1776: Already Calling Him Brother-In-Law

Already Calling Him Brother-In-Law

2Hexin gnashed her teeth in anger.0

He'an was a big blabbermouth; having her secret discovered by him was equivalent to letting the whole world know about it. 

"Come out this instant!"

He'an frantically clung to Long Yin's arm. "You're my brother-in-law—you've got to protect me. I'm no match for my sister when she loses her temper."

Hexin bristled and turned scarlet at his words.

Who was that brat calling his brother-in-law?

"Beitang He'an, if you don't come out right now, I'm not going to give you your allowance for this month." 

He'an deflated a little when he remembered that he still had to depend on his sister for his allowances, but when he glanced up at his future brother-in-law standing before him, he regained his confidence. "Could you be responsible for my monthly allowances, Brother-In-Law?" 

Long Yin was flustered by He'an hurling the title at him left and right, but he could not deny that it pleased him immensely.

He ruffled the boy's hair. "Well, I can't turn a blind eye now that you see me as your brother-in-law, can I?"

He'an's mouth immediately stretched into an elated grin. To express his sincerity, he tugged on Long Yin's sleeve, motioning for him to bring his ear closer.

Long Yin hesitated briefly before leaning over to him.

With a hand on his shoulder, He'an whispered into his ear, "My sister's just a paper tiger; she never says what she means. She actually has a thing for you, you know. I've seen a portrait of you in her room before—she painted it secretly."

Long Yin gaped at him, astounded.

He'an said, "It's true. I'll sneak it out for you some other time, then you'll know I wasn't lying."

Hexin was certain that He'an was whispering things about her to Long Yin.

Unable to curb her irritation any longer, she took advantage of their momentarily lowered guard to lunge at them, intent on grabbing He'an and teaching him a lesson.

How could he randomly call someone his brother-in-law?

Just when she was about to seize He'an's arm, he glided aside like a slippery eel.

She whirled around to catch him, but the rascal suddenly gave her a hard push from behind.

Without warning, she slammed into Long Yin's arms.

Bonk!

Her head rammed right into his chest, and the impact dazed her for a moment.

When she finally recovered herself, she was beside herself with rage. 

"Beitang He'an, you're dead meat!"

He'an jumped in fright and said to Long Yin hastily, "My good brother-in-law, please do something about my sister's temper." Then he took to his heels.

Hexin was close to losing her mind from anger. She was determined to catch that brat and thrash the daylights out of him.

However, when she tried to push Long Yin away, he only tightened his arms around her waist.

"Let go!" she yelled in exasperation.

"Calm down. He'an is still a child. If you go after him, you'll stir up a commotion enough to startle the entire household," Long Yin gave her a pat on the back and reminded her.

His words brought her to her senses, calming her down right away.

Long Yin was right—if she were to chase down that boisterous kid, their parents would find out right away.

The thought made her slump in defeat. 

He'an would really be the death of her!

That little devil!

"If he told you anything, don't believe him. He's always making trouble and shooting his mouth off all the time," Hexin said anxiously. "Also, he was just calling you brother-in-law for fun, so don't take it seriously."

"Is that so?" Long Yin drawled absentmindedly. His mind was fully occupied with He'an's revelation just now. 

Had Hexin secretly painted a portrait of him?

He cocked an eyebrow. Besides feeling surprised, he realized for the first time that he probably did not know Hexin as well as he had thought.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Noticing his unusually intense gaze, Hexin wrinkled her brow uneasily.

"I just feel that—what He'an said may not be completely untrue." Long Yin cast a meaningful glance at her. 

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