Duan’s mother noticed the unusual behavior of her two sons.
She looked at the one on the left, then at the one on the right, her delicate brows furrowing slightly. “What’s wrong with you two? You’re adults, yet you can still choke while eating?”
Duan Zhuo put down his wine glass, his eyes staring at some indeterminate spot, his expression slightly tense, as if he had just been caught doing something terribly naughty.
Duan Xingning also looked a little uneasy. He picked up a piece of ginger with his chopsticks, appearing calm and composed on the surface. “Mother, when we’re eating, please don’t bring up these irrelevant topics.”
They had choked because they were too surprised.
It was understandable.
These kinds of conversations had never happened before.
Their family rarely had meals together.
Either Duan’s mother was busy, or Duan Zhuo was wandering outside.
When An Li was in college, she lived in the dormitory.
In a whole year, they barely had one proper meal together.
Naturally, such topics were never brought up.
“I realize what I said was a bit abrupt,” Duan’s mother said, shaking her head with a smile. “I just wanted to remind you to take better care of Shuyi, so the Wen family won’t worry and so Lili’s reputation won’t be affected.”
Duan Xingning repeated his words: “I understand.”
Duan’s mother teased, “You’ve always been cold and quiet as a child. Surely you wouldn’t have any issues with An Li. Even if you did, An Li wouldn’t like a wooden type like you, right, Lili?”
Being addressed suddenly, An Li softly said, “Ah.”
She still looked dazed.
As if nothing had clicked yet.
When Duan’s mother first heard Madam Wen mention it, she had been slightly doubtful. But thinking of her eldest son’s icy demeanor and An Li’s naivety, she decisively dismissed the idea.
These two? Impossible.
Still, to prevent any risk of An Li interfering with the Duan–Wen family marriage alliance, Duan’s mother kept a backup plan. She showed a warm and caring side. “Lili, you’re no longer a little girl. Do you have a boyfriend? If not, Auntie can introduce someone to you.”
Instinctively, An Li shook her head.
Thinking she meant she didn’t have a boyfriend, Duan’s mother pressed on, “Auntie’s friend has a son. He’s handsome, fit, and even a somewhat famous actor. Shall I introduce him to you?”
Duan’s mother awaited An Li’s response.
Duan Zhuo and Duan Xingning both glanced at her simultaneously.
Three people, three different intentions.
An Li lowered her head, frightened. “N-no, thank you, Auntie… Actually, I already have a boyfriend.”
Duan Zhuo relaxed his shoulders, his spine straightened, and his heart seemed to drop slightly. He continued taking deliberate sips of his wine.
“Really? When did you get a boyfriend?” Duan’s mother asked.
An Li hesitated. “Well, it’s not really a boyfriend…”
Duan Zhuo’s ears perked up.
Wait a minute.
What was this little girl saying?
If he didn’t count as a boyfriend, what did he count as?
Duan Xingning also asked, “What do you mean?”
“Just… a male friend I’m close to,” An Li mumbled, unsure of her own words. “Anyway, I don’t need to find another boyfriend. Thank you, Auntie!”
Duan Xingning’s tone accelerated sharply. “Why didn’t I know you had a close male friend?”
An Li lowered her head and focused on her food. “Who are you to me? Why should I tell you?”
“You…” Duan Xingning was momentarily speechless.
An Li ignored him and left early after finishing her meal.
The subtle tension from before instantly dissipated the moment she and Duan Xingning had been about to speak.
Duan’s mother looked puzzled.
Should she even doubt the relationship between these siblings?
Judging by the situation…
They seemed to have a poor relationship.
There was no chance of anything suspicious.
The possibility of Duan Zhuo and An Li being involved was greater than that of the eldest and her.
Duan’s mother couldn’t help but ask, “Xingning, what’s going on with you and Lili? Are you two upset?”
“No,” Duan Xingning replied simply.
His mood was particularly gloomy.
But, out of habit, he hid it, maintaining a calm facade, as if An Li and anything related to her had nothing to do with him.
Duan’s mother was still confused and turned to Duan Zhuo. “Lili just mentioned a close male friend. Who is he?”
Duan Zhuo’s mood darkened further. He slammed down his cup and said coldly, “How should I know?”
His “boyfriend” had now become merely a close male friend.
He had even had the potential to become her “Husband.”
But now?
She argued with her eldest brother, he got caught in the crossfire, the promotion failed, and his rank even dropped.
Duan’s mother said, “You two grew up with her. How could you not know such a small thing?”
“I only know he’s a male friend,” Duan Zhuo said, pausing slightly.
“What?” Duan’s mother asked.
“He’s handsome,” Duan Zhuo added.
Unexpectedly, Duan Xingning interjected, “How do you know? Have you met him?”
Last time, Duan Zhuo had hinted that An Li went on a date with a man. Now he mentioned it again, clearly he was in the know.
Normally, as the elder brother, Duan Xingning would be closer to An Li, yet Duan Zhuo knew something he didn’t.
Duan Zhuo tilted his head slightly, a trace of amusement in his brows. “Oh, Brother, you care about her?”
His tone was calm, but his eyes were deep and unreadable.
Daring to care about her would be fatal.
Duan Xingning met his younger brother’s piercing gaze calmly. “As her elder brother, I can’t care? I just fear she’ll be led astray by bad people.”
“Yes,” Duan’s mother nodded in agreement. “Lili is still young and could meet the wrong people. You two, as her brothers, must watch over her. Don’t let her be taken by some shady guy.”
Though not her biological daughter, An Li had been raised by the Duan family for ten years as the granddaughter of Grandfather’s comrade, forming some bond.
“Mom, don’t worry,” Duan Zhuo said seriously. “With me here, I won’t let her be taken by some shady guy.”
“That’s good.” Duan’s mother didn’t expect her usually unreliable youngest son to be so responsible. “Hearing you say that, I can rest assured.”
Duan Zhuo’s rare obedient demeanor showed.
He certainly wouldn’t let An Li be taken away by anyone outside.
He had already hidden her in his bed.
“Lately, I’ve been a bit busy, so I’ll leave the household to you two,” Duan’s mother said, checking her schedule. “The day after tomorrow…”
Duan Zhuo asked lightly, “The day after tomorrow, what’s happening?”
“It’s my friend’s grandson’s first birthday banquet. I’ll have to fly to Hong Kong,” Duan’s mother replied, suddenly realizing something. “Look at them, even kids already. You two should start worrying about life’s big matters too.”
Duan Xingning was already twenty-six, had never had a girlfriend, and his fiancée was arranged by the family.
He seemed not to register his mother’s words, appearing restless.
Later.
An Li sent Duan Zhuo a message.
【Are you there?】
Duan Zhuo replied: 【Not here. Dead.】
An Li: 【?】
He seemed upset.
Was it because of her mention of a “male friend”?
He had helped her so much today, and she had angered him.
Cautiously, An Li approached Duan Zhuo’s door, hesitated, and finally knocked.
Three knocks.
The door slowly opened.
Duan Zhuo was in a gray-white bathrobe, loosely tied at the waist, the collar wide open, revealing smooth shoulders and a defined collarbone. Black wet hair dripped down his muscular chest, exuding an irresistible allure.
He leaned against the doorframe, his black eyes lazily lowered, lips relaxed, but his tone carried teasing mockery. “Oh, honored guest.”
He blocked the doorway. An Li hesitated. “Um, can I come in to talk?”
“You want to come into my room?” he drawled, “Planning to molest me?”
“No, no molestation.”
“No molestation, no entry.”
“…I have something to say to you.”
“What is it?” he looked at her indifferently. “Had a fight with your crush and came to Husband for comfort?”