Chapter 167: 167- Special Physique.

The words were calm, the voice gentle, yet each syllable slid like a knife’s edge, leaving the air colder than before.

"The night before that incident happened," Fang Yuan began, his voice low, almost reflective, "both my parents told me they would be fine because you were his sworn brother."

He let the words hang for a moment, watching Gu Jian’s eyes.

"But that night... turned out to be their last night with their child. That day ended up being the last moment I would ever hear their voices."

His gaze sharpened, though his tone remained almost tender. "Tell me, Gu Jian, what excuse have you got?"

Fang Yuan reached out, fingers cold and unhurried, and tilted Gu Jian’s chin upward until their eyes met.

Seeing him kept his mouth shut and simply staring back at him, Fang Yuan sighed.

"I always used to believe," he said softly, "that the crime of the parents is not for the children to bear. Maybe I was wrong?"

Without another word, he released him and turned, footsteps echoing against the damp stone as he began to leave.

For a moment, only the sound of chains shifting filled the air, then, like a snapped bowstring, Gu Jian’s voice tore through the basement.

"What does that mean?! Fang Yuan! This is between us!"

His ragged breathing hitched, and he bellowed again, louder, desperate—

"Fang Yuan! Fang Yuan!"

The chains clanged violently as he strained against them, but Fang Yuan’s shadow had already vanished beyond the door.

Once Fang Yuan stepped out of the basement, he let out a slow, measured sigh.

The cool night air kissed his face as he tilted his head, eyes scanning the blanket of stars above. His voice was barely audible, a whisper carried on the breeze.

"I don’t have much time left..."

Before he could dwell further, a chorus of lively voices reached him, slicing through the night’s quiet.

"Ah, Little Pei! Can’t you let this old lady admire your new handsome self?"

Fang Yuan’s gaze shifted, and there she was, Aunt Jingyi, her eyes gleaming with amusement as she reached for Xiao Pei.

The young man squirmed in her grasp, trying to retreat, his shoulders tense and hands raised in a feeble defense.

"Ah, Aunt... please..." Xiao Pei’s voice trembled, half plea, half panic, as he wiggled beneath her grip.

Fang Yuan allowed himself a faint smirk.

There was something endlessly entertaining about the sight: Aunt Jingyi’s relentless energy, Xiao Pei’s flustered attempts at escape, and the quiet contrast of the night around them.

He leaned against the cool stone railing, eyes observing every beat, Xiao Pei jerking back, Aunt Jingyi’s laughter bubbling over, and the subtle tension that made the moment feel almost alive.

Just then, Fang Jingyi’s sharp eyes caught sight of Fang Yuan, and a wide, delighted smile spread across her face.

She waved energetically, her voice cutting through the night air.

"Little Yuan!"

Her excitement was palpable, almost contagious, vibrating through the space between them.

Xiao Pei’s gaze locked onto Fang Yuan, and for a heartbeat, it was as if he had glimpsed a long-lost savior.

His expression shifted from flustered panic to pure awe, and without hesitation, he bolted forward.

Fang Yuan planted his feet, bracing himself.

Both Fang Jingyi and Xiao Pei came running at full speed, their energy and urgency colliding like a storm about to hit.

He widened his arms, ready for the embrace, feeling the weight of their trust and relief in every step they took toward him.

Fang Jingyi was the first to reach him, rushing forward with unrestrained energy.

She threw herself into a hug, her arms wrapping tightly around Fang Yuan.

"Little Yuan, you are doing amazing with the clan," she said, her voice warm and brimming with pride. "I just wanted to make sure you know that."

Xiao Pei arrived next, panting slightly, and Fang Jingyi released her embrace, stepping aside with a chuckle.

"Oh right, this brother of yours," she continued, nodding toward Xiao Pei, "his condition is... a little special. From what I’ve checked and seen, it’s a hidden physique or something. I always thought those were myths or just made-up terms so it was a shocker when I came to this conclusion."

"A hidden physique?" Fang Yuan repeated thoughtfully, then his eyes lit up. "That’s definitely it! Brother Da Pang, those with a hidden physique can cultivate faster, stronger, and more resilient than ordinary folks!"

Xiao Pei shuffled awkwardly at her side, stammering, "B-but... we... we don’t even know what type of physique I... I have..."

Fang Yuan shook his head, a teasing smirk playing on his lips. "It’ll be easy. Just change your surname to Fang, and I’ll figure it out, easy peasy."

Fang Jingyi burst into laughter at the suggestion, clapping her hands with amusement.

Xiao Pei forced a laugh, trying to play along. "N-nice joke, Brother Fang..."

Fang Yuan’s brows knit in confusion. "No, no, I actually mean it."

Xiao Pei froze, eyes wide and a flush creeping up his face. "Y-you’re serious?!"

Fang Jingyi let out an awkward, half-laugh, half-chide. "Nephew... you’re joking now, right? You’ll check it for him even if he doesn’t change his surname, yes?"

Fang Yuan paused, a flicker of hesitation crossing his features.

He knew the system could only scan the Fang family, but asking Xiao Pei to change his surname outright would have been... cruel.

So he smoothed his expression, letting a warm, teasing laugh escape. "Haha, Brother Da Pang, I’m joking with you. But don’t worry, I’ll find a way to figure it out."

"Ah... Shaoge... it’s... it’s okay. But... thank you... thank you so much for being... so helpful," Xiao Pei stammered, his words faltering under the weight of gratitude.

Fang Yuan rested a firm hand on Xiao Pei’s shoulder, his gaze steady. "We are sworn brothers. We’ll always do our best for each other."

Yet, beneath the calm reassurance, a quiet ache gnawed at Fang Yuan’s chest, the heavy, invisible weight of the truths he couldn’t share, a sting he could not voice.