Throughout everything that had happened, Chen Xi, almost from beginning to end, glared viciously at Yu Tian with a look as if she’d seen a ghost.

She hadn’t given up either.

Chen Xi spoke in a sweet, delicate, and fragile voice: “Brother Yan Ming, I’d like to stay at your place for a few more days. I’ve been sending out resumes recently, and several companies are all nearby. I might have multiple interviews during the day, but my home is too far from these companies. With all the traffic jams lately, I’m afraid that if I have to go back and forth, I’ll be late for interviews…”

“I know this is a bit of an imposition. I hadn’t thought of it before, but when I casually mentioned it to Uncle Yan this morning, he was particularly enthusiastic and insisted I bring it up with you. He said I should stay at your place temporarily for convenience, saying we’ll all be family in the future, so it’s no trouble at all. He said you often let your doctor colleagues stay over anyway, with dedicated guest rooms, so you definitely wouldn’t refuse me…”

Chen Xi first put a high hat on Yan Ming, then casually glanced at Yu Tian: “Actually, I was too embarrassed to ask initially. Last night was a special situation after all.”

“But since Yu Tian is also staying there, I figured Brother Yan Ming definitely wouldn’t refuse me.” Chen Xi lowered her head with a smile. “After all, Uncle Yan and my mother are already discussing engagement. We really will be family soon. I don’t think I need to be so formal anymore, since I want to have Brother Yan Ming as my older brother. Uncle Yan feels the same way – he said if I keep being too distant, it would make him sad.”

You want him as your brother? Yu Tian thought incredulously. With Chen Xi’s intensity, she clearly wanted to sleep with Yan Ming and become his wife!

However… Yan Ming didn’t refute Chen Xi’s claims.

It seemed Uncle Yan was about to get engaged to Chen Xi’s mother.

When middle-aged people remarry through matchmaking, they’re looking for companionship in their later years. At their age, they know their needs and how to choose suitable partners. Since they’re not young anymore and can’t afford to waste time, the progression from dating to engagement and marriage is even faster than young people.

After Uncle Yan broke up with Yu Tian’s mother, they both quickly found new relationships.

However, Yu Tian’s mother had encountered someone unsuitable and didn’t reach a good ending, while Yan Wenhua could find a compatible person to welcome his second spring. Yu Tian genuinely wished him well in her heart.

But somehow she couldn’t feel entirely happy about it.

Especially after Yan Ming tacitly agreed to Chen Xi’s request to stay over, Yu Tian’s sense of loss and melancholy reached its peak.

No matter how unfriendly and hostile Chen Xi was toward her, in the end, Chen Xi would indeed become family with Yan Ming, while she, despite frequently hovering around Yan Ming, had no deeper relationship with him beyond being acquaintances and schoolmates.

Unwillingness. A sense of grievance. And an indescribable, intense jealousy.

Like eating a dessert drizzled with lemon juice but forgetting to add sugar, she could taste nothing but harsh sourness.

Maybe Yan Ming was just very kind-hearted.

So he could be patient with all patients, thinking to save Chen Xi’s mother’s more elaborate lunch box for Xiao Ling.

And someone like Yan Ming always received goodwill and admiration from the outside world, so letting her feed him wasn’t a big deal, and letting Chen Xi, who might become his stepsister, continue living at his house also seemed natural.

Having received Yan Ming’s tacit approval, Chen Xi immediately shook off her earlier dejection from seeing Yu Tian feed Yan Ming. Her eyes lit up like flames again as she began chatting enthusiastically and sweetly with Yan Ming.

Yu Tian felt very angry. But she didn’t know what she was angry about.

Chen Xi bravely pursuing her potential stepbrother with no blood relation, Yan Ming gently treating his future stepsister – neither of them was wrong.

The wrong one was herself.

At this moment, Yu Tian finally realized her feelings for Yan Ming were different.

Because she was bathed in cold yet bright moonlight every night, because she gazed up at the moon every night, because she had always been moving toward the moon, she had developed an inappropriate possessive desire for it.

Yu Tian thought she could possess the moon.

But the moon was high above, belonging to everyone and belonging to no one.

The moment she understood that she liked Yan Ming, the world didn’t change at all.

The cafeteria was still noisy, the air conditioning still released cold air methodically, swaying light and shadows filtered through the lush green leaves outside the windows, and the honking of cars stuck in traffic at the hospital entrance rose and fell like background music for this hot workday, drifting over from afar.

But Yu Tian’s heart was in turmoil.

She stared at Yan Ming for a moment.

She still found it hard to accept that she had developed such improper thoughts about him.

So she made up an excuse about returning a phone call and almost fled the cafeteria in embarrassment.

She needed to calm down and think of a strategy.

The moon was indeed high above, but since she wanted it so much, she had to try her best to get what she wanted.

As soon as Yu Tian left, Chen Xi almost broke character and beamed with joy.

She had been shocked by Yu Tian’s shamelessness – this woman had tried to feed Brother Yan Ming directly! What was more infuriating was that Brother Yan Ming had eaten it!

If she hadn’t tested the waters by saying she wanted to stay at Brother Yan Ming’s house, and he had agreed without hesitation, Chen Xi would have thought she was about to be eliminated.

But looking at it now, Brother Yan Ming might just be unable to resist that approach.

Men are all like that.

They like sweet, delicate girls; they like attention-seeking little drama queens. Chen Xi could completely understand this.

Since Brother Yan Ming liked this type and could even tolerate Yu Tian’s affected behavior of picking up food and feeding him, with her future stepsister relationship, she had more opportunities than Yu Tian.

Chen Xi regained her confidence.

Knowing what Brother Yan Ming liked, she could cater to his preferences. Wasn’t it just picking up food? She, Chen Xi, could do that too!

So as soon as Yu Tian left, Chen Xi decided to seize the opportunity and walk her path, leaving Yu Tian with no way forward.

She picked up the serving chopsticks, grabbed a piece of green pepper, brought it to Yan Ming’s mouth, and said softly: “Brother Yan Ming, green pepper that you like.”

However, instead of naturally eating the green pepper, Yan Ming coldly refused.

“I don’t want to eat green pepper anymore.”

Understandable, Chen Xi thought. After all, how many green peppers had Yu Tian fed him just now?

So Chen Xi persisted, picking up some pork liver: “Brother Yan Ming, then have some pork liver. You worked so hard from last night until today, it’ll replenish your qi and blood.”

“I don’t eat pork liver.”

“…”

Not everyone eats organ meat – she had been presumptuous.

Just as Chen Xi was considering what to pick up for Yan Ming next, she heard him speak first.

“Chen Xi, when are you leaving later?”

Chen Xi was stunned, but then showed an understanding expression, saying shyly, “Brother Yan Ming, are you going to take me home?”

“Mm.”

She did carry more weight in Brother Yan Ming’s heart than Yu Tian. After all, Brother Yan Ming hadn’t even asked how Yu Tian was getting home.

Chen Xi’s heart fluttered a little. She said considerately, “It’s not necessary, Brother Yan Ming. Although I do have some clothes to organize, I can handle it myself. There’s no need to trouble you with driving back and forth.”

“I’m not driving you. I’ll have my dad’s driver pick you up.”

Yan Ming put down his chopsticks and looked at Chen Xi: “You don’t need to bring a change of clothes.”

Chen Xi was secretly delighted but said innocently: “Is Brother Yan Ming planning to take me shopping?”

Unfortunately, after she finished speaking, Yan Ming didn’t show the gentle smile she had expected. Instead, he raised his head with an incredulous look.

“What are you thinking?” Yan Ming’s tone was very calm, like he was explaining pre-surgical precautions. “You don’t need to bring a change of clothes because you won’t be living at my house at all.”

Chen Xi didn’t quite process this, letting out a short “Ah?”

“There’s no rule that family members must live together. My dad and I don’t live together either. Even if you and I become family in the future, I think living together isn’t very appropriate. I think both your boyfriend and my girlfriend would mind.”

Chen Xi was stunned and almost immediately clarified: “Brother Yan Ming, I don’t have a boyfriend. I’m single. Aren’t you single too? I remember Uncle Yan mentioned that, and he even asked me to help keep an eye out for suitable girls to introduce to you…”

Yan Ming lowered his gaze: “Don’t sell yourself short. The boyfriend situation could very well happen within the next few months.”

Chen Xi said urgently, “No, I definitely won’t have a boyfriend in the next few months. If I do, then I definitely wouldn’t find the kind of boyfriend who would mind my relationship with you. I…”

Chen Xi was about to take the opportunity to hint at something ambiguous, but unfortunately, before she could finish, Yan Ming interrupted her—

“You might not have a boyfriend in the next few months, but I might very well have a girlfriend in the next few months.”

Yan Ming’s voice was chilly: “Whether your future boyfriend minds has nothing to do with me, but my future girlfriend would mind.”

Chen Xi still wouldn’t give up: “But Uncle Yan said…”

“Chen Xi, my father is my father, and I am me. I’m not three years old – I don’t need to listen to my father’s arrangements for my life. You staying at my house last night was due to sudden circumstances. I helped out of courtesy and some other reasons, but that’s not my normal way of handling things.”

Yan Ming glanced at Chen Xi: “It’s inappropriate for you to continue staying at my house.”

“We have no blood relation and aren’t familiar with each other. There’s no reason for single people of this age and opposite genders to live together. If you find the interview locations inconvenient, you can completely rent a hotel near the interview companies or get up earlier and travel from home.”

Chen Xi was somewhat indignant and made a last-ditch effort: “What about Yu Tian? Isn’t she staying there too?”

This time Yan Ming didn’t even lift his eyelids: “Because I’m very familiar with her.”

“…”

Chen Xi rarely had someone give her such a merciless and direct ultimatum to her face. Her eyes immediately reddened. Unable to control her emotions, she couldn’t continue sitting face-to-face with Yan Ming in a composed manner. She could only hold back her tears, grab her bag, and storm off in a huff.

When Yu Tian returned, Chen Xi was already gone.

Chen Xi had had an emotional breakdown, but after a brief period of calming down, Yu Tian gradually collected herself.

Not giving up.

This was almost Yu Tian’s motto.

Whether she could get what she wanted or not, how would she know without trying?

Probably because she had a guilty conscience, despite trying to be rational and calm, Yu Tian still became somewhat nervous.

Fortunately, as soon as she sat down, Yan Ming glanced at her and gave a concise command—

“Green pepper.”

Yu Tian tucked her hair behind her ear and almost immediately brought the green pepper to Yan Ming’s mouth.

Yan Ming probably really loved eating green peppers lately. Soon, an entire plate of green peppers was finished by him.

Yu Tian suggested: “Then have some pork liver to replenish your blood.” People couldn’t just eat green peppers.

After saying this, she obsequiously placed a piece of pork liver in Yan Ming’s bowl. Yan Ming wasn’t picky and ate it naturally.

The atmosphere was good now. Yu Tian cleared her throat and decided to lay some groundwork.

“Brother Yan Ming… thank you so much for my mother’s surgery. She’ll need to stay in the hospital for about a week before discharge. During this time…”

That Chen Xi was planning to shamelessly stay at Yan Ming’s house, and she had those kinds of feelings for Yan Ming. After thinking it over, Yu Tian felt she couldn’t let Chen Xi have alone time with Yan Ming. Since she wanted to pursue Yan Ming, she couldn’t be careless and let any competitor slip by.

Otherwise, if Chen Xi and Yan Ming lived alone together for a week and ended up together, what moon would she be reaching for? The moon would be gone! It would have fallen into a ditch!

As long as she was thick-skinned and brazen enough…

Those who accomplish great things don’t get hung up on small details.

Yan Ming was quite composed. He looked up at Yu Tian: “What about during this time?”

Yu Tian built up her mental fortitude and gathered courage: “I’ve already reported Old Dai to the police, and I’m coordinating with a lawyer. When my mother is discharged, I’ll file lawsuits where needed. But Old Dai knows my studio address, and before the legal process is complete, I’m afraid…”

Yan Ming said methodically: “So before the legal process is complete, you want to live at my place?”

He put down his chopsticks and elegantly wiped his fingers with a wet napkin: “Yu Tian, legal processes and lawsuit compensation take three to six months if quick, and could even take one to two years if slow.”

“…”

Yu Tian got a bit angry.

When Chen Xi had just made such a lame excuse to stay at Yan Ming’s house, he hadn’t said so much! He had almost directly agreed!

At this point, Yu Tian steeled herself: “I don’t have much savings temporarily. The platform’s traffic and ad revenue are settled monthly – I won’t have cash flow until the middle of next month. I just need to stay for about a week, until my mother is discharged.”

This was the truth.

Before her mother’s incident, Yu Tian had indeed planned to spend time and energy on more profitable and safer comedic science education programs, but she had gotten distracted and made the exposé video about the unscrupulous beauty clinic first.

The program had a good response. After all, getting blindness from hyaluronic acid injections was such a sensational and terrifying side effect that was rarely seen. The major risks of being tricked into beauty loans, leading to personal safety threats and entire families’ information being leaked and pursued by debt collectors, had also rarely been exposed before. Almost as soon as the video was released, it had very high sharing rates. Many victims also came forward to denounce black market cosmetic surgery, hoping to use public opinion to force unscrupulous beauty clinics to step up and solve problems.

Unfortunately, as Yan Ming had said, the beauty clinic wasn’t to be trifled with. Since they could maintain a complete upstream and downstream chain of beauty loans and non-compliant cosmetic surgery, they naturally had some backing.

Half a day after Yu Tian’s video was uploaded and began fermenting, it was reported by the opposing party for defamation. To avoid trouble, the platform temporarily blocked Yu Tian’s video and required her to delete and modify certain explanatory text in the video to avoid any possible legal litigation.

Yu Tian had to spend a lot of time dealing with these reports and complaints. The video’s final dissemination effect was greatly reduced as a result. The traffic was far less than a science education episode would have gotten, so next month’s settlement would be somewhat affected.

Fortunately, following Yan Ming’s suggestion, Yu Tian had specifically consulted a lawyer before releasing the video, avoiding giving the beauty clinic any handle to sue her. This was a small blessing amid the chaos, so the opposing party could only make small moves like complaining and getting people to limit traffic and block content behind the scenes.

But… all said and done, not having money was real.

However, Yu Tian didn’t have much experience being shameless. Even after saying all this, when Yan Ming didn’t respond or take a stance, Yu Tian began to back down.

“Never mind, if it’s inconvenient for you, I’ll just stay at Qi Sihao’s place…”

“Why would you stay at his place?” As soon as these words came out, Yan Ming, who hadn’t replied before, quickly spoke up. “I didn’t say you couldn’t stay.”

Yan Ming looked away and added, “My house is close to the hospital. It’ll be more convenient for you to go back and forth to the hospital during the day to accompany and care for your mother.”

“Your mother is my patient. If there are any issues, you can ask me directly.”

This time, he glanced at Yu Tian: “Consider it payment for your hard work.”

After Yan Ming agreed, Yu Tian couldn’t help but push her luck: “So it’s because you ate my food that you’re short-handed? Because you ate my cooking, you’re paying this kind of labor fee?”

“How much could the food cost?”

Yu Tian was stunned: “Then what kind of labor fee is it?”

Yan Ming casually glanced at Yu Tian: “It’s payment for the labor of picking up food. That’s more labor-intensive.”

“…”

Having gotten Yan Ming’s agreement, Yu Tian’s inner joy only lasted a few seconds.

Because soon, she realized that the treatment she now had, Chen Xi had also received. She had just used an even lamer excuse than Yu Tian’s and had also been allowed to stay at Yan Ming’s house.

So Yan Ming had agreed so easily – was it because both she and Chen Xi called him brother?

Was calling him brother so effective?

Would it work for anyone who called him that?

Yu Tian was unhappy again.