28

28. The truth is not clear enough...

Xu Qi never dreamed that Xu Yi would say such a thing to him. A brother-obsessed maniac? Is he? He remembered that Shawn seemed to have said something similar.

Shawn looked helpless and said in a low voice, "Overprotecting your younger brother is your biggest weakness."

Overprotective? Was he really? But what constitutes "normal"? He only knew that ever since he went to Aunt Qi's house when he was eight, and his three-year-old brother toddled over to him in the courtyard, staring at him with wide, curious eyes, his heart felt like it had been struck by lightning, and he vaguely felt the responsibility of being an older brother. But the day after returning home, he learned from the servants' conversation that his brother had been brutally beaten by Aunt Qi because of his and his father's presence, and for the first time, extreme anger welled up inside him.

He was the son of the Xu family, destined from birth to survive in that bloody and turbulent world. He was used to his father and mother's strictness, to rigorous study and training, and to facing everything with indifference. But when his father told him he had a younger brother living elsewhere and took him to the Qi family, he realized how fortunate he was compared to that little child. His father solemnly told him to take good care of his brother, and for the first time, he nodded to his father from the bottom of his heart. He was the older brother; he had to protect his younger brother. This was the vow he made in his heart when he was eight years old.

Three years later, Qi Weiru's situation completely devastated Xu Yi. Xu Qi, also just a child himself, resolutely took on the responsibility of caring for his younger brother. So many years have passed, and loving his brother has become an inseparable part of his life, even as he suffers from illness. He was simply acting according to his own heart; what's wrong with that?

Most importantly, just because he's the older brother, does that mean his love should be denied based on familial affection? Xu Qi's mind was in chaos. So many years of feelings had been laid bare all at once, and in the end, it was even said that these feelings weren't what he had always thought. How could he accept this?

“Brother, I know you're confused right now, but I still want you to figure out your true feelings.” Xu Yi stared intently at him, her eyes open and honest. “I'll only ask you this: do you have desires for me?”

"A-Yi! You..." Xu Qi was both shocked and angry, unable to even finish her sentence. How could A-Yi ask such a question?

Xu Yi waved his hand: "Look, brother, you haven't even thought about this. How could you think your feelings for me are love?"

"..." Xu Qi was silent for a few seconds before slowly speaking, "Love doesn't necessarily have to be based on desire."

Xu Yi chuckled: "Brother, you're right. Loving someone doesn't necessarily mean having physical desire. But... you have desire for someone else. What does that mean?"

Of course, to be honest, he utterly disdained any concept of "Platonic" love. Men are driven by their lower instincts; how could they possibly remain unmoved by someone they liked for years? However, for someone as oblivious as Xu Qi, even more so than Su Xibai, a direct approach was more effective.

Xu Qi's expression changed: "Others?" A vague sense of unease crept into his mind.

"Brother, what do you think of Rose?" Xu Yi casually dropped a bombshell, leaving Xu Qi's mind in a state of chaos.

“Rose?” Xu Qi repeated blankly, then subconsciously added, “He’s a very good kid… but…”

Why did he suddenly bring up the rose? Xu Qi felt a little guilty, but he also felt that Xu Yi couldn't possibly know about what happened that night. His anxiety was unconsciously written on his face.

Seeing his expression, Xu Yi rubbed her forehead in exasperation: "Brother, you really are..."

He paused, then sighed: "However, there's no point in saying all this now. As far as I know, the Yao family is going to form a marriage alliance with the Francesco family."

A marriage alliance? Xu Qi was startled. He tried to keep his voice calm: "A marriage alliance between the Yao family has nothing to do with us."

The Yao family's proposed marriage alliance with the Francesco family is most likely to marry Yao Jinghan to Antonio. That's fine; the young lady will finally get what she wants, and Antonio will no longer have the opportunity to directly entangle Qiangwei.

Thinking about it this way, he unconsciously felt a little happy again. He didn't realize that his hostility towards Antonio seemed a bit too deep. If it was because Antonio drugged Si Qiang, then it could be barely understood—but from the very beginning, he and Antonio had been at odds.

Xu Yi shook his head, his tone somewhat heavy: "This is a two-way marriage. Miss Yao will marry the heir of the Francesco family, while Si Qiang... will marry that heir's sister."

As he spoke, he carefully observed Xu Qi's expression. Xu Qi's face instantly turned deathly pale, devoid of any color.

After a moment of silence, Xu Qi suddenly lowered his head and smiled: "Isn't this good? That child... is of age to be settled down."

Xu Yifeng's eyes widened, and she was about to say something, but then she swallowed her words. It's not that her brother doesn't care, it's just... he can't bring himself to say it.

"Ah Yi, do you want to... go home for a visit?" Xu Qi looked up, his expression returning to normal. "Father... misses you very much."

Xu Yi paused for a moment, then slowly nodded: "I will go back tomorrow."

"That's good." Xu Qi smiled, but in Xu Yi's eyes, the smile was really forced.

As Xu Qi drove back to the Xu family home alone, only one thought filled his mind: That person was getting married.

He told his younger brother that it was a good thing. But he knew in his heart that his true thoughts upon hearing the news were completely opposite to what he said. Heaven knows how much effort it took for him to control himself and not lose his composure!

He wanted to scream out loud; the knot in his heart seemed to be desperately trying to burst forth, causing him unbearable pain in his chest. It hurt so much. Why did it hurt so much…? Since A-Yi knew, it must have been Si-Qiang herself who told him, which was enough to prove that Si-Qiang had already agreed to the marriage.

Xu Qi clenched his teeth, his face already covered in cold sweat. It was only autumn, but why did he feel as if he were in the dead of winter, chilled to the bone from head to toe?

It was so cold. He was shivering violently, his hands shaking so badly he could barely hold the steering wheel. He didn't know how he got home. Lying on his bed in a daze, his eyes stared blankly at the ceiling, his mind completely blank, unable to think of anything.

In a daze, Si Qiang's exquisite and beautiful face appeared before his eyes, seemingly somewhat blurry. Xu Qi subconsciously widened his eyes, trying to see more clearly. But no matter how hard he tried, her face always seemed shrouded in a mist, with only her cold lips and indifferent eyes piercing straight into his heart.

Suddenly, a woman appeared behind Si Qiang. She took his arm, leaned on his shoulder, and said something. Si Qiang turned his head, affectionately stroked her hair, and whispered a reply.

Xu Qi's eyes were bloodshot with rage. He stared intently at the two people, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't see the woman's face or hear what they were saying. They were so close, yet he couldn't see or hear anything! It was as if an invisible wall stood between him and the two, completely separating them. He desperately tried to reach out and break through this damned barrier, but found that his hands and feet were bound by something, making it impossible for him to move an inch.

He tried to scream, but found he couldn't make a sound. How could this be? Xu Qi struggled desperately, watching helplessly as Si Qiang and that woman turned and left together, getting further and further away from him.

No! No! He shouted desperately, but suddenly everything went black, all the scenes vanished into thin air, and the restraints on his body disappeared.

Xu Qi slowly opened his eyes, and what appeared before him was a familiar ceiling. His gaze shifted to the familiar room layout.

Was it another dream? Xu Qi looked up and touched his forehead; even his bangs were soaked with sweat. His throat itched; he might have really screamed just now.

He slowly covered his eyes with his hands, letting out a muffled groan. It was like a wounded wild beast, which had been enduring the pain but finally could not bear it any longer and let out a whimper.

A few minutes later, he let out a long sigh, stood up, and walked to the bedside. It was pitch black outside; the night sky was covered with thick clouds, without a single star or a bright moon.

Xu Qi sneered. When did he become so pathetic and cowardly? Now, just because that child is getting married, he's so distraught—he despises himself for this.

But... perhaps he should give up. Give up self-deception, give up escaping reality, give up futile persistence.

Since that person didn't tell him personally, he would go and ask them himself. There had to be a resolution—even if it might only make that person more resentful.

Now, Xu Qi finally admitted to himself that he had special feelings for Si Qiang. He couldn't quite figure out what those feelings were, but he was absolutely certain that he didn't want to lose her.

Hmph, although I may never let you know my feelings, don't think you can live a peaceful life like this forever.

Author's Note: The End