"Second Uncle, Second Uncle."
Xing Yu trotted along, panting.
"Second Uncle, slow down."
"Your maternal grandfather is waiting. Xiao Hongkun didn't look back, his pace unhurried.
"Want to get whipped by your maternal grandfather again? Hurry up, and tell me everything honestly later."
Xiao Hongkun's words painted a vivid picture in Xing Yu's mind.
Though he was a member of the Xing family, his mother's maiden name was Xiao.
He'd spent considerable time at the Xiao residence.
Naturally, when he was young and got into trouble, Xing Yu was always at the forefront.
It was only right that he'd been whipped by Xiao Pingxing.
Xing Yu shivered all over and quickened his steps.
After Xiao Hongkun's words, he didn't dare to delay even for a breath.
In the Xiao family's assembly hall, only four people were present.
Xiao Pingxing sat at the head, the three siblings seated on either side, while Xiao Shiyan stood beside the patriarch, Xiao Pingxing.
Below Xiao Pingxing, the seat on the right was naturally reserved for the second son, Xiao Hongkun.
As for the elder patriarch, Xiao Bin, this ancestor-level figure was rarely seen around.
He was currently in the backyard, watching his precious great-grandson Xiao Yiying, so he wouldn't be here.
The main door was open, and the room was silent as if in fear of speaking.
The fourth sibling, Xiao Hongyu, was clueless. A married daughter, though her status in the Xiao family remained unchanged, couldn't wield family power as she could when unmarried.
Now, all she knew was that her son had probably caused trouble again.
The third sibling, Xiao Hongping, had a clear conscience, appearing as though a clear conscience fears no ghosts.
The eldest sibling, Xiao Hongzhang, had a face as still as a calm well, but his eyes seemed to contain a raging fire on the verge of erupting.
The patriarch, Xiao Pingxing, frowned. The series of events today had caused him, despite his composure, some turmoil.
Xiao Hongkun stormed in angrily, slumping into his seat. He stared at the floor, not looking at anyone, and remained silent.
Xing Yu followed closely behind, entering the room and bending over, hands on his knees, panting heavily.
"Second Brother."
Xiao Hongping and Xiao Hongyu, on either side, nodded at Xiao Hongkun.
Xiao Hongkun responded with a cold snort.
"Second son, you're a bit late."
Xiao Pingxing spoke, his gaze fixed on Xiao Hongkun.
Xiao Hongkun, already seething, was met with such a remark from his father the moment he entered.
Xiao Hongkun stiffened his neck and glared back at Xiao Pingxing.
"Did you do it?"
"Do you have something to say? What are you talking about?"
The grating, sickening voice of Xiao Hongzhang in his ears instantly ignited Xiao Hongkun, who was already on the verge of an explosion.
"You called me back, why aren't you speaking? All of you, not speaking? Are you bored?"
"Second Brother."
Xiao Hongyu, on the side, tugged at Xiao Hongkun's sleeve.
"Don't pull me." Xiao Hongkun flung her hand away. He wasn't showing anyone any respect now.
"Xiao Hongzhang, do you think you're the patriarch now and can order me around? What right do you have? Huh?"
"I'll ask you one more time." Xiao Hongzhang narrowed his eyes and looked up, his gaze meeting Xiao Hongkun's face. His pupils contracted slightly, his tone as deep as before.
"Did you do it?"
"Father, you called me back just to listen to this old man making a scene?"
Xiao Hongkun ignored Xiao Hongzhang and instead looked directly at Xiao Pingxing, who was seated above.
"Presumptuous!"
"Second Brother, calm down!"
Xiao Pingxing slammed the armrest and shouted.
Following this, Xiao Hongping, seeing the tense atmosphere, quickly said in a low voice,
"Yiying just returned, and someone attacked him at the airport. He's in the backyard with Grandpa now."
Xiao Hongping knew that when his second brother left, Xiao Yiying hadn't been sent back yet, and they had even shared tea together earlier.
"No wonder," Xiao Hongkun looked at Xiao Hongzhang and sneered twice, his gaze then returning to Xiao Pingxing. "He Xiao Yiying is your grandson, my son Xiao Yize also has the surname Xiao, so isn't he your grandson too? He's still lying in the hospital!"
"So." Xiao Hongzhang slowly stood up, looking down from above. His sharp eyes gradually turned overcast.
"You admit it then."