Chapter 1201 Brotherly Rift 2
He originally thought that when the brothers met, even though the older brother now held a high position, they should at least show some of the intimacy they used to have in private.
But at this moment, the overly solemn and dignified office, the brother's focused and oblivious demeanor on official business, and the silent, pervasive pressure all seemed like an invisible barrier standing between them.
The courage he had mustered before coming, the words he had rehearsed countless times in his mind about helping Wanying and Xueli find their families, now seemed to be stuck in his throat, and he couldn't utter a single word.
He even felt a strange pang of guilt, thinking that bothering his busy chairman brother for "personal matters" was an immature and inconsiderate act.
His palms were slightly sweaty as he held the teacup. He sipped the tea slowly, trying to ease the sudden tension, but he dared not linger his gaze on his brother for too long, for fear of disturbing him.
The only sound in the office was the scratching of pens writing, and time seemed to stretch out.
Gu Chengyun sat on the comfortable sofa, but it felt even more unbearable than when he was taking the most rigorous tests at the military academy.
He involuntarily straightened his back, even his breathing became much lighter, and the fear he shouldn't have felt when facing his brother quietly grew and entwined in his heart like tiny vines.
At this moment, he clearly realized that his brother was not only his brother, but also the chairman of the Emergency Military Committee of the Zhou Dynasty's End Times, the supreme leader who controlled a vast war zone and the fate of countless people. The close relationship they had built since childhood seemed to be shrouded in an indescribable barrier and distance under the reflection of this absolute power.
.....
Just as Gu Chengyun was holding a teacup, staring absentmindedly at the carpet pattern, a warm and broad hand suddenly descended from above, pressing precisely on his short, slightly prickly buzz cut with a familiar force, and even rubbing it vigorously a couple of times.
"What are you daydreaming about? Sitting here like a little old man."
Gu Chengyuan's cheerful voice rang out from above, the intimacy and teasing in his tone instantly shattering the invisible shell of ice in the office.
Gu Chengyun suddenly looked up and met his brother's smiling eyes.
His gaze remained deep, yet it brought back the familiar warmth from his memories. All the pressure and distance he had felt earlier vanished in that gentle smile.
It turns out, the older brother is still the same older brother.
An indescribable sour feeling suddenly rushed into Gu Chengyun's nasal cavity, and his eyes uncontrollably reddened. He quickly lowered his head and rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand to cover it up.
"Tsk, this head feels nice to the touch, like touching sandpaper." Gu Chengyuan seemed not to have noticed his younger brother's little action, withdrew his hand, commented to himself, and then sat down on the single sofa next to him.
"Brother!" Gu Chengyun mumbled somewhat awkwardly, his voice still carrying a slightly nasal tone.
Gu Chengyuan seemed to have just noticed, raising an eyebrow slightly, leaning forward, and speaking with concern:
"Huh? What's wrong? Did you get upset at military school? Which instructor or classmate made you suffer? Tell me."
He asked directly, his eyes sharpening, as if he could immediately order a "rectification" of the military academy's atmosphere if Gu Chengyun simply nodded.
"No! Really no!" Gu Chengyun quickly waved his hand, stiffening his neck and stubbornly saying, "It's just... when I came up just now, the window might not have been closed properly, and some sand blew into my eyes."
The excuse was so flimsy that even he himself didn't believe it.
Gu Chengyuan stared at him for two seconds, noticing his younger brother's ears, which were slightly red despite his forced composure, and knew exactly what was going on.
He didn't expose him, but just smiled knowingly, leaning back on the sofa and giving his younger brother, who had grown up and knew how to save face, a way out.
"Okay, sand it is then." He said casually, but his gaze involuntarily began to scrutinize his younger brother.
The changes are indeed quite significant after just a few months.
His originally fair skin had turned a healthy wheat color, even a bit dark, a mark left by long-term outdoor training.
The youthful naiveté on his face had faded considerably, and his eyes were more determined and bright than before, revealing a tenacious spirit that refused to admit defeat.
His well-fitting starry camouflage training uniform made him look exceptionally tall and straight, and his neat buzz cut added to his ruggedness and decisiveness.
My younger brother, who used to follow me around and was a bit mischievous, now seems like a piece of good steel that has undergone initial tempering and is rapidly taking shape.
A surge of indescribable joy welled up in Gu Chengyuan's heart. He had reached this position today, and the road ahead was clear. He bore the responsibility for the future of the remaining civilization of the Zhou Dynasty.
He had few worldly expectations of his family, not seeking their help, but only hoping they would be safe and happy, with their own pursuits and values, rather than becoming a burden requiring his constant care or potentially causing trouble. He was genuinely happy to see Cheng Yun growing in a positive direction.
"Are you adapting well to military school? Are you keeping up with the training? Are you having any difficulties in your daily life?" Gu Chengyuan changed the subject, his tone like that of an older brother concerned about his younger brother's studies.
"Everything's fine, bro. Training is tiring, but I can stick to it. The instructors said that among my batch of trainees, my grades are pretty good." Gu Chengyun's tone became much more natural when talking about military academy life, with a touch of pride.
"That's good." Gu Chengyuan nodded.
"Listen to the instructors and get along well with your classmates, but don't be afraid of trouble. We don't cause trouble, but we're not afraid of trouble either."
"I know, brother."
The two brothers chatted for a while about interesting things and experiences at the military academy, and the atmosphere in the office completely relaxed.
But Gu Chengyuan was very perceptive. He quickly noticed that Gu Chengyun's eyes would occasionally dart around while he was speaking, and his fingers would unconsciously rub the edge of the teacup. Clearly, he was preoccupied with something else.
"Alright, stop beating around the bush." Gu Chengyuan picked up his untouched cup of tea, blew on it to warm it, and asked casually:
"You left your three wives behind on the weekend and came all the way here. It wasn't just so I could touch your new hairstyle, was it? Tell me, what's making you so preoccupied?"
Caught red-handed by his brother, Gu Chengyun's face flashed with embarrassment. He scratched his stubble-like short hair, hesitated for a moment, and then spoke somewhat awkwardly:
"Brother...actually...Wanying and Xueli...have something they want to ask you for help with, but they didn't dare to come directly, so...so they asked me to come and ask you what you think..."
"Oh?" Gu Chengyuan put down his teacup and looked at him calmly. "What do they want?"
Gu Chengyun swallowed hard, organized his thoughts, and lowered his voice:
"Well... the committee was established, and its sphere of influence expanded... so they... they were thinking, could they... find a way to find out about their family members?"
"It's Wanying's parents and Xueli's family... They know this is a private matter and are afraid of causing you trouble or having a bad influence, so they're being extra careful and asked me to sound them out first..."
After he finished speaking, he looked at his brother nervously, afraid that his request would provoke displeasure.
After listening, Gu Chengyuan showed no surprise on his face. He remained silent for a moment, tapping his fingers lightly on the armrest of the sofa, as if he was thinking about something.
The office fell silent again, with only the rhythmic tapping echoing in the air.
Gu Chengyun's heart also rose little by little with the sound of the knocking.
