He had fair, clean skin and delicate, handsome features, even a few shades more beautiful than Xu Yangxia, like a little prince who had stepped out of a fairy tale.
He was also calm and unhurried by nature. He had come alone and showed not the slightest trace of panic.
After reaching their destination, he remained composed and greeted them first in a gentle voice, saying, “Little Uncle, Little Aunt, hello, little brother.”
His childish voice was clear and bright, yet very polite and soft.
0617 sighed inwardly. This child was far too well-behaved and good-looking~
Qi Du shot him a look that said, “See? I didn’t lie to you, did I? Our little nephew really is this outstanding~”
He took two steps forward and put an arm around Qi Lan’s shoulder. “Why didn’t your dad say earlier that you were coming alone? Your little uncle would have gone to pick you up himself. Did you get carsick on the ride? Are you used to it? Your little aunt had people prepare a whole table of dishes. Should we eat first, or…?”
Qi Lan nodded. “Thank you, Little Aunt. Then let’s eat first.”
This child spoke and acted like a little grown-up, with not a trace of childish innocence or liveliness, yet his temperament was excellent and his bearing proud.
He was the kind of child people naturally liked.
Xu Yangxia was no exception. Seeing the handsome little brother walk in, his eyes went wide.
Qi Lan was much better-looking than that bunch of little brats like Cheng Huan, and he especially had the charisma of an older brother. The little male lead had never met a peer of such high quality in his life before, and his eyes were practically sparkling.
0617 and Qi Du found it amusing.
“Little Treasure seems to really like brother~”
Xu Yangxia felt shy after being teased like that. His little face immediately turned red, and he didn’t dare keep staring at Qi Lan anymore. He lowered his head and ran over to stand beside 0617.
Qi Du laughed heartily. “It’s good that Little Treasure likes this brother. From now on, Brother Qi Lan will also be at school. If there’s anything you don’t understand, go ask brother. If anyone bullies you, go tell brother too.”
“Got it?”
Xu Yangxia nodded.
Qi Lan listened quietly from the side, with no intention of saying a word. When the little male lead looked over, his gaze did not waver at all; it was completely open and honest.
His parents would be going abroad for a while, so they should be pretty busy. Qi Lan mentioned it to Qi Du. “Little Uncle, Little Aunt, I may need to stay for a while. I hope you can prepare a separate room for me.”
Qi Du nodded. “Your little aunt already had people prepare everything. There’s also a small study. You and your brother can share it. Just make yourself at home and treat this place like your own home.”
“I’ve watched you grow up. No need to be polite with your little uncle.”
Qi Lan nodded. Every gesture and movement showed his refinement, a young noble clearly raised from childhood in a large family clan.
Xu Yangxia was extremely curious about him, but perhaps because he was somewhat insecure about his background and naturally a little timid, he wasn’t very good at taking the initiative to approach others.
A child like Qi Lan, so noble and proud, always felt like someone hard to get close to. Xu Yangxia was still young, but he could faintly sense that there was a gap between him and this brother.
He was afraid the brother wouldn’t like him, and then he wouldn’t be able to be friends with him.
Qi Du and 0617 didn’t actively push the children to interact. They both wanted to see Xu Yangxia take the initiative.
After all, it was the little male lead’s own life. He needed to make changes himself; Qi Du and 0617 couldn’t prepare everything and place it directly in front of him.
Qi Du had a bit of a rough streak in his bones. When he wanted someone, he fought for them. He didn’t want to raise the child to be like a timid little quail.
The two of them even found it rather amusing when Xu Yangxia secretly observed Qi Lan. The little milk ball wanted to play with his brother but was too shy to say so, so he just stared longingly and followed him around like a little tagalong.
Qi Lan was also a little rascal who looked obedient but was actually full of mischief. He liked teasing Xu Yangxia. Even when he clearly saw him, he pretended not to notice, insisting on waiting until Little Treasure took the initiative to come closer before slowly guiding him and taking back control.
0617 watched in amazement. “Qi Lan is really smart. He can tell at a glance what Little Treasure wants to do. He’s also very steady. When something goes wrong or an accident happens, he calms down immediately. They don’t blame each other, and they don’t shirk responsibility.”
“Little Treasure gets along really well with him.”
Qi Du also felt relieved. “Mm, that kid Qi Lan is very reliable. We don’t have to worry so much about school anymore.”
“When that Cheng Huan meets our Little Treasure, Little Treasure will definitely realize that with such a good brother like Qi Lan ahead of him, a childhood playmate like that really doesn’t amount to much.”
“There is simply no comparison.”
The two chatted happily, and seeing Xu Yangxia become much livelier in recent days made them very pleased.
Since they still had to worry about the wedding, 0617 took care of the child while handling all the wedding trivialities together.
Sometimes he would even ask the two children for their opinions, such as what color flowers they liked for the venue, whether they preferred a romantic or dreamy backdrop, whether the lighting should be cool or warm, what kind of balloons, bouquets, party favors, and even what style the red envelope covers should be.
He would chat with the children about all of these things.
Xu Yangxia would blink his big eyes at 0617 and act cute in a sweet, babyish voice. “Will Qiqi also like the ones I choose?”
0617 smiled gently. “Of course.”
“Then I want purple flowers~”
0617 wrote it down. When he asked Qi Lan what style looked nice, the child only glanced over quietly, then raised his eyes and looked at 0617 with focused attention. “I think you should choose what Little Aunt likes. Little Uncle really likes you. As long as it’s something you personally choose, he’ll definitely think it looks good.”
“A wedding is a very important event in a person’s life. Every decision contains love. If you can’t decide, why not discuss it with Little Uncle?”
0617 looked at him in surprise.
Was this the calm maturity a seven-year-old should have?
He couldn’t help laughing. “Lanlan makes a lot of sense. To have such unique insights at such a young age… no wonder your little uncle thinks so highly of you.”
Qi Lan smiled gently. “Little Uncle is overestimating me. Little brother is also very good, very well-behaved and smart, and cute too.”
After saying that, he casually reached out and rubbed Xu Yangxia’s little face.
No matter what he said, he never seemed rushed or anxious. He always looked completely at ease and composed.
That was the look of someone full of confidence, with both support and backing, able to be humble and polite while boldly expressing his own views.
It wasn’t just Xu Yangxia who liked this little brother; 0617 liked Qi Lan a lot too.
Little Treasure stared at Qi Lan with bright eyes. “Brother~ You’re so amazing~”
Qi Lan hugged him with a full smile. “Xiaxia will also be as amazing as brother in the future.”
“Have confidence in yourself. Be braver.”
Xu Yangxia liked him so much now that no matter what Qi Lan said, he would nod very obediently and sensibly, having already become his brother’s little admirer.
0617 was also very happy to see the two children getting along so well. Just as he was about to take a few photos and send them to Qi Du, the mission progress fluctuated.
『Target character happiness index +5, current value 18』
0617: ?
Little Treasure! You’ve been dazzled by your brother!