Pei Jingchuan and Pei Yanqing exchanged a glance, a flash of unease crossing their eyes, and then almost simultaneously stood up. Without a word, each could feel the tension in the other's heart.
Pei Yanqing's eyebrows were tightly knotted, his voice low and tinged with worry, "Brother, what was that sound? Could something have happened outside?"
Pei Jingchuan's face also showed a solemn expression as he quickly walked toward the staircase. Looking back at Pei Yanqing, he said, "I'll go up and check; wait here for me."
Pei Yanqing immediately objected, "No, I'm coming with you. If something happens, we can help each other out."
Pei Jingchuan, seeing the determination in Pei Yanqing's eyes, knew any attempt to persuade him would be in vain, so he nodded, "Okay, let's be quick but careful."
Pei Jingchuan and Pei Yanqing tiptoed up the stairs, each step taken with extreme caution. In the quiet of the night, every sound seemed amplified many times over.