Chapter 31 THIRTY-ONE

Chapter 31: Chapter THIRTY-ONE

Xin Linhua turns back to the trio.

"Why is he here?" He whispers.

"How should I know?" Xin Tangzi whispers back.

"Well, get him out of here. I’m not going to face him."

"I don’t control what a man does."

"He’s your best friend!"

"Since when?" Xin Tangzi blinks "How come I don’t remember being best friends with Rong Weilan?"

"You–" Xin Linhua clenches his fist and turns towards the approaching man with a smile "Uncle."

"Xin Linhua." Rong Weilan stops before him "How are you fairing?"

"Very well, Uncle, thank you for your concern." Xin Linhua smiles too sweetly.

"Xin Tangzi." The man nods.

"Uncle." The Xin brothers greet with a respectful smile.

Rong Weilan glances at the four men before him. Uncanny resemblance.

From the dark colored hair, to the hazel eyes, sharp features and tall physique, it’s impossible to say that no family has ever dreamed of marrying into the Xin family.

All three brothers are bachelors. Both older brothers are powerful Sentinels and a force to reckon with in the business world, just like their father.

Xin Linhua is a defective guide, but that’s the only terrible thing to his name. His family, his wealth, and every other thing makes him an irresistible target. Plus, he’s the easiest to use amongst them.

So even if he has to crash through walls today, he’s going to demand an explanation from Xin Linhua!

"Kid." Rong Weilan’s gaze settles on him "Yufei said you have intentions of breaking the engagement."

The Xin family trio turns to Xin Linhua with wide eyes and amusement.

He wants to call off the engagement? They’ve been trying to do that for years! He made life hard for them whenever they brought it up! He even followed Rong Yufei to Zhongjing Institute like some loyal pet. And now? He wants to call it off himself!

"Is that true?" Xin Tangzi hides the glint in his eyes.

Xin Linhua clenches his fist. He should have guessed the man’s intentions from the moment he walked over. Of course, he used the title of Xin family’s in-law to get into the courtroom. He turns to his father instead.

"F-Father." Xin Linhua exhales "Rong Yufei wants to call it off, who am I to say no? Besides, she has a little boyfriend now and they’re very good at ganging up against me. I don’t need to pine after someone who keeps reminding me of what I lack."

Rong Weilan turns pale. His family has been voting for Rong Yufei to call off the engagement, but he’s against it. The reason is simple; Xin Linhua is a cash cow. The most beloved son of Xin Tangzi and beloved brother of the Xin brothers.

Even a fool wouldn’t pass off that chance, and his own daughter had actually blown it off with her own hands!

"There has to be a mistake." Rong Weilan tries to rectify his daughter’s wrongs "Yufei would never–"

"Mm, she did." Xin Linhua deadpans "In front of half the institute by the way. Also, she has a guide now. A C-Rank guide, that’s impressive."

"That doesn’t matter." Rong Weilan grasps on straws "She may have a guide, but you’re–"

"Uncle..." Xin Linhua massages his temple "I have no feelings for Rong Yufei. I have a Sentinel now."

"...What?" Four different voices chorus.

Xin Linhua dramatically raises his hand and points towards a certain direction.

"That’s my Sentinel." He smiles "What do you think? Cute, isn’t he?"

Rong Weilan’s gaze travels towards the figure Xin Linhua just pointed at.

A young man dressed in a cargo pant and a turtleneck shirt stands upright by the door. His hands are folded behind him, his pale face is a mask of cold indifference. A soft white fabric wraps around his eyes. He looks...fragile.

"That’s...your Sentinel?" Rong Weilan asks in disbelief.

"Yes. Like me, he’s also a defect." Xin Linhua turns to Rong Yizhan "Yaras?! Come over!"

Rong Yizhan doesn’t move immediately. His hands come to rest by his side. After a few seconds, he slowly makes his way towards Xin Linhua.

He stops beside the youth, his lips pulled to a thin line.

"What is it?" His voice is just as cold and indifferent as ever.

"Yaras?!" Xin Linhua wraps his around around his neck "Meet Uncle Rong Weilan. He’s Rong Yufei’s father."

Rong Yizhan’s fingers twitches slightly. He turns towards the figure, nodding once.

"Uncle, the institute already made their minds and so have I." Xin Linhua sighs in regret "I can’t break a pairing, I even went as far as to cripple a D-Rank because of that. I’m scared something might happen to your–"

"Xin Linhua." Rong Weilan cuts him off with a nervous laugh "I understand what you’re saying. How about this– I’ll give you time to think it over. You don’t have to leave your Sentinel, just take some time to consider what I said."

Xin Linhua frowns. He begins to doubt if Rong Weilan can’t process simple Chinese or if the man’s skin is just too thick.

"Uncle–"

"Alright, I’ll take my leave now." Rong Weilan pats his shoulder "Xin Tangzi, I’ll come visit you and old Xin sometime."

Without waiting for a response, Rong Weilan takes his leave, his strides are long and fast, almost like he’s fleeing.

"What the fuck..." Xin Linhua grits his teeth "And I thought I was thick skinned."

"Ignore him." Xin Linhai says, his eyes brightening as he leans closer "And who do we have here? Our baby brother’s Sentinel, I see."

"Oh, oh!" Xin Linhua’s mood lightens "Father, older brother, second brother, meet Yaras?. He’s my Sentinel."

"Yes, you’ve said that four times now." Xin Linge lowers his head "Nice to meet you, Yaras?."

"No, no." Xin Linhua swats his brother’s outstretched hand away "Only I can call him that, no one else. Just call him Phantom."

The three just nod to whatever the youngest one says.

"Nice to meet you, Mr Xin." Rong Yizhan nods.

"He’s like a block of ice." Xin Tangzi laughs heartily "I just know Hua’er is giving him a hard time."

"I am not!" Xin Linhua defends "If you three are done here, you should leave."

"Wow..." Xin Linge shakes his head "Heartless one, he is. Fine, we’re leaving."

"By the way, we brought your car along." Xin Linhai pulls out a car key "Figured you might need it."

Xin Linhua’s eyes brightens. He snatch the car keys and caress it repeatedly. He turns to Rong Yizhan, grabbing his arm excitedly.

"Great! We don’t have to walk around anymore. Next rift we visit, we’ll get there faster."

"Rift?" Rong Yizhan frowns "The Director is still livid about last time."

"Oh please." Xin Linhua rolls his eyes "That’s all he can do, get angry till his blood pressure spikes."

"What’s all this talk about rifts?" Xin Linge voice out.

"Nothing!" Xin Linhua grabs his Sentinel’s arm and drags him away.

"Hua’er! Little hua! Xin Linhua!"

The three yell from behind, using every name they can remember, but Xin Linhua already made his escape.

No way he’s gonna tell them about the whole rift charade– they might withdraw him from the institute altogether! Best if they find out from the news...