Ying Qian struggled free; she knew Meng Beiyan had let go.

She said, "Brother, the age gap between us is too big... and it's too late."

It's too late.

Just two words, "It's too late."

The emotional foundation built over several years has been completely worn away.

Unlike when they confronted each other as children, Ying Qian didn't panic and run away. She stood there, her eyes slightly red, and calmly asked, "Even if our relationship takes another step forward, how will others perceive our relationship?"

"Aunt Tang will be angry. She won't do anything to you, but it's different for me. I know that sometimes she even thinks I'm the one who ruined my mother..."

Meng Beiyan was agitated. He stood up, and his shadow enveloped Ying Qian's petite body.

“You know that! I never care about any of that! I don’t care what others say! I won’t let you get hurt! Ying Qian!”

His eyes seemed to want to devour Ying Qian, to make her a part of his body.

He's lying; he has no ability to protect a girl.

"I care!" Ying Qian took a few steps back, and two tears involuntarily fell. "Then tell me, why did you go abroad? Why did you leave me with my dad?"

A single sentence brought back memories of the past. That winter break, her crying and tantrums didn't earn Meng Beiyan's sympathy, only his abandonment after weighing the pros and cons. Perhaps there were unspeakable reasons, but that didn't matter anymore.

Upon hearing this, Meng Beiyan felt a splitting headache and slumped into a chair, tears streaming down his face. His vulnerable and fragile appearance was fully revealed.

"..." Ying Qian paused for a moment, clenched her clothes, closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

She covered her face, walked out of the room without looking back, sat down in front of the door, and angrily knocked on her forehead. She'd miscalculated; she shouldn't have asked that question…

The room was filled with Meng Beiyan's heavy breathing.

She sighed and paced back and forth in front of the door.

The door suddenly opened.

With tear stains still on his face, Meng Beiyan gave a slightly surprised look when he saw the anxious Ying Qian.

Their gazes met in a strange way.

Ying Qian pouted and didn't say anything. She ran up to him, opened her arms and hugged his waist, her cheek naturally resting on his chest, her heartbeat exposed to his ears.

Is this a plea for forgiveness?

Meng Beiyan was stunned, then burst into laughter through his tears.

He gently patted her back and coaxed her, saying, "Brother was wrong, Ying Qian, brother was wrong."

"Mmm..." she whimpered in my arms like a kitten.

I can finally get a good night's sleep tonight, at least I won't feel guilty.

The next day.

"Knock knock," Meng Beiyan knocked on the door.

Ying Qian groggily got out of bed and opened the door, her eyes still half-closed. "What's wrong?"

"Get good grades."

"Okay." Ying Qian didn't close the door and went to the wardrobe to get her school uniform.

She started taking off her pajamas right in front of Meng Beiyan. Meng Beiyan was stunned for a moment, then closed the door and his Adam's apple bobbed dryly a few times.

Meng Beiyan made breakfast again.

"Aren't you going to work today?" Ying Qian asked.

"I've taken leave," Meng Beiyan said. "Your teacher requires parents to be present as well."

Ying Qian stirred the milk in her glass, lost in thought.

*

After the parents arrived at the school, Ying Qian found a woman sitting in her seat who looked somewhat familiar.

"..." Meng Beiyan walked over and sat down next to the woman.

"Dear parents, your children's grades are out. Class monitor, please distribute them."

"Our class achieved excellent overall results this time, with four students from our class ranking in the top ten in the humanities..."

The homeroom teacher then went on and on.

Ying Qian stood obediently beside Meng Beiyan as the current class monitor handed out report cards one by one.

The students stood in the aisle, chatting amongst themselves, while the parents laughed and chatted happily in their seats.

Meng Beiyan glanced at the elegant woman beside him, then pursed his lips and remained silent.

The woman asked, "Who are you to Ying Qian?"

"elder brother."

The woman pushed down her sunglasses, feigning surprise, "Oh, you two don't look alike at all!"

Meng Beiyan smiled slightly but did not answer.

The woman raised an eyebrow and silently put on her sunglasses. "One looks like the mother, and the other looks like the father, right? My Gu Xinan looks like me, and his sister looks like his father."

Ying Qian smiled awkwardly and reached out to support Meng Beiyan's shoulder.

The class monitor walked over to Ying Qian, slightly surprised: "Oh, Gu Xinan isn't here?"

Ying Qian hurriedly moved her hand away, shook her head, and looked tired.

The class monitor smiled at Meng Beiyan and the woman next to him, politely placed the report card on the table, and as he turned to leave, he lowered his voice and said to Ying Qian, "Don't worry too much about Gu Xinan, he's fine."

Ying Qian nodded and forced a smile.

The squad leader was finally relieved.

Ying Qian has a good personality, good grades, and is especially helpful. Everyone in the class gets along well with her and is always willing to lend a helping hand in crucial moments.

Seeing the squad leader's subtle actions, Meng Beiyan's cold eyes stabbed the squad leader.

The squad leader trembled all over, subconsciously touching his neck, thinking, "Why do I feel like someone is glaring at me?"

The woman glanced at the report card, expecting Gu Xinan to be number one again, but to her surprise, this time it was 2.

She didn't react much, but her heart was in turmoil.

How could that be?

Who is number one?

She maintained a smile throughout and gracefully accepted her report card.

Upon seeing that Ying Qian's name was number one and her grade ranking was also "1", her expression instantly turned somewhat unpleasant. She said in a gentle tone, "Ying Qian did very well on this exam. You and Southwest should help and learn from each other in the future."

Ying Qian could easily see her resentment, and pretended to retort.

Meng Beiyan raised his right hand and gently patted Ying Qian's small hand on his shoulder, replying with a smile, "Yes, outstanding people always learn from each other and complement each other's strengths and weaknesses."

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!