Chapter Four: Memories Revisited

In the villa, just as Lin Tian stepped into the living room, he was suddenly met by a cold snort heavy with resentment.

He turned and followed the sound to a middle-aged man in a suit and tie, somewhat stout, seated on the sofa.

His biological father, Xiao Zhengming.

“Is this how you greet your elders? You’re just as ill-mannered as ever!”

Xiao Zhengming’s words were as cold and sharp as they had always been, as though he never ceased to remind him: know your place!

Lin Tian could not be bothered to speak with this father in name only. He merely cast him a faint glance and hurried up the stairs.

Bang!

Xiao Zhengming was livid, his fist slamming hard into the expensive tea table, making it tremble violently.

How dare he ignore him?

What right did he have?

Only when he thought of the old master’s specific instruction to see Lin Tian did Xiao Zhengming force himself to endure it for the sake of the as-yet-unannounced inheritance.

“Once I get that old bastard’s estate, I’ll deal with that little wretch of yours.”

Meanwhile, Lin Tian had already reached the room at the far right end of the second floor.

He steadied himself and pushed the door open.

The room was dim, the light so poor that everything seemed submerged in a veil of gloom, as though an invisible hand had covered it over.

Even so, Lin Tian immediately noticed the figure seated on the long wooden bench.

Suppressing the surging emotions in his chest, he walked over softly.

“Grandfather…”

His hand had nearly touched the old man’s arm.

This year, the old master was already eighty. His health had grown worse by the day, each year weaker than the last, and now he was in especially poor shape.

His arm moved slightly as he slowly turned around. A face weather-beaten and lined with wrinkles faced Lin Tian, and in his clouded eyes there seemed to be a sheen of tears.

“Child, you came to see your grandfather.”

He seized Lin Tian’s hand tightly and could not speak for a long while, only showing on his face a long-absent look of genuine comfort.

Lin Tian honestly did not know what to say either; he could only urge the other man to take good care of his health.

Before long, a sweet voice rang out at the doorway. “Grandfather, Shi Sheng has come to see you.”

As soon as Xiao Chu Sheng finished speaking, he had already hurried over. In the next instant, his face was tearful, like an Oscar-winning actor, and he gave a low, choked sob.

“Grandfather, you must take care of your health. In the future, you still have to watch your grandson marry, have children, build a household, make a name for himself, and bring honor to the Xiao family.”

Old Master Xiao likewise reached out with his other hand to hold Xiao Chu Sheng’s, looking at him with the same fondness. Yet compared with the way he treated Lin Tian, it always seemed to be missing something.

Seeing this pretentious and detestable Xiao Chu Sheng beside him, Lin Tian could only turn his face away as much as possible.

Xiao Chu Sheng, not understanding the situation, assumed the other was intimidated by him and too afraid to compete for favor. Naturally, he felt all the more smug.

“So, the illegitimate brat finally has some self-awareness. Too bad you offended this young master earlier. Otherwise, whether I’d let you off would still be open to discussion.”

Thinking this, he suddenly had an idea and said in a gentle voice, “Let your grandson rub your legs for you.”

Old Master Xiao slowly nodded.

Xiao Chu Sheng lowered his head, a barely perceptible smile curling at the corners of his mouth. He took two steps to the old man’s feet and devoted himself to serving him with all his effort.

Lin Tian, however, seemed not to see it at all, because the old master’s hand was still holding his, never once moving from beginning to end.

Even though his palm was already damp with sweat, Old Master Xiao continued to look at him with benevolent warmth.

“Grandfather, I understand.”

His eyes tightening, Lin Tian suddenly withdrew his hand and turned to leave.

This movement startled Xiao Chu Sheng, who was busy with his filial display, and then delight flooded his heart.

“Haha, this bastard has gone stupid. At a time like this, he actually left!”

And so he redoubled his efforts in serving Old Master Xiao. “Grandfather, let your grandson massage your shoulders and back for you…”

After coming out, Lin Tian headed straight for the attic.

He had not misread the old man, nor would he misunderstand him. Since the old master had let him come out first, there must have been a reason.

And in this brief interval, it seemed the attic was the only place he could go.

The furnishings and size of the attic were still the same as before: cramped and stifling. The small original window had been sealed shut, and in daytime it was almost as dark as night.

As he walked inside and was overcome by memories, a rustling set of footsteps slowly drew near.

Turning his head, he saw Xiao Ruo Li leaning by the doorway, arms crossed, staring at him indifferently.

Xiao Ruo Li did not know why she had come to the attic; she had originally been wandering the villa in a daze, and somehow ended up here.

She had never expected Lin Tian to be here at this very moment.

For this younger brother of hers, her feelings were complicated.

“Why aren’t you staying with Grandfather? What are you doing here?” Xiao Ruo Li asked with obvious indignation.

At a time like this, if one did not stay by the old master’s side, one might not even have the chance to share in the inheritance at the end!

After all, Xiao father and Xiao mother would never divide the gains with Lin Tian, who had so little attachment to the family.

She looked at him with growing disappointment, her gaze turning colder.

“You’re truly heartless.”

Lin Tian merely shrugged, unconcerned with how she chose to see him. It did not matter.

Without offering any explanation, he turned and walked toward a cardboard box in the corner, brushing the dust from it with his hand.

Inside were many little things, such as paper airplanes, greeting cards, and two clay figurines.

He took out the two figurines: a little boy and his elder sister.

The tiny mouths, no bigger than green beans, seemed to be pouting, while their faces bloomed with bright, cheerful smiles.

Lin Tian stared at them in silence, and no one knew what he was thinking.

Seeing him frozen there, Xiao Ruo Li could no longer suppress her anger and strode over.

“At a time like this, what is there still to look at!”

With a sharp slap, she knocked the clay figurines from Lin Tian’s hand.

In an instant, the once-smiling, radiant little figures met a grisly end, head and body separated.

Lin Tian carefully bent down and picked up the shattered figurines. It felt as though something were pressing on his chest, and all strength seemed to drain from his body.

Only then did Xiao Ruo Li clearly see what she had struck down.

“Hm? This is…”

A surge of memory washed over her mind like a tide.

It had been when Lin Tian first came here, and she had personally molded this gift for her younger brother.

Though her technique had been clumsy and the figures were not made very well, Lin Tian, who had never before received a gift from blood kin, had accepted it with delight and great care.

It was only from that day on that Lin Tian had begun to cling to her.

The past returned like a dream in scene after scene. Looking at the damaged figurines, Xiao Ruo Li could not help feeling somewhat guilty.

She opened her mouth, intending to say something, but in the end no words came. She could only watch as Lin Tian placed the figurines into his pocket and walked out without once looking back.