The blind boss's nanny

But the eldest brother was incredibly patient. From childhood to adulthood, no matter how much trouble she caused or how many detours she took, her eldest brother always came to her rescue and clear away all obstacles.

Later, Qin Xiu came along. In some ways, he was even more tolerant of her unreasonable demands and whims than her older brother. His meticulous care made her feel safe and at ease.

Lu Tingxi never imagined that these two men, who both held important places in her life, would one day stand on opposite sides, facing a binary choice.

Although she wasn't forced to make a choice right now, it caused her so much pain.

The elder brother's sudden rejection and suspicion of Qin Xiu seemed to arise out of nowhere without warning.

She couldn't understand it, no matter what she did.

On one side is her brother who protected her like a mountain as she grew up; on the other side is the man who gives her warmth and love in the present moment, and almost fulfills all her fantasies about a partner.

Standing in the center of the emotional ruins, she saw for the first time so clearly the destructive impulses within her own character.

In Perth's autumn, the sunlight paints the west coast city golden and bright.

Unlike Sydney's slightly European-style sophistication, Perth has a free-spirited, wild feel. The Swan River, like a shimmering blue ribbon, winds through the city, and in Kings Park along its banks, giant eucalyptus trees and colorful wildflowers sway in the breeze.

Based on the address provided by the housekeeper, Lin Xiaoman easily found Lily's current home... a light yellow detached house in a quiet community in the south of the city.

The house wasn't big, but the front yard was thriving, filled with lavender, roses, and a few lemon trees, with a brightly colored bicycle leaning against the porch.

The door opened, and a gentle-looking white woman appeared in the doorway, looking at her unfamiliar Eastern face with a hint of confusion.

"Hello, are you Mrs. Carter?"

Lin Xiaoman asked politely,

"I am Lin Xiaoman, from China. I... I think I know your daughter Lili, many years ago, in an orphanage in China."

She showed the treasured old photo—in the yard of Sunshine House, 2-year-old Lily with two pigtails, hugging a worn-out teddy bear.

Mrs. Carter took the photo, looked at it carefully, and smiled.

"Oh my goodness... these are such precious memories. Please come in, please come in."

The house was bright and clean, filled with a lively atmosphere. Family photos and children's drawings hung on the walls, and the sweet aroma of baked biscuits filled the air.

"Lily is in her room upstairs."

Mrs. Carter gestured for Lin Xiaoman to sit down and called upstairs.

"Lily! Darling, we have a guest, a friend of yours from your childhood in China!"

Footsteps came from the stairs. Lin Xiaoman stood up involuntarily, her heart pounding even faster.

The girl who came down was about 12 years old. She was tall and wore a comfortable sweatshirt and jeans. Her eyes were clear and she looked at Lin Xiaoman with curiosity.

It was her. Her silhouette still hinted at her childhood features, but the timid little girl was gone, replaced by a confident and cheerful young woman.

"Hi,"

Lily greeted him in slightly accented English, polite but unfamiliar.

Do we know each other?

Lin Xiaoman opened her mouth, then suddenly found her throat tighten. The Chinese greeting she had prepared caught in her throat. She took a deep breath and switched to English, trying to make her voice sound steady:

"Hello, Lily. You...you might not remember. Many years ago, we lived together for a while."

She handed him the photo again.

Lily took the photo, examined it carefully, her brow furrowing slightly as she tried to dig into her memory. After a long while, she looked up, her eyes showing some apology, but more so, acceptance:

"I'm sorry... I don't think I remember very clearly. I was too young then."

There was no exciting reunion as I had imagined, nor a tearful embrace.

Mrs. Carter brought over black tea and freshly baked biscuits, explaining gently:

"When Lily first arrived, it took her a long time to adjust, due to language barriers, the environment..."

Lily nodded, took a bite of the cookie, and naturally began to share her life:

"I'm in the first year of junior high school now. I like drawing and playing tennis. There's an art exhibition at my school next month, and I'll be exhibiting my work."

She pointed to several boldly colored acrylic paintings on the wall, her tone tinged with a hint of pride.

Lin Xiaoman followed her gaze and saw that the paintings depicted the azure coast of Perth, strange dream creatures, and blooming wildflowers... There was no gloom, no fear, only the vibrant and radiant inner world of a young girl.

Perhaps this is the best ending.

This means that her chaotic childhood did not become a burden in her life. The pain of separation has been gently covered by time and the love of new life.

She doesn't need to remember how an older sister named "Lin Xiaoman" clumsily protected her, nor does she need to carry any gratitude or attachment from the past.

She was just Lily Carter, an ordinary girl who grew up in the Perth sun, loved drawing and tennis, and had a bright future ahead of her.

"Your painting is wonderful."

Lin Xiaoman said sincerely, her voice light and cheerful.

I'm proud of you.

Lily smiled happily, revealing her neat teeth.

As Lily left the Carter's house, the setting sun painted the sky a magnificent pink and purple. She and her mother stood in the doorway waving goodbye. Warm light streamed through the windows, outlining the silhouette of a happy family.

On her way back to her lodgings, Lin Xiaoman strolled slowly along the Swan River. The river reflected the sunset and city lights, and the evening breeze carried the slightly fishy smell of the river water and the fragrance of plants.

She felt no disappointment, only a profound and peaceful sense of satisfaction.

"Go see for yourself, go confirm it for yourself."

She was certain. She was certain that the "way out" she and Dean Lin had fought so hard for for the children had borne its most beautiful fruit in a girl named Lily...

An ordinary, stable, and cherished upbringing, with the right to choose one's hobbies and future.

This is enough.

She took out her phone, snapped a picture of the dreamy sunset over the Swan River, and saved it to her album.

Perhaps one day, she will show this photo to someone she cares about and tell them: Look, the little girl I once worried about is doing very well on the other side of the world.

The moment this thought arose, a clear image uncontrollably occupied the screen of her mind:

Deep-set eyes, a straight nose, and thin lips that were always pursed, but would occasionally curve into a smile for her.

Her fingertip hovered over the familiar number on her phone screen for a long time, until the screen went dark. But in the end, she dialed Dang Shen's number instead.