Chapter 1191: Down The Building
"It's so not like you to shy away from a topic," commented Xiang Weimin.
"I don't shy away from anything," replied Raelle. "But I don't like wasting my time talking about the past that would neither change nor will it come back. Why think about such pointless scenarios then?"
"There you go again being real all the time," said Xiang Weimin. "I think I'd like to still think about such pointless scenarios though. Because I genuinely wonder what it would have been like if we grew up together."
"Maybe you'd have hated me a little less."
"I don't hate you."
"Not anymore."
Xiang Weimin pursed his lips and spoke only after a moment, "I never hated you. Don't say that again." He took a momentary pause and added, "You were always my little sister and will always be. I'm already happy that accepted me as your brother."
"When did I do that?" asked Raelle.
"You've been calling me brother lately," Xiang Weimin pointed out.
"And that got you so happy?"
"You don't understand. You remember where I first met Fai?"
Raelle nodded her head and hummed, "You were buried in snow and he saved you from there."
"He did," agreed Xiang Weimin. "He not only saved me but also became the bridge that led me to you. But that's not what I want to talk about today. What I wanted to say is that when I was buried in the snow back then. I saw death so close but I wasn't scared. I didn't mind death at all. If there was a regret it was that I never got to meet you in person. Maybe that's what Heaven heard and made Fai my lifesaver. It was a very unexpected moment in my life when I met you. But it was the scariest moment of my life too. I was very scared that you'd hate me."
"I didn't hate you though," she replied.
"No, you were just your usual indifferent self. And that wasn't any better either," he sighed to himself. "And now, once again, I'm scared in my life like I was when I met you for the first time."
"Scared to face your son?"
Xiang Weimin nodded his head, "How could I not be scared? He is young but he does understand some things. I missed out on his growth. If he asked me where I was all this time, I don't know how to answer him."
"There is no right answer apart from truth," was Raelle's response. "At least, that's been my go-to answer in life. Try it. I think it works all the time. Yes, the truth is hurtful that you didn't even know about his existence but it's still better than letting your son feel like you had abandoned him for so many years. Don't you think so?"
Xiang Weimin bit his lower lip and then looked at her through his peripheral vision. "I actually love talking to you."
"Really? Why?"
"I don't know."
"Brother..."
"Hm?"
"Most people don't have memories from before the age of six. There are exceptions like you and I. But normally, kids' memories that stay with them for years start after the age of six-seven. So, I don't think you're late. Justin is young and still needs you in his life. The best years of his growth are still ahead. You aren't late. Don't do the same as what your parents did to you."
"Do you really not blame them?" asked Xiang Weimin. "Our parents?"
"No," answered Raelle. "I don't play the blame game."
"Still... Did it never come to your mind that you deserved better?"
"I think I got better than you in life. Look at your shabby Jeep."
Xiang Weimin's lips twitched when he heard that.
"I believe my Opa gave you the part of the inheritance that you deserved as the eldest grandson of the family. And not only that, he gave you your part from grandma's inheritance too. Why are you so poor then?"
Xiang Weimin gave her a look, "This is called being low-key."
"Is it? I thought you were pretending to be poor. If someone asks, don't say you're Raelle Xiang's elder brother. How embarrassing would it be?" Raelle's eyes were looking out the window at the moving buildings and people outside.
"It is indeed embarrassing," said Xiang Weimin. "My little sister is so rich and capable. I am really poor in comparison. But on a serious note, I usually don't drive. However, this Jeep isn't that old either. It's not even an old model. But I can understand why you are not putting it in your eyes. I might be the eldest son of the Xiang family, but I'm first a soldier too. I can't be so ostentatious."
"No wonder why I didn't choose to be a scientist back then. Too many restrictions. You can't even drive the car of your choice just because it won't look good on your profile. What trouble!" She looked ahead and said, "Ah! Just drive into this society. And find a parking spot near building D1."
"Got it," said Xiang Weimin and found the parking spot. As he got down the car and looked up at the building before him, he took a deep breath to calm himself down. "This is it?"
"This is it," she replied. "Don't faint."
"I'm not that scared," he replied.
"I'm still saying it to make sure that you don't faint feeling anxious or excited. Actually, don't get your hopes too high. Keep your feet on the ground. I know you're someone who belongs in the sky but there is nothing wrong with keeping your feet on the ground."
"My feet are always on the ground. Stable! I don't just know how to fly. But I can walk very well too."
"Good to know that," said Raelle. "Come, I'll take you to see your son. Because I am such a good person."
Xiang Weimin smiled at her words, "Yes, yes. My little sister is the best. There can't be a more good person than her in this whole wide world."
"That's an exaggeration. The world is a big place. There are almost 8 billion people on this planet. We all are one in a million. But that doesn't mean no one is better than us out there."
They took the elevator up and arrived at the door of Tang Hebe's apartment. When Raelle was about to ring the bell, Xiang Weimin stopped her and said, "Wait. Just wait for a moment. Let me prepare myself."
"What is there to prepare?"
"We came empty-handed."
"You just realized that?" asked Raelle. "Isn't it too late?"
"No, I can still go and get something," he said.
"I don't have time for that, brother," said Raelle. "Let's not do it. If you're so worried about basic etiquette. Then let's not go today."
"No," he stopped her from leaving. "I didn't mean that. We are already here. We can't leave now."
"So? What now?"
"Give me a moment to calm myself down."
"You fought in real battles and you're scared to see your son? Again, don't tell anyone you're my brother. I'd refuse to accept it."
"Your brother is embarrassing. Deal with it. But do you think I want to be so embarrassing? I don't. I still want to save some dignity in front of you too. After all, I'm the elder brother. I know, I'm ruining my own image but I can't do anything about it. It's my first time being a father or being faced with such a situation. I was trained for battles that can take my life but I wasn't trained for emotional battles of life. It's not my forte."
"You think anyone is good at it in our family? Just go with the flow. I'm here. Aren't I?"
"You're making me more nervous though."
"Brother, I'll leave if you continued this."
"Fine. Fine. I'll stop. Don't leave. I have to see Justin today. Even if we don't talk about anything, I just miss him. So, let's see him before leaving. Damnit! I really should have brought something to the door. Aunt Yan will kill me if she knew that I came empty handed. Why didn't you remind me?"
"Brother, the best gift you can offer someone is your sincerity. So, offer a beautiful and sincere smile when the door opens. I think that'll do the trick. Don't fret or I might throw you down the building."
Who knew the always stable Lieutenant Colonel who was about to be promoted to the ranks of Colonel after his last merit was actually so shaken and confused when it came to his son? Raelle was seriously wondering if he'd be a good father or he might lose himself once seeing his son? After all, she could already see that he seemed to love his son way too much.
Raelle rang the bell with these thoughts and finally thought about how to tell Tang Hebe everything. Yes, she came here on a whim. She had no plan whatsoever.
This 𝓬ontent is taken from fre𝒆webnove(l).𝐜𝐨𝗺