Xu Jie stood, his eyes still red-rimmed as he raised his wine cup. Looking at everyone at the table, he said in a heavy voice, "I'm sorry. I've let my brothers down!"
Huangfu Chongzhi shook his head slightly. "We've been brothers since we were kids," he said softly. "You don't need to say that. None of us have ever blamed you."
Little Fatty chimed in from the side, "What do you mean, no one's blamed him? I'm very unhappy with Second Brother!"
Xu Luo shot Little Fatty a glare, but Little Fatty just stared back stubbornly. "You can glare all you want, Third Brother, but I'm going to say it!" he declared. "I have to get this off my chest!"
Huangfu Chongzhi started to speak, but Xu Jie stopped him. "Eldest Brother," Xu Jie said, "since we're all brothers, there's nothing that can't be said. Let him speak."
Huangfu Chongzhi sighed softly, shook his head, and said no more.
