Yan Ming gave Yu Tian one final warning look, confirming she would behave herself, before getting up to open the door and welcoming the visitor inside.

Yu Tian finally understood that his “special reasons” weren’t about being emotionally sensitive and wanting to get his father’s attention, but rather this kind of reason…

The girl outside had obviously dressed up specially, with exquisite makeup, wearing a beautiful high-end suit that accentuated her waist but was clearly not very comfortable, carrying a Hermès bag, and holding a bouquet of flowers for visiting the sick along with a small basket of imported fruits as she gracefully walked in.

She was a girl with quite delicate and refined features. Upon seeing Yan Ming, she was stunned, then her face flushed red, and her speech became stammering: “Your complexion is better than I expected.”

Yan Ming took her flowers and fruits, gave a simple thanks, then brought out his previous explanation: “Sorry, got sick at an inconvenient time. Thank you for making the trip, Miss Gao.”

Miss Gao’s full name was Gao Mei. She pressed her lips in a smile, then noticed Yu Tian sitting at the dining table not far away: “Who is this?”

Before Yan Ming could speak, Yu Tian proactively explained: “Hello, sister. I’m Yu Tian, I’m Yan Ming’s younger sister! I came to check on how my brother is doing.”

Gao Mei smiled and tried to show concern for Yan Ming’s health and chat with him.

Yan Ming was polite to her, answering every question, but could be considered taciturn – he would never bring up new topics, and his responses to Gao Mei were all quite brief.

Gao Mei’s father and Yan Wenhua were business partners. Gao Mei had caught a glimpse of Yan Ming at a gathering, but before the gathering ended, Yan Ming received a call from the hospital and rushed back for emergency surgery.

However, from that moment, seeds of affection for Yan Ming had been planted in Gao Mei’s heart.

This blind date was also something Gao Mei had persistently pleaded for, finally getting her father to approach Yan Wenhua to secure this opportunity.

But Gao Mei wasn’t foolish – she could tell that Yan Ming currently didn’t even have plans for dating, let alone marriage and children.

After all, becoming an attending physician at just twenty-eight was indeed very promising.

The blind date had originally been scheduled earlier, but due to Yan Ming’s busy hospital work, it had been postponed repeatedly. This time, when he took leave, supposedly Yan Wenhua had given a strict order, but just before the meeting, they suddenly heard Yan Ming was sick.

She knew this was probably a polite rejection, but Gao Mei wasn’t willing to give up. She got Yan Ming’s address and, despite the awkwardness of not even really knowing Yan Ming, stubbornly rushed over.

Upon first seeing Yu Tian in the house, Gao Mei felt hostile inside.

Because she was too beautiful, the phrase “bright eyes and white teeth” wasn’t nearly enough to describe her appearance. She had just eaten something spicy and hot, and though wearing no makeup, her lips were as red and lustrous as if she’d applied man-killer lipstick.

Could it be that Yan Ming’s claim about focusing on his career was false, and having someone in his heart was the truth?

Fortunately, the girl across from her dispelled Gao Mei’s wariness in just a few words.

“I’ll pour you some water.”

While Yan Ming turned to pour water, Gao Mei decided to approach Yu Tian first.

“So you’re Yan Ming’s younger sister. No wonder you’re so beautiful – your family’s genes are truly excellent.”

Yu Tian smiled somewhat guiltily.

However, Gao Mei didn’t notice. Her focus was still on Yan Ming: “Your brother isn’t sick today, is he?”

Yu Tian couldn’t figure out Gao Mei and Yan Ming’s relationship, but since this was a blind date, there were probably some complicated considerations to take into account.

Almost instinctively, she began explaining to Yan Ming: “No, sister, my brother is sick. It just doesn’t show much on the surface.”

Gao Mei bit her lip: “He doesn’t look it – just like he’s not sick at all. But Uncle Yan said he was very seriously ill and couldn’t come to meet me…”

Yu Tian could only bite the bullet and lie: “Actually, some people with weaker constitutions who are usually quite frail, when they’re sick, look about the same as when they’re healthy. My brother seems okay now, but maybe he’s just putting on a brave front at his limit.”

Yu Tian forced a smile: “After all, as a man, he still wants to show his good, strong side in front of you.”

Gao Mei’s voice became somewhat aggrieved: “But I don’t care about these things. If he’s not that seriously sick, he could have come to meet me…”

Wasn’t Yan Ming supposed to be pouring water?

Why isn’t he coming out of the kitchen yet?

Yu Tian hadn’t expected Gao Mei to press for an explanation so persistently and could only desperately make things up: “He has acute gastroenteritis. You know, this illness is rather embarrassing. On the surface, he looks like a perfectly fine person, but he often has to rush to the bathroom, which could easily cause misunderstandings.”

Yu Tian prayed internally that Gao Mei wouldn’t ask any more questions.

Unfortunately, Gao Mei didn’t stop. She widened her eyes: “Misunderstandings about what?”

“Well…” Yu Tian felt she was running out of words. “Acute gastroenteritis might cause vomiting and diarrhea, and going to the bathroom too frequently might be misunderstood as having prostate problems. You know, for men, that’s a tremendous humiliation…”

“…”

Gao Mei showed an expression of surprise and enlightenment.

Fortunately, this finally cut off Gao Mei’s path of exploration. Gao Mei seemed to remember something and took out her phone: “Let’s add each other on WeChat. Your brother’s WeChat…”

Yu Tian had just finished scanning the QR code when she heard the second half of Gao Mei’s sentence and was startled.

Gao Mei wasn’t planning to ask her for Yan Ming’s WeChat, was she?

She didn’t have it at all!

But now her persona was as Yan Ming’s younger sister…

Yu Tian’s survival instincts were very strong: “My brother is particularly slow to warm up, and as a doctor, he’s very busy with no time to chat, so he generally doesn’t add unfamiliar girls on WeChat.”

Yu Tian corrected: “I should say he generally won’t add any girls, so I wouldn’t dare rashly send his WeChat to you, afraid he’d get angry at me…”

This statement Yu Tian hadn’t lied about – indeed, she had asked him for his WeChat twice now and he still wouldn’t give it.

As a result, Gao Mei was stunned, then smiled somewhat shyly: “Is that so… I have your brother’s WeChat though. I asked him for it before. I just wanted to say, I already have your brother’s WeChat, but I don’t have yours yet. Let’s add each other…”

“…”

Yu Tian said expressionlessly: “How many times did you have to ask before he added you?”

Gao Mei didn’t suspect anything: “Huh? Just once. He approved it very quickly.”

“…”

Yu Tian had just added Gao Mei on WeChat when Gao Mei’s phone suddenly rang. She got up and walked away to answer the call.

Only Yu Tian remained in the living room.

Not long after, Yan Ming emerged from the kitchen carrying hot tea.

As soon as Yan Ming appeared, Yu Tian immediately turned to look at him. Taking advantage of Gao Mei’s absence, she finally couldn’t hold back anymore and said with feigned casualness: “Brother Yan Ming, Sister Gao Mei added your WeChat and you approved it right away? Then why do some girls ask you for WeChat twice, and you still won’t give it to them?”

Yan Ming glanced at Yu Tian: “Because some people are relatively quiet – even after adding WeChat, they won’t bother me over nothing, while some people are too noisy.”

“…”

Yan Ming’s beautiful glassy eyes looked at Yu Tian: “Count for yourself how many words she spoke to me after entering, versus how many words you spoke to me after entering.”

Yu Tian couldn’t argue, but still couldn’t help making excuses. She muttered: “Then think about it from another angle – doesn’t that mean we two have more common topics? Look, it’s not just me talking. If you ignored me completely, I’d feel bored after a few words and quiet down…”

“…”

However, if not now, when?

Yu Tian took out her phone: “Add me.”

She looked at Yan Ming slyly: “A younger sister shouldn’t not even have her own brother’s WeChat, right?”

“Right, Brother Yan Ming?”

“…”

Gao Mei soon hung up and returned. Seeing Yan Ming was back too, she naturally wanted to chat with him.

Unfortunately, going from two people to three somehow made the atmosphere even more silent.

Gao Mei tried to start several topics, but unfortunately, Yan Ming left her with nothing to talk about.

Yu Tian saw Gao Mei’s situation and felt somewhat sympathetic, so she tried to ease the awkwardness: “Sister Gao Mei, I see you even brought flowers and fruits for my brother. Thank you so much for making this special trip.”

Gao Mei smiled gratefully, then secretly glanced toward Yan Ming: “Hearing your brother was sick, I was still somewhat worried. I didn’t know beforehand that you’d be here too, so in my urgency, I rashly rushed over.”

Gao Mei didn’t want to appear aggressive or place too much importance on this blind date, so she unnaturally tucked her hair and glanced at Yan Ming: “I didn’t really have anything important coming over, just passing by on my way. Seeing you’re fine and Yu Tian is here, I’m relieved.”

“Mm. Thank you.” Yan Ming nodded, then looked at Yu Tian. “Since you were just about to leave, my sister is leaving too. You can leave together.”

Yu Tian hadn’t had time to bask in the joy of being called “sister” when she was bewildered by the second half of the sentence arranging her departure.

Equally bewildered was Gao Mei: “Leaving?”

When had she said she was leaving?

Yan Ming took a sip of tea and smiled lightly: “Didn’t you say you had some business to attend to and only stopped by my place because you were passing by? Then you must have important matters to handle afterward. Since my health isn’t seriously problematic – gastroenteritis mainly requires a light diet and electrolyte replenishment – you should go handle your business. Can’t delay important matters.”

“…”

By the time they were escorted by Yan Ming all the way to the underground garage and into Gao Mei’s car, Yu Tian was still somewhat dazed.

So was Gao Mei.

Yu Tian had originally intended to leave on her own, but since this was indeed along the way, Gao Mei, who had driven there, insisted on giving her a ride.

Thus, what was originally a planned blind date lunch ended up with Yu Tian and Gao Mei staring at each other in the car.

However, Gao Mei wasn’t easily defeated by this setback. She quickly became animated, trying to use Yu Tian as a bridge into Yan Ming’s heart.

“Your brother must have many girls chasing him, usually, right? What type of girls does he like?”

Yu Tian knew this one!

She answered honestly: “He likes quiet ones.”

Anyway, not noisy, talkative types like herself.

Gao Mei nodded thoughtfully: “Then does he usually like quieter activities too?”

“Probably…”

“What does he do in his free time?”

Quiet activities? What quiet activities were there…

Yu Tian’s brain seemed rusty, but Gao Mei’s questions kept coming one after another:

“What’s his favorite color?”

“What does he like to eat?”

“Do you know what size clothes he wears?”

“Does he have any particular favorite brands?”

Yu Tian had always prided herself on being a walking encyclopedia about her idol Yan Ming.

If Gao Mei had asked about Yan Ming’s resume, Yu Tian could undoubtedly recite it backwards on the spot, especially those highlights in Yan Ming’s life – she probably knew them better than Yan Ming himself.

But when it came to these questions, Yu Tian realized she didn’t understand Yan Ming as well as she’d thought.

She couldn’t bring herself to make things up to deceive Gao Mei, so she could only honestly shake her head.

“Actually… I don’t understand my brother that well either.” Yu Tian chose her words carefully. “You know, after adolescence, brothers and sisters don’t play together much. Although my brother and I are… siblings, we’re not the kind of full siblings from the same parents, so our relationship isn’t as good as you might think…”

“Really?” Gao Mei frowned, looking somewhat puzzled. “But I think he has a very good relationship with you.”

“I noticed he often unconsciously looks at you.”

Gao Mei said confusedly, “Especially when you speak, he’ll look toward you. Though it’s not very obvious, I’m generally very observant, so I noticed it all.”

Then her voice became somewhat dejected: “But when I speak, he doesn’t look at me.”

She looked at Yu Tian encouragingly: “Maybe you haven’t noticed, but your brother values you more than you think.”

Gao Mei concluded: “Anyway, I think in his heart, you should be a very important sister to him. He cares about you very much.”

She hinted subtly: “So if you said something, I think Yan Ming would listen.”

After dropping Yu Tian off at her residential complex, Gao Mei grabbed Yu Tian’s hand: “Yu Tian, I fell in love with your brother at first sight. I know he’s currently resistant to blind dates and has no romantic interest in me, but I’m not someone who gives up easily. Please help me find out about your brother’s hobbies and usual leisure activities.”

Although Yu Tian wanted to help, she felt helpless. She really wanted to say that this “sister” of his had gotten Yan Ming’s WeChat even later than Gao Mei had, and only just added him earlier by being shameless…

“Sister Gao Mei, my brother has a cold personality and is very decisive. I…”

But Gao Mei was very certain: “Then just pester him. I think if it’s you, your brother won’t refuse. He can’t bear to be harsh with you. Help me think of ideas for how to pursue your brother.”

She winked at Yu Tian: “Trust me.”

“…”

Yu Tian felt she really couldn’t believe in this superstition.

Yu Tian returned home and gave Song Chunxiang a simplified report of what happened today to put Yan Wenhua at ease, then went straight to her room and lay down on her bed.

Gao Mei’s words still echoed in her mind.

Yan Ming often unconsciously looked at her.

Really?

Although Yan Ming was indeed her idol, Yu Tian wasn’t stupid. She always felt that, as the daughter of his father’s potential remarriage partner, Yan Ming wouldn’t particularly like her in his heart…

So why did he look at her? Was it to find her flaws and shortcomings in the details?

Thinking of this, Yu Tian opened her phone.

Yan Ming’s WeChat avatar wasn’t his photo, but a landscape photo from somewhere unknown.

His WeChat name was as concise as he was.

One character – [Yan]

Yu Tian opened the hard-won WeChat and looked at the chat interface showing “You have added Yan, you can now start chatting,” feeling satisfied despite everything.

She had gotten Yan Ming’s WeChat.

Having stayed up late editing video materials these past two days and getting up early this morning, although it was only afternoon, Yu Tian was getting sleepy. She fell asleep not long after settling into the soft bedding.

When she woke up, it was almost dark.

There were a bunch of messages from Qi Sihao on WeChat asking what she’d been doing all day.

Yu Tian drowsily replied with a few sentences, telling him about what happened today, then tossed the phone aside and almost fell asleep again.

Yu Tian didn’t chat with many people regularly, and since her hand injury made typing inconvenient, during this period, besides Qi Sihao, almost no one contacted her.

Sure enough, moments later, accompanied by the WeChat notification sound, Qi Sihao’s reply flashed across the phone screen.

[Qi Sihao is nice]: Someone like Yan Ming needs blind dates?!

[Qi Sihao is nice]: But I think that beauty you mentioned probably doesn’t have a chance. Men are all visual creatures – if there’s no heart-fluttering feeling at first sight, trying to rely on growing feelings over time is very difficult! Like with that girl I fell in love with at first sight…

Yu Tian only had time to read the first two messages before the chatterbox Qi Sihao sent who knows how many more, making Yu Tian’s eyes blur from trying to read them all.

She was still somewhat sleepy, but remembering Gao Mei’s request, she followed the new messages popping up on screen and clicked in. Being somewhat lazy, Yu Tian didn’t even fully open her eyes and drowsily sent a voice message:

“Do you have any suggestions for how to pursue a man like Yan Ming?”

After sending the voice message, Yu Tian didn’t deliberately wait for Qi Sihao’s reply, but contentedly closed her eyes and dozed for another ten minutes.

Ten minutes was enough for love theory expert Qi Sihao to pontificate at length.

Sure enough, when Yu Tian finally woke up fully rested, her phone screen was already full of unread messages from Qi Sihao.

However, there was a message from Yan Ming mixed in?

Yu Tian suddenly felt nervously at a loss.

She had no mind to read Qi Sihao’s messages and just went straight to click on Yan Ming’s.

And that’s when she discovered the problem.

Her chat page with Yan Ming no longer showed the previous “You have added Yan, you can now start chatting,” but instead…

Yu Tian stared at the chat interface with a numb scalp and expressionless face.

There, ten minutes ago, Yan Ming had sent her a WeChat message asking if she’d gotten home safely.

And almost right after Yan Ming’s message, she had sent him a voice message.

Yu Tian mechanically clicked the voice message play button, and her own drowsy, lazy voice that sounded almost like she was acting cute came out:

“Do you have any suggestions for how to pursue a man like Yan Ming?”

It was already past the time limit for message recall.

And Yan Ming had already seen and heard it.

Because he replied:

“For a man like Yan Ming, my suggestion is don’t pursue him.”