Two years have passed since we last met.
It was winter, and Song Yan was wearing a dark gray woolen overcoat with its double-breasted brass buttons gleaming.
The inner layer was a navy blue wool Zhongshan suit, with patches on the collar and cuffs carefully sewn with new fabric of the same color, the stitches fine and neat.
The hem was tucked into crisp black corduroy trousers, the crease pressed straight, and the cuffs just covered the shiny uppers of the three-piece leather shoes.
When his eyelashes drooped, they obscured his deep brown eyes into two sharp lines, with the corners of his eyes slightly upturned. His sculpted eye sockets made his gaze appear exceptionally deep in the shadows.
His high, straight nose had a cold, stern curve, and the tip of his nose was still covered with unmelted snowflakes. His thin lips, red from the cold, were pressed into a sharp, straight line, and his jawline was tight and sharp.
His fine, black hair swept across his smooth forehead, highlighting the distinct features of his face, making him look like a work of art meticulously sculpted by a sculptor. His shoulders and back were broad and straight, and he was tall and handsome, wrapped in a woolen coat.
Chu Xin'er's heart began to race and her mouth went dry as she watched.
I knew Song Yan was handsome before, but he's already past puberty and his looks are set.
I didn't have any particular feelings back then, so why is it that after so many years apart, when we meet again, my heart is stirred up so much?
Perhaps she had learned of Song Yan's affection for her.
Or perhaps...
After these turbulent years, Song Yan and Xu Yao fought alone in the city, maneuvering among enemy troops, running around and building relationships.
He is no longer the man who had just returned from studying abroad, simply determined to serve his country.
The trials and tribulations of the past years have given Song Yan a lot of experience and made him more composed. His eyes are filled with the light of the night, like a sword yet to be drawn.
Upon closer inspection, he was even more captivating to Chu Xin'er than before.
The only thing that hadn't changed was that when those eyes swept over Chu Xin'er, they remained as gentle as water.
The emotions surging in her dark pupils were almost overflowing. Chu Xin'er felt her breath trembling from the heat, and her throat felt like it was holding a mint that wouldn't dissolve, both cool and astringent.
Song Yan took a deep breath.
Now that things have come to this, he has no more worries.
After successfully exonerating the Chu family and bringing them back to Haicheng, it's time for this love, which has been hidden in my heart for many years and is surging like a storm, to finally be revealed.
Regardless of the outcome, it's much better than someone else getting there first and you foolishly continuing to act as the older brother.
Although Xu Yao was carefree and irresponsible, Song Yan always knew what he said and kept it in mind!
"Xin'er, you're back."
His voice carried a certain husky gentleness, like a cup of red tea on a late autumn afternoon, so mellow that it was intoxicating.
Chu Xin'er bit her lower lip and, as if possessed, looked up: "Yes, Brother Song Yan, I'm back~ Did you miss me?"
Before he could finish speaking, he regretted it so much that he wanted to bite off his own tongue.
She could clearly hear her heart pounding in her chest, and her gaze swept frantically across his tense jawline.
Under the other person's sudden, deep gaze, the tips of her ears burned bright red.
Won't this cause Song Yan to misunderstand something?
The other person clearly likes me.
He even said such ambiguous things.
But so many years have passed, maybe Song Yan has found another woman he likes.
They weren't really boyfriend and girlfriend; their relationship was just like that of siblings...
But why does the thought that Song Yan might fall in love with another woman and simply treat her like a younger sister make me feel so uncomfortable?
Just as Chu Xin'er was lost in thought, Song Yan's answer arrived like a cascading light on water.
"Yes, I really want to..."
His voice trailed off a little, his Adam's apple bobbing, and when his magnetic voice was squeezed out, it was as if he had mustered some courage, carrying a kind of heart-fluttering tenderness.
Song Yan lowered his eyes to look at her, his low, husky voice brushing against her ear: "And you, have you missed me?"
Song Yan launched an attack.
Looking at the petite and adorable girl in front of him, huddled in a dark green military coat, her burgundy scarf made of coarse wool wrapped tightly around her, only revealing a pair of clear and beautiful eyes, she would always be the brightest sun in his heart.
Chu Xin'er's fingertips suddenly curled up, and her heart skipped a beat.
To cover up her embarrassment, she quickly smiled and said, "Of course I want to! You're my brother, how could I not?"
"Yes, it's good that you missed me."
Song Yan suddenly chuckled and gently placed his warm palm on the top of her head.
Pat his head.
This familiar gesture brought tears to Chu Xin'er's eyes.
Looking at the sparks dancing in Song Yan's eyes, Chu Xin'er felt as if her heart was being warmed by that cluster of light, and her tense shoulders suddenly relaxed.
She buried her red, frozen nose in her maroon scarf, her voice tinged with a fluffy laugh: "Yes, I'm back. From now on, you don't have to worry about it anymore. We can see each other anytime, anywhere."
"I'm ready to serve you anytime."
Song Yan didn't force Chu Xin'er to accept him so quickly; perhaps she didn't even know his feelings yet.
Don't worry, everyone is returning to Haicheng now, and there's still plenty of time; they'll have plenty of opportunities.
Ye Nian'an and the others also noticed the ambiguous atmosphere emanating from Chu Xin'er and Song Yan.
Let's give this couple, who have been separated for many years, more time to spend together.
Chu Zhenyuan and Chi Xinyao looked on with obvious maternal smiles.
Sure enough, the more you looked at your daughter standing next to Song Yan, the more you saw how well they matched.
Just like Chu Yan and Ye Nian'an.
Although she didn't want to put unnecessary pressure on her daughter, a son-in-law as good as Song Yan was truly hard to find even with a lantern.
If she misses this opportunity, she doesn't know if there will be another chance. She's afraid Chu Xin'er will regret it to the core.
Ye Sheng then noticed something amiss: "Huh, what's going on with Xin'er... Could it be that she and Song Yan..."
Ye Hui glanced at his third brother with disdain: "Your reaction is too slow. You always said that you have the highest emotional intelligence among the three of us brothers."
Ye Sheng looked puzzled: "Second brother, when did you figure that out?"
"My older brother and I sensed it a long time ago, but you haven't noticed yet."
"Holy crap?"
Ye Sheng looked at Ye Yao in disbelief.
Ye Yao coughed lightly: "We only had a feeling, but we weren't sure. However, after seeing it today..."
As he spoke, Ye Yao glanced at Chu Xin'er and Song Yan and said, "They are indeed a good match."
"Am I the only one who didn't realize it? Really?"
Ye Sheng clutched his head, on the verge of collapse.
An older brother who is a bookworm, and a second brother who only thinks about protecting the country.
She shamelessly prides herself on being a shrewd person, navigating various relationships, and possessing the smooth tongue to make the dead seem alive—a natural-born social butterfly.
They didn't even notice that, but the eldest and second eldest brothers noticed it first.
How embarrassing! So embarrassing!
Ye Hui lowered his voice: "To be honest, Third Brother, every time we went to the Chu family, we saw you teasing Xin'er. We almost thought you had feelings for her."
"Tell me the truth, is it true or not? You're not going to become Song Yan's love rival, are you?"
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