Chapter 113 Leaving

Chapter 113: Departure

Yan Zhoubai's voice was faint as he conversed with the system, as if the preceding conversation had completely drained him of energy.

Yan Ren's face had long lost its usual gentle warmth; he stared at Yan Zhoubai with a grim expression, his thoughts unreadable.

The servants, who had been in the living room and kitchen, had discreetly withdrawn earlier, sensing the tense atmosphere. Now, the spacious living room held only the five of them.

Did Yan Ren have nothing to say? Of course not. But when Yan Zhoubai articulated every thought he had suppressed over the years, Yan Ren found himself speechless—because everything Yan Zhoubai said was undeniably true.

Yan Zhoubai had ruthlessly stripped away the last veneer of pretense between himself and the Yan family, and the message conveyed by this act was unmistakable. This stark clarity was something Yan Ren found impossible to accept.

Ever since Yan Zhoubai’s minor rebellion at his coming-of-age ceremony, Yan Ren had realized that the family’s long-standing attitude toward him had been inappropriate. He had genuinely wanted to make amends, but such deep-seated issues couldn't be resolved overnight.

He had always believed there was ample time to mend things gradually, but then Zhan Jiayu unexpectedly entered their lives. Everything was thrown into disarray, and now Yan Zhoubai no longer even sided with the Yan family.

What Yan Ren struggled to accept was that, despite his good intentions, events had spiraled into the very outcome he most dreaded.

Yan Zhoubai kept his head slightly bowed, his eyes red and glistening, but he fought fiercely to prevent the moisture from forming tears. He refused to cry here.

Yan Anxuan, seated beside Yan Zhoubai, reached out and gently turned his shoulder, compelling him to meet his gaze.

Seeing Yan Zhoubai’s bloodshot eyes and defiant expression, Yan Anxuan felt a sharp pang in his heart.

How had it come to this? Today was meant to be a joyous occasion—Xiao Bai’s return, the family gathered for a meal, a cherished bottle of aged red wine opened, and the cake Xiao Bai loved specially bought. How had things deteriorated to such a degree?

The moment Yan Zhoubai looked up, everyone noticed his reddened eyes. Yan Ren’s grim expression softened considerably. He started to speak, but this time Bai Rong directly interrupted him:

"Xiao Bai, don’t cry. Don’t listen to your father’s nonsense. He’s so old-fashioned—it’s not as serious as he makes it out to be. Let’s eat first, okay? The Chinese herbal duck soup with adenophora root and Solomon's seal simmering in the kitchen should be ready. Shall I get you a bowl, dear?"

Bai Rong subtly stepped on Yan Ren’s foot, effectively cutting him off and taking over the conversation.

Her voice was as gentle as if she were soothing a child, and upon closer listening, a slight tremor could be detected. It was as if Yan Zhoubai, facing her, were a delicate, fragile piece of porcelain—one careless word could shatter him.

Upon seeing Yan Zhoubai’s red eyes and seemingly fragile demeanor, Bu Qiran’s initial glance was directed sharply at Yan Ren, his gaze critical.

He was deeply displeased with Yan Ren today. How could he utter such words? They were too harsh, reducing Yan Zhoubai to his current state. Bu Qiran’s heart ached terribly for him.

While Yan Zhoubai’s relationship with Zhan Jiayu was an unavoidable topic upon his return, and Bu Qiran had certainly hoped Yan Zhoubai would heed their advice and break up with Zhan Jiayu, he had never intended to push Yan Zhoubai to such a desperate point.

Yan Ren had already regretted his harsh words the moment he saw Yan Zhoubai on the verge of tears.

Now, catching Bu Qiran’s disapproving glance, he felt even more sheepish. He bore the primary responsibility for today’s disastrous dinner.

Bai Rong also shot Yan Ren a reproachful look. Seeing that Yan Zhoubai hadn't responded to her earlier words, she rose and went to the kitchen to retrieve the simmering soup.

Meanwhile, Yan Anxuan drew Yan Zhoubai into his embrace, gently stroking his back and whispering softly into his ear, "Xiao Bai, don’t cry. Whatever you wish to do, your brother supports you. This will always be your home—a sanctuary from life’s storms, not a cage to confine you."

Yan Anxuan’s tender comfort finally broke the emotional dam Yan Zhoubai had been holding. The moisture in his eyes gathered into tears and streamed down.

"I’m not crying," Yan Zhoubai stubbornly retorted, his voice thick with tears and a nasal quality.

"Alright, alright, you’re not crying, Xiao Bai isn’t crying. There’s still a little matcha cake left—shall we finish it?"

Yan Anxuan’s gentle, comforting demeanor was something neither Yan Zhoubai, Yan Ren, nor Bai Rong had ever witnessed. Bu Qiran looked at Yan Anxuan as if he were a complete stranger.

Was this his elder brother, Yan Anxuan? Did he possess such a side? The same man who, at the company, would coldly reprimand underperforming subordinates until they were utterly humiliated?

However shocked the others were, they were all grateful that Yan Anxuan could act this way now, for his comforting words were clearly having an effect.

Yan Zhoubai remained nestled in Yan Anxuan’s arms for a long moment before slowly sitting up and picking up his fork to eat the last bite of matcha cake.

Bai Rong quickly handed him a bowl of soup.

Yan Zhoubai didn’t take it, but Yan Anxuan reached out and accepted it, asking softly, "Would you like some soup? Mom started simmering this early this morning—it wasn’t prepared by Auntie Zhang or the others. Do you want to try it?"

Yan Zhoubai slowly turned his head to look at the bowl of soup in Yan Anxuan’s hands, then nodded.

"Yes, yes, your mother simmered it for a long time. This soup is very nourishing—have some more," Yan Ren hurriedly added, trying to smooth over the unpleasant dinner incident now that Yan Zhoubai had accepted the soup.

But Yan Zhoubai didn’t even glance at him. In fact, from earlier, he had been ignoring the other three at the table. Only Yan Anxuan could still communicate with him now.

Yan Zhoubai was doing it on purpose. He didn’t want to argue with his father anymore—it was pointless anyway.

He slowly finished the small bowl of soup, then said calmly, "I’ll leave after dinner. My room… won’t be needed anymore. Do whatever you want with it. I’ll take responsibility for my own affairs from now on. You don’t need to worry about me."

"What are you saying? What do you mean we don’t need to worry about you? What do you mean your room won’t be needed? This is your home—how could we not care about you?" Bu Qiran panicked. Yan Zhoubai’s tone felt alarmingly final, like the calm after utter disappointment.

Yan Zhoubai slowly turned to look at Bu Qiran and said, "This is your home."

Those six words struck like a heavy sword, leaving Bu Qiran utterly at a loss for how to respond. They were words that pierced the heart.

He was the true young master; Yan Zhoubai was the impostor. They were inherently on opposing sides. Even if he didn't perceive it that way, it didn't mean Yan Zhoubai felt the same.

And yet, he had fallen for Yan Zhoubai. It was almost a cruel irony. Many of the hardships Yan Zhoubai faced were, in a way, brought about by his very existence.

Not because of anything he had actively done, but simply because he existed.

"Xiao Bai, don’t say things like that. This has always been your home. If you don’t like us interfering in your affairs, we can discuss it properly. But don’t say you’re leaving home out of anger," Yan Anxuan said, gripping Yan Zhoubai’s left hand where it rested on his leg. His hold was unconsciously tight, as if afraid Yan Zhoubai would slip away.

Yan Ren’s earlier words had angered Yan Zhoubai, but Yan Anxuan hadn’t panicked then. Now, hearing Yan Zhoubai say he wanted to leave the Yan family, he was truly alarmed.

He could barely accept Yan Zhoubai staying with Zhan Jiayu, telling himself it was because the Yan family had failed him.

But Yan Zhoubai was still part of the Yan family. He could return anytime, and their connection hadn’t been severed. Yan Zhoubai still shared his daily life in the group chat—they were still family.

But now, Yan Zhoubai’s words sounded like he intended to sever all ties with the Yan family. That was something Yan Anxuan absolutely could not accept.

"Xiao Bai!" Bai Rong also grew anxious, her voice rising before she caught herself and softened it again. "Child, you mustn't say such things. Even if you’re arguing with the family, it shouldn’t come to leaving home. If you think your father’s words were too harsh, I’ll make him apologize."

She nudged Yan Ren’s arm, signaling him to apologize.

Yan Ren had no issue apologizing if it would resolve the situation.

But Yan Zhoubai paid no attention.

"I’ve always been rather dispensable in this family all these years. I’m grateful for your care and upbringing—a debt I can never truly repay. If the Yan family ever needs me in the future, just say the word. But I won’t alter my life plans for the Yan family. In fact, from the moment I learned about my background, my future plans no longer included the Yan family."

"Staying with the Yan family was merely a transition. I was always going to leave, regardless of whether you intended to compensate me or not."

Yan Anxuan grew more panicked with each word. He wanted to keep Yan Zhoubai, but what reason could he possibly use? Yan Zhoubai had already been so direct and resolute.

Yes, the poisoning! And the poisoning incident last time! Last time, Yan Zhoubai took the poison for him, so essentially, he owed Yan Zhoubai his life. He had to do something to repay him.

But just as Yan Anxuan was about to speak, Yan Zhoubai continued:

"Big brother, please don’t blame yourself for the poisoning incident when you drank in my place. No one could have predicted such an accident, so don’t feel like you owe me anything."

Yan Zhoubai let Yan Anxuan hold his hand, not struggling even as the grip grew tighter, and calmly spoke this long passage to Yan Anxuan.

He had said everything he could, leaving himself no possible excuse. Yan Anxuan didn’t realize that the look in his eyes as he gazed at Yan Zhoubai was almost desperately pleading.

Xiao Bai, you truly cannot leave.

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Author's Note: Don’t forget to refresh the previous chapter—it’s been updated! [Heart]