The look on Xia Haoran's face said it all. It was like he was screaming at her face that she was lying again.
"Ge, I saw you with him at the hospital. Do you dare to admit that you don't care about him at all?" At first, Ru's eyes widened at his words then she let his words sink in.
"Care?" She whispered softly as if questioning herself.
"Of course, care. I have never seen you taking care of someone and don't tell me that you changed in these years. A leopard can never eat grass. It'll always stay as that bloodthirsty animal." Xia Haoran's voice held a certainty and assurance that Ru couldn't bring herself to deny. Even she knew deep down that she cared about Xiao Zhiren but knowing it and accepting it were two very different things.
"Okay. I accept that I care about him." Xia Haoran was pleasantly surprised at her claim but it soon turned into a scowl as she continued, "But it's only because I took a blood oath with him. He's my sworn brother and you know how serious I am about these things."
Xia Haoran's face twitched as he tried to hold in his urges to kick his own brother. He couldn't believe that Ru just used the 'sworn brother' to justify her car for Xiao Zhiren. Did he look like an idiot? Or was he still that gullible little teenager whom she left behind?
However, Ru was very pleased with her answer. How smart of her!
"Ge, aren't you ashamed of your own reasoning?" The smile on Ru's face stiffened as she glared at Xia Haoran. "Do you still have the habit of forgetting that you're a female? FEMALE. Just because I can't bring myself to call you sister, doesn't mean you're not one."
Wasn't it a known fact that Ru often forgot her gender? Her disguise had grown on her to the extent that she found it really hard to accept her real self.
Ru didn't know what to say to him. She knew that she couldn't be a 'sworn brother' to Xiao Zhiren. Especially since the person involved had some intense feelings towards her. Feelings that she found really hard to accept.
"You know I'm still surprised that being the way you are, there are people who actually want you as their life partner." Ru's brows creased up as she looked at her brother inquisitively. "You tell me yourself... You're headstrong, stubborn, violent, sharp-mouthed, cunning like a fox, darker than midnight-,"
He was interrupted by Ru.
"Oh, stop it already. You're gonna make me blush with all these compliments." Ru said offhandedly while grinning from ear to ear.
Xia Haoran shook his head as he looked at Ru's satisfied expression. Indeed, only she was capable of taking those words as a compliment but then again he was actually complimenting her. So, whatever! He shrugged his shoulder nonchalantly.
With a cough, he went on, "Anyways, as I was saying that you have not a single attribute like a lady."
"How's that?"
"You're not delicate, coy, shy, graceful, elegant, soft-spoken or even gentle. Are you?" Ru shook her head almost instantly. She didn't need to think. Just hearing these words made her stomach coil up in disgust. And seeing the expression on her face, Xia Haoran pointed out, "These are the reasons why I'm surprised that he fell for you."
"I'm also surprised. No. I'm definitely shocked. How can he choose me?" Ru muttered in confusion. "I don't even have any redeeming quality."
"Now, that's where you're wrong." Ru looked at Xia Haoran who had a faint smile on his face. "You're loyal, honest, strong, brave, and most of all, very innocent." Ru's eyes opened wide dramatically as she couldn't process his words properly.
"I can accept all but I'm neither honest nor innocent," Ru said with a blank look on her face.
"It's weird that you always lose your narcissism when this topic is brought up." He placed his hand over her shoulder and spoke languidly, "Ge, your honesty comes from your heart just like your innocence. We all are dishonest but we all are trying to protect something with that dishonesty. You protected your innocence through dishonesty. It's remarkable if you ask my opinion."
Ru was surprised for a moment. She thought she'd see the disappointment in his eyes. But in all these years, nothing changed about him; well, except that he grew up in height. His eyes though still looked at her with the same adoration, admiration, gentleness, zeal that it used to have. He was still her rice-cake who loved to tug at her sleeves and follow her like a clingy little pet.
She smiled as she thought of this.
This time, Xia Haoran saw the look in her eyes as well. He could more or less understand what was running through her mind. He never thought of hating her. He could never bring himself to do so. He was upset and angry since she hid for too long but nothing else.
"By the way, even if you didn't have those qualities. There is one more that can top the charts."
"What is it?" Ru asked curiously.
"This face of yours." Ru gaped at him as he went on, "This face that can topple countries. Trust me, your face is enough to catch attention. I doubt there is anyone who can resist it. And if they did, they won't be able to run from your impeccable presence."
Ru ruffled his hair adoringly as she said, "Aiyo, now you're talking rubbish. When did you learn to talk like this?" Xia Haoran was chuckling, not minding at all that his hairstyle was being squished by her. Recalling something, Ru tugged at his hair as she asked, "You were at the hospital?" He pursed his lips guiltily as he nodded. "I was right. I felt someone's presence. But why did you hide?"
"You played hide and seek for so long? Why couldn't I do so?" Xia Haoran answered while brushing his hair back with his fingers.
Ru contemplated for a moment longer as she added, "You were the one who killed those bounty hunters?"
"Naturally. Who else would be this meticulous?" There was a smug look on his face that made Ru's lips twitch. She didn't know whether to be happy or sad to know that her brother was a replica of hers.
"Seems like Father finally taught you the skills." Ru smiled a bit as she remembered how much Xia Haoran used to run after her because Father would never allow him to learn that one special skill.
"He didn't." Xia Haoran shook his head. "I learned it all from Grandfather."
Ru frowned at his reply. "Why? Father taught me personally. It's not possible that he'd treat you differently."
The smile on Xia Haoran's face diminished slightly and as he looked at her face, he was in a conflicting debate with himself. Coming to a conclusion, he simply answered her with, "How can Father give me the same treatment as his favorite son? You're always favored but you always thought I was the one loved the most."
Ru didn't reply to him. She didn't know what to say either. She knew she was favored but loved? Was she really? Exhaling a long breath, she asked, "How did you find me?"
"Tracked you all the way from London." Ru's brows quirked up as he added, "It's interesting that you have been running around as Alev Knight, Xie Rong, and what else? When are you planning on becoming Young Master Ru again?"
Ru didn't ask him how he guessed his identities. He was really like her. How could he be any less of a genius? After all, he was her brother. Her pride in the real sense.
"I have to earn that identity back... I can't walk back as Young Master Ru until I really earn my justice back." Ru's fists clenched tightly as she was reminded of the nightmare that she had lost contact with for a long time.
"How long will it take?" There was an eagerness in Xia Haoran's voice along with impatience. But he didn't voice it out clearly. He was hiding something from sure.
"I don't know." Ru's answer made his eyes to lose their glimmer.
"Can you write a letter to Father? I need it." Ru tried to read the look in Xia Haoran's eyes but he masked it perfectly. "Besides, he'd love to know that you're fine." Ru gave a slight nod in response. "By the way, I didn't even tell you. Mother has saved all those love letters of yours."
Ru was furious as he brought up that topic of letters again. Gosh! She hated that reminder from her childhood.