Although Jiang Mu had joked about taking responsibility for Jin Chao, there was some truth in her words. But Jin Chao didn’t respond, instead asking: “What would you like to drink?”

He walked to the cabinet, and Jiang Mu glanced over, saying: “Some red wine would be nice.”

Jin Chao subconsciously still thought of her as a little girl, giving her a sideways glance until Jiang Mu raised her eyes and asked: “Is that not allowed?”

Only then did he realize she was no longer that little girl?

After some wine, Jiang Mu’s complexion grew more radiant. Jin Chao asked her: “How is your mother’s health?”

This topic opened the floodgates, and Jiang Mu began sharing bits and pieces about her years spent with Chris and his children. Jin Chao listened quietly, tasting the dishes she had made. They were well-prepared and presentable. He noticed she was less picky about food now, seemingly unbothered by scallions, ginger, and garlic. He had always hoped she would outgrow her picky eating habits, but now that she had, a complex emotion welled up in his heart.

Jiang Mu ate half a crab, struggling with it, and commented: “The crab is delicious, just too troublesome to eat.”

Jin Chao got up to fetch a set of specialized crab-eating tools. Jiang Mu sighed: “You’re quite particular about things.”

Jin Chao glanced at her without responding, but after Jiang Mu had finished a glass of wine, he placed some picked crab meat and roe in front of her. Suddenly, her emotions began to surge. She just realized that he couldn’t eat crab because of its cooling properties – all that effort had been for her. A full bowl, with a few drops of vinegar. One large spoonful brought an indescribable satisfaction.

She probably… would never meet another man in this life who would pick crab meat for her like this.

Jiang Mu finally fell quiet for a moment. When she looked up again, she raised her empty wine glass to Jin Chao: “More, please.”

Jin Chao warned her: “Don’t expect me to take care of you if you get drunk.”

Jiang Mu smiled at him, and Jin Chao indulgently poured her some more.

She raised her glass to him: “Chao Chao, Brother, no, Chao Chao…”

Her confused calling made Jin Chao laugh too, wondering if she was tipsy.

But Jiang Mu said to him seriously: “Considering you wouldn’t tell me about something this important, I’ve decided to end our sibling relationship. From now on, I won’t recognize you as my brother anymore.”

Jin Chao paused, raising an eyebrow to study her for a few seconds. Seeing him motionless, Jiang Mu picked up his wine glass and handed it to him. After he took it, Jiang Mu clinked her glass against his and then drank hers in one go.

Jin Chao continued to watch her quietly, not touching his glass before setting it back down.

Jiang Mu put down her glass and said: “You know I’m still an intern, right?”

Jin Chao made an affirmative sound, and Jiang Mu muttered: “The salary isn’t much, rent is several thousand a month, plus utilities. Before, when I was studying, Mom helped out, but now that I’m working, I can’t keep asking her for money. I don’t want her to think I’m not doing well in China. Everything’s so expensive now. The other day my roommate called asking me to advance next year’s internet fees. I feel like I won’t be able to afford food anymore.”

Her seemingly random topic made Jin Chao pause before looking up to ask: “You want to borrow money?”

Jiang Mu instantly smiled: “Can I not pay it back?”

Jin Chao’s expression relaxed, his tone lazy: “No.”

Jiang Mu pouted, sucking in her cheeks. Jin Chao got up and went to the kitchen to ladle out a bowl of hot soup, placing it in front of her, then asked: “How much do you need?”

Jiang Mu picked up the soup, holding back a smile.

Jin Chao sat back down and looked at her: “People usually try to get on your good side before borrowing money. You ended our sibling relationship before asking – that’s unique.”

Jiang Mu took a sip of soup: “Who said I wanted to borrow money? Considering future living expenses, I can weigh the difference between one full meal and being full for every meal. Think about it – you’re living alone anyway, if I moved in, wouldn’t you have someone to share living costs with? Although I’m not officially hired yet and my salary isn’t high, once I get permanent status and a raise, I can live frugally and help support you.”

Jin Chao smiled: “Thanks for the offer, but who would be supporting who is still uncertain.”

After Jiang Mu finished her soup, Jin Chao started to clear the table. She stood up saying: “Let me wash the dishes.”

Jin Chao glanced at her: “There’s a dishwasher.”

Later, when she saw Lightning had made a mess while eating and was about to look for something to help clean up, Jin Chao came out of the kitchen and simply pressed a button. A robot vacuum cleaner glided past Jiang Mu, leaving her with nothing to do.

Jin Chao brought out a plate of freshly cut mooncakes and asked: “Want to appreciate the moon?”

Jiang Mu said softly: “Appreciate me?”

Jin Chao made a questioning sound.

Jiang Mu laughed: “Nothing. Sure, let’s appreciate it.”

So they sat on the balcony facing the full moon. They had moon-gazed together when they were young, but Jiang Mu’s memories were fuzzy. Jin Chao, being five years older, remembered clearly.

He’d tell her they needed to climb up to the roof, but she couldn’t climb. Every time, Jin Qiang would be eating pineapple-filled mooncakes while Jin Chao tried to get her to look at the moon, but she only cared about the mooncakes. He’d tell her the story of Chang’e flying to the moon, but she only remembered the moon rabbit, later pestering them to buy her a rabbit plush toy.

Now Jiang Mu didn’t eat such sweet things anymore, but she enjoyed hearing Jin Chao talk about her childhood foolishness.

As they chatted, Jiang Mu circled back to her earlier topic: “That guy I’m sharing rent with, well, I was in such a hurry to find a place I didn’t pay attention to the roommate’s gender. But it doesn’t matter, I’ve only seen him twice in three months. He appears and disappears mysteriously – I suspect he’s a professional ghost hunter. He’s never around at night, and there’s always some creepy music playing in his room. Do you think I should find somewhere else to live?”

Her long eyelashes fluttered charmingly, and perhaps due to the wine, her face was fair with a rosy glow. Half-reclining in the soft chair, she looked indescribably gentle. Jin Chao didn’t beat around the bush, saying directly: “Still haven’t broken that old habit, coming over and refusing to leave?”

Jiang Mu laughed, emphasizing: “I’m not imposing on just anyone.”

Jin Chao gazed at the brilliant moon for a long while before saying: “Let me ask you something. When you went back to Tonggang this time, your father didn’t give you my contact information, did he?”

Jiang Mu nodded: “He said you haven’t been back for several years. Did you two conspire to deceive me?”

Jin Chao’s gaze gradually lowered, and he remained silent. After a while, he looked up at the full moon again and said: “‘Chao’ means morning, ‘Mu’ means dusk. Like the sun and moon, they alternate but never meet again.”

Jiang Mu’s brows gradually furrowed: “What do you mean?”

The dishwasher stopped. Jin Chao got up and walked into the house, his voice falling faintly as he passed her: “That was my promise to your father.”

Jiang Mu instantly felt ice-cold, as if a heavy stone had crashed down on her heart. That year when she returned from her freshman year abroad, Jin Qiang had concealed Jin Chao’s situation from her. At the time, she thought Jin Chao hadn’t settled down yet and would contact her eventually. But this time when she returned, Jin Qiang used the same excuse. Although she sensed something was wrong, she had always thought it was Jin Chao’s decision. She never imagined that Jin Qiang simply didn’t want her and Jin Chao to stay in contact.

For all these years, he had cared for Jin Chao like his own son, hoping for his happiness and well-being.

But equally, Jiang Mu was Jin Qiang’s flesh and blood, and he similarly hoped she would find an able-bodied husband and have an easier life.

Everyone has their concerns. He didn’t want both children to suffer, especially knowing how much Jiang Yinghan resented Jin Chao. No matter who Jin Chao married, he didn’t want it to be Mumu, or everyone’s relationships would be forced into an awkward position.

“It’s not because of your condition. Even without this accident, I would still advise you not to contact Mumu anymore. Consider it my failing you.”

That’s what Jin Qiang had told him that evening when he came to visit. He had brought many things and said many words. Jin Chao remained silent throughout until Jin Qiang was leaving. Watching his back, bent from life’s burdens, Jin Chao finally clenched his fists and spoke: “Dad, I promise you…”

For six years after that, he never actively contacted Jiang Mu. He would return to Tonggang every year, telling Jin Qiang about his situation and regularly sending money back. He gradually showed Jin Qiang that he could manage without burdening those around him.

Yet despite all this, when Jiang Mu returned to China this time, Jin Qiang still wouldn’t relent.

“Chao” means morning, and “Mu” means dusk – like the sun and moon, alternating but never meeting.

Jiang Mu suddenly realized how her earlier words must have cut Jin Chao like an invisible knife. Jin Qiang accepted him as a son, but his concealment also meant he still couldn’t accept Jin Chao as Jiang Mu’s husband. That’s why after she spoke those words, Jin Chao lowered his eyes and remained silent for so long.

Jiang Mu suddenly stood up, her heart trembling as she went to find him. Jin Chao was taking clean dishes from the dishwasher. Looking at his back, in that instant, an overwhelming impulse filled her heart. She ran to him, hugging him tightly from behind. Jin Chao froze, looking down at her arms wrapped around his waist, hearing her ask: “You said you’d wait for me to grow up. Does that promise still count?”

Almost seven years had passed since she’d last asked this question. Waves of emotion stirred in Jin Chao’s eyes, but he remained standing still.

Jiang Mu’s voice wavered with emotion: “I’m 26 now. I don’t need anyone making decisions for me anymore. What does it matter if everyone opposes?”

Hearing the tears in her voice, Jin Chao patted her arms, but she held on tighter: “You said next time we met you’d let me hug you properly. I’ve been so polite the last few times I saw you.”

Tenderness filled Jin Chao’s eyes: “I’m not stopping you from hugging me. Let me turn around to look at you. Don’t cry.”

Jiang Mu loosened her grip, but when Jin Chao turned around, his deep, bright eyes were so captivating that her heart tightened, and she became too shy to hug him again.

She lowered her head, hearing Jin Chao say: “Mumu, listen to me. You just learned about my situation, and I know it’s hard for you to accept, but there are many things I haven’t had the chance to tell you.”

Jiang Mu looked at him with burning eyes: “What could be more important than you standing here in front of me? You know I’m not a child anymore. If I turn around and marry someone else now, would you be okay with that? Tell me the truth.”

Her emotions grew more intense as she spoke. Jin Chao reached out to pull her closer, but Jiang Mu stepped back, staring at him indignantly: “I’m not as rational as you, and I can’t consider so many issues. Yes, you always think of everything, but I can’t. I only know to cross bridges when I come to them, and I’ve lived this long.

If I marry a man who treats me badly like I said – spending money on equipment and other women, even physically and emotionally abusing me – even if he’s able-bodied, do you think I’d have a good life then?

Have you ever thought that by giving me up, you’re also making me gamble with my future?”

Hearing these words, great emotion flickered in Jin Chao’s eyes as his brows gradually furrowed. Jiang Mu choked back a sob, looking at him with clear eyes: “Chao Chao, I ended our sibling relationship today. From now on, we can’t be brother and sister anymore. Think carefully about whether you want to stay in contact. If you feel being with me is too much pressure, then let’s forget it.”

Jin Chao stared at her in stunned silence. As Jiang Mu turned to leave, his eyes tightened. He took several steps out of the kitchen and caught her arm, saying: “My legs aren’t good. Don’t run – I’m afraid I can’t catch up.”

Though she had been the one speaking harsh words, hearing Jin Chao say this made Jiang Mu’s tears blur her vision, her heart aching sharply. Even her glasses became foggy, like a layer of mist on her nose bridge. She couldn’t bear to leave him even half a step.

Jin Chao looked at her and asked: “Can you still see?”

Jiang Mu replied with a thick nasal voice: “No.”

Jin Chao pulled her back to him, raised his hand to remove her glasses, and in the same motion lowered his head to capture her lips. Jiang Mu’s vision hadn’t cleared yet when his warm breath covered her, the familiar sensation making her heart feel ready to explode.

There was no gradual build-up of teasing – years of pent-up longing rushed forth like a flood. Jin Chao wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her entirely into his embrace. Jiang Mu’s thoughts completely stopped, her soul evaporating from her body, until Jin Chao pressed her against the wall behind her. He interlaced their fingers, his passionate kisses burning like flames against her lips.

Jiang Mu cried even harder, all those long-suppressed feelings of unwillingness and grievance bursting forth. Jin Chao held her face, his tone coaxing: “Don’t cry. When you cry, I’m helpless.”

Intoxicating light danced in his eyes. Jiang Mu raised her wet lashes, but she couldn’t hear anything, couldn’t hear at all. Her heartbeat drummed in her ears, everything hazy. The red wine from earlier was truly taking effect now, her face flushed and alluring.

Jin Chao simply lifted her. Jiang Mu’s feet left the ground as she clung to him, the living room lights swaying in her eyes. He laid her on the soft sofa, her arms still around his neck. Jin Chao leaned down, looking at her from close range, his sensual Adam’s apple moving almost imperceptibly, his whole being radiating desire yet restrained tenderness. He said to her: “You don’t fully understand my physical condition yet. I wanted to give you some time, to wait until you’d accepted this reality before telling you.”

Jiang Mu lay softly in his arms, raising her head with uncertain light in her eyes, asking: “Your condition… does it mean you can’t have children?”

Jin Chao’s expression froze briefly before his eyes narrowed: “What are you thinking about?”

Jiang Mu admitted she had misunderstood, but in their current situation, in such an intimate position, what else could she think about?

She awkwardly avoided his gaze. Jin Chao bent down to whisper in her ear: “Want me to prove it to you?”

His hand gripped her waist, strong and burning in its presence. Jiang Mu lay on the sofa as he kissed her until her breath grew thin, her whole body tingling, on the edge of losing control. He pulled her into his arms and said: “Don’t come back to me out of a desire to take care of me or out of guilt. Go home and sleep on it. I’ll send my recent medical reports to your email. Look at them first. Once you decide, it might mean facing many inconveniences in the future. I may not have the ability to accompany you in doing everything you want to do. The opinions of those around you, your parents’ views – think it all through before giving me your answer.”

Jiang Mu’s hands clutched tightly at his clothes, her head spinning as she asked hoarsely: “If I refuse, will you go back to being my brother or will we part ways completely?”

She withdrew her arms from around his neck, but as they fell, Jin Chao caught her soft hand in time, caressing her hand’s back with a deep, elegant smile, never letting go again.