Chen Wenzhi, carrying the noodles, waved to Meng Beiyan.

Meng Beiyan turned back to Ying Qian. She had already showered and was lying on the big bed in her pajamas. When she saw her brother, she sat up abruptly and straightened her disheveled clothes. "Brother..."

"You still call me brother?" Meng Beiyan's tone softened considerably. He sat on the edge of the bed and glanced at her uneasy expression. "Let's eat. It's getting late."

Ying Qian grabbed his firm forearm, "But...that..."

Meng Beiyan knew what she was worried about. He lowered his head to meet her glistening gaze and said in a low voice, "I also sent Chen Wenzhi a bowl of noodles just like yours."

"……Thanks."

He moved the hand off her forearm, placed one hand over the back of her head, and pressed it against his chest: "Ying Qian, I really wish you would treat me like your own brother..."

Ying Qian escaped from his hold and moved to the side.

Those incredibly clear eyes gazed at the man, as if trying to see right through him, and her red lips parted slightly: "Brother, what I want to tell you is that I will always be your sister."

She will always be my younger sister, and can only be my younger sister.

Meng Beiyan's Adam's apple bobbed inexplicably, his gaze lingering on her face, never leaving it.

a long time.

Meng Beiyan suddenly asked, "Have you ever thought that you and Chen Wenzhi might break up one day?"

This is a very sensitive question.

But Ying Qian had already made up her mind. She shook her head, her voice low and tender: "As long as he doesn't abandon me, I won't abandon him either, so we won't break up for now."

She didn't know if she was brainwashing herself or warning Meng Beiyan.

Both are possible. As she looked at Meng Beiyan's extremely disappointed expression, her heart pounded. She felt a little guilty, not for her feelings for Chen Wenzhi, but for Meng Beiyan.

It's not just gratitude or sibling affection; it's more about dependence.

Meng Beiyan gave a wry smile, his gaze slowly shifting to the beef noodles that had probably gone cold on the bedside table. He instructed, "Alright, eat your noodles. You can't skip dinner."

Before Ying Qian could respond.

He left in a hurry without even leaving a trace.

Ying Qian's "I understand" went unanswered, echoing in the room.

The noodles had clumped together. She took apart the disposable chopsticks and shoved large mouthfuls of noodles into her mouth. Although they didn't taste good, she forced herself to swallow them despite the discomfort.

Eating is painful, but the heart aches even more.

When she was about to go to sleep, Meng Beiyan sent her a message, as if he knew she was about to sleep, and that's why he sent it at this time. It's hard to figure out why.

Brother [Ying Qian, I want to apologize for what happened today. After I returned to China, I didn't investigate your life much and always assumed you were living a comfortable and secure life with your father. I was negligent. Don't go to the wedding banquet tomorrow; go out with Chen Wenzhi instead.]

Ying Qian closed her eyes, lay down on the bed, sank into the soft pillow, put her phone aside, and didn't reply to the message.

At the doorway, Chen Wenzhi leaned against the tiled wall, staring at the time. She should already be asleep, so he decided not to disturb her.

He was walking towards his room.

Meng Beiyan called out to him: "Chen Wenzhi."

"What's up?"

Meng Beiyan remained silent for a moment, then said with a serious expression, "Go out with Ying Qian tomorrow and buy her whatever she wants." With that, he stepped forward and handed her a card.

Chen Wenzhi was slightly taken aback, returned the card, and said with a smile, "No need, Ying Qian's expenses have never been very high, I can afford it."

“You’re all students, you don’t have much money,” Meng Beiyan said. “I’m an adult, I can earn money on my own. You keep this card, don’t tell her it’s mine.”

After thinking for a few seconds, Chen Wenzhi took the card and thanked him.

Unable to sleep late at night, he stared at the card in his hand, lost in thought.

He knew that Meng Beiyan's feelings for this younger sister were not pure, but what exactly were his feelings?

It's often said that "those involved are often confused, while bystanders see things clearly." Has he also become one of those involved?

He really couldn't see the situation clearly.

A few sighs came from the dark room for no apparent reason.

The next day.

Ying Qian got up early. She was a light sleeper and heard the noise from the next room. She guessed that Meng Beiyan must have gotten up and was going to pick up the bride.

She hesitated for a long time, then buried her head under the covers and chose to ignore it.

A short while later, faint chatter could be heard outside the door.

She sat up abruptly, ran barefoot to the door, and peered through the door to listen carefully.

Eavesdropping is wrong, but for curiosity, it doesn't matter.

Judging from the voices, they are two men.

One of them was Meng Beiyan, who said, "You have very sharp ears."

The other replied coldly, "It's clearly because you made too much noise."

Ying Qian immediately recognized the other person as Chen Wenzhi.

So, what do they talk about so early in the morning?

The dark room was quiet, and she moved with extreme care, afraid of making any noise, so the conversation outside became even clearer.

"I'm sorry, I disturbed you," Meng Beiyan said.

Chen Wenzhi asked in a nonchalant tone, "You left so early? Are you still responsible for picking up the bride?"

"Um."

Chen Wenzhi snorted, "You're really good to this family."

"..." Meng Beiyan said, "There was no other way, we had no choice."

"Have you considered Ying Qian's feelings?" Chen Wenzhi's voice was devoid of emotion, but it sounded like he was gritting his teeth.

With her ear pressed against the cold wooden door, she couldn't help but smile.

"That's precisely because I've considered it." Meng Beiyan said helplessly, "You and Ying Qian are both too young. Adult matters... you two..."

"You'll naturally learn about human relationships and social interactions as you grow up."

Meng Beiyan was also stunned. He had actually said some lecturing words to the high school student in front of him who was almost taller than him. If it weren't for Ying Qian, he and Chen Wenzhi probably would never have crossed paths in their lives.

Hearing this, Chen Wenzhi remained unmoved and said calmly, "I don't want to hear your lecture."

Meng Beiyan seemed to have anticipated his response, "Alright, I'm leaving."

"If Ying Qian wants to go over for lunch, don't stop her. Tell her for me that after today, she and that man will no longer be family. I will be the closest person to her in the world right now."

Chen Wenzhi remained silent.

The corridor fell silent.

Ying Qian breathed a sigh of relief as she heard the footsteps fading into the distance, and quietly curled up back in bed.

After washing up, it was already fully light. After thinking it over, she sent Chen Wenzhi a message.

[I heard everything.]

The other party replied instantly.

[What I said to your brother?]

[Um]

It doesn't matter if you heard it; I was going to tell you anyway.

Ying Qian gripped her phone tightly, got out of bed nervously, went outside, and knocked on another door.

"Good morning!" Chen Wenzhi raised his hand to her and waved it, his whole demeanor relaxed and casual.