Chapter Thirty-Two: Little Brother

Fu Yong embraced her tightly. Her waist was very slim, so he could circle it with one hand and lift her chin with the other. 

He stared into her eyes, which were as clear as mountain spring water. Her red cherry lips were slightly opened, like a silent invitation. Fu Yong felt the fire in his body continue to burn a path down to his core.

Hua Tang's small face was red, and she avoided his heated gaze. Enveloped by his masculine scent, she felt her body go weak. 

Before his kiss landed, she pushed him gently and smiled embarrassedly. "I still have to cook…" 

Fu Yong stopped, and a dark light flashed across his eyes.

"Tonight." Hua Tang's voice came out thin and soft. Her face instantly turned red at her bold offer. "Don't sleep on the sofa tonight; it's uncomfortable. You can sleep in the bedroom…"

Fu Yong was stunned. This was probably the wildest thing she could say. He held back his laughter and pinched her red earlobe before replying in a voice hoarse with emotion, "Alright."

After dinner, Fu Yong went to the bathroom.

Usually, he would be out in ten minutes, but nearly an hour had passed, and Fu Yong hadn't left the bathroom. Hua Tang cut up some fruits and watched TV for a while, but he was still in there.

There was only the sound of water from time to time.

Hua Tang's petite face heated up as she came to a realization. She entered the room to change her clothes and sat uneasily on the bed's edge. She was so nervous that she didn't know where to place her hands. 

'What would he do later? He is so tall and muscular, so he must be stronger than most, right?' Hua Tang hung her head as she felt her thoughts were too embarrassing.

At this moment, the sound of running water in the bathroom ceased.

Hua Tang faltered and grabbed the corners of her shirt. Mu Chi's footsteps got closer and closer. 

Her heart was beating wildly, and there was a little anticipation mixed in with her nervousness.

Suddenly, a rushed knocking at the front door interrupted the moment and startled Hua Tang.

When she opened the door, she was even more shocked to see Wei Zhiyuan's sorry figure standing outside with a face full of injuries. When he saw her, he started to cry aggrievedly.

"What's going on? Did you get in a fight? Are you hurt?" Hua Tang hurriedly pulled her brother into the house.

"Sis…" Wei Zhiyuan's eyes were red. He choked on his words for a long time and said nothing.

Hua Tang was burning with anxiety and had long forgotten about Mu Chi. She only remembered his presence when she heard him cough. 

When she turned around and saw Mu Chi's puzzled face, Hua Tang panicked. She was Hua Ning now, and Hua Ning did not have a younger brother. 

"This is my cousin!" Hua Tang said with a forced smile.

As she spoke, she gave Wei Zhiyuan a look.

Wei Zhiyuan understood her unspoken message. The man standing before him was the one his sister married in Hua Ning's place. And it seems this man still didn't know her true identity.

"Zhiyuan, come greet your brother-in-law," Hua Tang said softly.

Wei Zhiyuan obediently did so, and then he hid in Hua Tang's arms. He was a little afraid of the man before him.

Fu Yong nodded in acknowledgment and went to grab the first aid kit without saying a word. He asked Wei Zhiyuan to sit down, and he treated his wounds.

Wei Zhiyuan's injuries were extensive. His forehead had a red bump, and his arms were scraped up. His leg suffered even worse injuries; the wounds had stuck to his pants, and every movement was excruciating. No matter how gentle Fu Yong's actions were, Wei Zhiyuan's face still paled in pain.

"What happened? Who did you fight with?" Hua Tang was so distressed that she was on the verge of tears.

Wei Zhiyuan remained silent.

Hua Tang was worried and kept asking, but Wei Zhiyuan's mouth was tightly sealed.

Fu Yong patted her shoulder to reassure her and helped Wei Zhiyuan to the balcony.

Hua Tang watched as the two of them closed the door. After a while, through the glass of the balcony door, she could see Wei Zhiyuan talking and wiping his tears as he spoke.

When Fu Yong walked in, Hua Tang quickly asked, "What happened?"

"He was bullied at school," Fu Yong answered, face filled with anger.

Hua Tang felt her heart ache.

Frowning, Fu Yong continued, "A few senior students saw that your brother was easy to bully, so they came up to him every day to ask for money. When your brother didn't have the money, he would be beaten up. He got that injury on his head when they grabbed his head and slammed it against the wall." 

Hua Tang gasped. She wanted to go to the balcony to see her brother but was pulled back.

"Don't go yet," Fu Yong whispered. "Boys his age have strong self-esteem, and he wouldn't want you to see him in that state. Wait for him to calm down."

"Okay," Hua Tang nodded, but she felt slightly unhappy. Her biological brother was afraid to share his woes with her but was willing to talk to a brother-in-law he had just met.

Fu Yong read her thoughts and smiled, "There are some things that men only share with each other."

Hua Tang shook her head. "He's only sixteen; how does that make him a man?! He's still a child."