Perhaps because he was home, Rong Zhenqiao's usually cold and serious face softened a little. Occasionally, he even responded to Rong Zhihao's chatter.
Whether it was intentional or not, the only dish placed in front of Rong Xingyu was a plate of plain boiled greens.
He listened quietly to their laughter while lowering his head as he ate in silence.
The three of them is the real family, they are shared the same blood.
He was just an outsider.
When Rong Zhenqiao noticed that Rong Xingyu kept his head down while eating only the same simple dish, his brows furrowed slightly.
Using the serving chopsticks, he picked up a piece of braised pork rib and placed it into Rong Xingyu's bowl.
Rong Xingyu stared at the meat for a moment before whispering a small, almost timid, "Thank you."
He ate the rib very slowly, bite by bite.
"Don't go back tonight," Rong Zhenqiao said suddenly. "Stay here and sleep in your old room."
The moment the words left his mouth, Rong Zhihao's face stiffened.
The butler quickly stepped forward looking uneasy. "Young Master, that room has been used for the young master's personal things. It's the bes -ventilated one in the house."
Rong Zhenqiao's frown deepened.
Rong Xingyu quickly waved his hands. "No need… I'll just go back."
"Right, right! After dinner, the driver can take you," Rong Zhihao said quickly sounding relieved.
But across the table, Rong Zhijian calmly adjusted his glasses and said in a slow cool tone, "When did the Rong family suddenly have only one empty room?"
At that, both the butler and Rong Zhihao's faces turned pale.
The butler and Rong Zhihao both froze, their faces drained of color.
Rong Zhihao tried to soften the mood and calling out in a sweet tone, "Big brother—"
But before he could finish, Rong Zhenqiao cut him off with a cold voice, "Don't let it happen again."
Rong Zhihao's expression darkened immediately.
Inside, he was seething with resentment. He's my real brother, isn't he? This is my housez our house! Since when do I not have a say in my own home…?
Rong Zhihao originally wanted to argue, but when he saw how angry Rong Zhenqiao looked he swallowed his words silently.
"I don't want to eat anymore," Rong Zhihao muttered. He tossed his chopsticks onto the table and went upstairs without another word.
Rong Xingyu sat there feeling completely out of place. Maybe it's better if I just leave, he thought helplessly.
In the end, the butler arranged a guest room for Rong Xingyu on the second floor, while the rest of the family stayed upstairs in their main bedrooms on the third floor.
After taking a shower, Rong Xingyu came out of the bathroom dressed in new pajamas and slippers. He fell face first onto the soft clean bed.
He rolled over twice, sinking into the mattress.
Even though it was just a guest room, the bed was soft and comfortable and the sheets were freshly changed. It felt just like staying in a five star hotel.