"Third Brother, good to see you too," Lu Zihao greeted back. He carefully stood up from his reclining position.
Jin Liwei gently gave his youngest best friend a man hug. "How are you? I heard your injuries healed nicely."
"Yes. I’m now fully recovered but my doctor is too cautious. Tsk tsk. Once I get her approval, I’ll imdiately fly back ho to China to see our other brothers."
Jin Liwei nodded, patting his friend’s shoulder.
The two n sat in front of each other. Lu Zihao sat back on the chaise longue while Jin Liwei sat on an armchair.
"You scared all of us when we heard that you were comatose. Good thing you woke up after a week. Grandfather Lu told everyone that you broke your neck from jumping off a snowy mountain. He called you the most stupid grandson in history."
Lu Zihao chuckled. "I didn’t break my neck but close enough. I was paralyzed, but look at now. Aren’t I just fine? You’re all worrying too much."
"You’re too reckless."
"You sound like the old man."
"Grandfather Lu is just worried about you."
Lu Zihao sighed. "I know. But he didn’t have to burn all my ski equipnt. He also used his influence to make my favourite ski resorts all around the world to ban . Who does that?"
"He did the right thing. If I was your grandfather, I would’ve done the sa thing."
Lu Zihao burst into loud laughter. His handso, rakish face was hard to get angry at.
Jin Liwei noticed the book that his Fifth brother was reading before he ca. His brow knitted. "What’s that book? It’s not Chinese or English. It looks...Russian?"
He didn’t notice Lu Zihao stiffening for half a second. All he saw was his Fifth Brother’s usual mischievous smile.
"Yeah, it is. Good eye, Third Brother." He held the book up.
Jin Liwei frowned. He recognized it. It was the sa book that Iris was reading when they t for the first ti at the hotel lobby. However, his Fifth Brother’s book was a hardcover while his baby girl’s was paperback. "When did you learn Russian?"
"Oh, here and there when I had so free ti." Lu Zihao shrugged. His lips curved into a devil-may-care smile.
"Why?"
"To pick up so Russian ladies, of course! Russian ladies are hot, don’t you know?"
Jin Liwei’s eyes contracted, his eyes narrowing. This was like déjà vu.
"Hm? Third Brother, what’s wrong?"
"Nothing. You just reminded of my girlfriend."
"Ohohoho. So now you’re finally telling . I’ve been waiting for you to share it with ever since I heard from Fourth Brother that you finally got yourself a woman. It’s been a long ti coming. To be honest, we’ve all been worrying about you."
"Fourth Brother is too much of a blabbermouth." Jin Liwei felt irritated for having his thunder stolen. He already told their other brothers that he wanted to personally tell Lu Zihao about Iris.
Lu Zihao chuckled. He stood up. "Cognac or whiskey? Or maybe sothing else?"
"Cognac is fine."
"Got it." Lu Zihao walked over to the small bar at the corner. He pulled a bottle of cognac and two snifters. He returned to his seat and poured for both of them.
The two brothers enjoyed their drinks while listening to Tchaikovsky’s "Pathétique".
Jin Liwei had a weird feeling with the atmosphere. It strongly reminded him of Iris. He looked at his Fifth Brother. He was still the sa carefree guy, but there was sothing a little off about him. It was not too noticeable, but Lu Zihao seed more intense than usual.
Before, Lu Zihao was soone who wore his feelings on his sleeve. But now, it felt more like his usual laid-back attitude was just a façade, his real thoughts and feelings hidden within an endless, dark abyss. Jin Liwei couldn’t read this brother clearly anymore.
Jin Liwei felt uncomfortable with the direction of his thoughts. What was he thinking? How could he doubt his own best friend, his brother? His Fifth Brother just survived from an otherwise deadly accident. If it weren’t for the quick response of the ergency workers, his Fifth Brother would probably now be dead.
Perhaps people who brushed closely with death all experienced so sort of change in personality, like Iris and Lu Zihao. However, it looked like his Fifth Brother’s changes weren’t as apparent compared to his baby girl.
Yes, this must be the reason. Jin Liwei nodded to himself.
"Third Brother, tell about your girlfriend. What is she like? Fourth Brother is gushing nonstop about her, saying how she’s such a beauty. The way he’s praising her like she’s the most perfect woman in the world made so curious."
Jin Liwei snapped out of his musing. "Her na is Long Xiulan. She’s beautiful and I’m going to marry her."
"Hooo?" Lu Zihao raised an eyebrow. "Marry? You’re engaged already? So fast?"
"No. I haven’t proposed to her yet. I don’t want her running away for the hills. I’m still letting her get used to . Then I’ll make her my wife. She won’t be able to escape from so easily then."
"Wow. I’m surprised that she’s not jumping in a hurry to be your wife. So many won are vying for the position of Mrs. Jin Liwei. You’re even telling that she might run away if you propose too early? I almost can’t believe what I’m hearing."
Jin Liwei’s mouth curved into a soft smile. "She’s different."
"By the way, why did you say that I remind you of your girlfriend earlier?"
Jin Liwei explained about how he t Iris, how she was reading the sa Russian book and said the exact sa thing as Lu Zihao.
"Hmmm...interesting..." Lu Zihao rubbed his chin. Sothing unreadable flashed in his dark eyes, before reverting to his usual happy-go-lucky self. "Now I can’t wait to et her in person."
"She’s mine." Jin Liwei frowned, his tone frosty.
Lu Zihao laughed out loud, clutching at his abdon. "Of course she is. Only soone stupid with a death wish would snatch Jin Liwei’s woman."
Jin Liwei nodded, pleased to hear Iris being referred as his woman. Indeed, she was his woman and he would kill anyone who dare steal her away from him. Anyone who dare steal his wife and the mother of his children deserved to die a horrible death.
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