Shen Ze felt extremely depressed and instinctively wanted to repeat his words once more.
However, previously, he had blurted it out in a moment of impulse. He hadn't thought about it before confessing and as a result, it had been effortless. But now that it was only the two of them in a different surrounding from before, he suddenly found it a little… difficult to speak.
"I…" Hesitating for a long while, he finally managed to croak out a word only to look up and see that Xiang Han wasn't even paying attention. It was clear he just wanted to change the topic and had randomly thrown this question at him.
Shen Ze instantly choked in anger and forced himself to shift the topic moodily, "Let's go home."
Their current emotions weren't the same as back then. Considering how Xiang Han had been recently, he evidently no longer possessed any feelings for himself. What was the point of declaring it?
Shen Ze thought hatefully, the stories were right; a puppy love developed at this age was indeed short, temporal, and fickle.
Moreover, their relationship would also be a problem. If Shen Zheng Duo knew that he likes Xiang Han, it was likely his father would break his legs.
And there was still Chang Yu Chi… fine, he wasn't much of a threat anyway. But thinking of him still made him disgusted.
The more Shen Ze thought, the unhappier he grew and the entire way back, his face was as black as the bottom of a pot.
Seeing his abrupt change in mood, Xiang Han also didn't know what to say and only maintained silence.
When they reached home, both Shen Zheng Duo and Zhu Jing Yi were already there and they'd just ended a call from Lin Rui Qing.
They sat on the sofa and when the kids appeared, they remained silent and expressionless.
Shen Ze could tell that they knew about tonight's matter judging from their expressions. Therefore, he turned back to glance at Xiang Han.
On the other hand, Xiang Han was overcome by guilt and stammered, "That… That…"
"I was bored so I took him out to play," Shen Ze suddenly spoke, shouldering the blame by himself.
Xiang Han was dumbfounded, staring at him in shock.
"Play?" Shen Zheng Duo was like an erupting volcano, stepping forward as he roared, "Is this a place you can play about? Is this a place you two can go? Why don't you both simply play on the bed?!"
Xiang Han hurriedly explained, "This… Uncle Shen, it was me who wanted to go and experience it, so I pestered elder brother…"
"You don't have to cover up for him," Shen Zheng Duo interrupted him, reaching out his hand in an attempt to grab Shen Ze's ears. However, the latter took a step back and easily evaded him.
Shen Zheng Duo froze for several seconds before his neck reddened from anger. He pointed with a trembling hand, "You dare to run? Your wings have truly hardened, even bringing your younger brother to a nightclub. The police are arresting criminals, what're you interfering for? Just because you know a few little tricks, you think you're amazing? Can you directly ascend to heaven? What do you think is faster, a knife or a gun? Since you enjoy playing with knives so much, you might as well become a chef…"
When Shen Zheng Duo gave a lecture, it was simply a spit-fest. Once in a while, Shen Ze would wipe his face in disgust while Xiang Han stood at the back; he was fortunate enough to escape this tragedy.
After scolding Shen Ze, he began to lecture Xiang Han albeit with a gentler tone, "Little Han, you're also at fault. Even if your older brother drags you to that sort of place, why didn't you tell us? Especially how dangerous it was when they were arresting those thugs…"
Xiang Han interrupted him, "Uncle Shen, it was really me who wanted to go."
"You don't have to take the blame for him, this matter cannot be pushed aside." Shen Zheng Duo didn't believe him due to Shen Ze's blackened track record. Moreover, he himself had admitted it.
Once again, guilt welled up in Xiang Han's heart. He timidly glanced at Shen Ze and saw him swiping at his face disdainfully, as if he really didn't care. Xiang Han finally relaxed before growing doubtful. These past few days, Shen Ze had been awfully peculiar, especially right now when he took the blame for him.
Shen Ze also couldn't understand what was going on. When he'd seen Xiang Han reveal a 'pitiful' expression earlier, he couldn't help but shoulder the blame.
Although he subconsciously knew that Xiang Han was most likely feigning it, he still couldn't stop himself. Could it be that after falling in love, one would truly lose their brain cells? That was impossible.
The longer he ruminated, the more frustrated he grew, and Xiang Han was also feeling puzzled. Meanwhile, both of them were held by Shen Zheng Duo and forced to endure a two hour long lecture.
Although both their thoughts had long flown over the ocean, from Shen Zheng Duo's perspective, their lowered heads were symbolic of their obedience.
He berated till his throat was raw and seeing the situation, he was somewhat satisfied. He felt that his efforts truly hadn't been in vain. Especially when it came to Shen Ze, who definitely would've left before listening to his two cents in the past. This time, he actually remained still for the entire length of it, without a single word of refute. He'd evidently been listening.
Shen Zheng Duo's anger had dissipated in half but his face remained stern as he asked, "Do you understand?"
Xiang Han was the first to come back to his senses. "I understand."
Hearing no reply from Shen Ze, he hurriedly elbowed his rib. With a jerk, Shen Ze felt the area which had just been jabbed grow inexplicably itchy. He really wanted to scratch it.
Seeing his lack of reaction still, Xiang Han jabbed him once more, making him freeze. A moment passed before Shen Ze answered dully, "Understood."
Shen Zheng Duo was extremely pleased. With a wave of his hands, he finally released them. "Alright, I'll let you two off this time. Hurry up and wash up before sleeping. I want both of you to write a reflection tomorrow."
Xiang Han finally breathed a sigh of relief while following behind Shen Ze to go upstairs.
Zhu Jing Yi had been dozing off before but the abrupt silence woke her up. "You're done?"
"Yeah." Shen Zheng Duo sat back down, and after drinking some water, he said, "I've also scolded Little Han, you don't need to chide him anymore."
Hearing this, Xiang Han's steps hastened and he overtook Shen Ze, using the latter to shield himself.
Shen Ze's face was somewhat dark but after seeing his thin frame, he impulsively jabbed his waist.
In an instant, Xiang Han jerked and missed a step, nearly falling flat. Luckily, Shen Ze reached out to support him just in time, that was why Xiang Han directly fell against his body. The distance between them was nearly non-existent and with their hot breaths mingling, their heartbeats uncontrollably sped up.
After a nap, Zhu Jing Yi's anger was almost gone. Moreover, since the time was quite late, she decided to ask if they wanted to eat supper. Just as she looked up to do so, she witnessed this scene that made her freeze. "What are you guys doing?"
Xiang Han steadied himself before stammering, "I… slipped and nearly fell onto older brother."
Shen Ze was extremely calm as he commented, "You already fell onto me."
Xiang Han couldn't resist glaring at him. If it wasn't for Shen Ze poking him, how could he have slipped? This person was really petty, just two jabs and he was seeking revenge.
"Slipped?" Zhu Jing Yi was stunned, "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." Xiang Han hurriedly waved a hand.
This seemed to finally appease Zhu Jing Yi's worry but she still continued to nag, "You can even fall while climbing the stairs. You're lucky your brother was behind you."
Xiang Han's face was extremely gloomy. However, on account that Shen Ze had shouldered the blame for him earlier, he decided not to pursue this matter.
Yet Shen Ze just had to deliberately grin with false magnanimity, "It's nothing, I was just doing what I should."
After nagging, she finally asked, "Oh right, are you boys hungry? I bought some frozen dumplings and tangyuans [1]."
Shen Zheng Duo, who was drinking water at this time, choked. After coughing, he hurriedly told her, "Jing Yi, just leave them in the freezer. You must not touch it."
Touching his stomach, Xiang Han indeed felt a little hungry and therefore, turned to look towards Shen Ze.
The corners of Shen Ze's lips twitched but he still replied, "Put them in the freezer, I'll make some later."
After they went upstairs, Xiang Han finally couldn't hold back any longer and asked, "Elder brother, why are you… so good to me today?"
Shen Ze froze in his steps and when he turned around, there seemed to be something deep hidden in his gaze.
"Is that bad?" He asked meaningfully.
"I-It's quite good." Xiang Han was frightened by his gaze and hurriedly ran to his room after replying to him.
Shen Ze's expression was downcast. Returning to his room, he had a long and profound period of contemplation before deciding to make Xiang Han fall for him once more. As for the obstacles standing in their way, he'd get rid of them one by one.
The next day, when handing in his reflection, he also passed the streaming application form to Shen Zheng Duo and said, "Sign."
Shen Zheng Duo took a look. Upon seeing that he chose the science stream, he was very satisfied and said while signing it, "This is the right choice. Wait until you're in university, you can apply for a business major and directly join the company."
Shen Ze didn't answer. Waiting until the form was done being signed, he deliberately asked, "Shen Han has decided to study humanities?"
"Yes." Shen Zheng Duo nodded, and thinking of how close their brotherly relationship seemed to be, he couldn't help testing the waters. "After Little Han graduates… you won't mind if he joins the company, right?"
Shen Ze didn't even think before answering, "I don't mind."
From the very start, he never had any intention of taking over the company. Thus, such concerns were trivial to him. Once he enters the company, it doesn't matter if he strives hard or not, everything would be settled by Shen Zheng Duo. Even if the issue of him liking Xiang Han is exposed, Shen Zheng Duo only needed to wave a hand to suppress it.
"That's good, then." Shen Zheng Duo was extremely heartened. Although Xiang Han wasn't his biological son, he was still his son and he didn't want to be too biased.
However, afraid that Shen Ze would feel uncomfortable, he still showed some concern.
Shen Ze laughed wordlessly and waited for him to finish speaking before he asked, "After school starts, are you free to drop by the school?"
"What for?"
Shen Ze replied monotonously, "I heard that the arts and science classrooms are arranged in an alternate fashion. Put me in the class beside Xiang Han."
The closer he was, the easier it'd be for him to catch Xiang Han. Moreover, if there was any fool blind enough to chase after Xiang Han, he'd be able to intercept quickly.
How would Shen Zheng Duo know what he was thinking? He merely assumed their brotherly relationship was good and promised, "Alright, I'll go once school starts."
Holding onto his application form, Shen Ze left happily. But before he even took another step, he abruptly remembered another matter and hurriedly added, "As for Chang Yu Chi, he's getting in the way of my studies, put him further away."