Meanwhile, Ninghai International Airport buzzed like a beehive. At arrivals, Meng Xiaoxiao stood in a white dress, twin ponytails like swaying willow shoots, sunglasses a dark shield.

She waited long; finally passengers poured out like a stream. She scanned for her sister’s silhouette, heart pricking like a small sparrow.

Two stylish figures appeared in the flow: Gu Xin and Meng Yuting. They had ditched coats. Gu Xin wore a pearly short dress, right shoulder a clean slice of moonlight. Meng Yuting paired an orange crop top with a sun jacket and blue denim shorts, legs like lithe bamboo. Both wore sunglasses; onlookers murmured like a tide, mistaking them for stars.

“Where’s your sister?” Gu Xin asked, voice smooth as silk.

“Up ahead, I think,” Meng Yuting said, light as wind. “I’ve seen her photos. The little one’s grown into a real beauty.”

“Sure, sure~”

“Never knew you had that sister-obsessed streak,” Gu Xin teased, a pebble tossed into a pond.

“Look, there.” Meng Yuting’s eyes sparked like flint. “Told you—so cute. Let’s go.”

They strode forward, steps crisp like tapping rain.

At that moment, Meng Xiaoxiao was still searching, mind floating like a kite. Years apart; she no longer knew her sister’s face. Two tall beauties came toward her like bright sails, and curiosity rippled through her.

“Which two celebrities are in Ninghai, hiding behind those big shades?” she thought, a smile tugging.

“Hey, little one, what are you daydreaming about?” Meng Yuting bent down, voice playful like a drumbeat.

“Hmm? You are…?” Meng Xiaoxiao peeled off her sunglasses, eyes clear as dew.

“Wow, you don’t even recognize your own sister. My heart, shattered~” Meng Yuting lifted her shades, putting on tragic clouds.

“Ah! You’re my sister!” The words burst like fireworks. “Wow, sis, you’re so pretty!”

Sure now, joy rang like a bell. She jumped into Meng Yuting’s arms, and Meng Yuting caught her, warmth wrapping like a quilt.

“I guessed my sister would be a stunner,” she laughed, bubbles rising. “But you’re so gorgeous I didn’t dare recognize you.”

“Enough. That tongue is still honey.” Meng Yuting pointed lightly. “Come meet my best sister, Gu Xin.”

“Hello, little beauty,” Gu Xin said, sliding off her shades, smile bright as morning.

“Hello, Sister Gu. Wow, Sister Gu, you’re beautiful too,” chirped Meng Xiaoxiao, words fluttering like sparrows.

“Then who’s prettier between us?” Meng Yuting asked, a spark thrown into dry grass.

“Uh… well… maybe Sister Gu feels a touch more elegant,” Meng Xiaoxiao murmured, voice trembling like a string.

“What! Little imp! You saying I’m not elegant?” Meng Yuting puffed, playful thunder.

“Waaah, Sister Gu, protect me!” Meng Xiaoxiao darted behind Gu Xin like a quick fish.

“You little thing, not siding with your own sister! Watch me teach you!” Meng Yuting lunged, grin curling like a fox.

“How could I? I’m best with my sister!” Meng Xiaoxiao declared, then sprang back into Meng Yuting’s arms like a swallow returning.

“Best with me, but you said that?” Meng Yuting’s tone softened, dusk settling.

“I just… missed… you,” Meng Xiaoxiao whispered in her arms, voice quivering like a leaf.

Silence fell, gentle as snow. Meng Yuting crouched and hugged her tight, the corners of her eyes wet like rain.

“Sis, I missed you.” The words came like warm tea.

“Mm. I’m sorry. I’m home,” said Meng Yuting, apology a quiet ember.

Gu Xin watched from the side, a calm lake, not intruding. Seeing the sisters, she thought of Tang Ke, memory rising like a distant moon.

Before they noticed, people gathered around, faces drawn like moths to light. Their looks dazzled; the crowd hovered but didn’t disturb, so Gu Xin let it be.

Meanwhile, at the far edge of the crowd, a black Lincoln idled like a sleeping panther. Bodyguards stood in two ranks, steel-straight, waiting. A figure approached: black short dress with a cropped jacket, tall black boots like inked pillars, yellow waves of hair flowing, oversized shades veiling her face.

“Miss,” a bodyguard stepped up, voice low as gravel.

“Mm. Are we set?” The woman’s Chinese carried an American lilt, a late-learned blend.

“Yes. Everything’s arranged,” he answered, firm as a lock.

“Good. Let’s go,” she said. The guard opened the door; she slipped inside like a shadow. A convoy of four Land Rovers and a Lincoln rolled out, leaving the airport like a dark river.

“Alright, let’s head home,” Meng Yuting said once her heart smoothed, water clear.

“Mm!” Meng Xiaoxiao wiped her eyes, smile blooming like a flower. The three drove toward Meng Xiaoxiao’s apartment, wheels humming like bees. Her Ferrari had only two seats, so Meng Yuting cradled Meng Xiaoxiao in the passenger seat while Gu Xin took the wheel. Lucky she was small as a cat, though the little rascal wasn’t very well-behaved on the road…