Chapter 3: The brothers are united!

As the silhouette of an approaching boat became more distinct on the horizon, the eyes of Yi Chunhua and Lei Gang locked onto it with a mixture of anxiety and anticipation. The guests and family members on the yacht also turned their attention to the incoming vessel.

As the boat drew nearer and its occupants became more visible, a collective sigh of disappointment swept across the deck. To the disappoinment of both Yi Chunhua and Lei Gang, it was not a single heir arriving to pay the first respects to the late patriarch, but rather all three brothers together: Lei Junshan, Lei Juncheng, and Lei Junmo.

Yi Chunhua's heart sank, as did her hopes for her son, Lei Junshan, to be the one chosen. Lei Gang, while maintaining his composure, also felt a pang of frustration at this turn of events.

The three brothers disembarked from the boat, and while there was a sense of unity among them, the people wishing to divide them turned disappointed.

…

"Big brother, I was trying to call you from a long time, but my call didn't go through," Lei Junmo told Lei Junshan.

Lei Junshan did not respond to Lei Junmo. In fact, he didn't even look at his two brothers because of his guilty conscience.

Getting no response from Lei Junshan, Lei Juncheng asked, "You broke your phone again, didn't you?"

Lei Junshan remembered the events that had happened at the temple today but he could not tell that to his brothers. So, he lied, "The driver angered me."

Lei Juncheng and Lei Junmo looked at each other with a knowing smile, "Phone number…78." Both of them said together.

"You two have kept the wrong count. How can it be 78th phone?" Lei Junshan did not want to accept that this was the 78th phone that he had broken in anger.

"Even if you don't accept, this is the truth big brother," Lei Junmo commented.

While teasing Lei Junshan, the three brothers started bickering with each other. However, even if they were bickering, any sensible person could see that there was a very deep bond between the three of them.

…

While bickering with each other, the three brothers walked straight to their beloved grandmother. Grandma Lei, a matriarch of grace and gentleness, stood there with a radiant smile that shone with a happiness that was evident in every line of her face. Her eyes sparkled with pride and joy as she welcomed her three grandsons.

Lei Wan, who was standing beside Grandma Lei was also filled with joy on seeing her three brothers. The four grandchildren of the Lei family hugged their grandmother lovingly.

"Grandma, we have a gift for you," Lei Junshan brought Grandma Lei's attention to the front.

Then, in a heartwarming gesture, the three brothers, Lei Junshan, Lei Juncheng, and Lei Junmo, presented their grandmother with a beautifully adorned portrait of their late grandfather, as a special gift on the occasion of his birthday. The portrait was a testament to the love and respect they held for their family's patriarch.

The portrait was carefully framed and adorned with an array of exquisite flowers, chosen for their vibrant colors and sweet fragrances. Lilies, roses, and orchids intertwined with elegant greenery, creating a stunning display of nature's beauty, which served to enhance the tribute to their grandfather.

Grandma Lei's eyes welled up with tears of joy as she accepted the portrait from her grandsons. She understood the profound love and thoughtfulness that had gone into this gift.

Grandma Lei gazed at the portrait and said, "Your grandsons are wishing you a very happy birthday, old man. You should also give them your blessings."

She spoke to her late husband who was now present only in the photo frames and their memories.

…

On the other side of the deck.

Lei Gang was fuming in anger as Lei Juncheng appeared before him.

"Lei Juncheng," Lei Gang called out to his son angrily, "Didn't I tell you to come early? Also why did you come with Lei Junshan? You should have come alone."

Lei Gang continued, "Why don't you understand that life is a race and you cannot run in a race by holding hands with your competitor."

"This might be a race for you, Mr. Lei," Lei Juncheng replied, "But for me, this is a journey. And you don't release the hands of your loved ones in a journey."

Kai Ming defended her son, "Lei Gang, let him be."

Lei Gang, however, did not stop, "I will not let him be. I will keep trying until he understands that whatever I am doing, I am doing for his good."

"Our son is capable of understanding what is good for him and what is not," Kai Ming refuted.

"Oh really?" Lei Gang snorted, "I don't think that he understands. He can play in billions but he chose to play with paints and brushes."

"Lei Gang, please let him be," Kai Ming sounded tired and desperate, "Our son is an artist. He is independent. What else do you want?"

"I want him to be the heir of the Lei family," Lei Gang said, "Nothing else."

Kai Ming sighed on her husband's stubbornness. No matter how many times she tried to convince him, Lei Gang was unaffected. The distance between the father and son was increasing rapidly and she feared that their relations might be broken off at any point of time.

…

On the opposite side, the same conversation was happening between Lei Junshan and his mother Yi Chunhua.

"Mom, I will never leave my brothers' hands," Lei Junshan said.

Yi Chunhua smiled, "Junshan, I am not telling you to leave your brothers' side. Enjoy as much as you want with them. But, do not give away your right to be the heir of Lei family."

Lei Zhong tried to interrupt his wife, "Chunhua, please listen to me…"

"You shut up," Yi Chunhua stopped her husband, "You never claimed any right and have always followed your elder brother blindly. And now you want my son to also become like you? No way. I will never allow this."

"Okay, stop it," Lei Junshan was furious, "I don't care about anything else. I just care about my brothers and the bond between us. So, just stay away from this."