"Jiayue, what brings you here?" Ni Sitian opened the door and was a little surprised to see Xu Jiayue standing outside.

Xu Jiayue looked at Ni Sitian's face. She hadn't seen her for ten days, and she looked much paler and more haggard.

She had been staying with Jin Rulan at the mansion these past few days, never expecting such a big thing to happen.

Ni Sitian was slightly taken aback when Xu Jiayue suddenly hugged her. She raised her hand and gently patted Xu Jiayue's shoulder, asking softly, "What's wrong?"

"Why didn't any of you tell me?" Xu Jiayue had only heard it from Pei Yang today.

“It’s not a big deal. Your brother said he’ll definitely find it.” Ni Sitian thought that Jin Rulan had just been discharged from the hospital and still needed to recuperate, so she naturally didn’t want her in-laws to worry. Jia Yue was outgoing and couldn’t keep things to herself, so she didn’t tell them either.

“Yes, we’ll definitely find it. There’s nothing I can’t do if I set my mind to it.” Xu Jiayue released Ni Sitian, her gaze resolute.

Ni Sitian nodded and invited her inside to sit down, then went to the kitchen to serve her tea.

Xu Jiayue saw the sketchbook on the coffee table, picked it up and flipped through it. Inside were portraits of her brother. The drawing skills were not very sophisticated, but the spirit of the characters was captured perfectly.

Ni Sitian brought out tea and snacks and saw Xu Jiayue holding a sketchbook. She immediately put down the tray, took the sketchbook back from Xu Jiayue's hand shyly, and said apologetically, "I was just drawing randomly."

"You just casually doodled and it turned out to be my brother. It seems he's etched in your heart." Xu Jiayue joked.

Ni Sitian blushed slightly. She was just afraid that having nothing to do would make her even more sleepy, so she tried to concentrate by drawing. Her attention was most focused when drawing Xu Tingchuan, which is why she drew so much without realizing it.

"And what about you? How's it going with Han Shizhao? Didn't you say you were going to introduce him to your parents?" She quickly changed the subject to Xu Jiayue.

Xu Jiayue sighed softly, shook her head, and said, "We haven't met yet. We had arranged to meet, but he had to go on an urgent mission, and we haven't been in touch for a week."

“That’s how soldiers are; they always have to prioritize the country’s mission,” Ni Sitian said, trying to comfort her so as not to upset her.

"Of course I know, but during this time without contact, I haven't felt anything was wrong." Xu Jiayue picked up a nearby cushion and hugged it, glancing sideways at Ni Sitian, and said, "How did you feel when your brother was away on business?"

Xu Tingchuan traveled frequently for work last year, but this year is better. Sometimes when he is in a neighboring province or city, he tries to make a round trip in one day.

Ni Sitian thought for a moment. Back then, their relationship wasn't as good as it is now. When he went to New York, she felt empty inside and wasn't used to him not being by her side. If it were now, she would definitely be even more worried.

After she finished speaking to Xu Jiayue, Xu Jiayue sighed again: "When Han Shizhao went on a mission, I didn't feel anything at all."

"You don't like him?" Ni Sitian thought that Xu Jiayue had deliberately made conversation with Han Shizhao because she was interested in him.

"I think I like him. He's totally my type. Mature, steady, focused, and reserved. He's a gentleman to girls but doesn't talk much. Plus, he's the kind of guy I like—thick eyebrows and big eyes." Xu Jiayue was a little troubled. She didn't know what else she wanted. Han Shizhao was almost perfect in every way, impeccable.

Hearing Xu Jiayue say that, Ni Sitian couldn't help but smile: "You wouldn't be choosing your favorite person based on Gu Chen's looks, would you?"