Dressed in black suit pants, a white shirt, and a navy blue tie, he looked every bit the businessman, as if he had come straight from the office. His hands were tucked into his pockets, and the cold, hard light reflected off his Piaget watch.
He looked up at her, his dark eyes like bottomless abysses.
She paused in her steps, hesitating for two seconds before speaking: “Brother Yanchuan.”
When she first entered the Qin family, she had timidly called him Brother Yanchuan. Later, when they were together, she had boldly called him Qin Yanchuan. Now that they had broken up, she had consciously retreated to her original position.
He seemed to notice her deliberate change, a slight tug at the corner of his lips, but there was no warmth in his eyes.
“You’re going abroad?”
Even though they were in the open outdoors, Wen Yunsheng still felt an invisible pressure enveloping her, leaving her nowhere to hide.
“Yes, I heard Edinburgh has an excellent design program, and I want to go see for myself…”
He coldly interrupted: “For Ji Beicun?”
Wen Yunsheng choked, falling silent.
Qin Yanchuan’s tone was stern: “Who you want to date is none of my business, but once you’re abroad, in a foreign land, you’re relying on a man who isn’t reliable at all. Have you thought about the consequences?”
Wen Yunsheng stood frozen in place, looking at the serious Qin Yanchuan before her, and suddenly realized that he had retreated to his original position more effortlessly than she had.
Three months ago, he had pressed her against the shadow wall behind the stairs and kissed her with a wicked intensity.
Three months later, he wore a cold, stern expression, adopting the demeanor of an elder brother, strictly lecturing her.
Wen Yunsheng pressed her lips tightly together, refuting him for the first time: “He’s not that kind of person.”
Qin Yanchuan’s gaze gradually turned colder: “Are you determined to go?”
“Yes.”
Her answer was without hesitation.
He said nothing more.
Every second of the silence felt unbearable to her.
“I’ll go now.”
She lowered her head and turned to leave.
After only two steps, she heard the cold voice from behind: “Wen Yunsheng, think carefully. No one will bear the consequences of your recklessness.”
She paused in her steps, her back turned to him, never looking back.
She understood what he meant. She was grown up now, no longer a child. In the past, he would always have her back, and she had nothing to fear as long as she obediently listened and relied on him.
But now, with her stubborn insistence on having her way, he was telling her that he would no longer be there to support her.
She took a deep breath, forcing down the sourness rising in her throat, and replied in the calmest voice she could muster: “I will bear all the consequences myself.”
Then she strode away without looking back.
Qin Yanchuan stood where he was, his dark eyes fixed on her resolute retreating figure, not uttering another word.
After that, she never saw him again.
For four years, they didn’t exchange a single phone call or message. The person she had been closest to since childhood suddenly became distant, turning into the most familiar stranger.
It wasn’t until Wen Yunsheng graduated and returned to China, going home for a reunion dinner, that she finally saw Qin Yanchuan again after so long.
Her phone buzzed twice more.
Wen Yunsheng’s thoughts were pulled back to the present as she saw Lin Xi still spamming the chat window.
[Actually, your brother is really good to you.]
Wen Yunsheng moved her fingers, slowly typing: [He has always been a good person]
Anyone who was his sister would receive his kindness.
In this world, there was no one better than him.
Early the next morning, the mark on Wen Yunsheng’s neck had faded a little, but it hadn’t completely disappeared.She used concealer to cover it up and then put on a silk scarf to match her little dress before heading downstairs.
“Shengsheng.”
Aunt Jin smiled and came forward to greet her as she descended: “How was your meeting with Song Ye yesterday?”
Since they had already met, Aunt Jin didn’t beat around the bush and got straight to the point.
Qin Mingqian, sitting on the sofa, put down his newspaper: “Song Ye has good character and ability. He works as a financial lawyer, and his family comes from a long line of lawyers. He has a promising future.”
“Yes, I picked him out carefully for you. Your uncle is satisfied too. What do you think?”
Chen Jin and Qin Mingqian both looked at her, their eyes filled with hope.
Wen Yunsheng hesitated before speaking: “I think…”
“What’s so great about a boring guy like him? He looks utterly dull.”
Qin Cisui suddenly popped up, pointing at the photo and saying: “And look at how serious he is—even more boring than my brother. Marrying him would be as terrifying as marrying my brother. Kissing him would give you nightmares.”
Wen Yunsheng: “…”
Qin Mingqian was so angry he nearly threw the newspaper at him: “You little rascal! What nonsense are you spouting!”
Aunt Jin was also furious, slapping him on the shoulder: “You brat! You’re the interesting one, always causing trouble, and you have the nerve to criticize Song Ye!”
Qin Cisui jumped aside to dodge: “Mom, Mom, I’m telling the truth! Sis, tell me I’m right!”
Wen Yunsheng froze for a moment: “I…”
Before she could finish her sentence, she suddenly heard a servant say: “The eldest young master is back.”
Wen Yunsheng turned sharply and saw Qin Yanchuan standing at the entrance.
Dressed in a silver-gray business suit, impeccably neat, his deep-set eyes were cold and stern.
The previously noisy atmosphere in the room suddenly froze.
Even Qin Cisui was startled, forcing a smile: “Brother, why are you back?”
Qin Yanchuan strode in, ignoring Qin Cisui.
“Dad, Aunt Jin.”
Qin Mingqian said: “You’re back just in time. Help Shengsheng take a look at this potential match. I heard you’ve had some contact with Song Ye before.”
Qin Mingqian didn’t pay any attention to his younger son’s nonsense.
Qin Yanchuan glanced at the information Qin Mingqian handed over, then looked up at Wen Yunsheng: “What do you think?”
His gaze remained calm, but it gave Wen Yunsheng an inexplicable sense of courage.
Meeting the hopeful looks from her uncle and aunt, she pursed her lips: “I still… don’t really like him.”
Qin Cisui immediately shouted: “What did I say! What did I say! I knew Sis wouldn’t like such an old-fashioned bore!”