Chapter 402 - Stay
There was neither curiosity nor surprise in Raelle's eyes. They were as blank as ever as she looked at Xiang Weimin and mentally noted the similarities he shared with her and their grandfather. But her eyes were on him for just half a minute before they moved away as if she was looking at just any other person.
Xiang Weimin did indeed take after his grandfather when he was younger. His features had a striking resemblance to the young Xiang Tianyu but it wasn't so obvious now that Grandfather Xiang had aged. If it wasn't for that resemblance, Raelle might not have even bothered looking at him for a second.
On the other hand, Xiang Weimin couldn't move his eyes away from Raelle even when she looked away. In all honesty, he had never seen Raelle before. Not even when she was just a baby. Firstly, she grew up thousands of miles away from them. Second, she had a very private life. A person couldn't even find a single photo of her at any event on the internet.
And even if he had some authority in the army, he was still not able to find much information about Raelle because of the way she was so closely protected by both Mu Chenyan and Grandfather Xiang.
At first, the only reason he looked so closely at her was that she walked in with Zhai Yanjun and Hyson. And then the more he looked, the more he frowned at the way he felt like her eyes looked just like his own.
"Jun," called out Zhai Kuijun. "Why didn't you say you'd be bringing guests?" He turned to Shui Xian and smiled widely, "Oh, if it isn't Master Xian. Seeing you has become a luxury."
Shui Xian felt embarrassed to hear that from him, "Uncle, at least, you should not say that. If you ask to see me, I'll be available at all times."
"I believe you," said Zhai Kuijun and then he looked at Raelle. "President Raelle, it's an honor to meet you again." He took a brief pause as he added, "You might not remember that we..."
"We met at a charity banquet," answered Raelle for him. "I definitely remember, Mr. Zhai Kuijun."
Zhai Kuijun was a little surprised, "You have an impeccable memory."
"I know," she didn't act humble at all while replying in her own signature way.
"Uncle, let me introduce you to you again," stated Shui Xian as he hugged Raelle from the side. "Meet my wife, Raelle Xiang."
Hearing that name, Xiang Weimin's eyes widened. In his heart, he actually had a bold guess but he was afraid to believe it. But now... Now, it was proven true. She was indeed Raelle Xiang, his own little sister.
"And he is Yanjun's father," introduced Shui Xian to Raelle who nodded her head.
"Hi, Lieutenant!" Hyson was waving at Xiang Weimin. "Didn't think I'd see you here."
Xiang Weimin was pulled out of his thoughts by Hyson's voice as he answered, "I didn't think I'd see you here as well."
"You actually look better than the last time I saw you," commented Hyson.
"I am doing better now," said Xiang Weimin.
"Weimin Ge, weren't you coming from the hospital tomorrow?" asked Zhai Yanjun.
"I decided to bring him home early," answered Zhai Kuijun for Xiang Weimin.
"Oh," responded Zhai Yanjun and then turned to Raelle and Shui Xian. "He is Xiang Weimin. A very close senior of mine. He is also a family friend actually just like Xian." Then he looked at Xiang Weimin, "And Weimin Ge, that's my so-called friend, Shui Xian whom you must have heard me rambling about, and with him is his wife, Raelle Xiang." As if suddenly realizing it, he laughed out, "Now that I noticed it, you both have the same family name. Xiang Weimin and Raelle Xiang. How interesting!"
Hyson looked at Zhai Yanjun and burst out laughing, "Oh my! Soldier, you're slow!"
"Huh?" Zhai Yanjun didn't understand his meaning.
Hyson patted his shoulder saying, "You're very slow."
Raelle agreed with her best friend, "Hyson is right. You're indeed slow."
Zhai Yanjun scratched his head in confusion, "What are we even talking about here?"
"Forget it," said Shui Xian. "Since we came in to say hi as you wanted us to, we should leave now."
"No, no!" Zhai Yanjun stood up to stop him. "You didn't even meet grandma and grandpa yet. Also, the tea. I brought you inside for tea. No leaving without that."
"Jun is right," added Zhai Kuijun. "You just got here. Have some tea first." He looked at Shui Xian and went on, "Or is it that you don't want to sit with me?"
"Uncle, it's nothing like that," answered Shui Xian. "It's just that we've been out for the whole day and now, we are all tired. It's also late now."
"Just one cup of tea won't take much time," insisted Zhai Kuijun.
Shui Xian could argue with Zhai Yanjun but he didn't wish to do so with Zhai Kuijun. He glanced at Raelle as if to ask whether they should stay or not and in response, he received that same indifferent look in her eyes. No matter how he understood her, he wasn't able to understand what she meant by that look.
He had already deduced that Xiang Weimin was Raelle's elder brother and for some reason, he thought it'd be uncomfortable for them to stay here now. And that's why he was looking for her opinion regarding this.
"Xian Ge, we can stay for the tea," Hyson had to jump in to solve Shui Xian's dilemma and it helped.
Since Hyson said that it meant Raelle had no problem. If there was one person who could be counted as Raelle's true voice, that'd be Hyson. He could never be wrong about Raelle's thoughts.
"What is this?" questioned Zhai Yanjun. "Xian, you wouldn't stay if Saozi said otherwise?"
"Why can't I just listen to my wife?" retorted Shui Xian.