The Return of the God Level Assassin Chapter 1290 1290: A LITTLE CONVERSATION BETWEEN COUSINS
Previously on The Return of the God Level Assassin...
Luo Yan pulled open the passenger side door of Bai Ze's vehicle and slid into the seat. Once he settled in and shut the door, his cousin fired up the engine and sped away from the grand entrance of the mansion. Now, the pair headed toward T University.
"Planning to link up with Shen Ji Yun afterward?" Bai Ze inquired, shattering the easy quiet that had lingered during their drive.
"Yes, right after my initial lecture," Luo Yan replied. Then a thought struck him—one he'd been eager to pose to his cousin since the shooting range mishap over the weekend. "Oh, by the way, Brother Ze," he started, shifting a bit in his chair. "What exactly do you know regarding the Shen family?"
"You mean Ji Yun's folks?" With the car halted at a stoplight, Bai Ze turned to face him. Luo Yan shot back an expression that screamed 'who else could it be?', prompting a light laugh from Bai Ze. "Just confirming," he added, eyes returning to the street as the signal shifted to green. He pressed on with the drive. "Anyway, the Shen family holds quite a prominent spot in politics."
Luo Yan was already aware of that detail. It popped up first in his online search results. Yet he sought more than surface-level facts, things he could dig up on his own without effort.
"No, I mean, what kind of family are they really? How's the home atmosphere there?" Luo Yan pressed for details.
The question caught Bai Ze off guard for a second. Was Luo Yan inquiring due to Shen Ji Yun? After pondering briefly, it made sense—they were an item, after all. Still, why bring it up only now? Likely some recent event sparked his interest, or perhaps concern, over his partner's household.
As the elder cousin, Bai Ze believed honesty was key. Though he couldn't reveal much, given his limited dealings with the rest of the Shens. Despite the wealth and influence shared by both Bai and Shen clans, their social worlds rarely overlapped. His friendship with Shen Ji Yun stemmed purely from sharing a classroom in primary school years.
Thus, the real insights he offered drew from observations of how the Shen family handled Shen Ji Yun.
"To begin with, the family head's commands reign supreme. And that stubborn gee-- " Bai Ze halted mid-word and coughed lightly. "I mean, the elder never approved of Ji Yun's mixed heritage. He never regarded him as a true grandson. When not dismissing him outright, he was downright harsh. Not with fists, naturally. But with words? Without mercy. The younger ones witnessed the patriarch's behavior, so Ji Yun's relatives mirrored it toward him. Even the branch family youths felt free to taunt and belittle him at every encounter. Basically, they're a pack of narrow-minded elitists with inflated egos."
Luo Yan absorbed those revelations and grew silent. So, his suspicions rang true after all? He'd pieced it together from Shen Ji Yun's spoken and unspoken hints. Still, Bai Ze voicing it aloud ignited a fierce surge of rage piercing his heart.
Why the issue with mixed roots? Did the Shens view themselves as heavenly lineage that couldn't abide any 'impurity' in their veins? He scoffed inwardly at the notion. Modern royals globally no longer obsessed over unions with nobles or everyday folk. Yet this clan couldn't embrace a boy merely for lacking 'purity'?
Bai Ze stole a swift peek at his cousin amid the lack of reply. But spotting Luo Yan's expression nearly sent him veering off course. A shadowy, boiling fury etched Luo Yan's features—something utterly new to Bai Ze. He swallowed hard, yanking his gaze back to the path ahead while clutching the steering wheel firmer. Luo Yan had to be seething with rage at this point.
"Ahem," Bai Ze uttered, piercing the heavy quiet. He aimed for a comforting vibe as he continued, "Try not to dwell on it excessively, Xiao Yan. Truth is, Ji Yun long ago stopped caring about those folks' views. He's moved beyond it ages ago."
"Maybe that's true for him these days," Luo Yan murmured, tone subdued. "But it doesn't erase the pain or isolation he endured as a kid."
Bai Ze fell still at that. How could he counter when it probably held water? He mulled it over during the drive's stretch. At last, he responded, voice softer. "In that case, you can ensure he never feels alone again starting today."
Luo Yan halted briefly, absorbing the idea. A soft, real laugh bubbled up then, loosening the strain in his frame. "Indeed, that's something I can manage." He eyed his cousin, a spark of his typical mischievous glint resurfacing. "Never imagined Brother Ze dispensing solid guidance now and then."
Bai Ze exhaled inwardly with relief. Good, Luo Yan appeared his usual self once more. So he joined in, feigning affront. "Oi, careful there. I'm always ready with top-notch counsel. You simply don't seek it out."
"Speaking of which, Brother Ze," Luo Yan segued effortlessly, pivoting in his seat with evident intrigue. "What's the latest with Xia Li? Any noteworthy progress?"
The abrupt name-drop nearly jolted Bai Ze into the adjacent lane again that morning. He steadied the car fast and cleared his throat, feigning nonchalance. "Progress on what?"