Reborn: The Return of the Villainous Mr. Liu-Chapter 1168: Echoes of past

"Their relationship was actually quite good back in the college days. Sihan and Yuhang were as close as any brothers could be, though yes, Yuhang wasn't as hot-tempered as Sihan. Initially, Yuhang wasn't much interested in the business either. Oh boy how Dad had scolded him once at some party…"

Xinyi was surprised. "Scolded Zhong Yuhang?"

"Yeah. To be more like Sihan. Strong and arrogant. The same kind of comparison he used to do with me too," Han Tian grimaced. "In that sense, I actually felt closer to Yuhang at times.

Shui took a bite of the sandwich and asked, "Then what happened? How did Zhong Yuhang get into business when he wasn't that interested in it?"

"You will be surprised to know that Sihan had actually dragged him into the family business."

Lin blinked.

He never told me this.

"He believed both brothers would handle running the company and stand strong against any competitors. They would be an undefeatable pair."

"There is a but," Nuo said.

Han Tian sighed. "Yuhang was a capable man, no doubt, but as compared to Sihan, he was still lacking in many things. The division of responsibilities became harder and harder and at one point, Sihan lost his cool."

'You aren't cut out for handling the business at all!'

"I think it was at that point that things began to slowly turn sour between them," a glint of sorrow flashed in his eyes. "Everything was going fine until then, but business brought cracks into their relationship. Since Yuhang was in a weaker position, it also became quite easier for some people to manipulate him into going against Sihan. He fell for some people's schemes who were only out to use him."

Lin remained silent for a while.

"Why did he take his own life?"

He shook his head. "I don't know. I asked Sihan many times, but he never answered me. Yuhang was married by then and had a kid. Probably, it got too hard for him to navigate from all sides. Fighting his brother at home and at company probably took a toll on his personal life with his wife and son too. I thought his relationship with his wife was good, so she would support him but…Ah that reminds me of something when I was at Yuhang's funeral."

Lin listened keenly.

"His wife wasn't much…involved. I don't know how to put it in words, but it felt like she was being very distant. Well, in a way, I understand the shock of losing Yuhang, but it still felt a little odd, like she was actively avoiding being a part of it."

That's strange, Shui wondered.

"Sihan had also behaved differently back then. He did carry out the rites and everything, but I felt there was more to it. People all around him were admonishing him for being two-faced. He pushed his brother to take his own life and now the same person was carrying out his last rites? Everyone thought that there would be a fierce fight between him and his sister-in-law, but they hadn't even shared a glance the whole day."

Shui asked, "Why was he sent to prison after a long gap? I heard his son found his last letter that…"

"I was just as shocked as you are. The initial years went on fine. His son, Heng, grew and eventually entered the family business. But I believe he never kept peace with Yuhang's death. I don't know the circumstances under which he found his father's last letter, but that was all he needed to pin the blame on Sihan. Until then, there wasn't any evidence."

Lin stared. "Mr. Zhong didn't fight it?"

Han Tian's gaze was fixed at the last bite of his sandwich, his memories taking him back to the good, old days.

"He…might not look like it, but did love his brother. I had gone to meet him and urged him to fight the case, but he chose to pull back. I think…somewhere in his heart, he felt guilty for pushing his brother too far."

Han Tian gently closed his eyes and smiled faintly. "You know, it's funny. He cursed my art and choices all life along, but strangely enough, he didn't reject Yuhang's portrait I had drawn for him."

Shui's eyes slightly widened.

"It was a few days after the funeral when I had gone to visit him. He had just.. quietly taken the picture from me."

Lin stared ahead at the empty space.

'What are you looking at, Mr. Zhong?' He had asked one day as he was passing by.

Zhong Sihan was quick to hide a page he was looking at and met Lin's inquisitive eyes with a chuckle. 'Nothing. I was just looking at an idiot. Biggest idiot I could have ever met in my life.'

—

"Can you take care of Muyang for a second? I'm getting a call."

"Of course."

Nuo handed her son to Shui and walked away to attend a call. Han Tian had also retired to his own work, but not before thanking Lin to the ends of the world for bringing a delicious meal for everyone.

Lin glanced at her. "Did it help you?"

Shui met his gaze and smiled. "I guess, yes. I think I know what to draw now. Right, Muyang? You will help your Aunt, right?"

"Baaaaaa.." his big irises shone with curiosity and excitement.

Then he flailed his arms toward Lin, moving them more eagerly than ever.

"Hello," Lin calmly greeted him.

"Baaaa?" Muyang tilted his head and waved his arms again, this time more zealously than before.

"Yes, hello. It's nice to meet you," he nodded.

Muyang stopped moving and stared at him, tears brimming his eyes and sliding down his chubby cheeks soon enough. "Baaaaaa…"

Shui rolled her eyes. "It's so clear that he wants you to hold him, but you just keep saying hello."

He looked surprised. "Is that so?"

"Of course. He is so thrilled to see a new face. His eyes are practically glittering."

Lin knitted his brows slightly, thoughtful.

"What's there to think about so deeply?" Her brow twitched. "Hold him for a while."

She stuffed Muyang against his chest, and he instinctively held him - held Shui's hands that were holding him in place.