Inside that brightly lit, fragrant stir-fry shop, the atmosphere was bustling with activity, the sounds of people blending together into a warm and inviting symphony. The steaming dishes emitted an enticing aroma, the clatter of spatulas mingled with the laughter of customers, creating a lively yet cozy ambiance.

Lin Yuan sat quietly in the corner, his gaze occasionally sweeping gently over Xu Lan opposite him. His eyes held a thousand unspoken words, as if he wanted to pour out all the emotions that had been pent up over the years. He gently raised one eyebrow, a tender smile unconsciously playing on his lips, before his deep, magnetic voice flowed through the air:

"Lanlan, there's something I've always wanted to tell you over the years—I really miss the time we spent together at the orphanage. Seeing you again is like fulfilling a lifelong wish."

A barely perceptible blush spread across Xu Lan's cheeks, and her eyes sparkled with shyness. She gently bit her moist lips, as if trying to suppress the turbulent emotions surging within her. And wasn't she feeling the same way?

"Brother Lin Yuan, Brother Wei Ming, I... I've been thinking about you all at the orphanage." Her voice was soft, yet full of deep affection.

This scene is simple yet sincere. The emotions between them don't need much fancy embellishment, but they reveal an extraordinary warmth in their ordinariness.

Wei Minghao leaned to one side, arms crossed, watching the two gaze deeply into each other's eyes. A slight smile played on his lips, his eyes full of mockery. He deliberately cleared his throat, the sound carrying a hint of teasing:

"Hey you two, stop being so lovey-dovey, there's someone sitting here!"

Lin Yuan glanced at Wei Minghao out of the corner of his eye, a playful smile playing on his lips, and deliberately dragged out his words:

"Wei Minghao, your sourness can be smelled from three miles away."

Wei Minghao glared at him and retorted, "Why am I jealous? I'm just afraid you guys will show off your love and ignore me."

Xu Lan couldn't help but laugh out loud, and gently patted Wei Minghao's arm: "Brother Wei Minghao, stop pretending to be pitiful. If Brother Lin Yuan dares to bully me, you'll definitely be the first one to stand up and protect me."

Wei Minghao raised an eyebrow smugly: "Of course! I, Wei Minghao, am known for being fiercely protective of my own."

Lin Yuan couldn't help but interject, "Alright, Wei Minghao, stop bragging. If Lanlan gets into trouble, I'll be the first one to rush to her aid!"

Xu Lan smiled slightly.

"Don't worry, Brother Wei Minghao, Brother Lin Yuan. If I encounter a problem I can't solve, I definitely won't try to tough it out; I'll come to you first!"

She paused deliberately, then added jokingly, "However, I don't want the two of you to fight over me."

Lin Yuan and Wei Minghao exchanged a glance and burst into laughter. Wei Minghao waved his hand, looking helpless: "Alright, alright, you little rascal, there's just no way to deal with you."

Lin Yuan nodded in agreement: "That's right, Lanlan, we still haven't figured out what's going on in your little head."

Xu Lan proudly raised her chin: "That's because I'm exceptionally intelligent; the two of you combined can't compare to me."

Lin Yuan and Wei Minghao glared at her simultaneously and said in unison, "You're so vain!"

Xu Lan chuckled, her laughter echoing warmly and brightly in the small shop.

The phone rang suddenly, breaking the warm atmosphere. Wei Minghao shook his head helplessly and said with a smile, "You two keep chatting, my girlfriend is urging me to go home."

He stood up and patted Lin Yuan on the shoulder: "Alright, I'm leaving now. You two can continue your conversation."

After saying that, he deliberately slammed the bill on the table and left with a flourish.

Lin Yuan raised his eyebrows slightly, his gaze inadvertently sweeping over Wei Minghao's receding figure.

This brother always acts quietly yet meticulously.

It was this thoughtfulness that inadvertently paved a path for him to move forward.

Inside the restaurant, time seemed to stand still, leaving only Lin Yuan and Xu Lan. Their gazes met unintentionally, and a subtle tension filled the air.

Lin Yuan's fingers unconsciously danced a light rhythm on the clean tabletop, his eyes revealing a barely concealed tension, yet he tried his best to maintain a calm and composed demeanor.

In contrast, Xu Lan's slender fingers were tightly wrapped around the edge of the tablecloth, filled with trepidation and anticipation, and that budding emotion was quietly blossoming in her heart.

She bit her lip, looked up at Lin Yuan, and found that he was also staring at her.

Finally, as if they had planned it beforehand, the two said in unison, "There's something I want to tell you."

The sound was remarkably clear in the noisy restaurant.

Immediately afterward, their words intertwined almost simultaneously, and they whispered, "It's alright, you go first."

"Pfft—"

A soft chuckle escaped Xu Lan's lips unintentionally.

The two looked up, their eyes sparkling with a long-lost understanding, and their gazes met.

A gentle curve was drawn on her beautiful face.

"You're still as good at seizing the initiative as ever, not even letting others have a chance to speak."

Lin Yuan's laughter rang out, warm and indulgent, his eyes filled with doting affection for her.

"It seems that despite the passage of time, you have retained that pure innocence."

After saying that, he extended a hand, in a gentlemanly manner, indicating that Xu Lan should speak first.

"Ladies first, it's my honor."

Xu Lan was slightly taken aback, then a brighter smile bloomed on her lips as she accepted this gentle courtesy.

The unspoken understanding between the two flowed silently at this moment, and time itself seemed to stand still.

The Bund at night is like a dream, and the prosperity of Shanghai is fully displayed on this land.

This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!