"Can I go now?"

He was still a young man, not at all composed, and didn't even hide many of his emotions. Nanzhi saw through him but didn't say anything, saying:

"Okay, thank you."

Without saying a word, Shen Xingmian turned and walked out, his heart pounding so hard for the first time.

He was afraid that if he didn't go out soon, he wouldn't be able to breathe.

He didn't understand these emotions, and he only thought that this was the first time he had been so close to a girl, and that being ordered around made him uncomfortable.

"etc."

Nanzhi, lying on the bed, called out again.

Shen Xingmian, slightly impatient, turned her head and asked, "What is it now?"

His complexion wasn't good either; he clearly looked irritable.

Nanzhi lay on her side looking at him, her eyes sparkling, and said with a smile:

"There are trees on the mountain, but no branches on the trees; I love you, but you do not know."

Even if Shen Xingmian was a poor student, he knew this sentence. He felt a pang in his heart, not understanding what Nanzhi meant by saying this.

"you......."

She managed to utter the word "you," but couldn't get a single question out; a blush crept up her ears.

When he didn't know how to conduct himself, Nan Zhi continued, "Shen Xingmian, my name is Mu Xiyue, which is taken from this phrase."

She suddenly remembered that year at the hospital, when Shen Xingmian met her for the second time and asked her, "Do you know the saying, 'The mountain has trees, but the trees have no branches; I love you, but you do not know it'?"

At the time, she didn't understand why he asked that question, and simply replied "I know," but this "I know" was not the same as the "I know" he meant.

Now she understands and knows that he really waited for her for many years. This affection also makes her not understand his unique tenderness and tolerance towards her.

It turns out they had known each other for a long time; they just met at different times.

Upon hearing Nan Zhi's words, Shen Xingmian realized that she had been overthinking things. She glanced at Nan Zhi somewhat awkwardly, gave a faint "Oh," and then turned and left.

Nanzhi couldn't help but sigh after the bedroom door closed. Seeing his nonchalant expression, she felt a tightness in her chest.

It's clear how frustrated he was when he had no memory of her. Oh well, Shen Xingmian, this time it's my turn to pursue you.

After Shen Xingmian went out, Gu Ying stopped her and asked with a grin:

"Brother, what do you think of Sister Xixi? Isn't she a really nice person?"

Shen Xingmian glanced at Gu Ying, who was shorter than her, and her eyes showed a tenderness she never showed to others. She raised her hand and ruffled his hair. "You've only known her for a day, and you're already calling her 'sister'?"

Gu Ying chuckled, "Sister Xixi is so good to me."

Looking at Gu Ying's innocent smile, Shen Xingmian felt a warmth in his heart. Even in this unfamiliar place, he had Gu Ying by his side.

Shen Xingmian still doesn't believe what Nan Zhi said. No one can be kind to someone for no reason, especially a stranger.

Even when she first met Gu Ying, it was because she stood up for him when he was being bullied—it was just a matter of standing up for what was right. Who knew that the boy would call her "brother" and follow her around after that? Over time, she naturally developed feelings for him.

After pulling Gu Ying into her bedroom and locking the door, Shen Xingmian gave him a series of instructions, such as not to easily trust strangers, and not even Mu Xiyue, etc.

Gu Ying listened attentively, "But Sister Xixi is very good to me."

Shen Xingmian earnestly and seriously instructed Gu Ying, "Aying, have you forgotten how many people used to bully you? I've always told you not to trust others easily, and your brother doesn't want you to do anything to hurt Mu Xiyue. I just hope you won't tell her everything, and don't believe everything anyone says, understand?"

Gu Ying nodded. "I remember everything my brother said. When Sister Xixi asked me where I came from, I answered according to what my brother said."

Shen Xingmian nodded, "That's good."

"Gurgle," Shen Xingmian's stomach rumbled again at this inopportune moment, and Gu Ying glanced at Shen Xingmian's stomach.

He had known this feeling of hunger since he was a child, and he said it with certainty:

"Brother is hungry."

Shen Xingmian's face flushed slightly. She didn't speak or respond to Gu Ying, but simply pressed her hand against her stomach.

"Brother, I'll go outside and get you something to eat."

Gu Ying had just stood up when Shen Xingmian pressed her down, saying, "Don't go."

He could tolerate it, but he still had to have some basic backbone. "Ah Ying, let's try not to bother others in the future, unless it's absolutely necessary, okay?"

Gu Ying tilted her head, looking somewhat naive, "But you have to eat when you're hungry."

Gu Ying had a hard life growing up. He was an illegitimate child of the Gu family, but his mother and he barely had enough to eat. Later, he lost his mother and was left all alone. He was sent to the Gu family, but how could the Gu family accept an illegitimate child like him?

The hardships of his life were unimaginable, and Shen Xingmian was the first ray of light in his gloomy life.

Even though life was miserable, Gu Ying never lost his true self. He firmly believed that if others didn't like him, it was because he hadn't done enough. He was very simple, innocent, and kind, just like his mother.

Staying kind was his mother's last lesson to him, and Gu Ying always kept it in mind.

Shen Xingmian patted his head helplessly, "Just listen to me, your brother will teach you slowly."

Gu Ying nodded gently. "I understand."

"Knock knock knock".

There was a sudden knock on the door. Shen Xingmian's first reaction was to pull Gu Ying behind her, get up, walk towards the door, and ask:

"What's up?"

"Hello, I'm the cook in the kitchen. Could you please open the door, Mr. Chen?"

Hearing the sound outside the door, Shen Xingmian opened it, her expression indifferent: "Is there something you need?"

The cook brought over a bowl of noodles and handed it to Shen Xingmian, saying, "You haven't had breakfast yet, have you? This is what Miss ordered."

Although the cook handed the noodles to Shen Xingmian, he didn't take them. An awkward expression crossed his face, but it quickly disappeared. "Thank you, but I don't..."

"Thank you, Auntie. Let me hold it for my brother."

Before Shen Xingmian could finish speaking, Gu Ying rushed over and took the tray, looking at the cook with a grin. It was hard not to like a sunny and adorable child like Gu Ying, so the cook gave him a kind smile, "These noodles should be eaten while they're hot; they're good for your stomach."

After saying that, the cook turned and left.

Shen Xingmian stood there, unsure of what to feel. This was all at the girl's behest, which suggested that she might be kind at heart.

"Brother, hurry up and eat. You're just trying to be tough."

Shen Xingmian: "......"

He could only grit his teeth and sit down at his desk to eat the noodles Gu Ying had placed on the table. It had been a week since the two of them had come, and he hadn't had a proper meal.

Suddenly, I realized that this bowl of noodles was the most delicious meal I had ever eaten.

Shen Xingmian ate very quickly, practically wolfing it down. Gu Ying knew he was hungry, so she didn't disturb him. She sat on the bed, swinging her legs, and chattering away to herself.