Chapter 7 Secretly dating someone behind her brother's back?
Si Yuan didn't understand either; where she lived shouldn't have anything to do with him, right?
"Mom, I've grown up now," Si Yuan said softly.
"Besides..." she glanced at Lin Shuangyu, "my brother is getting married, and there are a lot of things to prepare at home. I don't want to cause any trouble."
Only then did Song's mother realize what was happening, and a relieved smile appeared on her face as she gently patted Si Yuan's hand: "It seems that Xiao Yuan has learned to be very sensible during these five years abroad."
She paused, a hint of probing in her eyes, "In a few days, Mom will introduce you to a few outstanding boys, okay?"
Si Yuan's fingers clenched the napkin tightly, and she quickly refused, "No need, Mom."
The dining table fell silent instantly.
Song's mother raised an eyebrow in surprise.
Lin Shuangyu's gaze immediately became wary.
Song Yan put down his knife and fork, the metal making a crisp sound as it collided with the porcelain plate.
“Mom, you’re too anxious,” Song Yan said, frowning. “Xiao Yuan just got back, she’s still so young…”
Song's mother retorted, "Xiao Yuan is almost twenty-two years old. Aren't people of that age in your circle already starting to build up marriage relationships?"
Si Yuan felt a chill run down her spine when she saw the doubt that flashed in Song's mother's eyes.
She understood that her adoptive mother was testing her, afraid that she hadn't given up on Song Yan and that she would cling to her only son again.
This realization caused Si Yuan to experience a sharp pain in her stomach.
"I have a boyfriend."
As soon as Si Yuan finished speaking, everyone fell into an eerie silence.
Song Yan's gaze froze, and he slowly turned to her.
"When did this happen?" Song's mother's voice was filled with obvious suspicion. "Why have I never heard you mention a boyfriend before?"
Si Yuan's fingernails unconsciously scratched at the embroidered pattern on the napkin; she would do this when she had anxiety, her hands and feet would tremble.
"Yes, my boyfriend."
Song Yan's gaze was like a scorching searchlight, almost burning a hole through Si Yuan: "Boyfriend?"
“We met in London.” She heard her own voice as if it were coming through frosted glass, hoarse and strained: “He’s Chinese, and he works in finance.”
"What a coincidence, Ayan also works in finance." Lin Shuangyu suddenly chuckled and affectionately touched Song Yan's arm. "You two siblings have similar tastes."
Si Yuan's breath hitched slightly. She lowered her eyelashes and stared at the food on her plate: "Really? Just a coincidence."
Song's mother glanced at her thoughtfully, then suddenly smiled and said, "In that case, why don't we bring her home for a meal another day? Your brother and Shuangyu's wedding preparations also need some of your advice."
“He’s currently on a business trip in New York.” Si Yuan lied instinctively, her throat tightening. “It might be a while.”
Song Yan suddenly put down his chopsticks, his voice so loud that everyone instinctively looked at him.
Song Yan's expression remained calm, but his eyes were dark. He asked bluntly, "When did you get together?"
Si Yuan hadn't expected him to press her for details, and her fingertips trembled slightly. She wasn't good at lying, especially in front of so many people.
"Six months ago."
"Six months ago?" Song Yan's voice was soft, yet it seemed to be suppressing something. "You were still in London then?"
“Yes.” Si Yuan raised her eyes, forcing herself to look him directly in the eye. “He often flies to London to see me.”
The atmosphere at the dining table was subtly stagnant.
Song's mother seemed to sense something and smiled as she tried to smooth things over: "Alright, alright, Xiaoyuan just got back, don't rush to interrogate her. Let's eat first, the food is getting cold."
Lin Shuangyu changed the subject at the right time, talking about the details of the wedding venue setup, and asked Si Yuan, the designer, if she had any suggestions.
Si Yuan nodded mechanically in agreement, but his taste buds couldn't detect any flavor.
After the meal, Song's father called out to Si Yuan, who was about to leave: "Xiao Yuan, come to the study."
The study door closed gently, shutting out the laughter and conversation from the living room.
Mr. Song took a brown paper bag from the drawer and handed it to her: "This is what you left with me before you went abroad."
Si Yuan took it, her fingertips touching the edge of the hard frame inside, her heart suddenly clenched—it was her diary, a photo of her and Song Yan, the beginning of her secret being discovered.
It was also the beginning of a nightmare.
"dad……"
Mr. Song sighed and gently patted her shoulder: "Over the years, your mother has actually regretted sending you away back then."
Si Yuan clenched the paper bag tightly, her throat bitter: "I did something wrong."
"There's no right or wrong in matters of the heart," Song's father said with a deep gaze. "It's just a matter of timing and social standing."
He paused, then added, "But now, Ayan has made his own choice."
Si Yuan nodded, understanding.
She had no status, no opportunity, and no right.
"I understand, thank you Dad for keeping these for me, but I don't need them anymore. I will get rid of everything."
As Si Yuan stepped out of the study, she almost bumped into someone.
Song Yan didn't know how long he had been standing there.
He leaned against the wall, an unlit cigarette between his fingers, his gaze fixed on her: "What are you holding?"
Si Yuan stared at his fingertips, still wondering when her brother, who was as gentle as a breeze and as bright as the moon, had learned to smoke.
She looked at the paper bag in her hand, opened the trash can, and threw it in.
"Nothing, just some trash."
Song Yan paused for a moment, the cigarette twirling between his fingers before being squeezed and slightly deformed.
"Secretly dating someone behind her brother's back?"
His voice was deep, carrying a subtle hint of intimidation.
Si Yuan frowned. What do you mean by having a boyfriend behind your back?
I am not worthy of liking you.
You have no right to interfere with me.
In this respect, it is at least fair.
Si Yuan smiled distantly: "I'm all grown up now, I can date, and my mother agrees."
When she uttered the word "Mom," Song Yan's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.
He remembered that when Si Yuan was little, she would always timidly call him "Auntie," but now she has changed her way of addressing him.
But that "Mom" sounded jarring to me.
"Do you even know how to date?" Song Yan suddenly questioned, his voice carrying a reproach he himself didn't realize: "You're just trying to date like everyone else?"
Si Yuan didn't know why, but today he seemed to be targeting her.
In the past, he always kept things within a certain limit, whether they were good or bad, and never interfered too much.
Si Yuan knew that it was his dislike and rejection of her.
But what does it matter now?
They've stopped pretending altogether.
"London is quite open-minded, and I've learned that from being around it."
Song Yan's expression gradually turned cold, as if the word "openness" had struck a nerve.
"Is that so?" He took a step forward, his arm bumping into the light fixture, and the corridor lights went out instantly, his expression becoming inscrutable.
"Open? Tell me, how did you and him become open?"
He seemed to be carrying a restrained anger.
Si Yuan looked up, a hint of surprise and fear flashing in her eyes.
She was afraid he would get angry.
Si Yuan was afraid of violence, and even though she knew Song Yan wouldn't lay a hand on her, she was still afraid of his anger.
"Brother... what do you mean?"
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