In a room that was dimly lit, multiple people were sitting silently while secretly watching a man rest on a big couch in the corner of the room.
His long, straight legs were resting on the table while his head was leaned back, revealing the prominent Adam apple on his slender neck like a work of art, enticing men and women to take a bite. Except for a slight elevation of his chest, the man was unmoving. The question of whether he was asleep or not was unknown to everyone. The thought of disturbing his rest caused them to even hold their breath.
The atmosphere was oppressive until the door was opened and a gentle boy entered the room.
Like seeing the hope of mankind in the appearance of the holy angel in a doomsday, the faces of people in the room lit up significantly when they spotted him.
" Why is it so quiet in here?"
Ren Yuze was puzzled as he looked at them. These people were the ones who his brother had a close connection with the most. But currently, it seemed like an invisible wall was separating them from him. The distance between the two sides was significant. Before their father's death, they had a good understanding of his brother's character and personality and could converse easily with him. What was the reason for the sudden avoidance?
He remembered one time when they were in middle school their father accidentally heard two people gossiping about how Ren MengSheng was a jerk and bully. If it were not for their family's financial dependence on the Ren Corporation, they would never befriended him. Their father was so angry that conducted an investigation of all of their group of friends and eliminated anyone with ulterior motives.
Probably, the only one who thought of his elder brother as a sunny and happy boy was their foolish and dotted father.
YuZe shook his head, putting an end to his thoughts.
Ren Yuze was not bothered by the lack of response to his question. He walked through the room and stood near the couch, looking at the motionless man. Their first fallout occurred two months ago when they found their father unconscious in a mountain slide. Deep down, he still blames his older brother for how lonely and tragic their father had died. He knew that his deceased father wanted the two of them to be close and supportive. Therefore, he had suppressed his hatred and heartbreak towards his older brother.
" Big Brother Mengsheng, do you have a headache again?"
" Ummm… Don't worry. It is the same as always. It would be gone in a little while."
A hoarse voice replied slowly to him. Due to the medication's side effects, Ren MengSheng's speech sounded sluggish.
The issue began to emerge after a week of sleeplessness and anxiety while waiting for news about their deceased father's location. Even after knowing the circumstances, it didn't improve, it got worse. Every time he closed his eyes, his father's sad and hurt face would haunt him as he said goodbye to them.
"Would it be okay for me to massage your temple?"
Ren YuZe offered with a soft tone.
" No, I am good. It was a mistake to come here today. I thought it was possible for me to socialize with them and bring benefits to the company. Yet, this place holds too many memories of our father."
With a hoarse voice, Ren Mengshen explained.
His younger brother's ability to hide his hatred for him and grieve for their deceased father under a gentle facade was something he envied. He, on the other hand, would lose his temper with a slight hint of displeasure. They still could not come to terms with the loss of their father and were blown away after finding out about the inns of their past just recently.
The chance to repay him was never given to them. Why was God so cruel?
Mengsheng rubbed his forehead vigorously.
If he hadn't fought with their father if he had gone earlier to that villa if he had not forbidden YuZe to go with him…
It was all his fault…
The gloom around Ren MengSheng intensified.
Ren Yuze was faced with a dilemma. Saying some superficial encouragement to his brother was meaningless, and words alone were not enough to ease the pain they were experiencing. He put his hand on the shoulder of his older brother.
" Come, let's go home. There is no point in staying in here."
Ren Mengsheng hummed and stood up slowly, however, The dizziness and wave of nausea rushed to his head all of a sudden. His body swayed away and his eyes went blank.
" Be careful!"
A boy's hand caught the unstable figure out of nowhere.
A moment ago, Hirvan and Alec had entered the room and others hinted with their eyes to them not to speak so their presence would not affect the conversation between the two brothers.
Yet, When Hirvan saw Ren MengShen's strange behaviour and pale complexion, he rushed to Mengsheng without even considering his new identity. Due to the freezing atmosphere, his brain was woken up enough to comprehend his unacceptable behaviour.
Behind him, Alec had lost all the colours from his face seeing his actions. If only he could go back in time, he would never have allowed Hirvan to enter the club tonight. He only had one thought in his head.
'Damn, He is my unlucky star….'
Ren Mengsheng's blurry sight slowly recovered to see a dazzling red hair. He frowned as he remembered the information that his father's attorney presented to them, which stated that there was no blood connection between the other party and him. The happy three-member family bubble that they had been believing in for 22 years was shattered by the enlarged picture of a red-haired girl and a fair boy.
Mengsheng aggressively pushed the boy while his face was distorted. His distaste for the red colour had clouded his thinking, leading him to disregard the boy's act of kindness.
Only Ren Yuze caught the shock and the deep pang of hurting expression in the boy's azure eyes.
Hirvan didn't make any sounds when he landed on the floor. His entire life revolved around his two sons. The deep affection they shared between themselves was the pride of his life. The bare dislike and contempt of his older son towards himself has caused his delicate heart to shatter.
Hahaha….
It was so laughable. Hirvan clenched his fist, suppressing his turmoil and emotions, his nails penetrated his palm deeply.
Ren Yuze was unable to comprehend why but walked towards the boy who had fallen and gently tended to him.
" Are you alright? Sorry. My brother's headache makes him sensitive to touch. Don't take it personally."
Hirvan raised his head and stared at his younger son.
'Ah, Yuze, my beautiful and kind son, you are the only one who still cares about me!
Kind my foot! gentle scum! Why are you acting like this even though I am no longer here? You don't care about anyone who does not bring benefit to you, so please cut the act! One is like this and the other one behaves like a devil.
I am truly a failure as a father.'
Ren YuZe waited for the teenager's face to become red and reply shyly to him like others but instead, the boy's expression turned angry and glared at him!
Ren YuZe was startled and looked again at the boy's face.
However, Hirvan quickly recovered his composure and stood up, shaking his head as he spoke.
" No, It was my fault. I mistook him for someone else."
With a deep melancholic mood, Hirvan turned his back on them and departed the room.
He felt emotionally and physically drained.
The people in the room were not impacted by this insignificant episode. It was a common occurrence when Ren MengSheng was present.
" I apologize for his behaviour. He is my younger brother who came to the City recently. I hope you can forgive him."
Alec stated to both brothers.
Ren MengSheng glanced at Alec and just nodded. He was aware his reaction was also problematic and considering Alec's bowing his head, he could give Alec some face and not humiliate him more.
Hirvan ran off to the outside of the club, breathless.
As he stared at the bustling street, his mind cooled.
'Time to go home… Right…
Where is my home?'