"He's not here. He's been home all day and just now said he had an urgent matter to attend to, so he hurried out," Xu Zhilan replied with a kind smile.
"Oh." The three children couldn't hide their disappointment, their heads drooping as they sat on the sofa.
Shen Xi merely glanced upstairs, her expression unchanged, and looked at Xu Zhilan, "Grandma, I'll play chess with you today."
"Alright. I haven't played in a while, it's a good chance to spar with you." Upon hearing this, Xu Zhilan immediately placed the nine-link puzzle she was holding onto the coffee table.
The three children then took it to solve.
Just as the chessboard was set up, Qin Si Ye walked downstairs.
"Sister Xi, you're here." Qin Si Ye's eyes lit up when she saw Shen Xi and the children, and she ran down happily. As she reached them, she put on a sad face, "It's a pity my brother had to go out."
"Si Ye, what do you mean by that?" Xu Zhilan looked up at her, a little confused, "Are Xi Xi and the children here to see your brother?"
"No, no." Qin Si Ye realized she almost let slip, and quickly explained, "I just meant it would be more lively if my brother were here."
They were keeping the fact that her brother was injured from fighting a secret from their grandmother to avoid her worrying.
"Yes, yes. Si Ye is right." Xu Zhilan, holding a white piece, placed it down while looking up at Shen Xi, "I don't know what's gotten into Si Ye these past couple of days. He's been so secretive, wearing sunglasses and a mask whenever he goes out or comes in. Today, he didn't even go to work, and he wouldn't come down for meals, saying he was too busy with work and asked Sister Li to bring his food to his study."
Upon hearing this, Shen Xi's heart skipped a beat. She finally understood that Qin Si Ye had been hiding the fight from his family and was trying his best to cover it up from his grandmother. A sense of guilt inexplicably arose in her heart.
"It's alright. Grandma, I brought the children over mainly to keep you company." Shen Xi smiled and replied calmly.
Qin Si Ye went to play with the three children for a while. Seeing that Qin Si Ye still hadn't returned, she secretly took a photo and sent it to him.
"Brother, where are you? Sister Xi and the children are at our house."
Qin Si Ye quickly replied, "I have some urgent matters to deal with. Keep them playing for a while longer."
"Okay. I'll try my best, but you need to hurry." Qin Si Ye typed quickly on her phone.
Putting away her phone, she continued playing games with the children.
Before long, Shen Xi and Xu Zhilan finished their game of chess. Shen Xi got up, intending to take the children home.
Qin Si Ye immediately stood up and said, "Sister Xi, you won this game. But you have to give Grandma a chance, why don't you play another round with her? Perhaps Grandma can learn from her experience and win back a game. Grandma, don't you think so?" As she spoke, she secretly winked at Xu Zhilan.
Xu Zhilan immediately understood and smiled at Shen Xi, "Yes, Xi Xi, let's play another game. I'm sure I can win this one."
Seeing Xu Zhilan's great enthusiasm, Shen Xi had no choice but to sit back down and play another round with her.
However, by the time the second game was finished, Qin Si Ye still hadn't returned. Qin Si Ye and Xu Zhilan still wanted to keep her, but Shen Xi insisted on leaving, citing that the children had to get up early for school the next day.
About ten minutes after they left, Qin Si Ye rushed in, pushing open the door.
"Brother, why did you take so long to come back? Sister Xi and the others have already left."
"I was dealing with an important matter just now, I really couldn't get away," Qin Si Ye stopped, his voice tinged with a hint of disappointment.
Xu Zhilan looked at him, still wearing sunglasses and a mask, and her anger flared. "Si Ye, what is wrong with you? Why are you wearing these things on your face? Take them off quickly, they make me uncomfortable."
Hearing this, Qin Si Ye's body trembled slightly. He chuckled twice, then raised his hand to cover his face. "Grandma, I've broken out in a few pimples. I can't take these off, I'm afraid you'll be scared." With that, he quickly walked towards the stairs.
"What haven't I seen that could scare me? I think you're deliberately hiding something from me," Xu Zhilan shouted at his retreating back.
Beside her, Qin Si Ye couldn't help but let out a snicker.
"Si Ye. What are you laughing at? What exactly is wrong with your brother? Do you know what's going on? Tell me quickly." Xu Zhilan turned her head and stared at her sternly.