As Lin Zeqiu had anticipated, Lin Zhixia’s first words were: “Dad, Mom, Brother, I’ve missed you so much. I have something to tell you. I’m in a relationship now, my boyfriend is Jiang Yubai. You’ve all met him before. He has a great personality, and I’m very happy when I’m with him.”

Finally, she had said it.

Lin Zhixia took a deep breath.

Lin Zhixia felt she was a brave person.

She turned her face slightly and met Lin Zeqiu’s gaze. Her heart jumped, and she immediately hid behind Jiang Yubai.

Jiang Yubai calmly faced the scrutiny of his girlfriend’s father, mother, and older brother.

This was the first time in his life that he was meeting his girlfriend’s family elders in the capacity of a “boyfriend.”

Jiang Yubai’s speech and behavior were polite and refined. No matter what question he heard, he would answer honestly. He was upright and honest, steady and modest, revealing his true heart without any concealment.

Lin Zeqiu, however, remained silent.

Lin Zeqiu walked ahead, his pace slightly faster. Lin Zhixia called out to him once: “Brother!”

Only then did he stop, standing still in place.

Lin Zeqiu’s reaction was much calmer and composed than Lin Zhixia had imagined.

He didn’t get angry or lecture Lin Zhixia. He had truly matured over these two years, with his emotional intelligence significantly improved. But his eyes made Lin Zhixia shiver; she seemed to see his worry and disappointment.

Lin Zhixia didn’t dare meet his gaze.

She sneaked a glance at her father.

Her father’s body language was rather stiff. He walked alongside Jiang Yubai, making small talk. He said to Jiang Yubai, “You and Xiaxia have known each other for almost ten years. Uncle has met you several times and knows you’re a good kid. Let me be direct—the gap between our two families is too great. Xiaxia’s mother and I… well, we’re worried Xiaxia might suffer. This child Xiaxia, as you know, has a very good memory… those closest to her can hurt her the most easily.”

At the terminal exit, crowds surged and voices roared. Jiang Yubai’s voice was gentle and deep: “I could never hurt her.”

He revealed his true feelings: “I only want to protect her.”

Jiang Yubai also said that he and Lin Zhixia were childhood sweethearts with deep feelings for each other. He had already told his family about their relationship, and his parents greatly admired Lin Zhixia. No matter what, he wouldn’t let Lin Zhixia suffer.

Her father looked at him silently.

Jiang Yubai seemed to be reflecting: “What I’ve said might sound like empty words… could you give me a probationary period?”

Jiang Yubai’s attitude was extremely sincere. He voluntarily provided his contact information.

Lin Zeqiu watched as his father’s expression softened considerably, even patting Jiang Yubai’s shoulder, showing signs of approval. Lin Zeqiu repeatedly weighed Jiang Yubai’s words in his mind.

At this moment, Lin Zeqiu suddenly recalled that one day last year, when he called Lin Zhixia, he noticed there was a young man beside her—that guy had a very pleasant voice, as if he were feeding girls love potions, leaving a deep impression on Lin Zeqiu.

The voice from his memory matched reality, and Lin Zeqiu suddenly realized that the guy was Jiang Yubai!

At that time, Lin Zhixia had told him that she had just gotten up in the morning and met her roommate in the kitchen, who lived in the same dormitory.

The more Lin Zeqiu thought about it, the more things didn’t add up.

He discovered many suspicious points.

He suspected Lin Zhixia had lied to him.

Lin Zeqiu’s anger instantly skyrocketed to its highest level ever.

Lin Zhixia was the sister he had raised. She had always been honest from childhood and never maliciously deceived her brother.

So, who exactly had made her lie?

How long had she kept him in the dark?

Did she still consider him her real brother, who had grown up with her?

Lin Zeqiu’s anger erupted. His left hand formed a fist in his coat pocket, his knuckles making a slight “cracking” sound, his face looking as unpleasant as if someone owed him eight million.

Lin Zhixia unintentionally saw his expression and was greatly startled. Without realizing it, Lin Zeqiu had truly been angered into a pufferfish.

Lin Zhixia felt that even Jiang Yubai couldn’t shield her now. She nervously hugged her mother’s arm, quickly smoothing things over: “Mom, Mom, Jiang Yubai and I just took a long flight. We’re both a bit tired today. Let’s go home and rest first. We can have a meal together another day when we’re free and have a good chat.”

Her father responded: “Yes, Xiaxia is right. The children rarely come back. Little Jiang must be tired too.”

Her mother also said, “Indeed, there are many people at the airport. Let’s go home first. We still have several days during the holiday. We can gather again when we have time.”

Jiang Yubai knew that Lin Zhixia’s parents weren’t completely at ease with him. The huge gap between his and Lin Zhixia’s family backgrounds was a major deduction, weakening the sense of security he might bring. Fortunately, his status had been acknowledged. Explaining too much would make him appear glib and opportunistic. He needed to dispel his in-laws’ concerns and worries through years of practical actions, because actions speak louder than words.

Jiang Yubai’s calculations were clear. Just as he was about to approach Lin Zhixia, he was unexpectedly blocked by Lin Zeqiu.

Lin Zeqiu asked straightforwardly: “How long have you been dating Lin Zhixia?”

Before Jiang Yubai could answer, Lin Zhixia quickly interjected: “We spent some time together before we defined our relationship.”

Lin Zeqiu took a deep breath, then asked her: “Where are you living now?”

Lin Zhixia’s eyes widened.

What was happening?

Why had her brother suddenly become so perceptive?

Lin Zhixia responded extremely calmly: “Let’s talk about this when we get home.”

Her parents walked ahead to queue for taxis. The airport was bustling with travelers, and taxis were in high demand. Her parents stood in line, talking quietly to each other, not paying attention to their children.

Taking advantage of their parents’ absence, Lin Zeqiu gave a cold laugh: “Talk about it at home? Fine, Lin Zhixia, now you’re still trying to protect this guy…”

Lin Zhixia’s spirit was not weak at all: “I’m an adult now, with my right to choose. Dad and Mom didn’t criticize me. Why are you scolding me?”

“Now you think you’re right,” Lin Zeqiu immediately became furious, “Let me just ask you one thing: where exactly are you living?”

Jiang Yubai shielded Lin Zhixia behind him.

Both Lin Zeqiu and Jiang Yubai were 1.88 meters tall. They could look directly at each other at eye level, which made Lin Zeqiu particularly unhappy. Especially Lin Zhixia’s habitual motion of hiding behind Jiang Yubai, which felt like a heavy stone pressing on his heart.

He had only Lin Zhixia’s best interests at heart, yet he had become a fierce villain.

Facing Lin Zeqiu’s anger, Jiang Yubai said something shocking: “Xiaxia and I live together.”

Lin Zhixia and Lin Zeqiu’s hearts began racing simultaneously.

Lin Zeqiu’s face remained expressionless: “What did you say?”

Jiang Yubai repeated himself.

Lin Zeqiu was interning at an internet company focusing on the search business and occasionally saw some pop-up ads. Text fragments like “wealthy young master toys with poor girl” flashed rapidly through his mind. All the blood in his body suddenly rushed to his brain, and his left hand grabbed Jiang Yubai’s collar.

Jiang Yubai remained calm: “This is not the place for a fight.”

Lin Zeqiu slowly released his grip.

But he slammed his fist against a nearby stainless steel railing, making a loud “bang.” Jiang Yubai straightened his collar and said calmly: “What you’re worried about won’t happen. You’re Lin Zhixia’s brother, I understand your thoughts…”

Lin Zeqiu interrupted Jiang Yubai, saying coldly: “Enough, spare me the platitudes.”

He grabbed Lin Zhixia’s wrist, but not wanting to hurt her, he could only hold it gently, instructing: “Come home with me.”

Lin Zhixia waved to Jiang Yubai: “Video chat at six tonight, don’t miss it!”

The thoughts in Lin Zeqiu’s head were a mess. He barely squeezed out one word: “You…”

“What about me!” Lin Zhixia was righteous.

Lin Zeqiu had a chest full of foul air he had to release: “Grown up and got wings now!”

Lin Zhixia quickly tried to remedy the situation: “Don’t be angry, I’ll take good care of myself. I’ve known Jiang Yubai for ten years and know what kind of person he is…”

She said softly, “You’ve always been good to me, very concerned about me. But I’m also afraid that I’ll affect your own life. Your sense of family responsibility is too heavy, sometimes even more burdensome than for Mom and Dad.”

Lin Zeqiu raised his head high, looking toward the vast blue sky.