The Math teacher kept enthusiastically writing on the blackboard with the numerical functions coming to life. He happily elaborated on a basic trigonometry transformation mantra and the beauty of Math at Eminent Senior High.
Most of the students in the class paid attention to the lesson.
However, Li An sat leaning against the window as he looked at the cable outside.
He counted down as the birds on the cable flew off one after anotherâ¦
After counting the birds for a long time, Li An lowered his head to check the time. Humph. Only half the lesson was over.
âOkay. Now, I will invite a student to come up here to summarize what you have learned today.â The Math teacher took a sip of water after he excitedly went through all the examinable points for functions. He wanted to test the students and see if they had grasped everything.
The Math teacher looked around and saw everyone in the class looking back at him earnestly, wanting to come onto the podium. All except Li An.
Li Anâs desk buddy reminded him that the Math teacher was about to pick someone to speak. Li An thought about how he had already stopped understanding what the Math teacher was teaching three minutes into class when he bent over to pick up his eraser.
The Math teacher smiled. âLiâ¦â
Just as Li An wanted to jump off the building and commit suicide, the Math teacher glanced out of the classroom and went out before he came back a minute later. âLi An, someone is here for you.â
Li An walked out nervously, but his eyes lit up the moment he saw Qin Kai. âKai! What are you doing here?â
Qin Kai adjusted his spectacles. Qin Kai nearly burst out laughing when he saw Li An looking at him desperately, begging to be saved. He waved Li An over. âI have applied for leave for you today. Your older brother wants to see you.â
âOkay,â replied Li An obediently. In reality, he was beside himself with joy!
It felt excellent that he did not have to attend class today.
Li An followed behind Qin Kai. The moment they walked out of the school gate, Li An clenched his fists and shouted, âYay! Kai, you really saved me back there!â
Qin Kai felt tickled. âYour older brother was the one who sent me here to pick you up.â
âBig Bro?â The moment Qin Kai brought up Li Hanchen, Li An thought about the tiny portions of pork ribs he had for the past few days and sulked. âBig Bro is so petty! He refuses to let me have my fill of pork ribs.â
Qin Kai chatted with Li An as he drove. âHe is just worried about you. He knows you have a weak stomach.â
âReally?â Li An hadnât told anyone about his weak stomach before. It turned out Li Hanchen acted that way because he was concerned about Li Anâs health.
Li An decided to be best buds with his older brother from now on.
âUh huh.â Qin Kai smiled.
Since Li An was a talkative boy, Qin Kai kept answering Li Anâs questions on the way to the office, making the trip rather enjoyable.
Before long, the car pulled up at the Flourishing Age Group entrance.
It was the first time Li An was here, so he felt a little curious. âDoes Big Bro work here?â
Qin Kai nodded. âUh huh.â
Li An checked out the surroundings and felt his older brother was doing pretty well!
Li An was Li Hanchenâs number one diehard fan, so his admiration skyrocketed as he admired the building on his way upstairs.
âYour older brother is waiting for you inside.â Qin Kai led Li An to the office doors.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
âUh huh. Thanks, Kai.â Li An opened the door to see Li Hanchen sitting on the couch. He was dressed in a black suit with a profound look in his eyes.
âBig Bro, why did you want to see me?â
âUh huh.â Li Hanchen patted the seat beside him. âCome over.â
âOkay.â Li An looked at the heap of things on the table as he sat down on the couch.
It consisted of limited edition sneakers, limited edition novelty items, and a new laptop. Li Anâs eyes lit up as he looked at them. âWhat is all this?â
âMu Sheng bought them for you. Do you like them?â asked Li Hanchen slowly.
âOf course!â Li An hurriedly nodded his head. âWhy did Sis-in-Law buy me all this stuff?
âThatâs because she treats you like her biological little brother.â
âI see.â Li An was utterly moved. âI have to thank Sis-in-Law personally when I see her.â
âShe is a shy woman, so you canât say that to her.â Li Hanchen glanced at Li An expressionlessly. Since he was speaking in a serious tone, it sounded very convincing.
Li An automatically nodded. âSure.â
Li An eagerly went through the gifts. The more he looked at them, the happier he felt. All the things sitting in front of him were every boyâs dreams!
Li An felt utterly moved as he went through the gifts. His sister-in-law was such a kind soul that he was on the brink of tears.
Li Hanchen watched Li An as Li An went through all the gifts before he finally sighed softly.
Since the room was very quiet, Li An promptly caught on to this. He turned his head and asked Li Hanchen, âAre you unhappy?â
Li Hanchen shook his head. âNope.â
Li Anâs face was filled with disbelief. Biological brothers had a spiritual connection after all.
Li An had 100% accuracy when it came to reading Li Hanchenâs reactions. However, he did not insist on probing. Instead, he looked at the gifts on the table as he glanced at Li Hanchen every now and then.
Li An finally noticed Li Hanchen sighing sadly in a soft tone with his back facing him.
This time, he genuinely saw it with his own eyes! Li Hanchen was really sighing!
Li An promptly lost interest in the gifts. He looked at Li Hanchen worriedly. âWhy donât you tell me whatâs wrong? Did something happen to Sis-in-Law?â
Li Hanchen remained expressionless.
Li An started to imagine things. In his perspective, Li Hanchen was clearly smiling forcibly. The calmer Li Hanchen acted, the more troubled Li An felt.
Li Hanchen even comforted Li An a little, âYour Sis-in-Law is doing just fine. What could possibly go wrong?â
However, there was something different about Li Hanchenâs tone. He spoke in such a gentle tone that it seemed as though Mu Sheng would disappear into thin air the moment he spoke too loudly.
Li An wanted to ask more, but Li Hanchen had already stood up. âEnough. Why donât you hang out in the office while I go for a meeting?â
Li Hanchen sounded particularly gentle as he spoke to Li An. It was so gentle that Li An could detect the sadness in his voice.
Li Hanchen glanced at his desk sadly before he told Li An, âYou can touch anything except the documents on my table.â
Li An nodded several times. âOkay. I promise not to look.â
Li Hanchen turned to leave. On his way out, he told Qin Kai, âThe surveillance in the office isnât working. Send someone to fix it.â
âYes, Mr. Qin.â
After the door closed, Li An secretly ran up and locked it before heading towards the desk.
Something seemed amiss with Li Hanchenâs expression earlier and Li An was worried that something had happened to him.
Li An walked up to the table and saw the documents sitting open on the desk with a document folder covering them slightly. Li An picked up the folder and his eyes instantly opened wide.
âDivorce papers?â