Chapter 623 - The Guan Brothers
Ever since his third brother was sent away to recuperate abroad when they were young, their closeness as siblings seemed to have faded. When Guan Gao Huan came back to the country almost five years ago, he was truly pleased.
For Guan Gu Ri, Guan Gao Huan was his weak and cuddly little brother who cried from every little pain. He was adorable and very considerate.
However, the new Guan Gao Huan who met him five years ago was entirely different to the adorable crybaby in his memories.
He did not know why but the new Guan Gao Huan brought a strange feeling that made Guan Gu Ri feel uneasy.
Probably, it was because they grew apart in different countries and a lot of things had changed them both. Or perhaps it was also the guilt that he felt as the eldest brother who could not protect nor take care of his youngest sibling.
A young child alone with no family living in an unfamiliar country. With no one to rely on, how could his weak and s.e.n.s.i.t.i.v.e little brother not change to what he was now?
This had always bothered Guan Gu Ri, and he had many sleepless nights before due to guilt. He tried to be close with his youngest brother again, however, the youngest has a huge wall that Guan Gu Ri could not climb through. It was clear that the youngest toughen his guard around them. Though it breaks his heart, he had no choice but to just loved his brother from afar.
Now, his youngest brother was beginning to shine. As the elder brother, he was both happy and relieved.
Guan Gu Ri: "I know that you are busy, considering that you are the man of the night, but can you accompany your oldest brother for a few drinks?"
Guan Gao Huan nodded. He wondered what this first young master of the Guan family wanted to tell him.
The two chose a relatively secluded place in the corner and let the waiter bring them two glasses of wine.
Guan Gu Ri toasted his glass to Guan Gao Huan's with a clink.
"Congratulations, youngest brother. I am very proud of you, I want you to know that."
Guan Gao Huan smiled at his brother's words. "I know. You told me that twice already."
"Also, I want to... apologize to you."
Guan Gao Huan looked up.
Apologize?
Guan Gu Ri drank a few more sips of wine. "You must be probably angry at me deep inside, right? I... You looked up to me when we were still young, but when Grandpa sent you away, I could not even plead for you. I could not even visit you all these times. You must have suffered."
Guan Gao Huan did not speak.
Guan Gu Ri patted his shoulder. "Now, I feel like a weight has been taken off my shoulders. Gao Huan, you have truly grown up into a fine young man. I am very proud that you turned out this way."
Guan Gao Huan just stayed silent and drank a sip of wine with a gentle smile.
"Gao Huan, do you... plan on fighting for the heir position?"
Guan Gao Huan's eyes flashed.
Finally, they were talking about the main point of this conversation.
He looked at his eldest brother straight in the eyes. "Why do you ask, Brother Gu Ri?"
Guan Gu Ri looked at his brother's eyes as well. "Just answer me truthfully."
The elegant music filled the surroundings as well as the chatters from the banquet.
Finally, Guan Gao Huan spoke. "I do have plans."
"..."
There was a short silence again.
Guan Gao Huan's mind ran.
There was no point in hiding the fact that he coveted the heir position. Exposing his ability through Univ One was already akin to telling the Guan family that he was also a capable and qualified contender for the heir position and that he would fight for it.
It was only a matter of time before the two brothers would begin fighting with him for the position, so there was no use in hiding this fact.
While his thoughts were running behind his calm face, the man before him finally moved.
Guan Gu Ri smiled.
His smile contained both relief and doting love for his brother.
"Then I will root for you."
Guan Gao Huan: ...What did he just say?
"I am not talented as you or our second brother. I am fine with just being a member of the board of directors and a shareholder. I can live without worries with just the dividends alone. I can also be the head of the branch overseas. I bet, either you or Xixin will be a greater leader than I can be."
Guan Gao Huan was speechless as he stared at his brother.
Seriously, this eldest brother was a man with no ambition and preferred peace than risk. He was unlike a regular male from the legendary families, who were all generally ambitious achievers.
Everyone thought that Guan Gu Ri was just a mediocre man, but Guan Gao Huan who had been observing the eldest closely ever since he came here five years ago knew that this man just loved his two younger brothers so much that he wanted to give the two the chance to become the heir rather than him.
His true ability had never been tested.
Well, it was not like Guan Gao Huan wanted to know.
He showed a timely surprised and touched expression. "Brother..."
Guan Gu Ri ruffled his younger brother's hair. "Don't think too much about it. Just do your best so that you won't have regrets. I already took up too much of your time. Enjoy your day, youngest. I'm going ahead to meet Grandpa."
"..."
As Guan Gu Ri left, Gua Gao Huan dropped his act.
'Brotherly love, huh.'
His lashes lowered thoughtfully.
"Is that how Lu Jin really feels for Lu Yin Ze?"
After this thought entered his mind, he immediately threw it aside. Anyways, all those feelings were not for him. All he could do was to use it to his advantage.
At this moment, heavy footsteps approached him before stopping a few steps away.
A cold voice sounded behind him.
"Fake."
Guan Gao Huan's lips rose.
His cold smile became warmer when he turned around.
"Second brother."
Guan Xixin had a scowl on his face.
"Are you here to congratulate me, second brother?"
Guan Xixin sat where Guan Gu Ri was sitting at earlier. "As if."
Guan Gao Huan poured him some wine, but Guan Xixin only frowned at it. He did not touch the glass that Guan Gao Huan prepared for him.
"What did you talk with eldest brother about?"
"Why are you curious?"
"Answer me," Guan Xixin said coldly.
Guan Gao Huan just smiled. "If you are that curious, you should ask eldest brother about it."
"If you are truly Gao Huan, you should know that he is not the type of person who will spill things out because you ask him to, especially when it comes to you and me."
"Is that so? I might have forgotten since I grew up far away from you two."
Guan Xixin glared at Guan Gao Huan.
The latter just leaned on his chair and played with his wine.
"And what made you think that I will answer you then? I might just be like eldest brother, with no intention to leak out what we talked about."
"The real Gao Huan will answer me without qualms. I know him best. But since you are not answering, then you are just showing the fact that you are a fake."
Guan Gao Huan sighed helplessly. "That again? How many times do you have to obsess over that ridiculous idea? It is really hurting my feelings, second brother. The little affection I had for you before has dissipated because you are always doubting me. Didn't you already learn your lesson after having me do a DNA test many times already? I even allowed you to investigate me. This is really getting boring and tiring."
"...."
Still, Guan Xixin stared darkly at Guan Gao Huan.
That was right. He had indeed investigated this person and even went to talk to the doctors personally. He also stole some of this person's hair and did various DNA tests with different medical institutions. But the results were all the same.... All of the evidences pointed out that this man was of Guan bloodline.
Guan Xixin even doubted himself many, many times that perhaps he was just having illusions and that his little brother just changed too much.
However, Guan Xixin's instincts had always been very strong. And in this aspect, his instincts were especially alarming him.
Why?!
Why was it that he could not get rid of this heart-wrenching pain whenever he looked at Guan Gao Huan? It was like he was looking at someone wearing a mask and stole his brother's place and life.
Guan Xixin wanted to ignore it, but this unsettling feeling was nagging him severely. He felt like he was going to become crazy!
Thus, tried as he might, he could not stop.
Between the three young masters of the Guan family, Guan Xixin had always been the closest to Guan Gao Huan when they were still children.
His eldest brother was always busy with many tutors and responsibilities as the eldest while their parents had many things to deal with, so Guan Xixin spent the most time with the youngest since Gao Huan was a baby, even more than their parents and brothers.
Guan Xixin knew the youngest like the back of his hand.
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