Chapter 1198 - I’ll Sound Him Out

Hua Lin Yu nodded, quietly accepting his brother's scolding. He didn't know how he was supposed to fall in love with Xin Lan again but this was definitely what would be for the best so he would give it try. Maybe it would actually work. He could only hope so. "Then, what should I do now? I just ran out when he asked me. Wouldn't he be angry?"

Hua Lin Rong furrowed his brows. Yes, that was a valid concern. Xin Lan didn't seem too angry back when he came to ask how Hua Lin Yu was doing and had instead seemed more worried about him but who knew how long it would stay that way? After all, he had basically been rejected by his own fiance. Who would be happy about that?

So, it was likely that even if he was able to put his anger aside for a while, he would sooner or later think of it and then show how unhappy he really was with this. He wasn't quite sure if his brother would be able to deal with that. After all, he had never seen Xin Lan's unpleasant side. And he definitely had one. Everyone had.

Pondering for a moment, Hua Lin Rong finally reached out and patted his brother's shoulder. "I'd say don't do anything for now. Let me talk with him first. I'll try to sound him out and see how angry he really is. Then we can still decide what to do about it. In any case, he loves you. I'm sure that he'll be willing to give it another try."

Hua Lin Yu nodded but there was still some worry in his heart. He just didn't know what would happen in the future if he went down this path. Marrying a man he didn't love … it didn't seem right. But at the same time, he also felt that he really couldn't tell Xin Lan the truth. If he couldn't tell him the truth, then how could he say no? It seemed impossible.

Hua Lin Rong sighed and patted his head, finally motioning at the bed. "Alright. It was a long day. Just lie down and sleep for a while. Tomorrow morning, everyone might have calmed down a bit. Then, we can see how to continue."

Hua Lin Yu nodded and lay down, pulling the blanket up to his chin. He couldn't fall asleep though. For the first time in three years, he was actually sleeping alone. He was … completely unaccustomed to it. Usually, there would be Xin Lan's reassuring presence right behind him, his warmth slowly allowing him to fall asleep. If he was honest, he missed it.

Thinking about it, remembering how they had sometimes talked until late at night, Hua Lin Yu was completely confused. He couldn't imagine a future with Xin Lan right now. He could imagine one with Bai Mu. But at the same time, the memories he shared with Xin Lan … he also didn't want to miss any of them. And he couldn't imagine being without him in the future. Just what was he supposed to do?

He thought and thought and finally fell asleep still just as confused as before.

Hua Lin Rong continued to sit next to him, his elbows propped up on his knees, and stared into space. He was also unsure of how to go about things. There was only one thing that was clear and that was that they had gotten themselves into a really unfavorable situation. No matter where they went from here, things might not turn out well.

He sighed, rubbed his face, and then took another look at his brother before he got up and silently left the room. He hesitated for a moment but then went to knock on Xin Lan's door.

The answer came immediately. Xin Lan opened the door and then slightly raised his brows when he saw him. "Xiao Yu …?"

Hua Lin Rong gave a wry smile. This man … his first thought was about how his brother was doing. It was obvious that he liked him very much. To think that his brother had actually spent time with him but still fallen in love with somebody else was completely incomprehensible to him.

He hesitated outside but finally motioned into the room. "Would you mind if I came in?"

Xin Lan stepped to the side and then closed the door behind Hua Lin Rong. He motioned over to the table and sat down opposite him, giving him a deep look. He could imagine that something had happened. And now, Hua Lin Rong had come to talk things out with him. "Is it that your brother doesn't dare to come and speak to me himself?"

Hua Lin Rong's expression immediately turned into one of a guilty conscience. "No …"

"There is no reason to lie. In any case, I can imagine what it is. He probably told you what happened. Well, as his brother, how could you not want to help him out? So, what is it that he wants me to know but can't tell me himself?"

Hua Lin Rong's expression turned even more awkward. Something Xin Lan should know but that Hua Lin Yu wouldn't dare to tell him … He was afraid he wouldn't dare to tell him either.

He cleared his throat and then shook his head. "It's not quite that. He is … he is still pretty anxious right now. I barely got the whole story out of him. I think that even though we originally just came here so the two of you could get to know each other better, he still wasn't prepared for that talk." He awkwardly stopped and then lowered his gaze, folding his hands on top of the table.

"You probably can't even imagine that. Xiao Yu was so sure about marrying you but now that you asked him for real, he suddenly chickens out. That must feel like a slap to the face. I'm sorry about that." He glanced up but then looked away just as fast, not daring to look Xin Lan in the eye. In any case, he might call it chickening out but he knew the truth. How could he just shamelessly pretend this was any different?

Xin Lan gave a hum and then propped his arms up on the table as well, leaning forward. "So, you came to talk to me in your brother's stead on your own volition. I have no problem with that. Just … get it out with. We'll see what we make of it after that." In any case, could it really get worse than it was right now? He sincerely doubted that.