Tangled Threads of Tradition and Love

Chapter-10 🅿🅰🆁🆃 1

⚠️VIEWERS DISCLAIMER: THE FOLLOWING FLASHBACKS IN THIS CHAPTER MAYBE UNSETTLING TO SOME VIEWERS. PLEASE DON'T READ IF YOU ARE UNCOMFORTABLE WITH TOPICS SUCH AS CHILD ABUSE

__________________________________

✦✦✦✦

✦𝓼𝓱𝓪𝓶𝓮✦

✦✦✦✦

__________________________________

"Well, Chen Zixin literally hates me!" Jake exclaimed, frustration seeping into his tone, "and I am starting to hate him!"

Huan understood Jake's frustration, knowing all too well the difficulties that came with being around Chen Zixin. Memories flooded back-back when Huan was still part of the Chen Clan. Zixin, with his sharp tongue and imperious demeanor, had ruled over the other disciples like a petty tyrant. It didn't matter that some of them were older or more skilled; Zixin's word was law simply because his father led the clan. It was a suffocating environment, one where disagreement was dangerous and obedience was expected without question.

Sanji, catching the conversation, swiveled in his seat to join the exchange. "We all do," he chimed in, his voice light as he chuckled.

Jin-woo nodded in agreement. "He's so entitled for no reason, and to top it off, he's terrible at everything!"

Huan managed a tight-lipped smile at Jin-woo's irritation, but his attention was soon drawn to Zhan, who spoke up with his usual calm demeanor. "I agree," Zhan said, his voice steady, "but it's not very civil to talk about them when they're sitting right over there." He gave a subtle nod towards the far corner where the Chen cousins sat.

At Zhan's words, glanced in the direction Zhan had indicated, his eyes falling on Chen Xian. The sight of him sent a chill down Huan's spine. His blood seemed to turn to ice in his veins, and he quickly averted his gaze, hoping against hope that Xian hadn't noticed him. Being seen by Xian would bring unwanted attention, something Huan had long since learned to avoid at all costs. With so many people around, surely they wouldn't pay him any mind...right?

Yuna shrugged as if it were nothing, it was probably for her. "It's fine. He knows no one likes him," she said, that seemed to end the discussion.

Huan was about to let out a sigh of relief when he caught Akira turning slightly to look at him, offering Huan a momentary distraction from the unease gnawing at him. He wondered if Akira disliked the Chen Zixin ase well.

So Huan seized the opportunity to ask. "What do you think of Chen Zixin, Akira?" he asked, his tone light, almost as if they were discussing something as simple as the weather.

Ironic since Chen Zixin's mood changes like the weather. Huan mused to himself.

Akira hesitated, clearly taken aback by the sudden inclusion in the conversation. He glanced around as if weighing his words carefully before finally speaking. "I... don't like him either," Akira admitted, his voice quiet but firm, he quite obviously didn't like Zixin either.

"See!" Sanji exclaimed, throwing his hands up in mock exasperation hooking around Akira's shoulder. "Even Akira doesn't like him, and he usually doesn't give a shit about anyone!"