Leon swallowed hard as Hu Qing walked past him toward the already open door. As if pulled by an invisible string, all eight members of the family—the four brothers, the three sisters, and their mother—stood and followed Hu the moment he exited the room.
Zoe paused a step into the hallway, turned, and gestured sharply for Leon to follow. Then, without waiting, she turned back and followed the direction everyone was heading.
'Why are they behaving strangely? First, they bowed to me as if I were a king. And now, they're behaving as if I'm a threat. How?'
Thoughts reeled in Leon's mind as he followed casually, the black book still clenched in his right hand.
The hot rays of the late afternoon sun shimmered on their heads, painting the gravel path with a harsh, golden light.
Leon glanced down at his simple black outfit, then scanned the others. He marveled at the elegant, dark travel clothes—tailored trousers, fine jackets, and boots that looked both expensive.
