Wen Xi: "What's wrong, brother?"

Fu Yiwei forced a smile: "It's okay. Take good care of yourself over there. There's something I want to tell you when you come back."

Wen Xi: "Can't we say it now?"

Fu Yiwei still didn't say it: "I'm afraid if I say it, you won't come back. Go, do what you want to do."

Wen Xi: "Brother, thank you for always supporting me."

Fu Yiwei embraced the girl in front of him, knowing that this year would be more difficult than ever before: "Just do what you want to do, I'll take care of the family."

Some things are hard to express, and saying them now would only add to Xixi's burden.

The shepherd's mother and father stood not far away without disturbing the two who were talking.

Mother Shepherd: "Look at these two, they have such a good relationship, even better than siblings."

The father watched the two of them, seemingly lost in thought, without saying a word.

Wen Xi embarked on a journey to realize her dream, with Fu Yiwei standing behind her as her strongest support.

In the evening, Wen Xi was absent from the dinner table, and the atmosphere was somewhat quiet. Fu Yiwei remained very silent.

Thinking about what happened during the day, Mu's father hesitated for a moment before finally speaking: "Yiwei, you're 27 this year, right? When are you planning to go on a blind date?"

Fu Yiwei was somewhat surprised, as his father never inquired about his private affairs: "I...".

Mu's mother interrupted Mu's father: "You old fool, Yiwei is so busy, where would she find time to go on blind dates?"

The shepherd's mother smiled and asked, "Does Yiwei have a girl he likes?"

Fu Yiwei seemed to have made up her mind: "Mom and Dad, I have someone I like, and I won't go on blind dates."

The shepherd's mother asked curiously, "What kind of girl is she?"

Fu Yiwei slowly spoke: "Very sensible, cute, and very determined."

The shepherd's mother was overjoyed: "Why don't you pursue such a wonderful girl?"

Fu Yiwei lowered her head and shook it with a bitter expression, then ate her white rice.

Mu's father looked rather unwell. He didn't know much about Fu Yiwei when she was in school, but after starting work, he hadn't been in contact with any girls who looked similar. He wondered if what he saw today was the same as what he had in mind.

Fu Yiwei went back to his room before finishing his meal. He took out his phone to text Wen Xi but then gave up. What would his parents think if they knew what he was thinking?

Will his parents accept it? If Wen Xi finds out, will she still talk to him? He covered his head in pain; he dared not take the risk.

He admitted that he was cowardly, but this cowardice allowed him to continue being her brother and a dutiful son to his parents. If he had mustered the courage to tell her, they might not even be able to remain siblings anymore.

He hadn't considered any other possibilities; they were just wishful thinking. He lit another cigarette in the drawer.

Fu Yiwei's face was obscured by the swirling smoke.

For the next few days, he worked frantically, until late at night, hoping that his longing would be diverted to his work.

Mother: "Yiwei hasn't been home for dinner lately, and Wenxi hasn't called back either."

Father Mu: "They all have their own things to do."

Mother: "I'm a little worried. Shall we go to the company and take a look? Or should we go see Old Mu?"

The father, with his arms crossed, said, "Alright, alright."

The two brought their dinner to the company and, upon learning that Fu Yiwei was in a meeting, went to his office to wait for him.

Mu's mother placed the dishes on Yiwei's table, and when she looked up, she saw his computer screen: "Hey, Lao Mu, look, Yiwei's desktop background is still Wenxi's."

Mu's father came over. There was a solo photo of Wenxi on the table. Why wasn't there a photo of the whole family of four?

The old woman was still fiddling with things: "There's a snack cabinet here too. I don't know how much Yiwei usually likes to eat snacks."

Father Mu frowned: "Alright, let's go back."

Mother Shepherd: "Why are you in such a hurry?"

When Fu Yiwei returned to his office after the meeting, he saw food on the table and asked his secretary, "Did my parents come by?"

Secretary: "Mr. Mu and Mrs. Mu brought you some vegetables and stayed in your office for a while before leaving."

He waved for his secretary to go out and start eating.

Late at night, he stared at the computer screen with his sister's photo in the background, lost in thought again, when suddenly a ringtone sounded.

"Hello, Dad?"

"Still working? Come back for dinner tomorrow."

The dining table was somewhat deserted, and Fu Yiwei felt a vague sense of unease.

Mother Shepherd: "Come on, Yiwei, eat this."

Fu Yiwei: "Thank you, Mom."

Mu's father suddenly put down his chopsticks, took out a photo and pushed it over: "Yiwei, this is the daughter of an old friend of mine. Go meet her tomorrow."

Fu Yiwei didn't even glance at the photo. She looked at Mu's father with a pleading look in her eyes: "Dad, I don't want to go."

The father's voice was very firm: "What if I insist that you go? Yiwei, it's time for you to settle down and start a family."

Fu Yiwei closed his eyes. He never expected that Mu's father would force him to go on a blind date. Had he given himself away? Looking into Mu's father's eyes, he felt as if he had nowhere to hide.

The old woman was a little angry; she knew nothing about it: "Why did you insist on making Yiwei go on a blind date?"

Father Mu: "Because he fell in love with someone he shouldn't have."

The shepherd was completely confused.

Fu Yiwei suddenly raised her head, a hint of panic in her eyes.

He clenched his fist under the table again and again: "Dad, even if I'm alone for the rest of my life, I will never hurt any other innocent girl."

Father: "You'd better think this way and not have any unrealistic expectations."

Fu Yiwei stood up silently, turned and left.

Watching Yiwei's departing figure, and noticing that he hadn't eaten much, Mu's mother angrily slammed her hand on the table: "Old Mu, what's wrong with you? Yiwei rarely comes home for dinner. Tell me, Old Mu, what do you mean by 'someone you shouldn't like'?"

The father looked at the mother, who was completely unaware of the situation and filled with anger, and said, "You'll find out later."

In the pitch-black room, Fu Yiwei lay on the bed without turning on the light, her mind a jumble of thoughts.

The whole room was filled with the smell of smoke.

"Fu Yiwei, you must not have any improper thoughts in the future."

Looking at the quiet living room, Mu's father suddenly missed the days when Wenxi was home. He dialed the phone: "Wenxi, is that Dad? How are you doing?"

"It's great. Although the conditions are a bit tough, the children are all very lovely and kind."

Mu's father gripped his phone and asked the question that had been on his mind for a long time: "Wenxi, what do you think of your brother?"

Wen Xi: "My brother, of course he's fine! What's wrong?"

Mu's father smiled and said, "If you were looking at your brother from a woman's perspective, what kind of man would you think he is?"

Wen Xi didn't think much of it: "Hmm, she's very gentle, very thoughtful, very responsible, and very filial..."

Father: "Your brother is just that great! What do you think about me arranging for him to go on a blind date?"

Wen Xi hesitated for a moment: "I think it's pretty good, but it still depends on whether he likes it or not. I'm going to sleep now, Dad. Goodnight."

Father: "This child."

Mu's father was relieved. Wen Xi didn't react at all when she heard that her brother was going on a blind date, so she probably didn't have any other feelings for him.

However, Wen Xi, who was far away from home, was not at peace.