Chapter 3

The leaves of the early autumn plane trees fell gently with the first wave of cold air. He silently watched them fall, one, two... He looked at his watch; it was almost time for her to come out.

"Samson Nan?"

"Hi~"

Just after finishing his sports class, William Wei noticed the eye-catching figure as soon as he walked out of the school gate.

"Waiting for your sister?"

"Waiting for your sister!"

"Hehe, why so angry? I was the one who helped you clean up the mess last time. Remember to treat me to a meal later!"

"Sure, what do you want to eat?"

"Let me think, let's try the newly opened restaurant..."

"50 is the maximum amount I can spend."

"Let's see how much our brotherly affection is worth and eat accordingly; you decide!"

"Can't go beyond 80."

"Ah, forget it. I've seen your true colors, Samson Nan!"

"Hehe, just kidding. Today is my mom's birthday; let's do it another day~"

William Wei was one of the few friends he could confide in. They've always made such jokes with each other.

"Alright! Actually, I also have something small to deal with. You'll have to treat me another day~"

While saying this, William Wei scratched his head a little shyly, like a young girl.

"Did you get a girlfriend?"

"How did you know!"

"I guessed."

For Samson Nan, who was good at observing and reading people, it was not difficult, especially since he knew his somewhat conservative but handsome brother so well.

"It's not certain yet~"

William Wei paused and looked at him again.

"Maybe you should find one too?"

He didn't say anything, not really listening.

"You can't spend your whole life holding on to your sister, can you?"

He glanced up at William Wei, who had walked away, afraid of being scolded. Looking at his retreating figure, he hesitated for only a moment.

He was a wise man and never overthought things he couldn't figure out. But he was also a fool, for not figuring out such simple things...

"Wow, look who's here with his dog!"

Bell Tong's high-pitched voice pulled him out of his brief contemplation.

"Brother."

She stood in front of him, looking up at him.

"Have you been waiting long?"

"No, I just got here."

He squinted and smiled, even though he had already been standing there for an hour.

"Then let's go home."

She reached out a hand, and he willingly took it.

It was his mother's birthday, and today, he finally agreed to go home.

Would they just walk home hand in hand like this?

In the end, there was still a Bell Tong between them.

"Bell Tong."

"Hmm?"

"Why are you here?"

He always felt a bit annoyed with Bell Tong, sandwiched in their conversation.

"Why can't I be here? Do you own this road?"

"Your way home is not this way."

"Sorry, all roads lead to my home. Miss is in a good mood today and taking a detour to accompany Raina~"

"..."

"Am I bothering you, brother?"

Seeing Samson Nan's face becoming more and more unapproachable, she was overjoyed.

"Hehe, no, thank you for accompanying Raina, not only thanking you, but also your whole family~"

"Raina, look at your brother! He's cursing me! Wuu~"

Bell Tong pretended to cry and rubbed against Raina Nan's body.

"Brother, what are you talking about!"

Raina was anxious.

"I'm sorry..."

He could only swallow his grievances.

When they got home, he took out his keys and opened the door.

His mother, who was arranging the plates and cutlery in the dining room, saw him right away.

"Old man! Your son's back!!"

Her voice was still as familiar and loud as ever.

And so, his mother's birthday party turned into a welcome party for him.

"Mom, this is for you. Happy birthday!"

At the dinner table, he took out a box from his bag, inside which was a jade bracelet.

It was a blessing for longevity and safety; the jewelry store staff had introduced it to him like that, and he believed them.

"Samson Nan, where did you get the money to buy such expensive things?""Advanced part of the salary, do you like it?"

"Yes, I like it!"

He is willing to spend any amount of money on his family.

"Dad, this tea is for you."

Then he took out a box of Tie Guan Yin from his bag. He knew what kind of tea his father liked.

"Oh, do I have a share too?"

"Haha, of course, I'll buy even better ones for your birthday next time~"

"Good, good!"

The old man continuously praised that raising his son was not in vain, and he was extremely happy.

Unlike his sister, Samson Nan was not a well-behaved child since he was young, and he caused a lot of trouble for his family. He knew that it was not easy for his parents to raise him.

"Why are you looking at me?"

He noticed Raina Nan staring at him from across the dinner table, looking nervous and expectant.

"Are you done giving gifts?"

"Yes."

"Hmph!"

She lowered her head to eat.

Everyone could tell what kind of temper she was in.

"Stay at home tonight; the bed is already made for you."

"Yeah, I didn't plan on going back anyway."

He smiled, and this would probably be the first time he returned home after a month to sleep in the familiar bed.

"Raina!"

Before going to bed, he came to her door once more, knocking just like when he left last time.

Whoosh!

This time the door opened immediately, and he even suspected if she was waiting behind the door for him to knock?

"Give it here!"

She held out her hand.

"What?"

He pretended not to know.

"The gift, of course!"

She pouted her lips.

"I don't have any more, I've given them all out!"

"Huh? Why do mom and dad have one, and I don't?"

"Oh, Raina Nan, you want to be on the same level as mom and dad? That's going against the heavens!"

He laughed sarcastically.

"You!"

She couldn't argue with him and was so angry that her eyes filled with tears.

"What do you mean, me? Who am I?!"

"You're insane!"

"Say it again!"

He took out a brand new phone from his waist bag.

"Brother!"

"Your face changes so fast!"

He was embarrassed.

She took the phone and her fingers kept swiping on it.

It seemed that he gave the right gift.

"Look at this too! Ding ding ding~"

He took out another phone, the same model as hers. Hers was white, and his was black.

"Now that we have new phones, my calls and texts must all be answered. No more excuses for not answering my calls, or I'll confiscate!"

"Deal! Brother, you really are good to me! Hehe~"

Of course, she was willing to take this deal, which was a sure win.

"And!"

He hadn't finished speaking.

"Next time something like that happens, call me first."

"What happened?"

She didn't understand, then immediately realized what he meant.

"Did that guy Gu Zihang bother you?"

"No."

"Did you tell our parents about it?"

"Not yet."

"Then don't tell them to save them from worrying."

"Oh."

That day, Samson Nan's unusual behavior is still vivid in her memory.

"Brother... don't fight next time, I don't like you fighting."

She knew he cared about her, but she was more afraid of him getting hurt.

"..."

He was silent, but she was still waiting for his answer.

"Brother, are you listening to me?"

He smiled slightly, and the corner of his mouth drew a beautiful curve.

She didn't understand; was his smile an answer or just perfunctory?

...

The next morning

Samson Nan left early.

This home was left with only three people, or to say that the other home was only left with him.

He had to return to his busy work life, as staying here for too long would only make it harder for him to leave.

He was willing to stay in this endless cycle of space until the day she appeared.

"Samson Nan~ Do you remember me?"

A girl in a white dress called out to him from behind.

Her voice was like a silver bell, which made him unconsciously turn his head.