Stepping out of the school gate, the usual rush had long passed.

The students who’d gathered earlier had scattered, now spreading bizarre rumors across their group chats.

Some claimed the abandoned classroom—where a girl once took her own life—was scattered with ashes, eerie ritual patterns, and graffiti. Faint traces of a burned school uniform were barely visible.

It looked like a chilling spiritualist scene, destined to become a campus legend at Chang’an High School.

Then there was the purple-haired girl, stained with blood and paint, hugging her arms as she walked out alone—dazed, solitary.

No one knew what she’d endured, though whispers linked her to the police and ambulance sirens that had echoed across campus.

And of course, the handsome guy spotted on school grounds.

With his delicate features, everyone gossiped about his ties to the chairwoman. Could he really be her young boyfriend, as some whispered?

Yet others saw him walking close with the school beauty, Gu Qianqian—who had *herself* linked arms with him.

Wait… *Gu Qianqian*, who barely interacted with boys? Had she really gone this far?

Just who *was* this guy?

First the chairwoman, then Gu Qianqian…

Was he aiming for a sister duo…? Ahem. Never mind.

Most students knew Ye Xiaoxian and Gu Qianqian shared a close bond—more like sisters than mere friends.

When Qianqian enrolled, Chairwoman Ye Xiaoxian attended the freshman welcome ceremony, personally highlighting Qianqian as the student representative.

Well-meaning, yes—but Qianqian felt helpless. She never wanted to be seen as someone who got in through connections.

So she worked relentlessly, striving to earn recognition on her own merit.

Now? It’s hard not to wonder if Xiaoxian had been scheming all along—deliberately pressuring her.

Honestly… it’s pretty likely.

Ye Xiaoxian parted ways with Chang’an and Gu Qianqian at the gate, watching them lean into each other like a young couple heading toward Qianqian’s nearby apartment.

Unlike Shi Xia, Qianqian—though inheriting the same fortune left by her brother—lived modestly.

She entrusted all foundation shares to Shi Xia, left other assets in the bank, and kept her own life simple.

Perhaps she held a faint hope: waiting for her brother’s return to give it all back.

She *absolutely, positively*… refused to call that money an “inheritance.”

That word felt like admitting he’d never come home.

But luckily, at her lowest, most tragic moment, she grasped a heaven-sent ray of light.

*Brother.*

He’d not only returned—he’d rescued her from that perverted teacher.

Now, walking home with him, arm linked in his, Qianqian—after life’s sharpest falls and rises—felt only gratitude and quiet joy.

Her tender, lingering gaze left Ye Chang’an flustered the entire way.

He realized again:

Beyond Shi Xia, Qianqian had truly grown…

Her height, her figure… her softening grace, her quiet allure—so deeply flustering.

In the end, only Xiaoxian remained unchanged—a cute loli.

(Xiaoxian: Ugh! I *want* to grow up too…)

“Still dizzy?” Ye Chang’an asked gently.

Waiting for the crosswalk light, they stood close—undeniably like lovers.

Normally, he wouldn’t allow such intimacy…

But these weren’t normal times. What Qianqian had suffered… Chang’an couldn’t even recall it without his chest tightening.

All he could do was pour extra care into her.

Qianqian slowly shook her head.

“Just… being by your side, Brother… already makes me feel better.”

Chang’an silently stroked her head. She closed her eyes with a soft, contented sigh.

“Brother… I really, *really* missed you,” she murmured.

His nose stung.

*Sigh.* These girls… always trying to “trick” tears from him.

Yet he smiled.

“I missed you too.”

The light turned green. They crossed carefully, bought two cups of red bean yogurt, strolling like any sweet couple on a date.

*Red beans symbolize longing.*

Sipping their drinks, Chang’an hesitated.

“Qianqian… aren’t you curious why I’m only back now… and why I look exactly the same as five years ago?”

Qianqian lifted her gaze, eyes meeting Brother Chang’an’s. She answered earnestly:

“That… doesn’t matter. I just need you here… by my side.”

“If only… you could stay *only* with me… forever…” A shadow dimmed her eyes.

“What was that? Too quiet.”

“No… nothing.”