Or if he couldn't handle it, he'd call his wife. They were both lawyers.
Hearing this, Bo Xin thought her sister-in-law's skill might be a bit better than her brother's. No wonder he was so confident—did he have backup?
Had he chosen law because of his sister-in-law?
Because back then, his studies had shown an enthusiasm and drive he'd never had before.
In any case, her brother had done well this time. Together with his wife, they said they were ninety percent sure of winning this case. Bo Xin decided not to skimp on praise; she looked at him and said,
"Well done."
Bo Xiao, holding documents, crouched beside her and listened to her requirements like a qualified contractor.
Hearing her praise now made him more excited than collecting his fee.
He had never heard his sister compliment him before. Ever since coming to this countryside and meeting her biological son, his sister had changed so much.
He attributed it to Jiang Yuxu.
Yanyi was nothing like his sister or brother-in-law. His sister truly doted on Yanyi, but Yanyi's brains honestly gave her headaches.
Now, seeing a child so much like her, her mood had naturally improved.
Since the kid didn't like ordinary candy, maybe he'd like something unusual. This time, out of curiosity, he had bought some durian candy. Let his nephew try it; maybe he'd fall in love with it.
He mimicked his sister, reaching out his hand, but Jiang Yuxu stopped him.
"…I'll do it myself."
Jiang Yuxu raised his eyes. Bo Xiao's expressions were simple—he was much denser than her. Getting information from him would be much easier.
He tapped his teeth against the hard candy but didn't bite down.
Just based on flavor, it suited him more than the previous one. He nodded slightly. "Not bad."
Bo Xiao exclaimed, "You really are exactly like your brother-in-law! He absolutely loves durian."
Brother-in-law? Her husband? His biological father.
His hand stiffened slightly. He probably wanted to ask, but he hadn't expected the information to come to him so willingly.
"…Why didn't he come along this time?"
That hit the nail on the head.
Normally, outsiders didn't know much about his sister and brother-in-law's affairs; they were unpredictable.
His sister rarely talked about her own matters. But this incident was too big, with too many people present, so it spread widely.
Even he, her own brother, had heard it from outsiders.
And now he had somewhat figured out the signs of their rift.
"Maybe he doesn't even know you exist yet."
The words were vague, open to many interpretations.
Jiang Yuxu chose the most straightforward one: she had keenly realized the child wasn't hers. As a father who resembled him, could he really not have noticed?
Jiang Yuxu pressed his lips together, his expression dark.
Bo Xiao, being thick-skinned, didn't notice. He scratched his cheek, a bit awkward.
Partly because this was just his guess, and partly because he was being too bold now, daring to talk behind his sister's back about her and her husband.
Even if the audience was just a child.
Before Jiang Yuxu could say anything, Bo Xiao spoke first. "Please don't let my sister know I said that."
He dug into his pocket and handed all the durian candies to Jiang Yuxu like a bribe.
Jiang Yuxu was silent for a long moment. "…Mm."
—
Bo Xin felt unwell, probably from being unacclimated.
The raw water had too many impurities. Even boiled, it was still harsh on her delicate stomach.
She went to the restroom, then collapsed weakly in the back seat.
Her face was pale—mostly an old problem.
People with weak stomachs were easily upset.
Jiang Yuxu's hand touched her icy hair. Her head was completely resting on the back seat, her hair already loose. He didn't know how to comfort her; even when he got kicked, he had never been this fragile.
He recalled what he'd observed. His hands raised, paused, then, making up his mind, he cupped Bo Xin's cheeks.
'Too thin; there's not even a bit of flesh.'
'Too cold; definitely below the car's heater temperature.'
Bo Xin had lamented more than once about her son's lack of respect. His big hand completely enveloped her small one. Feeling the warmth of his hand, she just said, "You're hardly one to talk about either of those."
Jiang Yuxu's cheeks puffed slightly. What was his situation compared to hers?
After sulking for a moment, he decided to go through with it.
He pressed his forehead to hers. He didn't know how to judge, but the only thing he could feel was that her forehead was a bit warmer than her cheeks.
"You're really…"
"Don't talk."
Bo Xin covered his mouth with her other hand, tilting her head and smiling. "When you don't talk, I feel better—the air feels clearer."
Bo Xin told Bo Xiao to open the front window.
Jiang Yuxu was kneeling on the car seat; he was pressed back by her single hand.
All his concern met with this treatment. He thought, he was starting to get angry.
As for the smell, he didn't find it unpleasant at all.
Author's note:
Begging for collections on my knees, spinning 360 degrees without dead angles—please add to your favorites!
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