Speechless

[Ahem, this is a story about brothers. The plot has quite a few twists and turns.]

The brothers Xie You and Xie Ran: Xie You was abandoned by his parents in the countryside and lived with his grandmother until he was ten. After she died, his parents came to take him home, but his father refused to acknowledge him as his son. They lived together as "uncle and nephew." Xie You was introverted and didn't like talking to others. Xie Ran, a year younger, was fascinated by this "cousin" who had come from the countryside and often dragged him off to play.

Xie Ran was pampered by his mother, and eventually grew into a domineering young master.

So, naturally, Xie Ran is the gong. Ahem, no more spoilers. You'll have to read on yourself.