TFSRITA Chapter 115

Zhou Huaiya noticed her son’s expression and nudged him, displeased. “Why are you still scowling after coming home? You don’t learn any of the good habits but pick up this one. Look at your father—does he wear that face when he’s around you all?”

Chu Heng was usually serious with others, but at home, he was always gentle; his cold demeanor was never directed at his family. Yet, this son of his kept that icy expression from start to finish.

Yan Qing sneaked a glance but thought Chu Yang’s cool expression was just right.

Chu Zhao resembled Zhou Huaiya more, and instead of “handsome,” words like “delicate” and “beautiful” suited him better. Chu Yang, on the other hand, took after Chu Heng. He had sharp facial lines, thick black eyebrows, full almond-shaped eyes like Chu Zhao’s but more intense, pitch-black irises against snow-white sclera, a high, well-defined nose that gave him an air of severity, and full, shapely lips that weren’t thin but not overly thick, either. His natural habit of pressing his lips together added to his composed look.

His sharp, mature appearance paired with his fitted suit and his height—over six feet—gave him an imposing presence, with broad shoulders, a slim waist, and long legs that seemed to reach Yan Qing’s waist.

He was a mature, formidable man.

But now, here, facing his mother, Chu Yang’s brows softened slightly, and he reluctantly muttered, “Mom.”

“Yes, yes, I get it, but you don’t have to scowl all the time,” Zhou Huaiya muttered disapprovingly. Seeing that Yan Qing had come down, she pulled her over with a warm smile. “Don’t be afraid; Chu Yang is a good kid too.”

Chu Yang’s frown deepened, and as he was about to speak, Zhou Huaiya turned to him and said, “Your brother said it himself, so forget about what happened before!”

Chu Yang raised an eyebrow, somewhat incredulous. “My brother said that himself?”

It had been ages since Chu Zhao last spoke to any of them, almost years.

Chu Zhao was always immersed in his world, becoming increasingly distant, to the point that he ignored everyone around him.

Zhou Huaiya nodded proudly, holding Yan Qing’s hand and mimicking Chu Zhao’s voice in a low tone, “He came right from there, and he said, ‘Stay,’ and then he left, but he said it himself… he really did…” Her pride soon turned to tears, and her eyes reddened as familiar tears slipped down her cheeks.

Over the years, it wasn’t only Chu Zhao who had suffered; they had suffered with him.

Yet they couldn’t stand by and watch him waste away either.

Seeing this, Yan Qing didn’t know what to do. Chu Yang patted Zhou Huaiya’s shoulder reassuringly. “Mom, he’ll be okay. My brother will get better.”

Yan Qing took a tissue and handed it over.

Zhou Huaiya took the tissue and, seeing Yan Qing’s worried little face, felt comforted, and the tears dried up instantly. “Oh dear, I must have frightened you, Qingqing. I’m sorry; Auntie just got a bit emotional.”

“No, it’s alright,” Yan Qing said, shaking her head.

Just then, Chu Heng came quickly down the stairs, hearing the commotion. “What’s going on? Chu Yang, did you upset your mother?”

Chu Yang maintained his serious expression and said, “No.”

Zhou Huaiya pulled her husband’s arm. “It wasn’t him; I just got a bit overjoyed that Zhao Zhao finally spoke to us.”

Chu Heng understood immediately. He felt similarly emotional, though his endurance was greater. He comforted her softly, and then led Yan Qing to the dining table.

Yan Qing quietly followed behind them, two steps back.

Chu Yang also lingered a few steps back, moving closer to her, and he warned her quietly, “Behave yourself. Say anything out of line, and even if my brother doesn’t mind, I won’t let you off.”

Yan Qing kept her smile, nodding slowly.

Chu Yang looked slightly surprised.

Not afraid?

Yan Qing truly wasn’t afraid because now that she was in the Chu family, she wouldn’t be easily cast out as long as she didn’t provoke Chu Zhao. Her next mission was to keep an eye on him.

As she suspected, the Chu family wasn’t easy to get along with.

Chu Heng, who made his fortune discovering the first gold mine that lifted the Chu family, was the hardest to deal with of all.

If he had been easygoing, others would have taken that gold mine long ago. Instead, he built the Chu family’s empire step by step.

Zhou Huaiya, who managed to keep Chu Heng in line and maintained harmony at home, was formidable herself. No one in their social circle dared speak ill of her family. If she overheard anything offensive, there were always consequences.

But she was fair; she only dealt with those who sought trouble deliberately.

Her methods were skillful, so over the years, all the other ladies in their social circle held her in high esteem.

Despite her comfortable life, Zhou Huaiya remained grounded, her whole heart focused on her family, particularly her eldest son, who took up most of her attention.

Their elder son, Chu Zhao, had a reputation for being difficult, with rumors circulating that he was mentally unwell. Were it not for his disability, which posed no harm to others, the Chu family might have already sent him to a mental institution, though they couldn’t bear to.

Such gossip was whispered only in private; no one dared say it to Zhou Huaiya’s face, and if she did overhear, she ignored it—she wasn’t an emperor who could control everything people said.

The younger son, Chu Yang, had taken on the family responsibilities. Four years younger than Chu Zhao, he had graduated from university and was managing the company. Known as the ultimate “brother fan,” he was more enthusiastic than anyone about anything related to Chu Zhao.

Chu Yang was most famously remembered for a youthful romance with a girl who, according to rumors, was manipulative. Despite his parents’ objections, Chu Yang stubbornly insisted on staying with her, often clashing with his family over it.