Chapter 293 - Biggest Wish

Originally, Xin Xiamu accompanied his mother to the restaurant because he wanted to tell her about his decision to dissolve the engagement. But seeing that her mother was rather upset after her chance encounter with Xu Cheng, Xin Xiamu decided to stay quiet.

When he asked his mother for a lift, she took him to her own family house instead of dropping him at his place. And the excuse was, "Your Auntie Manman wants to see you."

While he was making his way towards the entrance of the Xin Mansion, he saw Li Qiao leaving the house. Xin Xiamu instantly turned to run towards him not before saying, "Mom, you go inside. I have something to discuss with cousin brother." Xin Qian didn’t think much about it and entered the mansion.

Seeing Xin Xiamu coming his way, Li Qiao intentionally increased his pace. "Bro, stop trying to run from me." Xin Xiamu managed to catch up with him.

Li Qiao dry coughed lightly and said, "Little cousin, how can I run from you? And why would I do that? Tell me, how have you been?" Li Qiao wasn’t going to plainly accept that he was indeed avoiding him and even Xin Xiamu was aware of that.

"If you’re not avoiding me then let’s sit somewhere to talk," suggested Xin Xiamu and Li Qiao had to listen. Both of them went to the pavilion in the garden and on Li Qiao’s command, the maid served them pastries and tea before retreating.

"What do you want to talk about?" Li Qiao asked as he lifted his cup of tea. Xin Xiamu didn’t answer. Instead, he kept his eyes on Li Qiao’s face making him feel uncomfortable for some reason. Being scrutinized in this way, Li Qiao was definitely uneasy. "Stop staring."

"Bro, I never thought you’d hide something from me. I’m really disappointed," Xin Xiamu’s remark left Li Qiao stumped.

"What are you saying, little cousin? I’ve always tried to be your best brother. How did I disappoint you? Tell me," Li Qiao was feeling anxious seeing Xin Xiamu’s dejected look.

Xin Xiamu took a moment before saying, "I asked you last time, do you love someone? And you said, no!"

"What does that have to do with you being dis-?"n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Li Qiao’s words were cut off as Xin Xiamu said, "You lied to me, bro." Li Qiao gave him a perplexed look and after Xin Xiamu spoke again, Li Qiao was left startled. "You love Yu Kim." That was one blatant truth!

It took a moment for Li Qiao to get his composure back and he hurriedly said, "What nonsense! Who told you such a ridiculous thing? She’s just my secretary and nothing else."

"Then should I say that she loves you?" Xin Xiamu tried his best to sound calm. He didn’t want Li Qiao to see through his emotions.

"No! That’s not true as well. How can she love me? Little cousin, she’s your fiancee and she only works for me. Don’t listen to nonsensical rumors." Li Qiao really didn’t know who he was trying to persuade; Xin Xiamu or himself? But no matter what, neither were persuaded by his argument.

Xin Xiamu stood up from his chair and came to Li Qiao’s side. Placing one hand on Li Qiao’s shoulder he said, "Bro, the fact that she loves you, I heard it from her own mouth. As for you being in love with her, I heard that from your mouth as well. Can’t you be honest with me at this point?"

Li Qiao shot up from his seat and gazed into Xin Xiamu’s eyes. "Little cousin... I... I’m sorry! I’m sorry for lying and hiding this from you. But you can just pretend that you don’t know anything. I won’t come between you two." He felt even guiltier now that Xin Xiamu learned about the secret he’d been trying to hide.

Xin Xiamu smiled at Li Qiao and said, "Bro, it’s me who’s been standing between you two. And honestly, I don’t want that anymore. I’ve already discussed with Uncle Ting to dissolve this engagement. I just have to tell mom about it now."

"Why would you do such a thing? Have you lost your mind?" Li Qiao was angry since he thought that Xin Xiamu was being impulsive with his decision.

"I have taken this decision after much thinking... Bro, if you love her and she loves you then I have no right to come between you guys. The reason Kim never learned about our engagement was that I wanted her to fall for me naturally, not as an obligation. But she fell in love with you." He took a pause trying to fight his tears back and added, "If it had been anyone else, I’d have fought till the end but it’s you. Bro, you had not just been a brother to me, you’d also been like a father. And how can I even dream about taking your happiness from you? I’m disappointed that you even thought that I’d not understand your love for her."

Li Qiao didn’t know what to say to his cousin. Since both of them never had a father, Li Qiao indeed acted like Xin Xiamu’s father figure just so that he doesn’t feel left out. He always treated Xin Xiamu like a kid brother and didn’t realize that he had grown up now.

"I still can’t let you do-" Li Qiao was again interrupted as Xin Xiamu hugged him tightly.

"Bro, let’s not argue about this. Just like my happiness means the world to you, yours means the world to me as well. Also, I always wanted to you marry before me. That way I’d get a chance to order your wife around rightfully as the one and only bachelor brother-in-law." Both cousin brothers chuckled softly. Li Qiao patted his back and Xin Xiamu said, "Don’t just hug me. Go to that idiot best friend of mine who thinks that you hate her."

Xin Xiamu pushed Li Qiao away trying to maintain his smile. "Go!" He pushed Li Qiao again, urging him to run to Yu Kim.

Li Qiao was still reluctant to move and Xin Xiamu could see that. "Bro, just go already! I’m really alright. And why wouldn’t I be? My best friend and my best brother are in love with each other. I have double reasons to celebrate. For me, please go and tell her how much you love her."

This time, Li Qiao pulled him in for a hug and said, "Little cousin..." He didn’t say anything further. He just couldn’t bring himself to say anything else but Xin Xiamu understood his unsaid words. This brotherly bond was not that fickle. If they let a single girl ruin their relationship, wouldn’t they be the biggest jerks alive?

"Don’t come back without getting the girl! Fighting!" Xin Xiamu encouraged Li Qiao with a bright smile on his face which he wasn’t faking at all. The content feeling he’d seen on Li Qiao’s face was enough to make him forget that he was heartbroken. As Li Qiao left, Xin Xiamu whispered to himself, "You have been the best brother to even my sister all these years, bro. How can I hurt you when seeing you happy is my eldest sister’s biggest wish?"