The next day.
Song Fuxue woke up from thirst.
She got out of bed and drank a large glass of water. When she checked the time, it was already noon.
Older Brother was nowhere to be seen in the room.
She picked up her phone and saw that Pei Shangyue had left her a message.
【Went to the company for a meeting. Someone will come take care of you.】
Alright then—Older Brother had gone to work to earn money. Otherwise, how would he support her?
Still, not seeing him the moment she woke up made her a little unhappy.
Song Fuxue immediately sent a long string of messages—“Older Brother, Older Brother, Bro…”—to express her dissatisfaction.
After bombarding him, she changed clothes and went downstairs.
A fragrant aroma drifted from the kitchen.
By the time Song Fuxue reached the first floor, Aunt Xu had just come out of the kitchen.
Seeing her, Aunt Xu froze for a moment. When Song Fuxue walked closer, she quickly came to her senses and greeted her with a smile.
“Miss Song, you’re awake?”
“I’m Aunt Xu. Mr. Pei asked me to come take care of you.”
Song Fuxue looked puzzled. “Miss Song? Me?”
“That’s right. Sir told me your name is Song Fuxue. You’re the younger sister he brought back from Hong Kong Island.”
“I see.”
Song Fuxue had been unsure of her real name due to her amnesia, but now she finally knew.
So her surname was Song.
She asked curiously, “Aunt Xu, do you know my parents?”
“I’m afraid I don’t. Mr. Pei didn’t mention them to me.”
“Alright.”
Song Fuxue did not press further.
If Older Brother didn’t say anything, there must be a reason.
Having Older Brother by her side was already enough.
“Since Miss Song is from Hong Kong Island, I prepared Cantonese dishes for you and made some soup. It’ll be ready soon.”
“This is the strawberry cake Mr. Pei made for you early this morning. Miss Song, have some first to fill your stomach.”
Aunt Xu took out a small cake from the refrigerator.
A sweet strawberry fragrance filled the air.
Song Fuxue’s mood instantly improved. At least Older Brother still had some conscience.
“Thank you, Aunt Xu!”
“You’re welcome, Miss Song.”
As Song Fuxue ate the strawberry cake and Aunt Xu waited for the soup to finish, she couldn’t help but glance at her repeatedly.
“Aunt Xu, is there something on my face?”
Song Fuxue touched her cheek, thinking she might have gotten cream on it.
“No, Miss Song.”
“It’s just that I’ve lived more than half my life and have never seen such a beautiful and lively young lady like you. I couldn’t help but look a few more times. I hope I didn’t offend you.”
Everyone, regardless of age or gender, had an instinct to appreciate beauty.
Aunt Xu was no exception.
Song Fuxue smiled. “People at the Hong Kong Island estate said the same. They even said that with such a fairy-like younger sister like me, Older Brother must be secretly delighted.”
“But Older Brother is so rigid and likes to act cold. He won’t even say a single word to praise me.”
“That’s how Mr. Pei is. But from what I can see, he cares about you very much. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have brought you all the way to Beijing or learned to make desserts for you.”
“That’s true. Then I’ll reluctantly forgive him.”
Song Fuxue said proudly, but she happily finished the little cake made by Older Brother.
“Miss Song, try the soup and see if it suits your taste.”
The soup was ready. Aunt Xu brought it over and served her a bowl.
Song Fuxue took a sip and liked it very much—it was an authentic Hong Kong flavor.
There were also several classic Hong Kong snacks on the table. She tried them one by one, and they all tasted just like what she used to eat back on Hong Kong Island.
She kept praising the food while eating until she was too full to continue.
“Aunt Xu, are you from Hong Kong Island?”
“I’m not, but my husband is a native of Hong Kong Island. He taught me how to make all of these.”
Aunt Xu smiled.
“Miss Song, now that you’ve just arrived in Beijing, are you adjusting well?”
Song Fuxue shook her head. “Not really. When I woke up today, my throat felt very dry, and my skin too. It’s not like Hong Kong Island, where it’s humid all year round.”
“That’s normal. You’ll usually get used to it after a few days. Miss Song, I’ll prepare some tea to soothe your throat later. If you need anything else, just let me know.”
Song Fuxue asked Aunt Xu for some stronger moisturizing lip balm and lotion.
They were delivered quickly.
After using them, she felt a little better. But in the afternoon, after swimming and taking a shower, her condition worsened again.
Her throat became so dry and hoarse that she couldn’t speak. Red rashes appeared on her calves, and her lips cracked.
Before long, it escalated to a nosebleed.
Song Fuxue’s vision darkened, and she nearly fainted.
In panic, she bombarded Older Brother with messages.
“Older Brother, Older Brother, Older Brother, Older Brother…”
“Save me, save me, save me…”
“I’m having a nosebleed!”
“I have a terminal illness!”
“I’m going to die!”
“Wuuu wuuu wuuu!”
“Older Brother, Older Brother, Older Brother, if you don’t come soon, you’re going to lose your beautiful, cute, caring, obedient baby Younger Sister!”
…
After her desperate cries came a long string of stick-figure emojis—bleeding, collapsing, crying uncontrollably…