The rain curtain unfurled over the city.

Xu Qinghuan jogged to the compound gate under her umbrella. A sleek sedan waited there. She spotted the young, beautiful girl behind the wheel.

She opened the door and slid into the passenger seat.

"Long time no see," the girl murmured softly.

Xu Qinghuan glanced at her profile, then turned to the window. "Mind if I open it?"

"Go ahead."

She cracked the window. A chill gust swept in, cutting through the AC warmth. Relief washed over her. Only then did she reply.

"It’s not ‘long time no see.’ We shouldn’t have met again at all." Her voice was icy.

"My plan was to wait at least six more months before seeing you, Xu Qinghuan. But I found something… so I had to come. I can’t figure out what you’re thinking."

"Where to? Somewhere quiet to talk," the woman suggested.

Xu Qinghuan kept her gaze fixed on the passing trees. "I won’t talk much. We’ll speak here. You vanished for two years—why come back now?"

"Another girl’s been near him lately. Haven’t you been watching him?" The driver’s voice tightened with barely leashed resentment.

Xu Qinghuan let out a soft chuckle.

Of course she knew who "he" was. They both did. And right now? She genuinely wanted to laugh.

"I know. I allowed it. But that’s between us—what’s it to you?" She still wouldn’t look at her.

"Why isn’t it my business? He’s my—"

"Your what?" Xu Qinghuan cut in, sharp and impatient. "Your ex. A boy you abandoned when he was hurting. That’s all. Nothing more."

"What shocks me is you dared show your face. What were you thinking?"

"Do you think you still deserve a place in our lives? The moment you left, I erased every trace of you. Did you think he couldn’t move on?"

"Of course he couldn’t—I am—"

"What *are* you?" Xu Qinghuan’s tone stayed calm, laced with teasing amusement.

"His first love?" Xu Qinghuan supplied.

"So what? The second you walked away, you meant nothing. Yes, he loved you then—but *you* betrayed him. Do you really believe he holds even a trace of feeling for you?"

"We were only apart temporarily! With my family’s approval, I *will* return to him. You’re just his sister—what right do you have to stop me?"

Xu Qinghuan doubled over laughing, hand pressed to her stomach.

...

"Not funny?" The girl remained unmoved, eyes flicking to Xu Qinghuan. "I can make him love me again. Even if he hates me now—I know where his love came from. Cracks can be mended."

"Heh. Those ‘psychological suggestions’ you planted back then?"

Xu Qinghuan gave a slight shrug. "If he were still that stagnant, lovesick boy? Maybe your pitiful act would’ve softened him. But you miscalculated, fool."

"Lin An isn’t that boy anymore. He doesn’t cling to love like before. I’d rather love be his toy, his whim—*anything* but have him love *you*. Since you noticed other girls… you’ve been watching him, haven’t you?"

"Seen Su Yuejin? Hmm? Looks, figure—she’s your equal. And she’s *foolishly* devoted to him."

The driver gritted her teeth. "You failed to guard him! Two years! Wasn’t that enough for his loyalty?"

"Plenty," Xu Qinghuan said, tilting her head.

"But why would I? He’s my little brother. I want him free—not controlled. Because he’s Lin An. No matter who he becomes, I’ll love him."

"And I’ll never let you back into his world. I’ve prepared thoroughly. Go ahead—try."

"No matter how you flirt, pout, fawn, or reminisce—he’ll only despise you more. He doesn’t *need* you. You’re the proud swan. We’re just ugly ducklings in the mud. Beneath you."

"Even if you stripped naked begging him to fuck you? I bet he wouldn’t glance twice."

"Money? Beauty? Useless now. Love? He has plenty. He’s learned to love. There’s no mending this broken mirror."

Her smile was sweet. Her voice, venomous.

She finally met the girl’s eyes.

Clear eyes. Now flickering with panic.

"You… why… he *can’t* stop loving me… no… Xu Qinghuan, don’t scare me—"

Xu Qinghuan watched, cold and unmoved, as hysteria twisted the girl’s face.

Then she reached out, gently covering the girl’s cheek.

"Why? Because you hurt him. And he forgives too easily. So I won’t allow it. Reasons? Irrelevant."

"People change. Mistakes stay mistakes. You pay for them. For life."

"Wake up. You’re a wealthy heiress now. Worlds apart from us. You changed. He changed. *Love* changed. He will never love you again."

"No second chances. Take care of yourself." Xu Qinghuan opened the door.

"I don’t believe it…"

"I came to see if you’d repented. You haven’t. You still think he loves you. That’s what disgusts me."

"Back then, I believed you both loved each other. So I stepped aside." A wistful smile touched her lips.

"But *you* left. Now you want him back? Bold. Proud as ever. Try it."

"Anytime. He’s become a monster even *I* can’t always control."

"You call that freedom?! Do you know what you’ve made him?! Those nights with Su Yuejin—do you—?!"

"I know." Xu Qinghuan stood outside, umbrella raised, head tilted toward the furious woman.

"I know *everything*. Last night: Xiao Chacha, the bar, drinks, chatter, walking her home… I know the why, the how, the end." She shrugged lightly.

"But I won’t blame him. Another girl? Good. Makes Su Yuejin less ‘special.’ My jealousy’s just for show. I want him happy."

"So? Anything else you think I don’t know?"

"How could you—?!"

"Installed a recorder on his phone. Runs silently. Streams live. He’s not tech-savvy." Xu Qinghuan stuck out her tongue playfully.

Last night, she’d listened as Lin An asked Xiao Chacha, *"Want to try kissing me?"*

She’d wanted to punch him. Then… strangely, felt relief. Then came soft moans. She knew.

This morning, she waited at the school gate. Lin An lied. She forgave him—she’d heard their prelude. *This* Lin An pleased her.

*Good. Sleep with whoever. Just don’t fall in love.*

*But… not again with Xiao Chacha.*

Xu Qinghuan watched the driver unravel—words slurring, eyes wild, pride utterly gone.

"Give him back… please… Xu Qinghuan…"

"Kidding me?" Mockery dripped from her smile.

"You disgust me more now. You left. You want him back. Don’t speak of ‘reasons.’ Joy and sorrow don’t resonate. I only know Lin An was shattered. That’s enough."

"So yes—I protect my little brother."

She slammed the door. Turned. Vanished into the rain, skirt fluttering.

The girl sat frozen. Xu Qinghuan’s words echoed. Like a puppet with cut strings. Soul gone. Tears traced silent paths down her cheeks.