Hotel.
Zhou Suisui hung up the phone and rushed outside without even having time to put on her shoes.
There was only one thought in her mind.
She had to go home.
She had to stop her brother from being framed by Su Wan!
She had to get back immediately. Only after seeing with her own eyes that her brother was safe could she put her mind at ease!
Her mind was filled with the image of her brother’s ruined reputation from her previous life. It felt as though an invisible hand had seized her heart in a tight grip, squeezing so hard that she could barely breathe.
Zhou Suisui hailed a taxi downstairs.
An hour later, she stumbled into the airport.
It was eleven o’clock at night.
The vast terminal was deserted.
All flights at the airport had long since ceased operating for the night.
The icy floor sent a biting chill through the soles of her bare feet, and the last glimmer of hope was utterly extinguished.
Zhou Suisui could hold on no longer. She crouched on the ground, hugged her knees, and broke down sobbing.
Zhou Sui’an, I hate you!
I never want you to be my brother again!
Just then, a black sedan came speeding toward her before braking sharply.
The car door opened.
Jiang Zongyan strode over to Zhou Suisui, took off his warm coat, and draped it over her slender shoulders.
Then he bent down gently and carefully drew the trembling girl into his arms.
“Suisui, don’t be afraid.”
His voice was gentler and deeper than ever before, like a spring breeze brushing softly past her ear.
“Don’t cry yet. Tell me what happened.”
“With Brother Yan here, no matter what it is, I can take care of it for you!”
“Jiang Zongyan!”
His deep voice seemed to possess a bewitching charm.
Zhou Suisui could no longer hold back. She buried herself in his arms, her small hands clutching the front of his shirt as tears streamed down her cheeks.
All her fear, lingering panic, and grievances poured out at that moment.
Why?
Whenever she needed comfort most, it was always Jiang Zongyan who appeared.
Her warm tears soaked through the thin shirt over the man’s chest.
Jiang Zongyan had always been a clean freak, yet now he remained perfectly still, allowing the girl in his arms to wipe her tears and runny nose all over his clothes.
No one knew how long she cried before her emotions gradually settled.
Jiang Zongyan asked nothing. He simply crouched there and quietly held her, his broad palm gently patting her back.
When she had cried herself out, he wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes with his thumb.
Then he crouched down in front of her and turned his back to her.
“Come on. I’ll carry you back.”
Only then did Zhou Suisui realize how disheveled she was.
She sniffed and obediently climbed onto his back, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck.
Her cheek rested against his warm back as she felt his steady heartbeat. Tears fell silently once more.
“Brother Yan, your back is so warm,” she whispered.
Carrying her on his back, Jiang Zongyan curved his lips into a tender smile and continued walking with steady steps.
“When did that mouth of yours become so sweet?”
“…”
Zhou Suisui remained silent.
She merely buried her face deeper into the crook of his neck.
The distinctive scent of cold cedar filled her nose—a comforting, reassuring fragrance.
Whether in her previous life or this one… his back was always so warm…
“Did Zhou Sui’an make you angry?”
When she said nothing, Jiang Zongyan asked softly.
At that, Zhou Suisui pursed her lips and said sulkily, her voice thick with tears, “I don’t have a brother like him anymore!”
After a pause, she tightened her arms around Jiang Zongyan’s neck again, her voice full of dependence.
“Brother Yan, didn’t you say earlier that you wanted to be my brother? Then be my brother, okay?”
Jiang Zongyan was both amused and helpless. “The word ‘brother’… doesn’t only have that one meaning. It can mean something else, too.”
“What does it mean?”
Zhou Suisui looked at him curiously.
From where she was, she could see his ear perfectly.
The tips of Jiang Zongyan’s ears turned faintly red, but he only smiled without answering.
“You figure it out.”
Zhou Suisui blinked and blurted out, “A lover?”
Then she shook her head on her own. “But you don’t like women…”
She swung her legs in the air. Her restless lower leg accidentally bumped against Jiang Zongyan’s front.
Jiang Zongyan’s footsteps came to an abrupt halt. His Adam’s apple bobbed, and a strained groan escaped his throat.
His face darkened as he gritted his teeth.
“Zhou Suisui, you’re still young, so I’ll let it go for now… Otherwise, I’d have to show you whether I like women or not!”
Zhou Suisui felt how tense his body had become.
She instantly stiffened in fright, not daring to move an inch.
Afraid that he had genuinely frightened her, Jiang Zongyan could only sigh helplessly and change the subject.
“Are you worried about Zhou Sui’an?”
Zhou Suisui hesitated before nodding.
Jiang Zongyan said, “Don’t worry. I’ve already sent someone to keep an eye on him, and I’ve also had people watch Su Wan. That woman won’t be able to cause any trouble.”
Zhou Suisui had never expected him to get the news so quickly, much less handle everything so thoroughly.
Her nose stung, and she said softly, “Thank you, Brother Yan.”
“I don’t accept verbal thanks. I’m very greedy.”
“What? You want to extort me, too?”
“Can I?”
“We’ll see…”
Beneath the dark night sky, the streetlights stretched the shadows of the two figures long across the ground.
Their shadows overlapped, harmonious and warm.
No one noticed the lonely figure quietly following them some distance behind.
His normally immaculate hair was disheveled, falling messily over the corners of his eyes.
One foot wore a leather shoe, while the other was slipped into a hotel slipper.
He walked with one leg higher than the other, looking disheveled and dejected.
Keeping his distance as he followed the two people ahead, he curled his lips into a mocking smile.
His expression looked as though he were laughing—and crying at the same time.
His laughter drifted into the air and disappeared without a trace.
Why was he always one step behind Jiang Zongyan?
The Young Miss was the first person he had ever fallen for in all his years.
The feeling had plunged him into confusion and anxiety, making him constantly fear gain and loss. Yet it was also the first time he had felt truly, passionately alive.
Her presence had brought vivid color to a life that had once been as still and lifeless as a stagnant pool.
He opened the camera on his phone and pointed it at the two figures ahead before pressing the record button.
Young Miss, I’m sorry.
Consider me shameless and despicable. From now on… I’ll work like an ox and a horse for you. I’ll kneel and beg your forgiveness.
Without the slightest hesitation, he sent the video out.
