His voice grew colder. "The driver will pick you up."
Rong Xingyu didn't know why his brother's tone had suddenly changed, but he could tell that Rong Zhenqiao was upset.
While holding the phone close to his chest, he nodded obediently, then realized his brother couldn't see that, so he quickly said, "O-okay."
His voice was soft and cautious, carrying a hint of something even he didn't notice like a quiet trace of longing.
Going home this weekend…
Rong Xingyu followed the driver through the gates of the Rong family estate.
The moment he stepped into the living room, a boy dressed in a velvet pajama set and eating from a fruit platter suddenly stood up from the sofa.
"Big brother, you're back—"
But when he saw who had entered, the smile on his face vanished instantly.
Rong Zhihao sat back down, his expression cold. "What are you doing here?"
Standing awkwardly in the middle of the room, Rong Xingyu rubbed the tip of his nose and said quietly, "Big brother asked me to come for dinner."
Rong Zhihao picked up a bright red cherry and popped it into his mouth while rolling his eyes inwardly. Big brother? He's not even yours. Stop calling him that so easily.
The servants and the housekeeper moved quietly through the room.
Rong Zhihao lounged on the sofa while hugging a cushion and watching TV with great interest. He occasionally spearing a piece of fruit with a fork.
No one spoke to Rong Xingyu. It was as if he were invisible.
With no one acknowledging him, he didn't know whether to sit or stand, so he just stayed there, awkwardly frozen in the middle of the elegant living room.
Thankfully, after a short while, Rong Zhijian entered from outside.
The housekeeper immediately walked up to him while smiling warmly. "Third Young Master, you're back?"
Rong Zhijian gave a small nod and handed his coat to the butler.
"Third Brother~ You're back?" Rong Zhihao greeted him with a sweet sticky smile as he walked over.
Rong Zhijian glanced at him with a blank expression and didn't reply. His gaze then shifted to Rong Xingyu who was standing awkwardly nearby.
Rong Xingyu froze.
After steeling himself, he stepped forward and greeted softly, "Third Brother."
Still, Rong Zhijian said nothing. His cool eyes that was framed by the thin lenses of his silver glasses stayed fixed on Rong Xingyu.
Under that sharp and unreadable stare, Rong Xingyu felt like every part of him was being seen through from head to toe.
Someone please save me!
He bit his lip nervously. This third brother is terrifying…
Just when he thought he couldn't take the tension anymore, Rong Zhijian finally looked away and gave a quiet "Mm."
Rong Xingyu instantly regretted coming to the old family house today.
Soon after, the eldest brother, Rong Zhenqiao, returned home and sat at the head of the dining table.
Rong Zhihao took a seat beside the third brother, while Rong Xingyu sat alone across from them.
Throughout dinner, Rong Zhihao was full of smiles and energy. He served dishes for the eldest brother, poured soup for the third brother and kept talking about funny things that happened at school while laughing behind his hand as if he were the most carefree person in the world.