Chapter 58: Qin Yu, I No Longer Have a Brother

Early autumn in Beijing, the breeze was gentle and mild.

Today the weather was beautiful. Lin Xi had tied her hair into a simple high ponytail, and wore a white dress that fell to her knees, unadorned by any accessories. She had no makeup on, her eyes bright and teeth gleaming. When she lowered her head and murmured, her voice was soft and gentle. Mentioning memories from the past, she would occasionally furrow her brows and pout coquettishly.

Just as she had been years ago, before her brother, she remained the pampered little girl.

With a handkerchief, she gently wiped the dust from the gravestone, gazing at the familiar name etched there. Lin Xi’s fingers trembled uncontrollably.

Lin Chen, army officer, sacrificed his life at the age of twenty-seven.

After their parents passed away, her elder brother took up the mantle, stepping away from his job and rushing back from another city to stay in Beijing and care for Lin Xi. But not long after, an urgent mission called him back to his unit.

Lin Xi remembered that night; she had suffered insomnia and hadn’t slept. Around one in the morning, her brother suddenly knocked on her door and entered.

The only light in the room came from the small night lamp beside her bed. Her brother, fully dressed, sat in the chair at her bedside.

That night, his hands seemed rougher than usual, calluses thick on his palms as he carefully held her hand and gently stroked it.

She hadn’t known he was leaving then, simply thinking he was worried she might be frightened alone at night and had come to keep her company.

When her eyelids waged their sleepy battle, she thought she saw his lips move.

But she wasn’t wearing her hearing aid then, and as sleep overtook her, she only caught faint sounds, never truly hearing what he said.

That night, she slept dreamlessly, finally resting well.

And from that night onward, she never heard her brother’s voice again.

——

Leaving the cemetery, Lin Xi had composed herself, appearing no different from when she’d arrived.

She walked back to where she’d been dropped off; the car she’d ordered was still waiting.

Under the roadside locust trees, the white BMW had vanished, replaced by a rather unfamiliar beast—a silver-gray Cullinan.

But the three people standing outside the car were all too familiar.

Lin Xi stopped, standing before the car.

Cheng Si flashed her a smile; this time, unlike his usual careless manner, his smile was tinged with embarrassment and helplessness, a little forced.

“Morning, Xi Xi.”

Lin Xi pressed her lips together, her gaze lingering on him for a few seconds before moving to Bai Xu and Qin Yu in turn.

Bai Xu stood ramrod straight, his expression odd, as if he had something to say, but when her eyes met his, he suddenly held back, his gaze desperately evasive.

Qin Yu stood farther back, the most distant from her. He was the calmest, managing to keep his face impassive even now.

“Uh, Bai Xu, come help me turn the car around,” Cheng Si, ever perceptive, directly dragged Bai Xu back into the vehicle.

Normally, Bai Xu would never comply, but given the unusual circumstances, he had no mood for play or spectacle.

The excuse was flimsy, but no one called it out. The two sped off, claiming to turn around up ahead, but their departure suggested they had no intention of returning soon.

After they left, Lin Xi and Qin Yu regarded each other from afar, both appearing indifferent, as if locked in a silent contest, neither willing to speak first.

As if he knew what she needed, Qin Yu’s right hand, which had been tucked in his pocket, slowly lifted, opening in a gesture of embrace.

That simple movement shattered Lin Xi’s façade; her eyes grew moist, vision blurring instantly.

When she saw her brother earlier, she’d already been teetering on the edge of collapse. But her brother disliked seeing her cry.

So she merely reddened her eyes, holding back tears, forcing herself not to break down before him.

She compelled herself to turn away, secretly wiping at the corners of her eyes.

Don’t go over. Don’t cry, Lin Xi.

She warned herself again and again in her heart.

The warmth awaiting her ahead came from a raging fire. Reason and dignity always prevailed, forged into chains that bound her hands and feet, keeping her from falling once more.

Lin Xi drew deep breaths, trying to mend the cracks in her inner walls, so as not to appear too frail.

But things did not go as she wished. Without warning, Qin Yu approached, his familiar presence enveloping her. His strong arms locked around her waist, as if to meld her into himself.

“No one will see, not even me.”

His low, husky voice sounded by her ear, coaxing her.

When his hand gently touched the back of her head, Lin Xi’s eyes stung, her tears breaking free as she sobbed and clung to him.

Her whole body trembled as she cried, choking out, “Qin Yu, I don’t have a brother anymore.”

——

In the distant car, Cheng Si quietly withdrew his gaze, lowered the window, and lit a cigarette.

Bai Xu stared, unblinking, at the two embracing outside, his eyes filled with complex emotion.

Half a cigarette gone, Cheng Si still felt a heaviness in his chest.

They were all trapped in that distant past, unable to let go. And Lin Xi...

First losing both parents, barely escaping with her life. Her body had just started to recover when she received the news of her brother’s passing, never even seeing him one last time.

Cheng Si still remembered, years ago, Lin Xi collapsing in tears right here.

It was their nightmare too.

None of them ever truly moved on; how could Lin Xi withstand such blows?

“What do you think of your old man’s proposal last time?” He glanced up at the rearview mirror, meeting the eyes of the reflection.

“What proposal? An arranged marriage?” Bai Xu asked, “Why, do you have thoughts about it?”

Cheng Si’s words were layered, “I’m afraid I’m not the only one with thoughts.”

A few seconds later, Bai Xu suddenly laughed, “Seems Third Brother has plenty of thoughts.”

Cheng Si raised his brows, implying, “Is it only Third Brother?”

“Who else?”

“That would be best.”

Bai Xu wasn’t the type to let others dictate his life; he pressed, “What are you planning? Want to help Third Brother, or steal her yourself?”

“We all know Lin Xi’s current situation—she’s wary of everyone except Third Brother, who’s the only one she confides in.” Cheng Si appraised him, “Since Third Brother is interested in Lin Xi, why not give him a push?”

“Of course, it won’t work with just me.”

Cheng Si’s intention was for Bai Xu to join him as wingman.

He knew Bai Xu would understand.

Yet Bai Xu refused, “I agree with everything, except your claim that she only confides in Third Brother. That I can’t accept.”

“Are you blind?” Cheng Si gestured outside.

When they were there, Lin Xi had pretended nothing was wrong. But now...

Bai Xu replied, “If we’re talking about who she trusts most, it’s always Second Brother. If I’m to help, it’ll be to bring her and Second Brother together.”

(End of chapter)