My cousin is becoming a legend.

Chapter 32 At the dining table, in the room

Push open the door and enter the house.

The table was laden with a sumptuous feast.

Uncle, Aunt and Tina were sitting at the table, opposite Charlie who was chatting and laughing.

As soon as Lynn entered the room, all eyes were on him.

Tina walked over naturally and took Lynn's coat from him.

Charlie stood up from his chair, looking both nervous and excited.

He scratched his head, looking somewhat shy.

"Brother, it's been a long time."

Lynn looked at his grown-up cousin and waved downwards.

"No need for formalities, please have a seat."

Charlie bent over and sat back, his expression somewhat hesitant.

"Actually, I knew as soon as you came back, but what happened back then is making me a little..."

"That was between your father and me. You were too young then to dwell on it. Besides, let bygones be bygones."

Lynn smiled and asked, "Charlie, it's been over ten years since we last saw each other. How have you been?"

With Lynn casually turning the page on the heavy burden in his heart, Charlie choked up for a moment.

He sniffed, his voice slightly distorted.

"I'm doing fine now."

Aunt Edith, sensing the awkward atmosphere, quickly chimed in.

"Charlie, everyone can see you're doing great. Auntie just wants to know if you have a girl you like. If not, Auntie can introduce you to some! I've gotten to know all the good girls around here these past few days!"

Aunt Edith suddenly became emotional as she spoke, and the last half of her sentence was clearly from the heart.

Charlie blushed and stammered.

"Well...maybe I'd rather not. Actually, I'd prefer to go out and explore like Lynn. I haven't really thought about women..."

Aunt Edith was heartbroken when she heard this.

"Oh, Charlie, you mustn't be like your brother Lynn. He's great in every way, but his recklessness has held him back! Look at him, he's almost thirty and still hasn't gotten married or had kids. I've been worrying about this for the past few days. Listen to me, Charlie..."

Aunt Edith began to ramble on about her marriage to Uncle Anthony years ago, and then, like Sherlock Holmes, she talked about the height, weight, and family background of the girls in the neighborhood.

He talked on and on.

Charlie looked up awkwardly, holding his knife and fork, too embarrassed to eat.

Meanwhile, Lynn, Tina, and Uncle Anthony, who had long been tired of hearing about it, quietly buried their heads in their food, letting Charlie draw the attention of others.

After a full ten minutes, Aunt Edith finally stopped and drank a glass of water.

Taking the opportunity, Tina said with some dissatisfaction, "Mom, why do you keep thinking about these things? My brother is still young, why does he have to get married now?"

Uncle Anthony shook his head, sighed, and covered his ears beforehand.

Aunt Edith suddenly turned her head, her eyes wide as she stared at Tina.

A middle-aged volcano is about to erupt.

Charlie felt as if he had been granted a pardon and immediately buried his head in his food.

"What do you know at such a young age! A man needs to get married to have a bright future! Although your father is no longer able to do things, he only started to build up his business after marrying me!"

Let me tell you, don't even mention your brother, you're not getting away! I'm going to find you a good husband to marry in the next couple of years, otherwise, in a few more years, let's see who wants you. You'll be stuck at home for the rest of your life!

Tina lowered her head, sulking, and huffed, "I don't care if I stay home!"

Aunt Edith was furious.

"you!"

Uncle Anthony quickly interrupted, "Ahem, I think we should change the subject. Charlie, how's things back home? Has the war affected you?"

Speaking of this, Charlie, who was engrossed in his meal, looked somewhat somber.

He put down his knife and fork and nodded heavily.

"Siernus's army has been wandering across the border lately, but that's not really a big deal. The problem is the soldiers from Nareel's territory. They've taken up residence in the village under the guise of protecting it, eating and drinking for free and harassing women. My family has temporarily moved to the city, otherwise we would probably be affected too."

Sometimes I really think it would be better to let Sinus's army take this place. After all, they are all compatriots of the same origin, which is much better than foreigners and traitors..."

Charlie's words startled Lynn.

Baron Narell has spies in the house!

Charlie, that dimwit!

Lynn put down her knife and fork and gently reminded him, "Charlie, it's best not to say things like that here in the future."

Charlie was taken aback, then his expression became somewhat agitated.

"Am I wrong about what I said? That's what all the villagers think. Everyone is hoping that Sirnus will reclaim this place. After all, this is the land of the Iportu people. We are compatriots. Would compatriots harm each other?! Brother, don't you think so too?"

Lynn's face turned cold, and he slammed his right hand hard on the table.

"Enough! Shut up!"

Charlie gritted his teeth and glared fiercely at Lynn.

He was very angry at Lynn's attitude.

Why is my cousin like this now?!

He clenched his fists, let out a long breath and stopped talking, then lowered his head and began to cut the steak with force.

The atmosphere at the table instantly became deathly silent.

Aunt Edith forced a smile and tried to smooth things over.

"Oh, alright, alright, why are you so tense? Hehe, Lynn, I haven't told you yet. I went back to the village this morning, and oh my, you have no idea how those gossipy women reacted! The expressions on their faces were priceless! Remember Aunt Mary next door? She was telling me about you the other day, and now she's full of admiration for you. And the blacksmith's wife at the end of the village..."

Before Aunt Edith could finish speaking, Charlie stood up.

"Uncle and Aunt, I've finished eating, so I won't bother you any longer."

Charlie ignored his aunt and uncle's advice and walked straight out.

As he approached the door, Lynn, who was sitting in his seat, did not turn to look at Charlie. Instead, she took out a bag of money and reached out to stop him.

"Things have been a bit turbulent lately. Take this money, but don't tell your father."

Charlie slapped Lynn's hand away, his tone icy.

"I don't need the traitor's money."

Then, Charlie walked out the door without looking back.

The uncle and aunt quickly stood up and rushed outside to persuade Charlie, who was sulking.

Lynn stuffed the money back into his pocket.

He sat motionless in his seat, staring at the food on his plate for a long time.

Tina carefully comforted him, "Charlie just doesn't know what happened, brother, don't take it to heart."

Lynn looked up and smiled at Tina.

"I know, don't worry about me."

He pointed to a pile of books placed by the door.

"Tina, let's move the books to the study together."

With the help of the family servants, the books were moved upstairs.

Lynn and Tina quickly tidied up the bookshelf together.

Lynn picked up a book and quietly read it under the bright yellow light.

By reading books slowly, you can eventually raise your "Extensive Reading" skill to level one.

Tina spent a long time browsing in front of the bookshelf, and finally she picked up a book and sat down next to Lynn.

Tina held the carefully selected book and secretly glanced at Lynn's profile under the light.

Her slender, fair fingers casually turned the pages of the book.

The sound of turning pages was the only noise in the room at night.

A gust of wind blew past the window.

The rustling of falling leaves brought the pages of the book to a stop.

Finally, the girl mustered up her courage.

Her voice trembled slightly.

"Brother, do you think it's reasonable for an older brother to... marry his own sister?"