The group of the Xin family was gathered in the room right beside Xiu's.
Unlike what Ying told Han Bohai, there was actually just a thick silence in the room. No one seemed to be in the mood to talk. Each and every one of them had something to think about. There was no discussion going on, just plain silence.
All of a sudden, Zhao Huan stood up and walked to Xiao Li's side who was sitting with his head in his hands. He seemed to have a headache and it was driving him crazy. Zhao Huan silently sat beside him on the sofa and placed her hand on his shoulder.
Xin Xiaoli opened his eyes and flashed her a smile. Or at least tried to smile.
"This was supposed to be a beautiful day for you, and it turned into a disaster. But don't blame Xiu for it."
Xin Xiaoli chuckled quietly at his aunt and held her hand saying, "I am not even thinking about it. I'm only worried about Xiu's condition. She's pre..."
"Cough!"
Since Xin Zimen coughed right at this moment as if signaling him, Xin Xiaoli decided to keep it to himself and went on, "Anyways, I heard that she isn't in the best of her conditions. So, she needed a stable environment. In fact, the doctors asked her to stay positive and happy. I just hope this doesn't affect her health."
"You really care about her," said Zhao Huan.
He was quiet for a minute before saying, "Whichever way it is, she is my cousin."
"Meihui is in the same hospital."
Xin Xiaoli's acted as if she was completely unrelated to him as he said, "She should feel lucky that she is just in the hospital. If Xiu hadn't reacted I'd have sent her straight to hell!"
Seeing his reaction, Zhao Huan was all the more convinced that he had an ulterior motive behind marrying her. But before she could ask...
"Baba!"
Xin Xiaoli was a little taken aback when a small girl ran into his arms. He looked up at his brother who brought her. Ah-Si shrugged his shoulders, "She was wandering around. I just accidentally bumped into her. She insisted on seeing you. Not my fault that I can't shake her off. She is very difficult to deal with."
Xin Xiaoli didn't say anything to his brother and instead picked up Asteria and made her sit on his lap as he asked, "Why are you running around at this time?"
"I was looking for you," replied Asteria cutely. "Grandma said mom is sick that's why she brought me here but I ran away when I heard that you're also here."
Xin Xiaoli's lips curled up slightly as he spoke, "Isn't it mom who is sick? Why were you looking for me then? Shouldn't you be with mom?"
Xin Xiaoli's eyes were gentle as he looked at this little girl's face and kissed her hand saying, "Little star, is this your age to worry about me? Worry about your future! Not me."
Asteria shook her head in determination, "No! I have to protect you. Last time when mom hit you because of me, I promised to myself that I'll protect you."
The people listening around and seeing this scene all had a complicated look on their faces. Xin Zimen's eyes darkened as he asked, "When did Qiu Meihui hit you?" Xin Xiaoli bit his lip and looked up at his father's furious eyes. "When did this happen? Who really gave her the guts to touch not one but two people of the Xin family? This is outrageous!"
"Dad, we can talk about it some other time." Xin Xiaoli didn't want to discuss this right now.
"Later? When? You've been hiding a lot of things from me lately."
Xin Xiaoli pointed at Asteria with his eyes as he said, "Let's talk later, please!"
Xin Zimen didn't continue and went to sit far away from him. He really regretted agreeing to this marriage between his son and his best friend's daughter. What was he even thinking? Just for the sake of his friendship he really was gonna bring a snake into his own family.
"Baba, what happened to mom?" asked Asteria innocently. It just so happens that the little girl had not been present when the hell broke loose between Xiu and Meihui. She had been excited for days and haven't been sleeping well maybe that's why she slept during the ceremony and missed the 'big show'.
However, Xiao Li was happy that she didn't get to see any of it. He rubbed her head and said, "She is just a little sick. Nothing to worry about."
"I'm not worried," replied Asteria without hesitation. "Mom has her family with her, she'd be fine. And I have you. We'd be fine."
Xin Xiaoli kissed the top of her head and cupped her face as he said, "I don't know about the rest but I'll make sure that you're fine. I promise."
Asteria gave him a toothy grin before hugging him and closing her eyes. Only now did she seem like she was willing to rest again in peace comfortably.
Zhao Huan had been sitting closest to Xin Xiaoli and she had seen this interaction from a view which others couldn't see. The emotions swirling in his eyes, the love and protectiveness towards this little girl... She felt like she had a whole new view of this situation.
"You!" Xiao Li looked at his aunt who snorted in disbelief, "You're just like your mother."
Xiao Li smiled at her, "I suppose that's a compliment."