Chapter 11: Family Bonds

Wang Xinrou waited upstairs for He Tian. She led him to the room prepared for him, then left. Throughout, she never mentioned the quarrel with her sister, nor did He Tian ask. After showering and changing clothes, He Tian went downstairs. Aunt Qiu had already prepared the meal.

Wang Xinmeng and Wang Xinrou were both present; Old Hu had not yet returned.

As He Tian sat, he noticed Wang Xinrou giving him meaningful glances, leaving him a bit perplexed.

"He Tian, may I call you that?" Wang Xinmeng looked at him and asked.

"No problem! No need to be so formal," He Tian replied with a smile, picking up his chopsticks.

"Alright, He Tian, did you and Xinrou race with someone and win a hundred million?" Wang Xinmeng asked.

"Is there a problem?" He Tian laughed as he ate.

"Is that really what happened? Tell me!" Wang Xinmeng suddenly put down her chopsticks and fixed her gaze on He Tian.

"I have the right not to answer! Xinrou, I need some water, just plain water," He Tian continued eating, then glanced at Xinrou.

"Alright! Wait a moment, I’ll bring it right away!" Wang Xinrou immediately got up to pour He Tian water, flashing him a thumbs-up as she went.

"Answer my question!" Wang Xinmeng demanded angrily, glaring at He Tian.

"Let me ask you something. If you told Xinrou to get you water, would she listen?" He Tian smiled gently at Wang Xinmeng, admiring her exquisite features.

"Don’t change the subject! Answer me!" Wang Xinmeng said sternly.

"I’m not one to take orders—no one can command me, and you’re no exception," He Tian leaned forward, his tone earnest.

"He Tian, you’re so cool! Here’s your water—be careful, it’s hot!" Wang Xinrou returned, beaming, and handed him the glass.

"Wang Xinrou, haven’t I told you not to race anymore? Why won’t you listen? Do you realize how dangerous racing is? If you hadn’t gone, would you have encountered trouble on your way back? And gambling—a hundred million!" Wang Xinmeng slammed the table, her voice rising.

"Sis, it’s nothing! And that money, you don’t need it, do you?" Wang Xinrou replied with a grin.

"What are you going to do with so much money?" Wang Xinmeng exclaimed.

"I have plans! Besides, it’s He Tian’s money, why should you take it?" Xinrou laughed.

"Yours?" Wang Xinmeng turned to He Tian; Xinrou had already answered his earlier question.

"I think Xinrou has great business sense. Consider that hundred million an investment," He Tian said, chuckling. In truth, the issue wasn’t complicated; it was Wang Xinmeng’s interrogation that made it seem so. He Tian wasn’t the type to be cowed.

"Fine, fine! I won’t interfere. I won’t interfere!" Wang Xinmeng glanced between He Tian and Xinrou, then fell silent, fuming.

Xinrou lowered her head, giggling, and made a face at He Tian, as if her sister’s anger delighted her.

He Tian quietly pointed toward Wang Xinmeng.

Wang Xinmeng was softly sobbing.

Xinrou stuck out her tongue.

"Sis, are you really mad?" Xinrou nudged her gently.

"Oh, don’t be so petty! Why get angry?"

"Still angry? With He Tian here, you, a wealthy heiress, ought to mind your image!"

"Alright, alright, I was wrong! I admit it, okay?"

...

"Really wrong?" Wang Xinmeng looked up, her eyes red—she had truly cried.

"Really wrong," Xinrou nodded.

"Where were you wrong?" Xinmeng pressed.

Xinrou widened her eyes—this was meant to be playful, but her sister took it seriously.

"You always oppose me! You little rascal! Tell me, if something really happened to you, what would I do? What would I do?" Wang Xinmeng suddenly hugged Xinrou, pounding her softly on the back—not that it could be called hitting.

"With He Tian here, what’s there to be afraid of?" Xinrou replied carelessly.

"You dare say that!" Wang Xinmeng pinched Xinrou.

"Ouch! Sis, you really pinched me—so painful!" Xinrou pushed her away, complaining.

"He Tian, I’m sorry about earlier..." Xinmeng wiped her tears, embarrassed.

"I understand, it’s nothing. But Xinrou’s right—when I’m here, you can trust Xinrou’s safety," He Tian replied with quiet confidence.

"Alright, I’ll leave it to you. But don’t let Xinrou play with your money," Xinmeng said.

"Sis… who’s playing with it?" Xinrou protested.

"You’re still talking back..."

...

He Tian watched it all with amusement.

The sisters understood each other better than anyone, though they disagreed on certain matters. Thankfully, they knew how to reconcile quickly, never letting arguments affect their bond.

Watching them laugh together over television after dinner, He Tian felt a sudden nostalgia for his old comrades…

Old Hu returned later in the evening.

He first spoke with He Tian.

"We found no useful traces—the other party must be a skilled professional. But there won’t be any more incidents like this in Tianhai. For now, there’s no further danger," Old Hu said.

Just as He Tian expected: with Old Hu involved, not only would he get firsthand information, but much trouble would be avoided.

"I have two questions. First, was this information deliberately leaked from above? Isn’t that unfair to the Wang sisters? Second, how much do they actually know?" He Tian asked seriously.

"He Tian, you’re mistaken. Information about people like us is never leaked voluntarily—never," Old Hu replied in a low voice. "They believe Longya is still alive, and that Longya works in a special department. That’s all they know."

"So, it’s an internal issue," He Tian said quietly.

"Internal… impossible. Who would dare…" Old Hu’s voice faltered.

"Alright, Old Hu, just focus on Xinmeng’s safety. Leave Xinrou to me," He Tian patted his shoulder.

Old Hu’s expression shifted; clearly, He Tian’s words had struck a nerve—perhaps prompting him to consider things he’d long avoided.

Old Hu went to speak with Wang Xinmeng.

Wang Xinrou bounced over to He Tian.

"He Tian, when will you teach me martial arts?" She hadn’t forgotten her request, especially recalling He Tian’s almost supernatural performance during the assassination attempt. Now she was eager.

"It’s too late tonight. Go to bed—get up early tomorrow," He Tian said.

Letting Xinrou gain some self-defense skills was a good idea. Since he’d promised her, he wouldn’t brush her off. Yet, as things stood, Xinrou could no longer cultivate internal energy. He Tian needed to think carefully about what to teach her.

"Alright! Good night, see you tomorrow! I’ll wake you up in the morning!" Xinrou went upstairs, full of anticipation.

"You’ll wake me up?" He Tian was speechless… He seriously doubted how late Wang Xinrou would sleep in.

He Tian went to his own room.

Lying in bed, he replayed the day’s events in his mind.

A faint smile curled at his lips.

Xinrou’s joy was infectious—He Tian had to admit it. It was a different feeling from the camaraderie he’d shared with his old comrades, forged in blood and danger. With Xinrou, it was something else entirely.

"How should I enjoy my freedom?" That was the question foremost in He Tian’s mind.

He began to reflect—how should he move forward?

"First, stop being rigid. The old ways… unless the situation demands it, I’ll leave them behind," He Tian murmured.

He recalled the deep bond between Xinrou and Xinmeng.

Truthfully, He Tian envied them.

He Tian was an orphan.

How he became one, not even he knew. Longtou never told him.

Whatever secrets lay hidden, He Tian had never truly experienced family affection—that much was true.

Longtou? There was warmth, but more often it was his stern demeanor that lingered in He Tian’s mind.

True familial love—He Tian had never felt it.

Yet tonight, witnessing Xinrou and Xinmeng, he felt closer to it than ever.

Even if he could only watch, it warmed him.

"He Tian, are you asleep?" A knock at the door—it was Xinmeng.

"Xinmeng… is something wrong?" He Tian opened the door.

"Could I come in and talk?" Xinmeng asked quietly.

"Please, come in," He Tian stepped aside.

Xinmeng entered, closing the door behind her.

"Sorry, there’s nothing to drink here," He Tian said, spreading his hands.

"He Tian… I came tonight to ask you: is my father still alive?" Xinmeng asked directly.

"I don’t understand," He Tian replied.

"He Tian, I know you know everything. Please, tell me! Or tell me who’s targeting my sister and me. Please, I beg you!" Xinmeng pleaded, biting her lip.

"Xinmeng, don’t overthink things. It’s not what you imagine. Your father is an outstanding special operative. Due to the confidentiality of his work, I can’t divulge any information. Right now, someone just wants to threaten him through you. With us here, your safety is assured," He Tian said earnestly.

"Then tell me! Why are we being targeted? Why won’t he appear? I refuse to believe he can’t spare a moment to see us! Don’t talk to me about secrecy—now that things are like this, what’s the point? He Tian, please tell me the truth!" Xinmeng cried, staring at He Tian.