The Return of the God Level Assassin Chapter 1287: NOT PART OF THE FAMILY

Shen Xin stood utterly stunned. The response he got was nothing like what he'd imagined. He'd assumed Shen Ji Yun would display at least some regret, or perhaps a trace of shame for getting exposed. Yet nothing of the sort happened. The other remained totally composed, and to make matters worse, he seemed downright smug. What in the world?

"Are you seriously meaning this?" he demanded, his tone laced with utter incredulity. "Can't you see the impact this will have on Grandpa once he learns about it? He nearly suffered a heart attack from Uncle Yi Mu's revelation. And here you are, repeating the very same mistake? Has he set such a powerful example that you feel compelled to be gay too, exactly like him? Are you both genuinely aiming to finish off Grandpa?"

Shen Xin recalled the events of the previous Spring Festival with perfect clarity. The entire family had assembled at the Shen family's ancestral home to mark the Lunar New Year. Things had begun smoothly, filled with warm greetings and delicious meals. But then Uncle Yi Mu showed up. He headed straight to the study for a private chat with Dad and Grandpa. That's when chaos erupted.

Uncle Yi Mu burst from the study in a rage. Shouts echoed from behind the shut door soon after. When the family hurried inside, they found Grandpa slumped in his chair, gasping for air with a ghostly pallor. Dad knelt nearby, urging him to swallow his heart medication. Once the pills went down, Grandpa unleashed a torrent of threats to disown Uncle Yi Mu, declaring him no longer his son, peppered with a barrage of harsh, wounding remarks.

Naturally, the rest of them were baffled and dying to know the cause. The complete truth only emerged that evening, shared in hushed tones by the elder relatives. The explosive argument stemmed from Uncle Yi Mu confessing to Grandpa that he was gay.

Shen Xin had dismissed it initially. Why wouldn't he? Uncle Yi Mu had never dropped any clues about being drawn to men. Sure, no one had ever heard of him dating a woman, but that alone didn't label someone gay. Beyond that, Shen Xin was certain none of the others had ever entertained such a notion. Imagining anyone in the Shen family deviating from the norm seemed utterly improbable, like some wild dream.

Nevertheless, Uncle Yi Mu had shattered that illusion. Even so, Shen Xin and his brother Shen Lin resisted accepting it fully. They cornered their father about it a few days afterward. Shen Xin had expected evasion, but to his surprise, their father provided a straightforward explanation. He revealed that Uncle Yi Mu had shared a deep romance with a man many years back. That partner had departed, ending their bond. But apparently, the man had returned recently, and they were reuniting.

The revelation left both him and Shen Lin reeling. With their father not one to jest on grave matters, it had to be factual. Shen Xin truly struggled to process his emotions in the wake of it all. Yet, since Uncle Yi Mu stopped appearing at the main house after that incident, ignoring the drama became straightforward. He did miss his uncle's presence somewhat, but the ensuing family tranquility proved far more appealing. Thus, over the passing months, the startling episode slipped entirely from his mind.

This held especially true because he seldom returned to the main house these days. His time was mostly occupied with school or, occasionally, hanging out at certain bars. As a result, he avoided hearing Grandpa's ongoing rants about Uncle Yi Mu, which he suspected continued unabated. Despite the disownment threats, Uncle Yi Mu's details remained in the family registry. Grandpa likely hoped his son would return begging, claiming he was straight once more. Shen Xin figured that scenario was highly unlikely to unfold.

Therefore, witnessing Shen Ji Yun alongside a young man now, and hearing him boldly declare the fellow as his boyfriend, flooded Shen Xin with recollections from that Spring Festival. His irritation with the current mess instantly intensified.

Shen Ji Yun responded with a brief, bitter snort. "I highly doubt my being gay would faze Grandpa in the slightest. If you've overlooked it, he hardly acknowledges my presence. Even should you dash off to inform him this instant that you've spotted me with my boyfriend, he'd likely mutter 'good riddance' and gladly cast me out as well. So, drop the theatrics. After all, I'm not truly viewed as part of the Shen family. The sole people who ever treated me like kin were Uncle Yi Mu and my grandmother. Their views are the only ones that count for me."

A lump formed in Shen Xin's throat upon hearing Shen Ji Yun's statement. He could concede, at least inwardly, that he and his brother hadn't been kind to Shen Ji Yun during their childhood years. Shen Lin had largely pretended he wasn't there, giving him the cold shoulder. Shen Xin, on the other hand, had been far crueler. He'd spearheaded the taunting from other kids in the branch families.

As he matured, the antics lost their appeal, and he quit participating, but the harm was irreversible. The younger branch family members had already adopted the habit of belittling and sneering at Shen Ji Yun. Thus, upon reflection, Shen Ji Yun's point stood valid. He'd never truly been embraced as family.

Yet even so.

Noticing Shen Xin's struggle to counter his words, a flash of revulsion crossed Shen Ji Yun's face. Then came a soft, comforting touch as delicate fingers wove through his, their hands clasping warmly.