Chapter 58 - Jullian Qin

"Oh, Dion, you're home early." A monotonous voice greeted Dion as soon as he entered the Qin old residence where the chairman of the Qin Empire lives. "I didn't know you'll come over."

Dion raised his gaze to his brother, the second young master of their family, Jullian Qin. He was holding a document, staring at him with those pair of sharp monolid eyes behind his eyeglasses. An austere man who might be too plain and straightlaced, but has great stature in the company.

"Big brother, have you dated anyone?" Dion asked, but his question didn't seem to faze Jullian, as questions like this were to be expected from Dion.

Jullian just shook his head and turned around. "Dinner is over, but you should greet grandpa. Follow me, I have some matters to talk to him about as well."

"Oh!" Dion immediately sprung his feet and caught up with Jullian. "It's fine, I already ate in brother Lu's place." 

Jullian suddenly halted and set his eyes on Dion. "You were with big brother?" he asked, arching his brows as he scrutinized Dion to confirm if he was lying.

"Yes! He even told me to come over again!" Dion proudly exclaimed, grinning until his pearly white teeth let themselves known. "This young brother of yours will finally be of use for the future generation of our Qin Family!"

"That sounds almost convincing," Jullian muttered before resuming in his steps, and Dion immediately hopped as they walked side by side.

Dion clicked his tongue, as Jullian was always like this. "Brother, don't you know? Our brothers have now a chance to get married?"

"Nice try, Dion. Don't tell me you got someone pregnant after fooling around so much?" 

"What!?" Dion halted, offended by Jullian's remarks. The latter also stopped after taking several steps before he looked back.

Jullian opened his mouth and said with disinterest, "No one will be able to get married unless big brother gets married. Who is that woman you got impregnated?"

"Big brother Jul! Do you really see me in that light?" Dion gasped in disbelief, peering at Jullian in dismay. "I'm saying brother has a woman now. I was even with them earlier!" 

Jullian raised a brow as he studied Dion's expression. "Are you sure it's a woman?"

Dion's face immediately contorted at the question. Well, he couldn't blame Jullian for thinking so, as he wouldn't be the only one who would ask that question.

'Damn. Why did big brother Lu butcher his image like this?' Dion clicked his tongue in annoyance, lifting his chin up as he planted his hands on his hip before saying, "Of course! Hundred percent!" His tone was definitely certain.

But Jullian raised a brow, suspicious. "Did you see it for yourself?"

"What?"

"If she's a woman or just looks like a woman, that's what I'm asking." Jullian clarified, leaving a mental trauma in Dion's pure mind. "You know our brother. Don't strain your brain about it too much, though. I'm sure Derek wouldn't allow that."

Jullian turned around and casually continued on his steps to meet their grandfather. Dion, however, stood on his spot like a statue as his mind buzzed momentarily.

"A real woman or just looks like a woman…?" Dion's expression turned pale at the thought. How could Jullian say such a hair-raising remark?

Although Lewis could go extreme, he wouldn't go to that extent just to fool everyone, right? Dion reviewed Lewis' track record in his mind and he gasped.

Their grandfather had been nagging Lewis about getting marriage intensely. So, it was plausible that Lewis finally lost his mind and came up with a ridiculous plan!

"No, no, no!" Dion shook his head, attempting to recall his experience in Lewis and Devon's apartment for the past two days. It didn't seem they were faking it, and Lewis even smiled genuinely at him.

Dion nodded, determined to trust Devon. "My sis is real! They didn't say they're in a relationship, anyway."

'But did you think it's only a coincidence that the woman your brother was interested in isn't interested in him?' The devil in his mind whispered, shaking him to the core.

'Was it merely a coincidence? What was behind that smile? A relieved smile since it seems the plans were effective?' These types of questions couldn't help but hover inside Dion's mind, giving him a headache before he threw a huge fit.

"Ughh!! Brother Jul! Why?!" he lamented, tugging his hair in distress.

*****

"My friend, can I ask something?" Devon asked, tilting her head as she watched him pour the wine with precision and elegance.

"Sure," he answered, sliding the glass of wine to her, then picking up his. 

Devon nodded at the permission before she asked, "This may sound personal, but how come you have five brothers?" she purposely left out the necessary details that made her question a little… strange, but Lewis immediately grasped what she meant. She couldn't just ask, 'how come you had more brothers if your parents died when they only had you?'

"Dion is not my biological brother," he answered nonchalantly as he leaned back, resting his leg over the other. "And so was Jullian, Rio, Kai, and Ansel. My grandfather adopted them."

Her lips formed an O-shape, nodding as she realized Dion and Lewis didn't have much resemblance. "Your grandfather is very kind if so." But Lewis snickered after hearing her remarks. So, she asked with a furrowed brow, "Is there something wrong?"

"My grandfather seems like a kind man, indeed." Lewis nodded as he swirled the wine until the vibrant red liquid coated the side of the glass, lifting it up to his nose to inhale and appreciate its aroma. He only took a sip.

His action, though, forced her to watch his every movement and noticed how his Adam's apple bobbed. Devon's throat suddenly felt parched before his voice snapped her back.

"Unless, you know the reason behind them," He uttered as he placed down the glass of wine. He arched his brow when Devon pursed her lips and averted her eyes.

"Since I'm an only child and I lost my parents early, my grandfather adopted them to well, be my playmates, I guess," he explained, ignoring Devon's subtle action. 

"I don't hate them nor I hate my grandfather as I know he did what thinks best for me due to his desperation to help me recover, but… every single one of them had become a Qin and the Qin Family follow strict traditions."