The air seemed to freeze at that moment.

Leng Siqing's crying stopped abruptly. She stared blankly at the man in front of her, her mind completely blank.

What...what did he say?

He said... he wanted me to be by his side?

Is this...is this real?

Am I dreaming?

Looking at her surprised, silly, and adorably dazed expression, Ye Yao felt the emotions that had been suppressed for so long finally burst forth like a flood breaking through a dam, becoming uncontrollable.

"So, Siqing..."

Ye Yao's eyes, which were always gentle and warm, were now filled with a deep affection that could drown a person.

"Stop saying those silly things, okay?"

"You have never been a burden to anyone."

"You are the person I cherish in my heart and want to protect for a lifetime."

The voice, deep and hoarse, struck Leng Siqing's confused mind like a thunderclap.

She was completely stunned.

The crying stopped abruptly, tears still clinging to her eyelashes.

Ye Yao said... that she was someone he held dear in his heart?

Leng Siqing blinked hard at her red and swollen eyes, wondering if she was hallucinating because of the pain in her ankle.

She stared blankly at the man in front of her.

The light from the streetlamp shone down on Ye Yao's head, casting a gentle shadow over his handsome features.

Those eyes, which were always gentle and warm, were now filled with a deep affection she had never seen before.

This is not a dream.

But... but didn't he just tell the old school doctor in the infirmary that he was his "sister"?

The contrast before and after is too great!

This made Leng Siqing's heart feel like a foxtail grass swaying in the wind, dejected one second and blown off balance the next.

"Ye... Brother Ye Yao..."

Leng Siqing's voice still had a strong nasal tone, making her sound silly: "Are you... are you running a fever? Or did I damage my brain?"

I personally think the latter is more likely.

Seeing her like this, Ye Yao almost exploded with the emotions that had been suppressed for many years, but reason held him back at the last moment.

He gently stroked the still-wet tear tracks on her face with his thumb, his gesture filled with boundless tenderness and restraint.

Ye Yao knew he had to explain things clearly, otherwise this silly girl would confuse him to death.

"I don't have a fever, and you weren't hurt."

His voice regained a hint of its usual gentleness, but the burning intensity in his eyes remained undiminished: "Siqing, listen to me."

"The reason I said you were my sister in the infirmary was not because I truly meant it."

“I am your teacher, and you are your student. At school, I cannot allow you to suffer any criticism because of me. A girl's reputation is more important than anything else.”

Leng Siqing's heart skipped a beat.

So that's how it is...?

He didn't really only see her as a younger sister; he was... protecting her?

"But……"

"Then why..."

"Why are you saying it now?"

Ye Yao guessed what Leng Siqing wanted to ask. He smiled bitterly, his eyes filled with helplessness and self-mockery: "Because I couldn't help it anymore."

Seeing her cry so sadly, saying she was a burden, saying she was useless...

At that moment, Ye Yao completely forgot about reason, the teacher-student relationship, and future plans.

He had only one thought—

We can't let this silly girl misunderstand any longer.

"Siqing, listen carefully."

Ye Yao's gaze became more serious than ever before: "I like you. Not the kind of liking a brother has for his sister, but the liking a man has for a woman."

When exactly did it start?

Ye Yao himself couldn't explain it clearly.

Perhaps it was during her university years that she displayed a strong and determined spirit, working hard and studying diligently.

Perhaps it's because they've spent so many years together, developing a deep and unspoken understanding.

She always seemed to know what Ye Yao needed, and would silently and thoughtfully provide assistance.

Ye Yao sometimes has a stomach problem, so she quietly cooks millet porridge to soothe his stomach.

When Ye Yao stayed up late reading, she would always quietly place a glass of warm milk on the table.

He watched her work hard, step by step, to catch up with him, transforming from a resilient young girl into a graceful, confident, and dazzling college student.

Every step she took made him feel genuinely proud and moved.

Like a clear, sweet spring, it silently seeped into Ye Yao's parched heart.

By the time Ye Yao suddenly realized this strange feeling, the girl named "Leng Siqing" had already taken root in his heart, becoming deeply entrenched and impossible to eradicate.

boom--!

Leng Siqing's mind completely exploded.

Happiness came so suddenly that it left her dizzy and disoriented, unable to tell which way was which.

She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but found that she couldn't utter a single word.

Tears welled up again, but this time, they weren't from grievance or sadness, but from immense, indescribable joy.

Ye Yao gently wiped away the tears from Leng Siqing's eyes and said frankly, "When I came to my senses, you had already taken up residence in my heart, and there was no room for anyone else."

Therefore, when Zhuang Yun asked him if he had someone he liked, he subconsciously answered, "Perhaps... I already do."

That wasn't "maybe," but "certain," "definite," and "it has to be her."

Ye Yao was unsure of Leng Siqing's feelings; he didn't know if it was respect or love.

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