16 Fake Brotherhood

" Guests, thank you for the time you have taken to celebrate such a momentous occasion with us!" a young man announced as he toasted to all the guests in the Grand Hall.

Raising his cup quietly, Qiang Li's eyes fixed on the young man in front. A kindly smile was plastered on his face as he offered a cup to the grand old lady seated on the seat of honour. Certainly playing the part of a caring and filial grandson. Already tired of the show, Qiang Li yawned.

Qiang He smiled at the crowd. As he scanned across the Grand Hall, his gracious smile slowly turned sinister.

Qiang Li locked eyes with him, a mocking grin appearing to Qiang He. A low chuckle erupted from Qiang He's throat. Descending the steps to Qiang Li's seat, he greeted his half-brother. Immediately, all the guests looked at the brothers. One was a famous troublemaker, while the other is a filial and polite man. However, the brothers kept up a front, making everyone think that they were on good terms.

" Li! I didn't think you would show up!"

Nodding his head, Qiang Li replied, " Well, I couldn't disappoint Grandmother, could I?"

Qiang He's condescending gaze didn't escape Qiang Li's alert eyes. Playing it cool, Qiang He poured more wine for himself, raising the cup up to his brother. Qiang Li graciously held out his own cup, allowing a servant to fill it up.

" To our brotherhood!" the two announced as they downed the wine.

Although still smiling, Qiang He sneered in his heart. Having to call this trash his brother made him want to throw up. Yet, he had to treat him so well just to create a perfect facade of their good relationship to the public. No matter what, in elite society, reputation was the most important after all. For Qiang He to be known as a kind brother to a trouble maker made him look benevolent, which boosted his reputation in the eyes of everyone.

Qiang Li quietly observed Qiang He's phoney smile. Looking back down into his empty cup, he suddenly felt a pang of discomfort in his chest. As his eyebrows scrunched up, he clutched his chest. Out of the corner of his eye, Qiang Li noticed a subtle glint in his brother's eyes.

What a family, his own brother had tried to poison him.

Mu Qing quickly slipped a pill to him. Nodding discreetly to her, Qiang Li forced a grin as he swallowed the pill down quietly.

Noticing the slight movement between Qiang Li and his servant, Qiang He raised his eyebrows.

Was the poison working?

Pretending to look into the distance, Qiang He secretly examined Qiang Li from his peripheral vision. His long sleeves hid his crossed fingers. This trash better quickly go to hell!

Observing Qiang Li for a while, he realised that nothing was happening. His thick brows twitched. Gritting. his teeth silently, Qiang He huffed. At least if he doesn't die from one of the poisons in his wine, the other poison will slowly corrode his organs.

Resuming his fake smiling and small talk with business partners, Qiang He praised himself for buying a very expensive poison that couldn't be countered with any normal antidote. He had bought two different poisons earlier today. One of them was more expensive, but the shopkeeper had assured him that it was more potent and deadly compared to other poisons. This special poison slowly destroyed a person from the inside, causing organs to disintegrate over two months. While that might be a long time, Qiang He was willing just as long as Qiang Li was gotten rid of.

Over at his seat, Qiang Li quietly observed his brother's expressions. Seeing as Qiang He already noticed that he was still alive and yet was keeping his act up without breaking character, Qiang Li furrowed his eyebrows.

" Grandmother! Qiang Yin is here to celebrate Grandmother's birthday!" an overly sweet voice rang out.

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Qiang Li's eyes immediately shot up. Why was this girl here?

A short little girl descended the steps of the Grand Hall. A wide grin on her heart-shaped face, she curtsied towards the Grand Monarch. Grandmother Qiang listlessly nodded her head, acknowledging the girl.

The girl approached Qiang He, her eyes becoming crescent moons as her smile widened.

" First Brother! How have you been? I've just came back from Shui continent, "

Qiang He politely replied before ushering her to her seat, pouring her jasmine tea while making small conversation. All the while, the girl stole glances at Qiang Li, waiting for him to notice her.

Qiang Li casually sat back, watching the girl's actions. This girl still wanted to play her little games, she was already 15, yet she wanted to act childish.

As he made eye contact with her, she smiled smugly, whispering a few words to him, " See! I don't need you to pamper and care for me! I have an older brother here who treats me nicely!"

Qiang Li almost snorted. Although she was seated away from him, he could read her lips. This idiot! Did three months away from the family screw up her brain?

Qiang He never genuinely felt emotions like love, all he knew was profit and investments. The only person he ever felt anything for was himself.

Qiang Yin pouted, seeing her second brother's reaction. She had expected him to show a tinge of anger or jealousy, but all she saw was him snickering at her.