Being one of the last to arrive, it wasn't much of a surprise that the moment they stepped in, eyeballs rolled in their direction, both secretly and openly. If it had been Sun Minghao alone, then they would have just retracted their gazes after acknowledging his presence. Now, scrutiny from both men and women bore down upon the man standing beside him, dressed in regal apparel. A stranger for the first time in quite a few decades had entered the Kang Family's halls. Sword shaped brows and phoenix bronze colored eyes. His facial features were the opposite of delicate, chiseled and refined, a perfect mix. Strong and standoffish. In the cheongsam, he resembled those dramas of a man of status overlooking soldiers in a sedan chair.
Matching a few hardworking gentlemen, his skin was a healthy wheat color as he easily stood toe to toe with the taller youths here. However, these young adults made no mistake, this wasn't a young adult, this was a man. On reflex, those who experienced military training instinctively straightened their postures when his stern gaze swept pass them for a moment, confusing their companions. Survival instincts kicking in before they could register that stream of lava biting at their ankles for that one second. Unlike the people of this time for the convenience of the battlefield, Haolin's hair stayed at its impressive length beyond his waist, held up with a sleek ribbon.
Even women cut their hair relatively short in this field, so, this gentleman stood out even more. Perhaps seeing the eyes of some girls brighten the longer they lingered at the door. Minghao intelligently avoided the gazes of those he knew and hurriedly led Haolin to the very front of the foyer, hissing some bolder girls who sent him reluctant and teasing looks. Vigilantly guarding the door as Haolin was sent in and shutting it behind him. "Shoo shoo-! You shameless women coveting a newcomer like this will make us all appear like restless, depraved hyenas. He could be old enough to be your uncle!" One of his sharper witted friends caught onto his words and her eyes sparkled more as she boldly straightened her waist.
"That means he's single and older? I like older men too! What's his name? How does he know Bilou's grandfather well enough to enter the backroom right away? A cousin's son from off province? An adopted son?" "Adopted son?! Wouldn't that make him Bilou's uncle?!" Who knows who said this first, but this led to mischievous laughter immediately taking over the group of young women. Helpless, Minghao quickly spotted his lover coming down the stairs to his rescue as he blocked the door to prevent people from peeking. Hurriedly called out half amused and half exasperated. "Bilou your subordinates are trying to force their way into your grandfather's room!" Amused, Kang Bilou scrutinized her colleagues, who wore innocent expressions the moment she appeared whilst voluntarily step away from the study.
Pursing her lips to avoid laughing, adoring how helpless her boyfriend was under their mischief. "Ok, stop messing with him already, grandfather is meeting with an important guest. It's not appropriate if you all listen in." One of the girls, Jiayi, a close friend with the Kang siblings, winks exaggeratedly. Her brown eyes sparkling like diamonds under the sea and slick brown hair framing her sweet dimples. "Bilou who's the good-looking guy who popped out of nowhere all of a sudden? Don't tell me he's really your adopted uncle from a foreign city. Is he here to attend you and Minghao's wedding?"
With her leading, the playful chattering continued but at a more controlled level, adopting an ambiguous air. The man caught in their crosshairs stiffened with bashfulness, while Bilou herself laughed out loud, somewhat sweetly. Numbing their teeth with the unrestrained pure joy you could hear within. "No, he's just the son of one of grandpa's old subordinates who came to pay respects because he happened to be around the capital. I also don't know much about him, I only met him once and that was only a few weeks ago." Seeking an opening, Jiayi more curious than the rest as she had known the sibling almost all their life and never heard of this important "old subordinate's son".
However, as it was a public setting, she held back at the moment. Someone important enough to meet with Bilou's grandfather privately alone is just "An old subordinate's son"? Even if it were true, with how out of touch Grandpa Kang was of the circle of youths it should be that man's father who arrived, not him alone. "Since he's your grandpa's subordinate, does that mean he's here to transfer to your unit?" Minghao, less versed in military procedures than his future wife, visibly froze after Bilou was asked this. Although it wasn't illogical to assume this since grandpa Kang has all intentions of supporting his grandchild's ascension. It was still Kang Shijin, the eldest son since childhood, who held the loyalty of the Kang family's followers with an unquestionable iron fist.
Kang Shijin not only lived and breathed as the young herald of the Kang family. He embodied Old Kang's dynasty where his father failed to. And Kang Tai, despite his support of Kang Bilou's taking over the family mantel, never spoke a single word to call those loyal people back from the eldest grandson's side. So, even if it was a question of pure curiosity without malicious intent. It still gave many a pause to listen in closer for her answer while holding their breath. Settling her gaze on the younger girl who had asked this question on the edge of their circle. Bilou's gaze remained warm, her smile effortless and welcoming regardless of those gossip mongrels on the sides listening in. "I don't know. Grandfather's matters are not my concern, whatever he decides is also not in my power to influence."
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Entering the room beyond the foyer, Haolin took in the people hidden in the corners of the room with their talismans raised quietly before casually strolling further in, seemingly ignorant. Even if it were a secondary study, many textbooks and collections decorated the room. Two single sofas and a double seater surrounded a walnut coffee table, looking homely and welcoming despite the weapons raised at his back and front. In the main seat, an old man had already seated himself, drinking a cup of coffee in a callous manner. Far from exuding the sternness of an old general, the man's gray hair was combed casual back, wearing a similar old suit with his honors adorning his chest.
With his leg propped up and appearing both unawares and somewhat informal, a grumpy and impatient voice came from the serendipitous old man who held caution in his heart despite appearing casual. "You are?" Haolin would have typically ignored this disrespectful attitude, not having the patience to play games but the beast sneers in protest. Finding this junior rather brave for his disrespect. However, when he met the old man's faded bronze eyes.... A flicker of sparks eases the clawing in the back of his mind. Haolin did not respond to his provocation. Instead, he opts to taking a stroll around the room to observe the legacy of his people with his own two eyes. Each faded book, each repaired piece of furniture made his chest thump painfully. Tracing each groove with care and melancholy.
"The Kang family for generations have held a miniscule amount of power throughout the dynasties, subtly influencing the crowd, yet never fully exposing the family to the dangers of court. Awaiting the day, they could fully expose their fangs." Haolin sat across from the old man, who had straightened in his seat to seriously regard the gentleman who seemed more familiar with their family than he first assumed. Kang Tao scrutinizes Haolin from head to toe as he made himself comfortable, resting with his back straight. However, his lack of respect was clear as his chin rested on top of his knuckles while peering at Kang Tao quietly in turn. Similar bronze eyes alight under the study lamp's nearly insufficient illumination.
"I wonder, just how well have you and your ancestors have preserved the possessions of those long passed?" "You're questioning our dignity?" Like a low growl of a provoked dog, Kang Tao held back his temper from exploding in front of the stranger, narrowing his eyes unhappily. Unsure of who exactly he could be to speak with so much scorn when facing even a senior. A junior from a branch family? He could only try and guess, as the eyes of Haolin held neither disdain nor indifference. Just murky, cloudy eyes which peered straight into the soul. Not holding anything to light. Resembling the wandering soul of a soldier. Never able to escape the past, just wandering aimlessly, weapon dragging along the dirt, never tiring, never turning back around, unable to let go.
Kang Tao's anger which had risen from the provocation, just like that, vanished. His heart, heavy for an unknown reason. Haolin, seeing the mild confusion enter his eyes, knew what he was experiencing and did not hold back much. Directly blocking their voices from being heard by those in the room with his own layer of spiritual energy, not trusting the stability of the Kang family's strange new tricks. Kang Tao took a glance, having noticed the strange addition, and furrowed his brows, but didn't make any moves to stop him. Haolin leans into his fist, speaking frankly and not avoiding eye contact with the confused elder. "My belongings, return them to me."
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Minghao didn't wait too long, as the last of the invited guests filter in, the hall became more and more active. Being the host, Bilou naturally couldn't stay and wait with him for Haolin to exit the room and left it to her lover to handle. Jiayi willingly stood with him, keeping him company to avoid others from approaching too easily and bothering her friend's beloved. "Minghao, be honest, hes not some relative of theirs' who showed up to cause trouble is he?" Now that they all scattered, Jiayi couldn't hide her curiosity anymore and under her breathe questioned the man. As the appearance of this high-profile mysterious individual on the very day Bilou would be officially introduced as the Kang family's successor was too coincidental.
And she had a right to be worried, in any other circumstance this would call for a cautious approach and proper counter measures to be taken if things went south. "What sort of person would oppose grandfather's word once already given? Grandpa merely called him in to avoid wasting both of their time tonight since it was convenient. It was Bilou herself who invited him with my approval." Anyway, as long as he and Bilou wanted this matter was set in stone as Haolin being the son of grandfather's old subordinate. Granting him with just enough background to not let others get any big ideas. Having him say so, only then did Jiayi relax fully and change the subject tactfully. Her eyes sparkling once again with teasing intent.
"Someone personally invited by Bilou and approved by you? The husband?? Be honest hes here to witness the tea ceremony on your wedding date as an elder isn't he?" "Jiayi." Minghao sent her an exasperated look, however his red ears and the pleased look on his face gave him away. "Aren't you afraid of when it's your turn to marry we scare your future spouse away with our retaliation?" "Hmm." With an elegant huff and exaggerating flick of her hair, Jiayi didn't hold any sort of fear towards his threat. In fact, if her future husband really was scared away by a few words they would never be worthy of entering her eyes in the first place. "Why should I be? If he were to be aggravated by a few comments while marrying me then it just means my eyes were bad to begin with and you all helped me lift the lenses."
She would also protect her man, so why would he be aggravated? Didn't Minghao and Bilou stay with one another despite their circumstances and brave heavy storms together? With such a good example of a healthy relationship flaunted to her face daily she would be an idiot to not strive for the same standards. Even now, the trust between one another didn't falter when Minghao admitted it was Bilou herself who invited this seemingly important male to meet her grandfather. In another world this would have led to a broken engagement and a bitter feud before it was solved. Speaking of bitter feuds, Jiayi inquired about a certain pair of children as rumors of their arrival had long been discussed among their circle.
One could even call them long lost friends. "I heard that the Duan's family secretary made a scene to look through the records of recently arrived personnel, claiming to be searching for a missing criminal just a few days ago. You don't think it had to do with the Shao siblings again do you?" Being somewhat an outsider on the Shao family incident as it was beyond his time before meeting Bilou. He knew enough about that unfortunate story to give it an respectful honest thought before giving his own opinion. Deliberately lowering his voice "I also don't know too much about it, Bilou never mentioned it to me. However, I heard that before they left for the capital Zhou FeiMing and Zhou XieLang antagonized them more than once. To make things more intriguing, they originally had three people in their group before coming back in an entirely different battle ship as just a pair."
"-Their third party member arrived with the Shao twins a week later, on foot." Nearly sneering, Jiayi fixed her expression before more leaked from it. Minghao purposely missed her slip of mask as he also shared the same sentiments on this matter. "Really matches their background. An offspring even more blind than their parent." These days children are so vicious? If not for owning a handful of titanium mines, their family would have been eliminated years ago. Still, she couldn't help muttering only loud enough for him and her to hear. "The years ahead won't be easy." In agreement Minghao offered her a new glass of champagne with an encouraging look.
"This a happy time, don't forget Bilou not even I would allow those people to cause a scene tonight." Besides, whether with or against Bilou's rising in status, no stupid person will interfere today. "Brother-in-law!!!" Hearing this sweet cry from the inner corridor, Minghao looks over with a a pleased yet mild surprise countenance. "Isn't it Xiao Yue? I thought that you said your work would keep you for a few more days." A girl the near spitting image of Bilou but petite and softer like pastel water paintings, didn't care for decrome and hurried to his side. Her whole aura lively "Brother-in-law wheres my jiejie? I thought she would be with grandpa?" Since Minghao was waiting outside patiently guarding the door, Kang An Yue cleverly deciphered that the person within couldn't be her sister.
Because Minghao would have been inside with her, not guarding the door. Taking care not to ruffle her carefuly curled hair, Minghao pats her head wearing a helpless expression. "You aren't even going to ask how I am?" Kang An Yue, in an innocent yet mildly dismissive manner only tilts her head at him without opening her mouth further. As her only goal was to pry from her sister's future husband where her sister's current position was. Minghao, knowing this was somewhat amused but as the little daughter of the Kang family Kang An Yue had every right to be spoilt and willful. Even he couldn't help being fond of the little trickster, being the youngest in his family. It was hard to not be fond of the adorable child who clung to her sister's sleeves peering at people shyly while hiding a cunning glint within.
"She should still be talking to a couple acquaintances on the balcony the last time I checked, you can wait here with me until she returns if you'd like." Pleased with his answer, Kang An Yue stood straighter and only then did she acknowledge the chuckling Jiayi on the side with an even sweeter and obedient voice. "Big sis Jiayi." Kang Bilou came first then outsiders huh? "AnAn." Sending the little one a knowing glance "Did you pull some trick again? Your older brother can't be reached so you're seeking shelter with Bilou?" Despite being seen through so easily Kang An Yue purposely became even more docile looking, pulling Minghao's sleeve with a pitiful expression. "What is big sis Jiayi talking about? How can AnAn cause trouble for older brother and sister? An An only came with intentions to support Jiejie and Brother-in-law because she is happy for them."
Covering her chuckle with her glass, Jiayi didn't buy her lies one bit raising a sophisticated brow at the younger woman. Nonetheless, if the child didn't want to spit out what she did then no one could pry it from her lips. Only Kang Tao had that talent, granted it took effort on his part as well only working around fifty percent of the time. A strange atmosphere overtook their surroundings as the three chatter in the corner causing them to look up casually. Jiayi blinks once "They really came?" Kang An Yue held no surprise on her expression compared to two beside her only looking over quietly at Shao Dai Ling and lingering for a few moments longer than on the girl in ink blue on his arm.
For once, the troublemaker didn't have much to say and conveniently stared at a different corner of the room bored. Sun Minghao scrutinizes the twins, admiring their composure in front of a crowd of murmuring strangers, and hesitated on between leaving his post and giving the unexpected arrivals a helping hand. Jiayi understanding his conflict was about to volunteer when a voice like deep velvet passes over their heads. "I've finished my business; I will return first." Husky and prominent. Jiayi as well as Kang An Yue couldn't help looking over in dazes. An Yue felt her bones rattle oddly, not out of attraction, but relaxation and comfort. Her body trembling faintly as a small glow in her eyes lit for the first time in her entire life, like a candle wick which spent decades in desolation before finding a match to light it.
Haolin took a few extra seconds to look down at the child standing with Minghao outside the study. Scrutinizing her glowing and disoriented gaze for a few moments, he pauses as something rang in his head like the passing of a red fox seeing his kit peering at him grievously for ignoring her all this time. The beast inside clawing agitatedly, much more active than when meeting the other two. Her eyes, were much rounder than his, quite similar to someone who peered at him equally sadly in the past. But, deliberately ignoring this bond, Haolin gave the startled Minghao a single nod before making his way to the exit on his own. While Jiayi and An Yue stood frozen by the door, Minghao hurried to stop him. "You're leaving already? Why not stay awhile longer until after grandfather shows up?"