An unknown house

After this discussion, they both went downstairs to the living room.

Once in the living room, the butler came to tell them that lunch was ready.

- All right," said Shang Xie before fetching her son.

- I'll wait for you in the dining room," said her brother before leaving in his turn.

Shang Xie's brother's name was Yuan Xie. He was a singer and model. He had blond hair and very light milk-chocolate eyes.

And his brother, Shang Xie, had dark hair and blue eyes. In fact, her eyes were as beautiful as sapphire.

Arriving in the dining room, the brother took a seat next to his older brother and opposite his nephew.

- What's for lunch today," asked Yuan Xie.

- Surprise," said Shang Xie.

- As long as it's good," said Yuan Xie, shrugging his shoulders.

The servants came to place the dishes on the table. The plates and cutlery were already on the table.

- Next time we'll eat outside," suggested Yuan Xie.

- We'll see," replied his older brother.

- Please," begged his brother, his eyes watering.

- I said we'll see," his older brother simply repeated.

- Please? continued to beg his brother

- Eat," said his big brother simply.

- First say yes," said his little brother impatiently.

- Eat!" he repeated

- No!" he said sulkily.

- Okay, next time we'll eat out," said his older brother sullenly, tired of his brother's pleas.

- Yessss!" murmured his brother contentedly.

The meal continued with the sound of chatter. After the savory course came dessert.

- Do you like dessert? asked Yuan Xie to Joshua.

Joshua looked at him and continued to eat, before stopping to nod. Yuan Xie smiled at him before turning his head to his older brother.

- Are you still planning to leave today to settle the company business?

- As always," he replied, smiling wryly.

- You should take over the racing car," said Yuan Xie suddenly.

- I'd love to, but I've got a son now," said Shang Xie, amused.

His brother rolled his eyes.

- I'll soon have a family too," he said impulsively.

Shang Xie laughed.

- Hmpff," said his brother, looking him up and down.

After dinner, Joshua went off for a nap, while Shang Xie and Yuan Xie stayed to chat.

- What are you going to do with the young lady? asked Yuan Xie.

- I'm waiting for her to wake up," replied Shang Xie.

- What do you think she'll do," said his thoughtful brother.

- I don't know," he said.

- Not even a little idea in mind? asked his surprised little brother.

- It doesn't say prophet on my forehead," sighed his older brother.

- I noticed that," he said, rolling his eyes.

Shang Xie rolled hise yes in disbelief.

- Well, I've got to go," Shang Xie finally said.

- Don't you want to rest first? his brother asked, his eyebrows furrowed.

- I've already rested on the jet," said Shang Xie.

- But can't you handle it by video conference, Yuan Xie finally asked

- I'd love to, but they need my signature," Shang Xie explained, before adding, "I'll be back tonight anyway.

Yuan Xie sighed.

- You really need to take a vacation," said his little brother.

- I'll be taking one soon," said his older brother, smiling.

- I hope so," murmured his brother.

It's been so long since we've spent some time together as a family, he thought.

- Go to sleep, I'm leaving," said Shang Xie before leaving.

Yuan Xie left the room and climbed the spiral staircase.

Everything in this house from ceiling to floor was luxurious. Once upstairs, I headed for my room.

- If Mademoiselle wakes up, make her something to eat," said Yuan Xie to a passing servant.

- All right, young master," replied the maid.

After these words, he returned to his room to rest.

It's not always easy to see your brother working so hard and not being able to help him, Yuan Xie thought tiredly.

He lay down on his bed, his eyes staring at the ceiling.

I'm going to pray that you can find everything you don't have: true, sincere love, Yuan Xie murmured to himself before drifting off to sleep.

Shang Xie's side:

Off in the private jet.

- By tomorrow, I want the whole guest room closet filled with clothes for the young ruby woman," Shang Xie told his assistant.

- But she's not staying long," said the assistant in a puzzled voice.

- Don't forget she saved my son," Shang Xie reminded him, "so she deserves a modicum of hospitality.

- Yes, sir.

- So what do you have to do," asked Shang Xie to see if the assistant had understood his request correctly?

- Fill the dressing room with clothes for the young lady and have everything ready by tomorrow morning, the assistant told him.

- That's right," said Shang Xie, shaking his head.

• 15 minutes later •

Shang Xie glances briefly at the sleeping assistant before getting up and walking through the interior of the jet to the shower room. He makes sure there's a towel and a clean suit.

Once inside, he locks the door. Then he takes off his shoes and socks. He takes off his top and then his bottom.

He flips on the switch and the water pours out. The drops of water first wet his hair, then his face, before running down his muscular body.

No part is left dry, his whole body is wet.

And behind his back, a huge tattoo. It's not there to look pretty, but to hide a painful story, a scar.

He soaps his body, then cleans his hair. After that, he rinses his hair, then his body.

He puts on deodorant before getting dressed. And the final touch he never forgets: perfume.

He then exits the shower room. Asks the stewardess he passes to put his things in the washing machine as usual before returning to his seat.

Soon he would arrive at his destination.

I'll have to move the piano lesson to tomorrow night, thought Shang Xie.

Piano lessons were a very important ritual for Joshua. He couldn't miss this appointment with his teacher.

So he sent a brief message to move the lesson to tomorrow evening instead of tomorrow afternoon.

Every family, no matter how perfect, has its share of difficulties.