Lost and found?
Song Guansui's overreaction stirred up the deep pool in Jiang Manyan's heart.
Hatred—hatred for Song's father's ruthlessness, hatred for Liu's insidious nature, hatred for this cannibalistic mansion.
It is the icy, bone-chilling silt that has accumulated at the bottom of the pool for many years.
The scattered memories of his elder brother's past care were like a few petals thrown into a pond—tiny, yet stirring up untimely and unsettling ripples.
Jiang Manyan hated this feeling. She hated that this place made her indecisive and restless.
However, Jiang Manyan almost forgot that even though she was precocious, she was still a young woman under eighteen years old. Faced with such a complex and entangled past and present, inner struggle was normal.
But Jiang Manyan quickly suppressed the chaos. Regardless, the hatred was real, and the goal was clear!
This unexpected "reunion" disrupted his plans, but also sent him directly back to the center stage of revenge.
This isn't the best time, but it might be the only chance to get close to the Liu family and carry out my revenge!
When Song Guansui stepped into the courtyard again, there was no trace of gloom on Jiang Manyan's face.
He was like a bird that had been caged for a long time and had finally seen its master; his eyes were bright and sparkling, filled with a pure and unadulterated joy.
Like a beautiful butterfly, she pounced on him and affectionately grabbed Song Guansui's sleeve.
"Brother! You've finally arrived!"
Jiang Manyan's tone was cheerful, with a hint of coquettish complaint.
"You'll have to practice with me! If I keep eating and sleeping like this, I'm really going to turn into a fat piglet!"
As he spoke, he deliberately pinched the little bit of soft flesh he had painstakingly grown around his waist, a gesture that was both charming and adorable, as if he were genuinely just worried about his figure.
Looking at Jiang Manyan's completely dependent, lively and charming appearance, Song Guansui felt his suppressed and painful emotions gradually ease.
Beneath the cold mask, Song Guansui's lips seemed to soften slightly because of this lively expression.
He did not reject Jiang Manyan's suggestion.
The two quickly set up their stances in the courtyard, which was covered with blue and purple jacaranda petals.
Upon closer inspection, their moves were remarkably similar, clearly originating from the same source—something Song Guansui secretly learned from Jiang Manyan when she was young, while Jiang Manyan was always by his side; others were deliberately taught by Song Guansui.
However, Song Guansui's moves are now more powerful and domineering, full of strength; while Jiang Manyan has transformed them into agile and graceful movements, like a butterfly flitting among flowers.
Despite Song Guansui clearly going easy on them and even teasing them, the two fought back and forth for nearly half an hour.
Sunlight filtered through the flowers and leaves, casting dappled shadows on the two people.
A man dressed in black with dark hair, his posture as upright as a pine tree, could not hide his extraordinary demeanor even with a mask on.
A woman dressed in simple blue robes, her movements agile, her breathing rapid from exercise, a healthy blush on her cheeks, and vibrant color in the corners of her eyes and brows.
The scene possesses a strange yet breathtakingly beautiful quality.
"I'm not practicing anymore! My brother is too amazing, I give up!"
Jiang Manyan jumped away first, waving her hands and begging for mercy with uneven breathing. A bead of sweat hung on her smooth chin, reflecting a tiny glimmer in the sunlight.
At this moment, Jiang Manyan is so vivid, so lively, so beautiful that she seems unreal.
Song Guansui stared at him, his eyes deep and unfathomable.
He took out a plain white handkerchief and gently wiped away the beads of sweat from Jiang Manyan's forehead and chin.
Then, under Jiang Manyan's seemingly unguarded gaze, he slowly lowered his head, his clearly defined lip lines precisely pressed against her lips, which were fuller and redder from exercise, with a hint of probing and an undeniable air of authority.
Divided at the touch of a finger...
Like a dragonfly skimming the water, yet carrying a cool touch and a strong sense of possessiveness.
Jiang Manyan's body stiffened almost imperceptibly for a moment, but immediately softened. Even as his lips parted, he seemed to want more and tilted his head back to kiss her back!
Perhaps because she was in such a hurry, Jiang Manyan's nose slammed into the cold, hard silver mask!
"Hmm!"
Jiang Manyan cried out in pain, tears welling up in her eyes. She covered her nose, squatted down in a wronged manner, and mumbled complaints in a muffled voice.
"Ouch... This mask is such a nuisance!"
He rubbed his reddened nose, his eyes also reddening, like a wronged little animal, completely lacking the agility he displayed during the fight, only showing his spoiled and pitiful side.
Song Guansui scrutinized his appearance.
A chilling aura of malevolence suddenly rose from his body, only to inexplicably dissipate a moment later.
He reached out as if to check how badly he had been hurt, but in the end he simply brushed his head lightly.
"tomorrow,"
Song Guansui spoke, his voice devoid of emotion, "I'll take you for a walk in the garden."
Jiang Manyan suddenly raised her head, her eyes wide open, the grievances inside instantly replaced by immense surprise, her whole face seemingly lit up in an instant.
—Like a night-blooming cereus, it unfolds a breathtakingly beautiful and pure smile.
"Really?! Thank you, brother!"
Jiang Manyan smiled with immense joy, as if she had received the most precious promise in the world.
But beneath that radiant smile, only he knew how fast his heart was pounding in his chest...
The first step was a success!
The Song family's back garden remained just as Jiang Manyan remembered, extremely luxurious and exquisite.
Pavilions and towers, artificial hills and flowing water, exotic flowers and rare plants vie for beauty, as if all the strife and suffering of the outside world cannot erode this carefully nurtured world.
For Jiang Manyan, who had been imprisoned for many days and whose only sight was the small courtyard, this place was a breathtaking sight with vibrant life.
It did bring a long-lost sense of relaxation—even if that relaxation was built on an even larger prison.
The two sat down in the most luxurious and exquisite pavilion in the garden.
Exquisite tea snacks and fragrant tea were laid out on the stone table, surrounded by the rich aroma of flowers and the melodious chirping of birds.
Over the years, Jiang Manyan has read extensively and has a wide range of interests, including the cultivation and appreciation of plants and flowers.
As a renowned talent in the central district, Song Guansui naturally had considerable expertise in this area.
The two chatted about the habits and planting techniques of various flowers, their stories and symbolism, and their appreciation of their beauty and charm... The conversation turned out to be surprisingly congenial.
At this moment, it was as if all grudges and entanglements had been stripped away.
It was just two good friends who both appreciated beautiful scenery and had refined tastes chatting.
The atmosphere was more peaceful than ever before, even carrying a touch of ethereal warmth. Song Guansui's cold and sexy profile was softly glowing.
As they chatted, Jiang Manyan suddenly turned her head and looked at Song Guansui, a bright smile blooming on her face.
Those honey-brown eyes shimmered in the sunlight, surpassing even the most beautiful flower in the garden.
"elder brother"
Jiang Manyan's voice was light and sincere, carrying a perfect amount of dependence and joy.
"I'm very happy today."
Song Guansui was slightly taken aback, and his eyes momentarily dazed as he looked at his smile.
Immediately afterwards, Jiang Manyan made an even bolder move. He naturally reached out and gently took Song Guansui's hand, which was resting on the stone table.
Song Guansui's fingers twitched slightly involuntarily, but he did not shake them off.
Jiang Manyan seemed completely oblivious to his momentary unease, still smiling, her tone filled with pure admiration.
"The flowers in the garden are all beautiful, but in my heart, my brother is the most handsome."
His gaze fell on Song Guansui's half of the silver mask, and his voice gradually lowered, carrying a hint of heartache and probing.
Even if... even if I have injuries on my face, I don't care...
Jiang Manyan raised her other hand, her fingertips trembling almost imperceptibly, and very slowly and tentatively placed it on Song Guansui's neck, feeling the skin beneath her hand tighten instantly.
Jiang Manyan's slender fingertips slowly moved upwards along that sexy and sharp jawline, and the atmosphere suddenly became ambiguous and tense.
Song Guansui's body was visibly stiff, and his breathing was slightly labored, as if he was trying his best to restrain himself.
He stared at Jiang Manyan with a complex expression, one of scrutiny and warning, but also a hint of barely perceptible...expectation?
Finally, Song Guansui's tense body slowly relaxed, and he closed his eyes, a gesture of tacit consent.
Jiang Manyan's fingertips finally touched the edge of the cold mask, and she gently hooked the clasp behind her ear.
A soft click.
The silver mask that covered half of his face was removed.
The sunlight shone down on Song Guansui's face without any obstruction.
Jiang Manyan's breath hitched, as if she was truly mesmerized.
Five years ago, seventeen-year-old Song Guansui was already exceptionally handsome, leaving a lasting impression.
Now, he has shed the last trace of youthful immaturity, and his appearance has fully matured, revealing a stunning and strikingly handsome face.
His eyebrows were like ink cut, slanting upwards towards his temples; his eyes were like cold stars, deep and icy, indescribably handsome and sexy.
But right below his left eye, faint pink scars crisscrossed, like a red seal bearing a resolute meaning stamped on a masterpiece of ink painting.
It's a scar left from a burn.
But the scar did not diminish his charm in the slightest; on the contrary, it strangely added a touch of alluring and brokenness to his cold and arrogant temperament.
Even her eyes, which were always like cold stars, seemed to be tinged with a lazy, fragile mist, making it impossible to look away and stirring a flutter in one's heart.
Jiang Manyan looked closely and noticed that the scar vaguely resembled the character for "sin".
While Jiang Manyan was examining him, Song Guansui kept his eyes fixed on his face, not missing any subtle changes in his expression.
Deep within those eyes lay an almost imperceptible tension and a stubborn anticipation!
There was no fear, disgust, or pity as expected.
Jiang Manyan's eyes held only pure, undisguised amazement and a hint of...heartache?
"elder brother,"
Jiang Manyan sighed softly, as if bewitched, and carefully placed the silver mask she had taken off into her bosom, as if it were some precious treasure.
Then she raised her hand again, this time gently placing her warm palm on the back of Song Guansui's head with an irresistible tenderness, and with a slight pressure, made him lower his head.
Song Guansui obediently bowed down.
Jiang Manyan tilted her head back and gently and tenderly pressed her warm, soft lips onto the faint scar.
This was a kiss devoid of lust, yet filled with complex and comforting meaning.
In an instant, the usual coldness in Song Guansui's eyes melted away as quickly as ice and snow meeting the sun.
Instead, there was an almost frenzied, overwhelming joy and tremor from regaining what was lost.
He suddenly opened his eyes, as if flames were burning deep within his pupils, and his arms tightened instinctively, almost as if he wanted to meld the person in front of him into his own bones and blood.
He waited for so long... so long that he almost thought he would never see this day.
His Yan'er, his younger brother, finally... returned to his side?
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