Chapter 28: This is My Second Brother

From her clothes and her expression, Summer Senling could tell that his sister, despite marrying in a hurry, had not been mistreated.

Seeing this, his cold demeanor softened slightly.

He had been at school all this time, so he only learned about his sister’s situation from their father and older brother.

His father and older brother had visited the provincial capital—first to see Xia Ruanruan, then to visit him.

When Summer Senling first heard about it, he was furious. He had been strongly against his sister marrying Huo Beiqing.

His father had told him that Xia Ruanruan had been taken advantage of, and that a man like Huo Beiqing was not someone she should marry—he should have been thrown in jail instead.

Seeing Summer Senling’s anger, his older brother pulled him aside and explained in a low voice.

In short, when they had barged in that night, Huo Beiqing had been completely unconscious. His family claimed he had taken sleeping pills.

Hearing the words “sleeping pills,” Xia Senting’s brows furrowed tightly.

He turned to look at his eldest brother, staring at him intently, waiting for an explanation.

“Dad… Dad felt that no matter what, our little sister was still an innocent girl and couldn’t suffer such a huge loss. The Huo family had to give an explanation. Besides, little sister was crying and shouting at the time, saying that if she couldn’t marry Huo Beiqing, she wouldn’t go on living…”

Xia Senyang spoke with some embarrassment, adding, “You know how much Dad dotes on our little sister…”

Xia Senting understood. After that, he no longer thought about rushing to settle scores with Huo Beiqing.

Whether out of shame or frustration with his little sister, Xia Senting had waited all this time before coming to the Huo family to see Xia Ruanruan.

When he arrived, he didn’t see Xia Ruanruan right away. Huo Beiqing’s mother told him that Huo Beiqing and Xia Ruanruan were living in the apartment allocated by the hospital.

Xia Senting’s first thought was that the Huo family disapproved of his sister, so they kicked her out right after she got married.

Otherwise, who would separate a newlywed couple from the family home for no reason?

With these thoughts, his expression darkened.

Before he could ask for Huo Beiqing’s address at the hospital, Lin Wei reassured him, “Beiqing happens to be off work today. He’ll definitely bring Ruanruan home later. You can wait here for a while.”

She also asked Aunt Chen to bring him some water.

From Lin Wei’s attitude and words, Xia Senting felt that things might not be as he had imagined.

Perhaps he had been too narrow-minded.

But he would only be sure after seeing them in person.

Now, seeing them together, Xia Senting knew—he had indeed been too narrow-minded.

His sister had moved out because, as their in-laws had said, her husband was busy, and commuting was inconvenient, so they had simply moved closer to the hospital.

Xia Ruanruan ran up to Xia Senting, grabbing his arm excitedly. “Second Brother! Why are you here?”

“How did you even find this place?”

Xia Senting tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear and smiled. “It’s Sunday. I wanted to see you. Dad and Big Brother gave me the address when they visited me.”

Huo Beiqing glanced at Xia Senting’s hand tidying Xia Ruanruan’s hair, his long lashes fluttering slightly.

After a moment, he walked closer. “Ruanruan, this is?”

Xia Ruanruan suddenly remembered she hadn’t introduced them yet. She quickly turned to Huo Beiqing and gestured toward Xia Senting. “This is my second brother, Xia Senting.”

Then she pointed at Huo Beiqing. “Second Brother, this is my husband, Huo Beiqing.”

Huo Beiqing extended his hand. “Hello.”

Xia Senting took a quick look at the tall, handsome man in front of him and reached out to shake his hand.

He had to admit—his little sister wasn’t very bright, but she had good taste.

“Hello.”

They exchanged a brief handshake before Huo Beiqing subtly maneuvered Xia Ruanruan to stand by his side.

Then he gestured, “Have a seat.”

Xia Senting sat down.

Huo Beiqing guided Xia Ruanruan to sit on the couch next to him.

Once they were seated, Lin Wei spoke. “You’re studying alone in the city without other relatives nearby. When you have time, come visit Ruanruan more often.”

This was Lin Wei’s way of welcoming Xia Senting.

Her willingness to say this meant she wasn’t rejecting the Xia family and didn’t see them as burdensome.

If she were the type of mother-in-law who looked down on her daughter-in-law’s family, she wouldn’t have said this.

She would have feared that the in-laws might take advantage of them.

Xia Senting nodded. “Thank you, Auntie. But school keeps me busy, so I don’t have much free time. If I do get a break, I’ll definitely visit again.”

His brief yet polite response made Lin Wei like him even more.

Even Huo Beiqing studied him for a moment. His second brother-in-law sure spoke in an elegant manner.

His older brother-in-law, as Xia Ruanruan had described, was supposed to be quite fierce.

But looking at the refined Xia Senting and the cheerful, naive Xia Ruanruan sitting beside him, Huo Beiqing couldn’t quite picture how fierce that older brother must be.

Xia Senting finished speaking, and Lin Wei nodded. “Yes, law students are certainly busy, and you’ll be even busier in the future. Take care of yourself at school, and if you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to ask.”

“If you tell Ruanruan, we’ll do our best to help.”

“Thank you, Auntie,” Xia Senting replied politely but distantly.

Lin Wei chuckled. “You’re so formal.”

Huo Beiqing studied his second brother-in-law again.

Xia Senting still looked quite young—he probably wasn’t much older than Xia Ruanruan.

But in terms of demeanor…

Huo Beiqing glanced at the girl beside him. Xia Ruanruan was grinning brightly, sitting there with an adorably clueless expression.

They didn’t seem just a few years apart—more like a whole generation apart.

Huo Beiqing thought, This must be what they mean by “A dragon has nine sons, each different.”

The contrast was just too stark.

And who would’ve thought his second brother-in-law was studying law?

Not to be underestimated.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Lin Wei got up and said, “I’ll go prepare some food. Stay for dinner.”

Xia Senting stood up and declined, “No need. I just came to check on Ruanruan. I’ll be leaving soon, so I won’t trouble you.”

“What kind of talk is that?”

Lin Wei feigned a scolding tone. “You’re Ruanruan’s own brother. You’re family. We can’t possibly let you leave without a meal.”

“If word got out, people would think poorly of us.”

Xia Ruanruan also chimed in, “Second Brother, I just got here, and we haven’t even had a proper conversation yet. You’re leaving already? Don’t you miss me?”

Her playful, spoiled tone softened Xia Senting’s expression—and made Huo Beiqing frown slightly.

Lin Wei added, “Ruanruan’s right. It’s rare for you two to see each other. Stay for dinner before you go.”

“Very quickly, we’ll just have a simple home-cooked meal.”

“Then I’ll have to trouble you, Auntie,” Xia Senting remained polite as always.

Lin Wei waved her hand. “It’s no trouble, no trouble at all.” Before heading into the kitchen, she even called Huo Beiqing to follow her.

Huo Yuanyuan had already run upstairs.

She didn’t like Xia Ruanruan, nor did she like Xia Ruanruan’s brother—even though Xia Senting wasn’t someone one could dislike.