I went to the sofa and collapsed onto it, took some snacks from my backpack and stuffed them into my mouth with a half-dead expression.
This was my state of life: sit instead of stand, lie down instead of sit.
“Tired?” Sophia asked with concern.
“Not really.”
I kept eating, brought out my tablet, typing code with my left hand while scrolling videos on my phone with my right, occasionally shoveling snacks into my mouth.
Sophia and Liam stared at me like I was a freak.
Especially Liam — he came closer and, seemingly kind, said, “Brother, you suffered these years and you weren’t taught upper-class manners. If people find out about you like this, the Grants will lose face. Don’t worry — I’ll teach you social etiquette.”
“Too lazy to learn.”
I yawned and, somewhat helpfully, said, “The mine’s busy. Are you sure you don’t want to go home to help?”
To me, biological parents deserved a visit; that’s why I’d come back. So I figured he might want to see his own parents too.
Liam’s mouth twitched and his eyes suddenly reddened: “Brother, if you don’t like me being in the Grant family then I’ll leave.”
“Whatever.”
I could see he said he wouldn’t play the heir game, but he still wanted to fight for it.
Fight for what?
Wealth?
I wasn’t interested.
I really wanted to tell him I didn’t care about money.
But I knew he wouldn’t believe me — normal people wouldn’t — so I didn’t bother explaining.
Sophia sat down beside me and said, “Mom and Dad said they’re going abroad for a few days. When they get back they’ll make it up to you. Please don’t think too much about it.”
“Oh.”
I nodded, in a state where my soul felt ready to float out through the top of my head.
Sophia seemed helpless, then looked at Liam and asked, “Is the room ready?”
“We’re still preparing it, but I care about our brother a lot, so I’m making many preparations.”
“Sis, why don’t we let Brother stay in the guest room tonight?” Liam said, sounding conflicted.
Sophia frowned, as if she’d seen through Liam’s little scheme: “He just got back. He shouldn’t stay in the guest room — he’s family, not a guest!”
“Got it, sis. In this house, I’m the outsider…”
Liam said, then suddenly burst into tears.
I saw Sophia roll her eyes; I wanted to roll mine too, but I was too lazy.
“I’ll sleep anywhere as long as there’s a window and ventilation,” I said casually.