"Nian’an, it seems you’re not happy with me wanting to be your brother-in-law?" Pei Yicheng laid his cards on the table with no intention of hiding his feelings. He liked Nianhua and wanted to pursue her openly and honestly, and naturally, he hoped to gain Xu Nian’an’s support. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have put so much effort into this shop.
If there had been enough time, the shop would have been fully renovated by the time they arrived.
Pei Yicheng stopped in his tracks and looked at Xu Nian’an, saying, "Who else do you think could be a better match for your sister than me?"
"Yicheng, you’re too full of yourself," Xu Nian’an retorted with a big eye roll. If you were to say there’s nobody in Gaoliang County good enough for his little sister, Xu Nian’an would have agreed, but after coming to Ningbei and seeing more of the world, not to mention just at their Medical University, he had met a plethora of outstanding students.
"Not to mention, is there anyone who would treat your sister better than I would?" Pei Yicheng continued, "Nian’an, we’ve known each other for quite some time now. Don’t you trust me as a person? Don’t you believe I can make your sister happy?"
Xu Nian’an paused for a moment, sized up Pei Yicheng, and said, "I do trust your character, Yicheng."
"Well, that settles it. It’s better for your sister to be with someone like me, whose background you know well, rather than some stranger with unknown intentions." Pei Yicheng, eager to win over Xu Nian’an, was willing to put all his efforts into it and continued, "Besides, I like Nianhua, and she likes me too. It’s mutual affection."
"As the old saying goes, it’s better to tear down a temple than to ruin a marriage. Nian’an, you surely wouldn’t want to be the one to break up a pair of lovebirds, right?"
Pei Yicheng’s anxious demeanor brought a smile to Xu Nian’an’s face. With his tall stature and success—he was almost deified by his classmates for being able to design a hotel before even graduating—Xu Nian’an found him exceptionally outstanding, someone to look up to.
Yet there stood Pei Yicheng, so cautious in seeking his support and approval. His nervousness reassured Xu Nian’an that Yicheng genuinely cared for his little sister.
And his little sister...
Xu Nian’an reflected on his recent conversation with her. Perhaps she hadn’t realized it herself, but as an outsider looking in, he could clearly see that she felt something special for him too.
And just now, in the attic, when Nianhua was at a loss for words under Pei Yicheng’s pressure, her blushing face was a clear sign of her affection. Since that was the case, how could he, as her brother, stand in the way of his sister’s lifelong happiness?
Having considered all this, Xu Nian’an composed himself and looked at Pei Yicheng earnestly.
Pei Yicheng also straightened up unconsciously, ready to listen attentively.
"Pei Yicheng." Xu Nian’an no longer called him ’Yicheng’ but used his full name instead, and spoke deliberately, "Do you truly like my sister? Do you want to date her with the intent of marrying her?"
"Yes," Pei Yicheng nodded resolutely. That decision had been made a long, long time ago.
Perhaps it started with that painting of the beautiful weather and the bright sunshine.
Or maybe earlier, when she stood up for him against the villagers because of his leg injury.
Or perhaps, it was the first time they met, and he saw her defiant spirit, unafraid of pain.
He didn’t know exactly when she entered his heart, but he was glad that in this life, he met her and fell in love with her.