Chapter 1141 [Bonus chapter] Big Family
"Thank you for listening and for sharing your thoughts too," said Hyson sincerely.
"Don't even mention it," replied Ru. "Now, hurry up and eat. It's already cold now."
Hyson also focused his attention on eating the crayfish with a light expression this time around. Now, he had nothing on his mind. He just felt like he wasted too much time thinking tonight. His mind must be so tired too.
"I just noticed," started Hyson once he finished eating and took off his gloves. "Your surname is Ximen? Isn't your clan the Xia clan?"
"Xia clan is my mother's family. That's where I grew up," answered Ru.
"By the way, what really is your identity? Why do you need so many bodyguards?"
"Didn't I tell you that they aren't here to protect me?" asked Ru. "This young master doesn't need their help. Have you seen such leisurely bodyguards?"
"I haven't," answered Hyson honestly.
"That's because they aren't bodyguards in the first place. They might be called shadow guards but they are in fact, my distant cousins."
"All of them?"
"Yeah, all of them. We have a big clan, okay? Everyone is related in one way or another. They just are here to keep an eye on me."
"Then if my Yanyan marries your uncle, would I get to see your big clan?"
"I doubt that," replied Ru. "You might see some people who are willing to come out of their seclusion."
"What about the rest?"
"Didn't I tell you it's almost a clan of monks? Why would they want to come out?"
"How does it feel living in a big clan?" asked Hyson. "I grew up with my mum. There was only her and me in the family. So, I'm kind of curious about big families like yours."
"You are no worse than your best friend," commented Ru. "You both are masters of asking questions. You don't even take a break."
"Who told you to be so easygoing?" retorted Hyson not at all feeling embarrassed about his behavior.
"Cough!"
Just after his words fell, he heard several coughs around him coming from the darkness. This time, he knew there were people around so he wasn't scared or shocked out of his mind at all. But he was still surprised.
"What happened to them? Was their crayfish too spicy? Why are they coughing so badly?"
Ru gave him a strange look, "Nothing happened to them. They just can't digest the fact that you think I'm easygoing."
"Aren't you?"
"You are related to my future aunt, so this young master is still being nice. Or else, I don't think people would call me easygoing."
"I think you are though. You're so casual about life too and I haven't seen you serious yet too."
"See? You fell for the deception too. Just because I like keeping a smirk on my face doesn't mean I'm an angel at heart. Just like how your optimism hides a lot of your bitter memories."
Hyson froze when he heard that and didn't continue this topic.
"You didn't answer though. How does it feel like to live in a big clan?" he asked again.
"It's not that bad. When I was young I had a lot of lectures from morning till nightfall. There was always someone waiting to teach me something. There are a lot of rules but thankfully, I never followed them. But you still have to remember all those rules and if you make a minor mistake, you have to copy those rules too in the ancestral hall. There are a lot of people so they have different personalities too and different expertise too. There is a lot to say but one thing is for certain."
"That is?"
"Once you go back, it feels like home," answered Ru. "Because in that place, I can just be Ru. No matter how many identities I have outside, there, I'll just be Ru. I am allowed to be myself and no one will say anything about that. No one would try to change what I am. So, I still love a big family."
Hysom smiled knowingly when he heard that. Because he felt the same way when he came to the Xiang manor. He might be an idol outside but at home, he was just the little prince of the Xiang family who was allowed to be as childish as he wanted.
"I understand that feeling," said Hyson. "I also feel the same whenever I go to the Xiang family. Even if we aren't related by blood. I feel the same as what you said."
"The place that makes you feel like you can be yourself is home and the people who accept you as who you are, are family. What does blood have to do with it?"
"I agree," smiled Hyson.
"I thought you'd sing a song for your best friend at this engagement party. Aren't you a big star?"
Hyson didn't even blink as he answered, "Oh, I had that idea but I stopped myself."
"Why?"
"If I sang a song for her, I'd be taking her limelight and tonight was her night. I couldn't just take the spotlight. So, I went easy on her and decided not to sing."
"Interesting thought," commented Ru.
Hyson was surprised by that reaction and asked, "You don't think I sounded narcissistic?"
"Narcissism? You can't possibly be better at it than me. There is a reason why I'm known as the proud peacock. So, I really don't think you sounded narcissist. In fact, even if you are being narcissist, what's wrong with it? Being confident in yourself is good. There is nothing even wrong with overconfidence as long as you think you can carry its weight."
"You keep making me ponder over your words."
"I'm giving you life lessons," said Ru.
"So, should I take out a notebook to take notes?"
"There is no need for that," said Ru waving his hand offhandedly. "Don't be so old-fashioned. Don't you have a phone? You can record my lectures. No need to tire yourself by taking notes. Besides, my voice will sound better than your handwriting will look."
Hyson suddenly felt like he should believe this person. He was really narcissistic like he had never seen before and yet he couldn't argue because it was a fact that this person's voice was too pleasing.
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