others?”