Back in the dragon realm, Xin Lan got up from the bed and went over to the room next door. He only hesitated for a moment before he finally knocked.
Inside, Hua Lin Yu flinched, fearing that it might be Xin Lan in front of the door. Hua Lin Rong who had been sitting next to him noticed his reaction and furrowed his brows. He really didn't know what to do. He could imagine what his younger brother was thinking. So if he went over and opened and it was Xin Lan … what was he supposed to do? Let him in? Don't let him in? But he also couldn't pretend that he hadn't heard it.
He sighed, rubbed his face, and then went over to take a look first. Maybe he was lucky and it was actually Nie Huang or maybe Fu Min. He opened the door but, of course, the one he found outside was Xin Lan indeed. He looked at him, the guilty conscience obvious in his features.
Xin Lan gave a faint smile. If he hadn't spoken with Jinde just now, he might actually be a little angry. But with how things were, he was actually able to keep calm. He didn't make any attempt to go inside and instead leaned against the door frame, nodding into the room. "How is he doing?" He lowered his voice, not wanting to disturb Hua Lin Yu in case he had fallen asleep.
Hua Lin Rong still felt nervous. "That … Well, he's laid down for now."
Xin Lan nodded. "I guess he didn't say anything?" Unbeknown to him, his gaze was actually a little hopeful.
Hua Lin Rong felt the pain in his heart. He might not have been thrilled when he originally found out that there was a future brother-in-law now but in the past three years, he had actually grown to like Xin Lan quite a bit. To see him like this … he also felt bad about it. Still, there was nothing he could do. He shook his head, looking apologetic. "No, Bai Mu just put him down and then … Well, he hasn't said anything."
Xin Lan nodded. "Well, he was outside for quite some time. I guess it's better if he rests for a while. I shouldn't disturb you any longer then. If something happens, you know where to find me."
Hua Lin Rong nodded awkwardly but he was pretty sure that he wouldn't go over to Xin Lan even if something happened. Right now, he didn't even dare to look him in the eye.
Xin Lan turned away but stopped halfway into the room. He wondered if there was something else he should say, something else he should do. He couldn't think of anything but, well, he had never been in such a situation. In the end, he just sighed, shook his head at himself, and then went inside.
In the other room, Hua Lin Rong awkwardly stepped back and closed the door. He sighed as well, not sure what to do now.
On the bed, Hua Lin Yu finally turned around. "Was that Xin Lan?" He was a little worried that it was him but he couldn't imagine that it was the case. If it was Xin Lan, shouldn't he have wanted to come in? Since he hadn't, then it shouldn't be him. He was probably thinking too much. Maybe it had just been one of the others who wanted to know how he was doing.
Hua Lin Rong turned back around and rubbed the back of his head. "Xiao Yu, you're awake?"
Hua Lin Yu nodded. "So was it Xin Lan?"
His older brother came over and sat down at the edge of the bed, reaching out to pat his shoulder. "So what if he was? Do you want to see him or not?"
Hua Lin Yu lowered his head, not quite sure how to answer that. To be honest, he didn't know. He didn't know at all what he wanted. He just … he felt so guilty. If he could, he would just like to vanish and not have to do with anyone ever again.
Hua Lin Rong had no idea what his younger brother was thinking. He reached out and took his hand. "Actually, what happened between the two of you? How come you were suddenly arguing?"
Hua Lin Yu looked at him, not quite sure how to answer that. "Did he say that we were arguing?"
Hua Lin Rong was also at a loss for words for a moment. What did his younger brother mean? "Well … If you weren't arguing, then why did you run away? You wouldn't have done that just like that, would you?"
Hua Lin Yu once again lowered his gaze, not quite sure what to say to that either. Of course, his older brother was right. If there was nothing that they argued about, then there was no reason to behave like this. He had just been unreasonable.
He kept quiet for a moment and then bit his lower lip. He really didn't know what he should do. He also wasn't sure if his brother would be able to help him if he told him. On the contrary, he felt that if he told anyone, things would even get worse. After all, wouldn't that make it real? Right now, all of this was just in his head. He could just pretend that it hadn't happened. Maybe somehow, it would magically go away for real.
Seeing his brother's expression, Hua Lin Rong actually became even more worried. "Xiao Yu, you know that you can talk to me. No matter what happened, I'm sure that we can find a way to do to deal with it."
Hua Lin Yu wasn't sure what he should think of that. He was afraid that there were some things that couldn't just be dealt with. "Xin Lan … He asked me to go back home and speak with father again to get married."
Hua Lin Rong had a sinking feeling when he heard that. It couldn't be … that his little brother regretted promising to marry Xin Lan? But then … what were they supposed to do now? Hua Lin Yu and he … they were both relying on Xin Lan. For the past three years, they had basically taken advantage of his hospitality. Whether it was going to the dragon realm or staying in the dragon king's palace, it was all just thanks to him. For something like this to happen now … it made it seem as if they had just used him and were now throwing him away.