Jian couldn't help but frown as he listened to his brother's response. It was obvious that this conversation was beginning to escalate to a level that Jian had hoped it wouldn't reach. Maybe things would have been different now if he'd merely told the truth from the beginning. Had wanting to have a simple conversation with his brother akin to the "good 'ol days" so naive? Apparently, from the manner in which his brother spoke, it had been. Jian couldn't exactly blame him for any of the suspicions that he held, and that was one thing that furthered Jian's disappointment with how this entire interaction was beginning to pan out.
In more than a few words, Jian began to realize that the storybook manner in which he thought this meeting would go wouldn't be the reality of the situation. With a rather brief sigh, Jian began to think of what to say in order to move the conversation into a mood that wasn't as hostile. He knew his brother, and he knew his brother was serious when he mentioned the possibility of a fight. This wasn't why Jian was here, and needing to battle his brother, especially over something like this, wasn't what he wanted at all. Yet, before Jian could respond to his brother, a male waiter made his way over to the table and sat down a couple of menus before leaving the table. After this was done, Jian watched intently as his brother pulled out what appeared to be some sort of pipe before taking a rather large pull from it. His brow furrowed a bit as he watched the action, but he decided not to question it - after all, he had no right to.
"I'm not here to do anything of the sort. Though I may have attempted to deflect, I would never lie to you, Jiao, and you should know this better than anyone else. There are things that I don't wish to discuss, just as there are things that you'd rather not speak on.
As he said this, his eyes briefly darted in the direction of the pocket in which Jiao had placed his pipe before continuing with his response.
There are also things that are inconsequential, and how I found you is one of those things. If it was something that was actually pertinent to any concerns you may have, I would tell you. You have absolutely nothing to worry about; your way of life is safe and will continue to be. That's something that I personally promise you."
Throughput his words, Jian's facial features would continue to illustrate exactly how genuine his words were. This was a serious discussion, more serious than Jian had wanted things to be. Deciding that it was time to add a bit of levity to the situation, he reached for the menu and began to act as if he was deeply considering each and every food item as he began to scan the menu.
"Since we're in a restaurant, how about we actually order some food?"