Chapter 205 - A BIT OF PROVOCATION

"XIAO JIN, can you tell me more about this Shen Ji Yun?" Luo Ren asked.

They were currently alone in the living room.  Bai Ze took Shen Ji Yun to his room and was showing him something.  That's why only the Luo brothers were left.

Luo Jin was slightly surprised by his older brother's sudden question.  "What brought this up?"

"Hmm… let's just say he caught my interest," Luo Ren answered smiling.

Luo Jin looked at his brother's expression.  Although he was smiling, he could tell that it was not real.  When Luo Yan was still in a coma, their older brother was like a flower on the very top of a tall and snowy mountain.  Cold and unreachable.

When he's outside, he barely smiled.  He didn't even like interacting with people.  He only did so when it's needed.  If Luo Jin ended up having anger issues because of the incident that happened seven years ago, then Luo Ren just became frozen.  He only started to melt when their brother woke up.

The result of that was him being able to smile more often now.  Although sometimes, his smiled still needed practice.  Especially when Luo Yan was not around.  His smile just appeared, well, too fake.

"If you're asking about that Shen Ji Yun, then I don't know much.  But if I would only base it on his attitude so far, I would say that he was like you when Yan was still in a coma.  The only difference was that guy was extremely expressionless."

Luo Ren put his hand under his chin.  "Expressionless, huh?  He didn't look like that when he's talking to Yan Yan though."

In fact, there was a gentle look on his face every time he looked at Luo Yan.  But Luo Ren could understand what Luo Jin meant.  Because in any other time, he was exactly as his brother described. 

"He's only like that when he's around Yan," Luo Jin grumbled. 

But he didn't say anything else.  He was still feeling guilty for his insensitivity earlier.  So, he would just let his older brother decide what his opinion would be of that guy.

"When he's only around Yan Yan, huh?" Luo Ren fell into a deep thought again.

Looking at his brother, Luo Jin could tell that he was thinking about something.  Could he also realize that that guy, Shen Ji Yun, had some kind of ulterior motive?

Unlike what Luo Jin was imagining, that's totally not the direction of his older brother's line of thinking.  Luo Ren didn't immediately jump to the conclusion that Shen Ji Yun was some kind of bad guy that's trying to lure Luo Yan.  His first thought was actually; ah, this guy was probably similar to him in a way.

A person wouldn't be that expressionless and cold without a relatively deep reason.  He's guessing that it was probably related to something that happened to him in the past.  Probably on the same level as the accident that took his mother's life away.  Only something as painful as that could change a person fundamentally.

In that sense, he could sympathize with him. 

This Shen Ji Yun was probably thinking of Luo Yan as some kind of source of light in his dark and cold life.  That's why he's treating him very differently.  He could understand that.  Just simply looking at his adorable younger brother could lift the spirit of anyone.  And if you received one of his smiles, then you would feel like everything would be okay in your life.  Even just for a second. 

It was fine if that was all.  But if Shen Ji Yun's interest was more than that, then he and Luo Ren would have a problem. 

As if on cue, Bai Ze and Shen Ji Yun climbed down the stairs and walked to the living room.  Both sat down on a free couch.

"Is Xiao Yan still with Grandpa and Xiao Ye?" asked Bai Ze.

"He is," answered Luo Jin.

Bai Ze leaned back lazily on the couch he was sitting.  It seemed like his younger brother really took a liking to Luo Yan.  Man, it's going to be really such a pain when his uncle and cousins leave tomorrow.  That younger brother of his would definitely make a fuss.  Well, his mother was here.  So, it definitely wouldn't be that much of a problem.

"You two have been friends for a long time now, right?" Luo Ren suddenly thought of asking. 

"That's right, Brother Ren."  Bai Ze put his arm around Shen Ji Yun's shoulders and grinned.  "We're as tight as real brothers."

Shen Ji Yun removed Bai Ze's arm and scooted away.  "You're too close."

"I see.  It's nice, having such a good relationship," Luo Ren said.  "Then being so close and all, can you honestly tell me that he won't ever take advantage of my cute, adorable, kindhearted Yan Yan?" 

He might have said it in a joking tone but his expression was telling everyone otherwise.

Luo Jin glanced at his older brother.  It looked like he was indeed suspecting something.  To what extent, he wasn't sure.  But it would be good if the two of them would be on the same page regarding this guy, Shen Ji Yun.

Bai Ze was slightly taken aback by the question.  He didn't expect his older cousin to ask that.  He knew that Luo Ren was not kidding and he was definitely asking him seriously.  But how exactly would he answer? 

But before he could answer, Shen Ji Yun already spoke. 

"I won't," he said, looking straight at Luo Ren.

"I'm not asking you though," Luo Ren said while looking down on his nails.

Bai Ze let out an awkward laugh.  "Brother Ren, even though this guy looks like some cold, apathetic bastard, he's really not.  He might not look like it but he's a true softie inside.  You know, the kind that would take home an abandon cat on the street."

"Oh?"  Luo Ren glanced at Shen Ji Yun.  "How kind."

Shen Ji Yun didn't flinch and didn't evade his gaze from Luo Ren.

Luo Ren raised one of his brows.  What an interesting fellow.  He could tell that he's no coward.  And with what Bai Ze said, it's easy to see that contrary to his looks, he was indeed a kind young man.

He shrugged.  He probably should give him a pass.  For now, at least. 

The slightly tense atmosphere was broken when Luo Yan came running to the living room.

"Hey, Yan, no running!" Luo Jin immediately scolded.

Luo Yan only smiled at him before rushing to Luo Ren.  "Brother, I asked Dad if I could go and visit T University today.  He said yes!  He said you and Ah Jin should come with me.  And then, Brother Ze and Brother Ji Yun would accompany us.  Let's go now, okay?"

There was silence for a few seconds before Luo Jin broke it. 

"No way!"