Shu Yu looked at Song Wenzhao, her sadness still lingering as she hesitated. "Big Brother, how did you know…"
Song Wenzhao replied, "You're my sister, of course I know."
He gently stroked Shu Yu's hair. "Little Treasure, Big Brother will always be by your side. Whatever you want to do, I'll help you."
Although Shu Yu was still feeling low, Song Wenzhao's words gave her some comfort.
The word "family" began to take on a new meaning for her.
Her previous family had been cold and demanding, expecting her to repay them while caring nothing for her future or well-being, afraid she might offend someone and drag them down.
Now, Song Wenzhao was telling her that family would always be there, would stay by her side, and would help her.
Shu Yu looked at him. "Big Brother, I want to leave now."
The butler standing nearby felt a surge of excitement—at last, the young Miss was willing to leave with the Young Master.
Song Wenzhao said, "This isn't the right place to talk. Let's go home first."
Shu Yu grabbed his hand. "No, once Si Yiheng wakes up, he'll definitely figure out that I came to see you. I don't want to cause you trouble."
She didn't know many people.
Song Wenzhao would certainly be Si Yiheng's prime suspect.
She explained in a low voice, "I don't want to see the two of you clash because of me either."
Song Wenzhao felt a warmth in his heart.
Baby Yu was worried about him, afraid that Si Yiheng might harm him.
But then again, he had never feared Si Yiheng.
Song Wenzhao said, "It's fine. Let Si Yiheng come after me if he wants. You're not a burden to Big Brother."
Shu Yu looked at him seriously. "But what I need is for Si Yiheng not to find me."
She emphasized, "I mean the kind of 'not find me' where Si Yiheng has no idea where I am."
Song Wenzhao still didn't fully understand why Shu Yu had to do this.
But this matter wasn't too difficult to arrange.
He glanced at the butler, who was already eagerly waiting.
Song Wenzhao said, "Baby Yu, how about this—you go with Uncle Qin to his hometown and stay there for a while."
Uncle Qin looked at Shu Yu with hopeful eyes. "Miss, please come with me. I'll take care of you."
"Just like when I took care of you when you were little."
Shu Yu gazed at Uncle Qin, that same vague mix of unfamiliarity and familiarity she had felt when looking at photos.
Song Wenzhao quickly made the decision. "Let's go now, tonight. Uncle Qin will drive you there, so Si Yiheng won't be able to trace your travel records."
Afraid that Shu Yu might be scared, he added, "Baby Yu, Uncle Qin is someone we can trust."
"He's watched us grow up since we were children. Going with him will be like taking a trip to relax."
"I'll divert Si Yiheng's attention, buying you enough time to disappear."
Shu Yu looked into Song Wenzhao's eyes and nodded. "Thank you, Big Brother."
The smile on Song Wenzhao's face grew more genuine. "We're family. You don't have to thank me."
Shu Yu nodded firmly. "Mm."
Song Wenzhao glanced at the restless Little Orange. "Are you taking Little Orange with you? She'll have to sit in the car for a long time—will she be okay?"
Shu Yu pursed her lips, watching Little Orange scratch around inside her bag, feeling uncertain.
She had never taken Little Orange on a long car ride before, so she wasn't sure if the cat would handle it well.
At the time she left, she had thought that since she brought Little Orange home, she should take her along when leaving.
Now she realized that there were many details she hadn't thought through.
Taking Little Orange away like this was somewhat irresponsible to the kitten.
Song Wenzhao suggested, “Should we leave Little Orange with Big Brother?”
Shu Yu nodded and handed Little Orange to Song Wenzhao. “If Little Orange can’t adapt, send him back to Si Yiheng. If he can, then let him wait for me to return.”
Song Wenzhao, as if he had planned it all along, arranged things quickly.
Shu Yu got into the car and stuck her head out the window. “Big Brother.”
Seeing Shu Yu’s head poking out, Song Wenzhao’s heart softened.
He stepped closer, shortening the distance so Shu Yu could speak to him without straining. “What else is there?”
Shu Yu looked at Song Wenzhao, her expression serious. “Big Brother, I’m not leaving because Si Yiheng made me sad. It’s because I deceived Si Yiheng.”
“And you need to keep your promise to me—take care of Si Yiheng and don’t cause him trouble.”
Song Wenzhao wanted to say, so what if she deceived him.
Hadn’t Shu Yu gotten caught up in it herself by deceiving Si Yiheng?
If Shu Yu hadn’t tricked Si Yiheng, how would he ever have crossed paths with her?
Shu Yu gave him a meeting, a love story—Si Yiheng should be grateful.
But seeing the slight redness at the corners of Shu Yu’s eyes, Song Wenzhao held back those righteous words.
Instead, he bent down to comfort her. “Don’t overthink it, and don’t carry any guilt, okay, Baby Yu?”
“If you feel sorry, Big Brother will make it up to him for you.”
He could offer money, resources, or business collaborations.
They were just material things, as long as Shu Yu wouldn’t be so upset.
Song Wenzhao thought for a moment and added, “Little Treasure, if you ever want Si Yiheng again, Gege will help you snatch him back home.”
Shu Yu: (ⓛωⓛ)
Song Wenzhao: “We’ll take Si Yiheng to the estate overseas. You’ll keep him there, making sure he never leaves your side.”
Shu Yu blinked slowly, her gloomy mood coming to an abrupt halt.
Her mind was filled with one thought—does “never leaves your side” mean imprisonment?
Her Big Brother sounded like an outlaw beyond the law.
The more she listened, the more she felt like a heartless woman who deceives people and then forces love.
Shu Yu quickly grabbed Song Wenzhao’s hand. “Big Brother, don’t do anything rash. It’s not that serious, really.”
Song Wenzhao smiled. “Alright. I can also find you someone who looks like Si Yiheng.”
Shu Yu: “!!!”
A substitute?
She couldn’t even imagine how Si Yiheng would react.
But Song Wenzhao thought it over and found the idea more and more feasible.
A substitute—that was good.
A substitute wouldn’t have such a sharp tongue.
Si Yiheng should go out and ask around—whose family member still gets brought home when they constantly mock their brother-in-law?
And he was always clinging to Shu Yu, not letting her talk to him.
Seeing that Song Wenzhao seemed to be seriously considering it, Shu Yu quickly spoke up. “I don’t want a substitute. Gege, go home now. I’m about to leave too.”
Song Wenzhao: “Little Treasure, goodbye.”
Shu Yu waved at Song Wenzhao. “Big Brother, goodbye.”
On the other side, the sky was bright with dawn.
Si Yiheng struggled fiercely in his dream. He dreamed of marrying Shu Yu.
A room full of flowers, friends and family everywhere.
Shu Yu stood right in front of him, smiling warmly, waiting for his kiss.
But another voice kept telling him—this was just a wishful dream.
Finally, Si Yiheng opened his eyes.
The wind blew through the curtains, and the room was eerily quiet. Shu Yu, who usually loved to sleep in, was no longer by his side.
Si Yiheng’s heart grew heavier and heavier.
But he still couldn't bring himself to believe it. He got up, left the room, and went to Shu Yu's room.
Half the clothes in Shu Yu's walk-in closet were gone.
Si Yiheng walked out of the closet, out of the bedroom, down the hallway, and descended the stairs.
The living room was deathly silent as well.
Finally, Si Yiheng found the last trace Shu Yu had left behind on the desk.
On the note, it read:
—Si Yiheng, I've been deceiving you all along. Let's break up.
