Chapter Twenty-Seven
When Leander walkedthrough the double gate into the first courtyard, Shanlin launched himself at him.Leander caught him, wrapping his arms around the boy.He was surprised at the desperation in his heart, but it made him cling to Shanlin.
“I was worried about you.Grandmother Huiling said that evil people had tried to hurt Uncle Heng and that the police were talking to you, but the police are scary and it took so long for you to come back.”
Xi walked past Leander.“Nie Xiaobo, Nie Huiling.I am glad to see you again.”
“Qidi of our second son’s qidi, welcome home,” Father Xiaobo said, and Leander tried to hide his wince.“And qidi of our second son, father to our grandson, we are grateful you have returned unharmed.”
“Most grateful,” Mother Huiling said.“Grandson, your father is safe, but he and his qidi are dirty from the road and likely tired.Come, let us work on your sciences while they have a moment to soak away the griefs of the road.”She gave Leander and Xi such a salacious smile that Leander felt even more stupid than ever.No brothers ever inspired that sort of knowing expression, but Leander had seen what he had wanted to see.
“Yes, Boon Lian and Hu Xi need time alone after being in the company of others so long.Auntie Daiyu can test the most patient of men,” Father Xiaobo said.At least he wasn’t giving Leander knowing looks.He seemed more focused on his frustration with Auntie Daiyu who had made a number of comments about the Nie family and their dedication to pursuits other than fathering children.She had made it sound like compliments, but Father Xiaobo had been red-faced and seething before Auntie Daiyu had taken to the sky to fly the rest of the way back while the rest of them had driven.
“Auntie Daiyu is not the only one who can test the patience of others,” Mother Huiling said as she ushered both Shanlin and her husband toward the inner courtyard.
“What about the bad guys?”Shanlin asked.
“They’re gone,” Xi said.“You don’t need to worry about them.”
“You don’t need to worry about any of this,” Father Xiaobo said.“Go with your grandmother and after I have finished my bath and have a cup of tea, you can recite today’s lesson for me.”He patted Shanlin before heading for the bath house.
Mother Huiling gave Leander and Xi one more smile before she took Shanlin into the main house.
“Do you want a bath?”Xi asked.
“We need to talk first,” Leander said, and he turned to head into their small apartment in Heng’s wing of the house.Shanlin had left several books in their small sitting room, but Leander moved toward their bedroom.
Their shared bedroom with one bed.All the clues were there.Leander took off his jacket and draped it over one of the chairs as he struggled to find the right words to start this awkward conversation.
“Are we going to talk about whatever you were avoiding telling me in Yaan?”Xi asked.He took off his own jacket, hanging it on a peg inside the clothing cabinet.
“Was I that obvious?”
“Obvious?No.But I can tell that you’re hiding something.Are we still in danger?”Xi was tense.
Leander ran fingers through his hair.“Likely.”
“Likely?What kind of answer is that?”
