That was a long time ago, but Qin Jiangmian kept it in her heart and remembered it clearly.
To this day, over ten years later, she still hadn’t forgotten.
She couldn’t tell exactly when it happened, only that it was a summer day when she first arrived at some school. It was a prestigious academy, but the students lacked noble refinement. Many of them were arrogant.
Her solitary nature made her a target for a small clique of young masters.
Then Qin Haiyue, like an older sister to her, stepped in, chased them away, and saved her.
From then on, although she still couldn’t make any friends, no one dared to bully her.
It wasn’t some epic tale, even seeming rather ordinary. What made her remember it for so long was mainly because…
That seemed to be the last time her sister ever helped her.
Before that, they were true sisters.
She liked being with her sister, but why did she like it? She didn’t know.
Because Qin Haiyue always stood in front of her whenever she faced trouble.
Gradually, a wish grew in her young heart.
She hoped that she too could protect her sister, guarding her cherished family behind her.
So she studied desperately, grew stronger desperately. She became the pride of her parents, the envy of others.
But her sister suddenly began to dislike her, drifting further and further away.
She didn’t know what she’d done wrong. She only wanted to become stronger and protect the people she cherished.
Until later, her sister wouldn’t even speak a single proper word to her.
She had indeed become stronger. No one would ever bully her again.
But she could no longer find that gentle sister.
Whether it was tearing a flyer off a wall in a deep, dusky alley and smacking it onto some villain’s face with gusto,
Or sneaking snacks from outside that their parents forbade, badmouthing their parents in ways she’d never dare, all while sharing with her.
So…
Why did it become like this?
Back then, you were so gentle.
Father was about to leave, and you came, but wouldn’t even spare a glance.
I’m afraid you’ll leave too, so ever since you insisted on going to school in another city, I’ve secretly planted eyes around you, placed trackers on you.
My methods are extreme. I know.
But I’m really scared that one day you’ll disappear without a word, or do something rash.
Why can’t you go back to how you used to be, Sis?
I really miss you. Truly.
Come back to me. Don’t leave.
I love you, I love you, no matter what you become.
A bitter taste surged from her heart.
Qin Jiangmian quietly wiped her eyes. Luckily, after all this training, she wouldn’t easily shed tears anymore.
Could it be that she had a new life outside, or rather, a new… lover?
No, I guess it wouldn’t count as a lover, since her sister’s attitude toward that person… was terrible.
For some reason, her heart ached.
She didn’t want her sister to mix with that person, for whatever reason, whether that person was forced or willing.
She knew Qin Haiyue wouldn’t hang out with shady types.
Even if her sister was gradually going downhill, she still had her bottom line. At least some things, her sister herself looked down on.
But she just didn’t want anyone else close to her sister.
Maybe deep down she felt that others might become a threat to take her sister away.
So she had to find a way to bring her sister back, to keep her under her own watch.
Yu Aiyu was sent for that purpose.
She really couldn’t afford to lose anymore.
“Cough, cough…”
Qin Jiangmian suddenly coughed a few times and couldn’t help covering her forehead.
The weather had turned cold recently. Maybe she’d caught a cold?
‘Because she’s the only family I have left…’
It’s fine. I’ll get some medicine later.
She pursed her lips, picked up her phone, and dialed.
“Hello, Uncle, is my mother awake? I can’t leave the hospital room right now. Ask her to bring me some food.”
She was talking to her family’s butler.
“Huh? She woke up a while ago but went out?”
She bit her lower lip lightly. For some reason, Qin Jiangmian had a bad feeling.
Last night, her mother seemed to have been too sad, plus hypoglycemia, staying up too late, and accidentally fainted. She was afraid her mother might do something drastic.
“Where did she go?”
“To meet an old classmate…? Can you tell me who?”
“Uncle Cao? Listen… okay, I understand.”
Qin Jiangmian felt even sadder.
She hung up, leaned back on the cold hospital chair, and stared helplessly at the ceiling.
She really hadn’t expected that her mother, who had been so sad and busy at the hospital yesterday, would be like this today.
It had only been a little over a month, and yet…
Though it sounded ironic, maybe soon, her father’s position would be filled by someone else…
She didn’t know what to think.
But the sadness and pain in her heart would never fade.
After all, the person in that hospital room was really her father.
Her biological father, who raised her from childhood…
Lost in thought, she closed her eyes.
Maybe she was about to lose a ‘mother’ too?
So, Sis.
That’s why you’re so important, so irreplaceable.
Winter break had just started, and the Liu family atmosphere was relatively harmonious.
After all, the Spring Festival was coming soon, and Liu Yinuo’s parents would have a long vacation, a relaxing time.
But today, they still had to work.
Liu Yinuo decided to take a break today too.
That didn’t mean the tutoring sessions with Ye Xingmian were going smoothly. It was just that they were too tired.
People aren’t machines. Doing anything for too long makes you tired. They needed other things to shift their attention and relax.
Of course, only Ye Xingmian was doing something else.
She was just lying on the sofa, spacing out.
Honestly, Ye Xingmian’s body was really soft, and her hair smelled nice.
And her little ears, soft and plump. Whenever Liu Yinuo hugged her from behind, she wanted to bite them…
“Yinuo, dinner’s ready. Want to come eat?”
Ye Xingmian, wearing an apron, walked out of the kitchen with steaming dishes and a smile.
Her complexion looked much better than before.
There was a smile on her lips. Her posture wasn’t so stiff anymore, much more natural.
Her figure wasn’t as thin as before, having filled out a little.
It made people sigh, how was this half-baked girl developing better and better?
“Tsk, at this rate, won’t this dress of yours soon be too small?”
“Huh?”
Panic flashed across Ye Xingmian’s face, then she lowered her head, at a loss.
“Um… um… I… I won’t eat… I’ll lose weight…”
“Pfft, I’m just messing with you. How can you not eat? Alright, alright, I’m coming.”
“Mmm…”
Ye Xingmian raised her head, a look of confusion in her eyes.
Was it a joke?
But she didn’t think it was funny…
She was really scared.
What if she accidentally gained weight and Liu Yinuo kicked her out?
So she should eat a little less.
Liu Yinuo stood up from the sofa.
Ye Xingmian silently set the table, took off her apron, and hung it over the chair back.
Just as they were about to eat, there was a knock at the door.
“Hmm?”
Liu Yinuo frowned.
Normally, her parents wouldn’t come back at this time.
She turned around and saw Ye Xingmian looking at her nervously, probably afraid of a stranger outside.
“I’ll go see. Wait a moment.”
With that, Liu Yinuo went to the door and looked through the peephole.
The moment she saw who it was, she couldn’t help frowning.
Lin Ziyan?
Why her?!