Even as a "normie," I'm completely oblivious to it.

(I.e.

Zheping lay on the bed and pulled the blanket over himself. It was a bit hot, so he just covered his legs a little bit.

He slowly closed his eyes...

My mind started racing with all sorts of problems I might encounter on tomorrow's trip.

Okay, I'm sure I'm not sleepy.

It was close to midnight.

Boom, boom.

There was a light knock on the door twice.

It was very gentle and rhythmic.

Is that Yun'er?

That makes sense. She would come to raid him several times a week, and Yu Zhe would usually be asleep by then. The next day, he would find Yun'er lying next to him. If he could get up, that was fine, but if he couldn't get up and Zi Xiao found out, he would get a scolding.

Even after being scolded several times, Yun'er was still happy to do it and always tried to find ways to crawl into Yu Zhe's bed.

Did you learn your lesson this time? You even know to knock on the door; that's an improvement.

Yu Zhe then turned over and faced the door.

"Yun'er? Come in, I'm awake."

The room door opened in response.

The door opened very quietly, as if deliberately trying not to make any noise.

Yu Zhe squinted and looked towards the doorway in the dim light of the nightlight.

Ok?

It wasn't Yun'er standing there.

Instead, it was Zixiao with black hair, wearing a thin nightgown.

She looked left and right at the door, as if to make sure Yun'er hadn't come over, before stepping inside with peace of mind and closing the door again.

"Zixiao?"

"Shh! Brother, keep your voice down, don't wake her up. I just saw that she was asleep."

"Ha...probably to conserve energy for tomorrow's itinerary? It's good to go to bed early. But you...why aren't you asleep at this hour?"

"I can't sleep."

"What a coincidence..."

So you can't sleep either?

Mo Lingyun had spent too much time in that isolated little village before, and when she heard that she could go on a round-the-world trip tomorrow, she didn't want to miss any of the scenery, so she washed up and went to bed around nine o'clock, and she had just barely fallen asleep.

Zixiao also went back to her room and lay down around the same time. If it were just the anticipation of the trip, she could have fallen asleep.

But she had other things on her mind... that she wanted to tell Yu Zhe.

Yu Zhe sat up and leaned against the wall, making room for Zi Xiao.

He patted the empty space on the bed.

"Can't sleep? Come sit down and chat for a bit~"

"Um..."

Zixiao had originally planned it that way too.

She walked to Yu Zhe's bedside and gracefully sat down, supporting his cascading black hair.

Yu Zhe was certainly able to notice these small details.

"what happened?"

"Ah...nothing? Why do you ask?"

"You... can't I see what's on your mind? You're obviously much more reserved than usual, aren't you? I'm afraid it's not just because of travel anxiety? What's wrong? Tell me."

"..."

how to say.

Zixiao felt that it was wonderful to be understood. Her brother had always been like this since she was little, able to see through even the deepest emotions hidden in her heart. This subtle care had truly accompanied Zixiao since she left the orphanage, all the way to the present day.

"Then... shall I tell you?"

"Just tell me, what's there to hide from me?"

"About what happened at noon today..." Zixiao's voice suddenly became very soft.

Yu Zhe leaned closer and asked, "Hmm? What?"

"You went to Xiaomeng's house at noon today, and... nothing happened between you two, right..."

puff!

I shouldn't have let you say it!

Yu Zhe was struck hard.

"Why are you suddenly asking this?!"

"Because it was a full four hours! My brother was out for a full four hours!"

"Oh no...we were having dinner at Xiaomeng's house, so we stayed a little longer..."

Zixiao was momentarily distracted and suddenly realized that what she was doing was quite unreasonable.

It's late at night...it's time to sleep, she didn't come to question me...

Seriously, once the jealousy jar is overturned, she can't even control herself. It's really outrageous.

Zixiao took a deep breath.

Then he asked.

"So...you didn't do anything, right?"

I'm so sure I care!

It's impossible not to ask and find out!

"no!"

Yu Zhe assured him firmly.

So that's how it is... Zixiao has overturned her jealousy again.

Sigh... Yu Zhe also knows that she is the most sensitive to these things among the girls around her, and this is just commonplace... no, wait.

That's not right.

In the past, Zixiao was always very sensible when she was jealous, and she would never say such things at her bedtime to disturb Yuzhe's rest.

Since she's said that now, it means...

Zixiao is really uneasy right now.

In other words, this time, she was truly jealous to the point of feeling unbearable.

Yu Zhe put away his cheerful expression.

16. Family

When she came to her senses, Yu Zhe had already gently placed his palm on the top of her head and stroked it lightly.

Without needing many words, Yu Zhe has been using this subtle gesture on Zi Xiao since they were children.

It wasn't a performance; it was a natural act that came from his heart.

Because my Zixiao is so lovable... I can't help but want to cherish and protect her feelings.

Zixiao squinted her eyes to feel it; even though she was an adult, she could never forget this eternal tenderness.

It has nothing to do with age.

"I'm so sorry... Zixiao, I've always made you worry so much." Yu Zhe felt genuinely guilty. "Maybe I've been too selfish... I can't let go of any of you, so I haven't been able to fully consider your feelings and have hurt you. I'm so sorry..."

Don't say that!

Zixiao raised her hands above her head and grasped Yuzhe's hands.

"It's my own fault... I promised to support you, but I'm always so competitive. Today is no exception... It's already time to rest, but I came to bother you, brother. I'm so sorry!"

More than words.

Yu Zhe gently pulled Zi Xiao into his arms.

He gently patted her back rhythmically while telling her his innermost thoughts.

“Zixiao... Being competitive isn't wrong, everyone is like that. The root of all the problems is still because of me... But I won't regret the path I chose. And following this path is my responsibility to take care of you all... especially your emotions. I've clearly not done a good job in that regard. I'm afraid you've been worried about this for quite some time now…”

"Waaah..."

Having the essence of the matter gently explained, Zixiao was no longer able to discuss it theoretically with Yuzhe.

She buried her head in Yu Zhe's chest and sobbed softly.

This is her grievance.

This year, Yu Zhe picked so many wildflowers, which caused her some grievances.

Even if you say you don't care and that you understand, how could you possibly feel really happy about it?

It's really upsetting!

“Zixiao…”

Yu Zhe wrapped his arms around her.

The weather wasn't cold; in fact, it was a bit hot. But Yu Zhe still pulled over a thin blanket to cover her.

Because... he remembered Zixiao saying when they were little that she liked this feeling the most.

Snuggled in bed, nestled against Yu Zhe's chest, I felt an indescribable sense of security and contentment.