"I happen to be passing by." Duan Shunchen leaned out of his luxurious car. "Get in."
Duan Mingsi wore a look of disbelief. "Brother, you came all this way to pick me up? I'm truly flattered! But I prefer riding my own bike..."
"I called for Xiaono," Duan Shunchen shot him a sidelong glance before refocusing on Yan Xiaono.
"Huh?" Yan Xiaono was taken aback.
"Mingsi loves to race; are you certain you want to ride with him?" Duan Shunchen smirked slightly, his expression half-smile, half-warning. "Also, it seems like it might rain."
Without hesitation, Yan Xiaono removed her helmet and handed it back to Duan Mingsi, bowing slightly with a smile. "Sorry, I'll take a ride with you next time."
Though racing in the rain might be thrilling, she longed far more for the company of the one she cherished!
Suppressing her bubbling joy, Yan Xiaono walked toward Duan Shunchen's car at a measured pace, making a concerted effort not to run toward him in her eagerness...
"Hey! This is quite unfair!" Duan Mingsi rubbed his nose, glancing up at the sky with concern; he didn't want to end up drenched.
"Then I'll head back and share the good news!" Revving the engine, he kicked up dust as he sped off.
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Having not seen him for several days, he appeared even more charming than she remembered, his focus and calm demeanor while driving captivating Yan Xiaono to the point where she couldn't tear her adoring gaze away.
"What good news do you have?" Duan Shunchen asked, turning his head to her as the car stopped at a red light.
"Huh!?" Oh no, he must have noticed how she had been staring at him—not covertly, but quite brazenly!
Yan Xiaono's face flushed with embarrassment as she realized it was too late to hide her gaze.
"Mingsi mentioned something about good news?"
Seeing her flustered expression, Duan Shunchen couldn't help but smile slightly.
Since she had gotten into the car, her eyes hadn't strayed from his face. Was he truly that handsome? Regardless, he didn't want to make her more uncomfortable, so he didn't press the matter. "So, are you not going to tell me?"
"Um... it's about the adoption..."
"You agreed?"
"Uh..." Yan Xiaono stole a glance at him, wet her lips, and boldly probed, "Do you think I should agree?"
"Why do you ask?" As the light turned green, he steered the car toward home.
"You're the eldest son of the Duan family; naturally, I'd want to know your thoughts." She nervously twisted her hands, feeling that she had posed a rather awkward question.
Yan Xiaono, what exactly are you hoping for!?
"My family's opinion aligns with mine; you need not worry about that. I genuinely welcome you as a member of our family."
His earnest tone made Yan Xiaono's face fall.
Sigh, he truly wasn't interested in her…
"It is easy to imagine that once he learns of her 'improper intentions' towards him, he will undoubtedly say, 'It is impossible between us; I only regard you as a sister.'
'Everyone in our family adores you, Xiaono. What are you hesitating for?' Seeing her biting her lip in silence, Duan Shunchen inquired.
'I...' How could she voice her concerns to him?
Did she truly wish to approach him as a sister?
If he harbored nothing but sibling affection for her while she became increasingly enmeshed in her feelings... what then?
She feared that her unrequited feelings would lead only to heartache and embarrassment.
Rationality urged her to stop daydreaming; she could never aspire to him. Yet, the warmth in his eyes seemed to beckon her, urging her to take the brave step forward.
'Mingsi's good news must mean you've agreed, right?' Duan Shunchen raised an eyebrow. 'At this rate, I might think you're being coerced.'
'No, not at all!' She quickly waved her hands in clarification. 'I volunteered. He didn't force me.'
Duan Shunchen smiled knowingly.
Feeling shy, Yan Xiaono scratched her head. Of course, having already agreed, there was no reason to backtrack! Procrastination was not in her nature.
Now that she had made her decision, she would press onward!
She intended to stay close to this man, to garner his affection!
With her resolve firm, she flashed a sweet smile. 'You just returned from Japan today; aren't you tired? What brings you to our school? Mingsi mentioned something about a family meeting...'
'Our parents can hardly wait to officially welcome you as their daughter.' He cast her a playful glance, feigning a look of despair. 'They won't even let me rest after my trip; they insist on holding the family meeting today.'
'I... I'm sorry...'
She lowered her gaze, only to lift it again in confusion, her eyes brimming with bewilderment.
A family meeting and his appearance at her school were two different matters; if he was tired, he should rest at home rather than come to find her.
'Then... why did you come to pick me up?'
Her direct and piercing question left Duan Shunchen momentarily speechless. Truthfully, he did not wish to delve into his own feelings or complicate matters further.
Upon landing, he had only wanted to know if her injury had healed. What others said was irrelevant; he needed to see for himself to feel assured.
Upon learning that his parents wanted to recognize Yan Xiaono as their daughter, he had initially been taken aback but quickly regained his composure, reassuring himself—this was for the best. After all, since Rourou adored her so much, and everyone else did too... he had no reason to oppose this idea!
Their entire family genuinely cherished this girl, himself included...
'Why?'
Yan Xiaono pressed on, her wide eyes filled with confusion and delight. Could it be that he held feelings for her too? That he was eager to see her?
'Because I sincerely welcome your inclusion,' he replied with a smile. 'Of course, I could wait until you arrived home to tell you. However, I don't want you to think I'm agreeing only under family pressure. I believe it's better to express this privately.'
He glanced at her before continuing, 'Moreover, it seems like rain is approaching. If it were Rourou, I certainly wouldn't let her accompany Mingsi in the rain. You are about to become my sister; I believe I can treat both you and Rourou equally.'
Yan Xiaono was stunned, unable to fathom that the usually composed Duan Shunchen could be so loquacious. She was utterly taken aback.
However, hearing him speak of her as if she were already his sister brought her no joy.
'I believe my actions demonstrate my sincerity. Do you agree?' While she felt despondent, Duan Shunchen maintained his cheerful demeanor.
Yan Xiaono weakly nodded, forced to admit that his 'sincerity' was nearly overwhelming her."
"Oh heavens, the man she loves insists on treating her as nothing more than a sister—how could this be?
'It's really raining!' Suddenly, the raindrops cascading against the car window startled her into looking up.
'Yes! It's raining,' he replied.
Yan Xiaono gazed out at the rain, unaware that Duan Shunchen had cast several sidelong glances in her direction.
He felt a sense of relief that her injury had healed; he delighted in the vibrant, lively spirit she exuded, even sweeter and more enchanting than he had anticipated.
With her charmingly short hair, she appeared both striking and delicate, her expressive face glowing with health and her figure well-proportioned. No one could deny that she was a remarkably captivating girl, enough to make any man's heart race.
No! He resolutely reined in his fervent gaze, reminding himself that he must not look at her through the lens of a man viewing a woman, for—she would soon be his sister!
Under the insistence of the Duan family, Yan Xiaono finally left the Sacred Heart Orphanage, where she had lived for twenty years, to move into her 'new home.'
'Xiaono, we are family now; you mustn't feel like an outsider. If you need anything, do not hesitate to ask,' Duan Hongtian and his wife came to the orphanage to fetch her.
'I've prepared a room for you; I hope you'll like it…'
'Thank you—Mom and Dad.' Although she felt slightly shy, the words flowed effortlessly from her lips, fueled by her overwhelming emotion.
'Oh, my dear child, my sweet girl…'
Embraced tenderly by Mrs. Duan, Yan Xiaono felt a profound warmth of familial love. For the first time in her life, she felt a sense of belonging.
When her parents passed away, she was still an infant, and as she grew, she had no photographs of them; she had no memories of her deceased parents. Whenever she thought of them, their faces were mere blurs without distinct features… Over the years, her longing for her parents was intense, yet her memories were blank.
Now, however, the compassionate faces of Duan Hongtian and his wife naturally filled that void.
Dad, Mom…
At that moment, she recalled the wishing well; perhaps she should not be so greedy in seeking her biological parents. In this world, there are adoptive parents who can be just as dear as one's own.
'Sister, sister!' Just as the car halted in front of the Duan family's gate, Duan Rourou rushed out excitedly to greet her.
'Come, let me take your luggage.' Duan Mingsi helped her carry her belongings into the house.
Yan Xiaono followed their lead and stepped inside the Duan home.
'Xiaono, my dear granddaughter,' Mrs. Duan, unsteady on her feet, approached the door to drape a precious gemstone necklace around her neck.
'Grandma, this is too extravagant; I cannot accept it.'
'Silly girl, there are two of these necklaces, meant for daughters only—one for Rourou and one for you. Our family is destined to have two daughters.'
Yan Xiaono was deeply touched; they were all expressing their welcome in their own ways.
As she looked up, she saw him standing there—Duan Shunchen! The very person she cared for most!
'Welcome,' he said, striding toward her with long legs. His dazzling smile nearly took her breath away, and in an instant, he was beside her, accepting the necklace from his grandmother.
'Allow me, Grandma.'
As he fastened the necklace around her neck, his slender fingers brushed against her hair, inadvertently grazing her smooth neck, sending a sweet shiver down her spine.
'Um... thank you…'
Her face flushed crimson as she dared not meet his gaze. Her voice was barely a whisper, but her racing heartbeat pounded in her ears, leaving her terrified that everyone present could hear it."
With a smile, there was an expression on his face that suggested he was anticipating something.
Yan Xiaono blinked.
Yes, it was evident—his expression was indeed waiting for her to take action!
If not for the crowd surrounding them, she might have thought he was waiting for her to confess her feelings, or perhaps even to lean in for a kiss!
"Aren't you going to call me 'Brother'?" He raised an eyebrow, clearly tired of waiting and straightforwardly asking her.
"Uh!? Oh!" Suddenly, everything clicked!
Her face turned a deep crimson. "B-brother…" The moment she opened her mouth, she nearly bit her tongue; she should have called him 'Brother,' but the words just wouldn't come out.
Deep down, she didn't regard him as a brother, but rather… as something more…
Unprepared for her reaction, Duan Shunchen's lips curled into a smirk, intrigued by her flushed face and her intriguing expression.
The moment their gazes intertwined captured everyone's attention.
Duan Hongtian cleared his throat. "Ahem, Xiaono might still be getting used to things. Shunchen, don't press her too hard; she needs some time to adjust."
"Of course," Duan Shunchen replied with a smile, stepping back. "I'll head back to my study."
"Brother!" As she saw him turn to leave, Xiaono blurted out.
Hearing her melodious call, Duan Shunchen turned back, his lips curving into a charming smile, casting her a gentle glance.
Brother! Brother! Shunchen! Shunchen Brother!
Yan Xiaono stood frozen for a long moment, her watery gaze following him, watching as his handsome figure disappeared at the staircase, her heart seemingly trailing after him.
"Sister…" Rourou tugged at her sleeve, rousing her from her reverie.
"Ah!?"
"Stop staring; Brother has already left." Rourou's bright, sparkling eyes shone with a teasing smile. "Sister, your room is just to the right of the study. Let me show you."
"Oh, alright…" Realizing her lapse in composure, her cheeks burned with embarrassment, preventing her from looking up as she hurriedly followed Rourou upstairs.
She couldn't believe she had stared at him so intently in front of everyone; what would they think!?
Oh dear, this is so embarrassing…
"Sister, you like Brother, don't you?" Once inside the room, Rourou wasted no time and asked point-blank.
"I... I..." Yan Xiaono's face turned beet red.
"You must tell the truth; no lying!" Rourou winked playfully. "If you like him, I'll help you get together!"
"Shunchen Brother is so exceptional, so outstanding—who wouldn't like him?" She blurted out the words, which neither confirmed nor denied her feelings.
"Exactly! Brother is so handsome, and as the president of our Duan Corporation, he's accomplished and charming; I can't even count how many hearts he has captured." Rourou spoke with pride, "So many girls in my class have crushes on him, and I've even heard that numerous socialites have made advances!"
Yan Xiaono nodded silently, imagining how sought after Duan Shunchen was; she certainly wasn't the only girl captivated by him.
"However, Brother is quite discerning, and he dedicates all his time and energy to his career—he hasn't even had a girlfriend yet!" Rourou giggled. "But I can see that he really cares about you."
At her words, Xiaono's heart soared, only to dim again as she lowered her gaze. "Well, that's because… on paper, I'm his sister; he probably just feels the need to be kind to his sister…"
Duan Rourou shrugged. "But you two aren't actually siblings. If you truly like him, I will do everything in my power to create opportunities for you."
"Why would you want to help me?" Yan Xiaono stammered, feeling foolish and blushing, a mix of embarrassment and anticipation flooding her.
Duan Rourou responded confidently, "Sister, does that even need to be said? I want to be with you forever!"
"What!?" She scratched her head, utterly perplexed.
"Even though you're part of our family now, it doesn't seem sufficient to me. Think about it: if you marry someday, I won't be able to see you every day. But if you become my sister-in-law, those worries vanish, and I won't have to fret anymore."
Yan Xiaono couldn't help but laugh; what kind of reasoning was that!?
Yet, it was clear that Rourou truly cared for her, which touched her heart. As for her feelings for Duan Shunchen, she merely hoped to let things unfold naturally, as any interference from others might lead to awkwardness.
"Well, what if you want to get married? Will I have to provide a dowry?" she joked, trying to shift the conversation.
"No need, no need! I'll consider inviting a son-in-law instead."
Hearing Rourou's response, Yan Xiaono couldn't help but chuckle. Why were kids so clever these days?