Going home for the New Year during the winter break, I encountered a cool school girl on the high-sp

On the way back, the roads were unusually empty, with hardly any vehicles in sight.

Thanks to a smooth journey, they arrived home in just half an hour.

At this time, Liu Xiuying and Chen Jianwen had already fallen asleep.

In the yard, Da Huang heard the sound of the car returning and darted out of the woodshed in a flash.

Upon seeing Lin Muxi, it became extremely excited, wagging its tail happily and rushing over.

Lin Muxi smiled and patted Da Huang's head, saying softly, "Da Huang, you're still awake?"

Chen Chen, familiar with the place, fumbled around for a while and quickly found a key.

He skillfully used the key to open the door leading to the second floor.

Chen Chen stepped inside first, gently pressed the switch on the wall, and the dim light instantly filled the staircase.

"Let's go upstairs and rest." He turned around and gently called to Lin Muxi and Qin Yao.

The two followed behind Chen Chen, carefully stepping up the stairs.

Once on the second floor, Qin Yao eagerly took Lin Muxi's arm, leaned slightly forward, and rested her head on Lin Muxi's shoulder.

"It's a promise, you'll sleep with me tonight. Senior, you shouldn't mind, right?"

Qin Yao looked at Chen Chen, blinking repeatedly.

It’s hard to say no.

Lin Muxi was slightly taken aback. She first looked at Qin Yao, who was standing next to her with an expectant expression, and then subconsciously turned her gaze to Chen Chen, her eyes showing a hint of hesitation and contemplation.

"Senior, I..."

Chen Chen smiled slightly and said:

"It's Yao Yao's first time visiting our home, so it's only right that you keep her company. Don't overthink it, just get some rest."

Lin Muxi nodded slightly, a faint, apologetic smile appearing on her lips: "Alright then, senior, you should get some rest too."

After saying that, he was pulled by Qin Yao and walked towards the guest room.

Chen Chen stood quietly for a while, until he watched them gently close the door, then he turned around and went back to his own room.

I had just sat down in the chair when a cell phone suddenly rang in the quiet room.

Chen Chen looked in the direction of the sound, reached for the phone and saw that the screen displayed "Zhou Yuyang" as the caller ID.

He thought for a moment, then raised his hand and pressed the answer button.

"Chen Ergou." Zhou Yuyang's familiar voice came from the other end of the phone.

Chen Chen asked, "Zhou Dagou, why are you calling at this hour? What's up?"

There was a brief silence on the other end of the phone, so quiet you could even hear soft breathing, before Zhou Yuyang slowly spoke:

"Yaoyao...is she with you?"

Chen Chen's heart skipped a beat, and he asked with amusement, "Yes, you're quite well-informed."

There was another silence on the other end of the phone, this time longer, as if Zhou Yuyang was going through a fierce internal struggle.

After a long pause, he said somewhat awkwardly, "I...I'm with you. I hope I didn't cause you any trouble?"

Chen Chen leaned back against the headboard, his body in a relaxed posture. He casually picked up a pillow from the bed and fiddled with it between his fingertips.

"She's Xiaoxi's best friend, we're all friends, there's no trouble at all. I just took her out for fun. If you care about her so much, why don't you call her and ask her yourself?"

"I... well, you should take good care of her." Zhou Yuyang's tone betrayed a hint of unease.

"You don't need to tell me specifically, I know what I'm doing."

"Well... nothing's wrong, that's fine."

Zhou Yuyang seemed to speak somewhat hastily.

Just as Zhou Yuyang was about to hang up, Chen Chen raised his voice and called out to him:
"Zhou the Big Dog".

Upon hearing this shout, Zhou Yuyang on the other end of the phone involuntarily paused, his movements instantly freezing.

Chen Chen paused slightly, as if choosing his words carefully, before slowly saying:

"Yuyang, if two people really don't feel right being together, there's no need to force yourself to continue."

Zhou Yuyang blurted out without even thinking, her tone resolute:

"impossible!"

Chen Chen sighed softly and patiently said:

"You two have only been together for a short time, and all sorts of problems have already started to emerge one after another."

You really need to think carefully about whether there's any point in you two continuing to be together.

"Chen Ergou!" Zhou Yuyang's voice instantly rose, filled with obvious annoyance.
"I've always considered you my best buddy, but instead of wishing me a smooth and happy life, you actually say things like this! What kind of brother are you?"

Chen Chen was not angry at Zhou Yuyang's annoyance, and said in a gentle tone:

“I know you consider me a brother, and that’s why I don’t want to see you get caught up in a problematic relationship.”

"Calm down and think about it. These problems aren't minor; they're already affecting your relationship."

"I do not care!"

Zhou Yuyang's voice carried a hint of stubbornness.
"Relationships are never smooth sailing. Isn't it normal to have some problems? How can you say you're not compatible and want to break up just because of this?"

Chen Chen rubbed his temples and continued to persuade him:
“I understand that relationships need time to work things out, but if some issues touch on fundamental issues, such as values ​​or lifestyles, then there will only be constant friction. Every time you two have a conflict, do you feel good about it?”

"So what!"

Zhou Yuyang snorted coldly, "It's painful as it is, but I just don't want to give up. I love her, and I believe we can solve all these problems."

Chen Chen was silent for a moment, then slowly spoke:
“I can understand your persistence and love, which shows that you are a sentimental person. But love cannot last on passion alone; it requires both parties to work together and face these problems together. Have you ever thought that every time you solve one problem, a new one follows?”

There was silence on the other end of the line.

Zhou Yuyang's voice was filled with helplessness and frustration; even his usual vigor had vanished. He seemed to have lost all support, and said dejectedly:
"Can't you just hope for something better about me a little more?"

Hearing Zhou Yuyang's dejected voice on the other end of the phone, Chen Chen couldn't help but feel a sense of worry and helplessness.

He softened his tone and said earnestly:

"Yuyang, of course I want you to be well. Precisely because we're brothers, I don't want to see you get deeper and deeper into a relationship that might not be right for you."

"Think about it calmly. Is the conflict between you really a small problem?"

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone, then Zhou Yuyang's voice came through again, tinged with a sob:
“I know we have problems, but I really like her and have given so much. I can’t just give up.”

Chen Chen sighed softly, leaned against the headboard, and stared at the ceiling, saying:
"I understand how you feel. When it comes to feelings, once you've given your heart, you can't just let go."

But if we continue to make do like this, do you think the final outcome will be good? You might end up hurting even more. (End of Chapter)