That night, Pei Yining didn’t go to the Xu family’s dinner, tempting as their meals were. Concerned about her brother, she instead convinced Xu Nianhua to join her at the Du family for dinner.
"Nianhua, I haven’t seen you in so long. Let’s have dinner with Grandpa, he will definitely be happy." Pei Yining, clinging to Xu Nianhua’s hand, appeared determined not to let go.
When Du Chang saw Xu Nianhua, his eyes crinkled with a smile, and he said, "Yining sure knows the way. It’s rare for this young lady to dine here."
"Grandpa, Nianhua and I are very close." Pei Yining said proudly, her buoyant chatter unaffected by Du Chang’s special regard for Xu Nianhua, making Du Chang burst into hearty laughter.
Xu Nianhua occasionally chimed in, and the three of them chatted and laughed together, creating a very warm atmosphere.
Outside, the sound of a car parking was heard, and Pei Yining’s face lit up instantly. She excitedly said, "My brother is back."
The next instant, Pei Yining dashed to the door like a gracefully soaring butterfly upon seeing the familiar car, her hands tightly clenched. She had known her brother’s legs had healed before the final exams and had spoken to him on the phone, but not seeing him standing before her in person had left her unsettled.
As the car door opened and Pei Yicheng’s tall figure appeared beside it, Pei Yining opened her arms and ran towards him.
"Brother, that’s wonderful! I just knew, I just knew your legs would heal."
"Once we return to Ningbei, we must make those people widen their eyes and see that your legs can be healed."
Pei Yining threw herself into Pei Yicheng’s arms, tears bursting forth uncontrollably. She still remembered when it was announced that her brother’s legs were incurable, the women who used to chase after him had all distanced themselves, a sight that disgusted and pained her.
Disgusted by those women who, before her brother’s accident, had tried everything to curry his favor.
Pei Yining rambled on, her sobs making anyone watching feel heartbroken.
"It’s okay, aren’t I fine now?" Pei Yicheng, not very expressive with his emotions, could only pat her shoulder awkwardly, unsure how to console his crying sister.
In his memory, his sister hardly ever cried before their mother passed away. After their mother’s departure, filled with his own sorrow, Pei Yicheng could only hold her quietly whenever she cried.
Latterly, as he grew up and she found... a teacher at school, her tears became less frequent, even during the period when his legs were injured, she only cried secretly behind his back.
"Brother, when I can’t walk anymore, will you carry me?" Pei Yining asked through tear-filled eyes, looking up.
Pei Yicheng lifted a hand, wiping the tears from her eyes, and said, "I will carry you, who else if not you, my sister?"
The helpless words carried a tone of indulgence, for she was his only sister.
"Brother, you’re so kind." Pei Yining’s tears turned into a smile.
"Little Yining, you really have a baby face, and just like a child, you cry one moment and laughs the next," Cheng Hao teased from aside.
Pei Yining quickly wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, not realizing Cheng Hao was also there. Turning around, she saw not only Cheng Hao but also the stunning and beautiful Zou Yaru next to him.