Knowing full well that Mu Shaoqian did it on purpose, Mo Chuxi’s thoughts were nonetheless stirred by him.
The sky was so blue, the warm breeze of early summer brushed against their clothes.
In front of him stood a girl with a pure and radiant smile.
"Brother Xi, I want to follow you for the rest of my life. But would you find me annoying?"
The tender, sweet voice was like a babbling stream, softly flowing into Mo Chuxi’s heart.
The boy’s handsome face broke into a doting smile as he reached out his delicate little hand offering her a chocolate ring candy.
"I, Mo Chuxi, will marry Little Qianyuan to be my wife. I will treat her well for the rest of my life, love her only, and let her follow me forever!"
That childhood promise felt as if it were made just yesterday, the words still echoing in his ears.
Yan Xinxin looked at Mo Chuxi’s silent profile, wanting to say something but unsure of how to begin.
"Mo Chuxi, let’s see how long you two can last!"
Mu Shaoqian sneered maliciously, then glared at Yan Xinxin.
"You like being my sister’s stand-in so much? Fine, you go on being it! If you ever become Mrs. Mo, I’ll write my name backwards!"
Without giving Mo Chuxi a chance to refute, Mu Shaoqian swore emphatically and stormed off, with Mira scurrying after him.
She had flattered him for years, all in the hopes of one day taking her place as the Mu family’s daughter-in-law!
The room quieted down, but Yan Xinxin still felt turmoil in her heart.
Because of Chenxi, she didn’t mind taking verbal abuse from the Mu family, but still...
Mo Chuxi spoke, his tone as aloof and indifferent as ever, betraying no emotion.
Yan Xinxin didn’t reply, simply following his instruction like an obedient child.
She watched as Mo Chuxi poured the brown sugar ginger tea from the thermos into a cup before turning around.
Yan Xinxin reached out to take the cup, unusually compliant, and did as she was told without hesitation. Lifting her gaze, she saw Mo Chuxi turn and walk to the window, where the light of the morning sun fell softly on his handsome face, casting shades of loneliness.
"Are you... thinking about Mu Qianyuan?"
Yan Xinxin couldn’t help but ask, looking at Mo Chuxi’s back.
"I imagine Mu Qianyuan must’ve been a very sweet and adorable girl. For you to keep her in your heart, she must have been truly remarkable."
"She wasn’t as remarkable as you think."
After a prolonged silence, Mo Chuxi finally spoke.
He turned around, the corner of his lips carrying a smile tinged with nostalgia.
"She was silly, sluggish. From the moment she learned to walk, she liked following me everywhere. Though timid, she was willing to do anything for me."
Mo Chuxi reminisced, while he also confessed.
"She was... someone I used to care for deeply and cherish."
Hearing his sincere words, Yan Xinxin was momentarily stunned.
A strange blend of joy and melancholy swirled within her heart, spreading like an unresolved contradiction.
Seeing Yan Xinxin frozen in place, her grip on the cup slackening as she slowly set it aside, Mo Chuxi stepped toward her, leaning closer.
The rays of morning sunlight behind him softened the sharpness of his features and the intensity in his gaze.
"Yan Xinxin, you’re my first woman. What I said to your father, I meant it."
Yan Xinxin’s eyes widened in disbelief.