Reborn: The Return of the Villainous Mr. Liu

947  Brothers

Jin stared at Lin's stall from the crowd, a wave of fury gripping him.

What is he doing here?

He wanted to confront him then and there but there were so many people lined up that his confrontation would have only caused a scene. Lin and Cai were too occupied with the order requests that they didn't even have the time to look around anywhere.

Jin inhaled a small breath and decided to come by later.

He is definitely planning something. First he makes his shop outside Shui's office and now he is at this exhibition too?

He wanted to pass them off as coincidences but Zhan Yahui had wrecked such havoc in their lives that he couldn't fully believe Lin despite his reassurances to Jun.

He turned in a furious huff and almost crashed into an incoming figure.

"Hey watch out where-"

Alix paused her cold voice and looked at Jin. "You."

"Uncle!" Ailun beamed.

Jin slightly widened his eyes. "You two."

He quickly bent on his one knee and patted his nephew's head. "Are you okay? Did I hurt you?"

He furiously shook his head. "I am fine."

He sighed in relief. "Sorry bud. I should have watched my back."

"I am not hurt, Uncle," he grinned. "So it's okay."

He smiled and then looked back at Alix who wasn't shooting her icy stares at him anymore. He saw how Ailun and Alix held hands and Ailun standing slightly behind her legs.

Did she pull him back from getting hurt?

Wait, why did it feel like she was about to kill me for a second there?

Jin frowned at that notion.

Ailun sparkled and asked, "Uncle, Uncle, pastry aunt and I are walking around the gallery and seeing so many cool paintings! I don't understand many of them…" he blinked.

Jin laughed. "Well don't worry about it. More than half of the adults surely don't understand them either."

"Uncle join us, no? It will be fun! I didn't understand many paintings but pastry aunt explained it to me! Then we came here for a coffee break. But I am still a boy so I will drink hot chocolate," he seriously nodded.

Jin's lips pressed into a straight line at the mention of the coffee shop.

"How about we go outside for a quick snack?"

Alix smiled. "Word of mouth is that the coffee here is really delicious. It will be a waste to not taste."

The trio joined the queue and it took some time but their turn finally arrived.

Hou Cai was at the back preparing sandwiches and Hou Lin was at the front,. taking and serving orders. Jin stared at him to find that he was surely overwhelmed and uncomfortable by the crowd. He wasn't even aware that Jin was standing in front of him. Nôv(el)B\\jnn

"Two coffees and one hot chocolate," Alix said.

Lin looked up and stiffened. He recognized Alix as the customer from the other day and without a doubt, Jin too.

Sir Jin…

Lin immediately looked away, making Jin squint his eyes. Lin clasped his hands together, anxious.

"Quite a surprise to see you here. It feels like I am seeing you a lot, am I not?"

Lin trembled and couldn't say anything in his defense. But his brother stepped forward and replied.

"The gallery's director asked us to set up a stall here after getting to know our cafe's reputation. He paid us a good deal and we decided it would work great from a marketing and advertising perspective too. More people will know about us and our cafe will grow. There is nothing more to it."

Cai firmly held Jin's gaze, having his brother's back without a single trace of nervousness.

"Is that so…?" Jin said.

Alix whistled. "The director made a sound choice. Your coffee is delicious."

Jin glanced at her and she shrugged. "The cafe is in the right spot. I need a good break after Shui's persistence to take my art sessions seriously."

His brow twitched.

Cai bowed earnestly. "Thank you, Mam. We are glad to serve you."

Alix stared at him and murmured to herself.

"...Brat."

She then stared at Lin. "Two coffees and one hot chocolate."

Lin looked back at her with a complicated gaze, remembering how he had felt the last time she visited his cafe.

"...Is it the same order for you as last time?"

"Yes."

He inwardly bit his lip, his eyes starting to ache a little.

Don't…think about her. It's just a coincidence. Other people can have the same tastes…

They stepped out of the queue with Ailun beaming with joy. "This hot chocolate is super tasty!"

Jin took a sip and had to admit that the coffee was indeed worth it. Lin definitely has talent in that department.

"Is it good?" Alix smiled.

"...Hm."

He looked back and glanced at Cai once more who had faced him without any fear.

"Does he remind you of somebody?"

"Huh?" His attention broke and he asked, "Remind me of what?"

She slightly tilted her head. "Another brother who is just like him? Another brother who will do anything to help and protect his brother."

"...I don't know what you mean," he couldn't help but look away.

Alix stared at him, a myriad of questions racing through her mind.

"Brothers…Must feel nice to have them. They will fight and bicker and make a hell out of each other's lives, but-"

"Won't stay still if their brother gets hurt."

She said nothing.

Jin smiled. "It's the same with sisters too. Sis Nuo will gnaw a person out if they hurt her brothers, especially me because I am the youngest."

Ailun scrunched his brows. "I don't feel like protecting Aang and Taio. They are always fooling around."

He chuckled. "Trust me, you do."

He harrumphed. Then he beamed. "Uncle, join pastry aunt and me! We will look around the gallery together!"

Jin ruffled his head. "Cool."

Alix smiled, satisfied.

He is a natural.

Previously, she had included Ailun in her plan to drag Jin with them around the gallery and somehow make some chances for Jin and Shui to meet, especially after her painting was revealed.

Nieces and nephews are always such great choices of weapons, aren't they?