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Ayan winked mischievously at Sister Tao'er, the liveliness still lingering on his brow, as if he had just finished a little prank and was savoring it with satisfaction.

But he was still a child, and drowsiness came quickly. In no time, his eyelashes drooped heavily, his breathing became long and steady, he rubbed his little face against the pillow, found a comfortable position, and fell into a deep sleep.

Tao'er smiled gently, then shook her head. "Kids will be kids, they fell asleep in no time."

At that moment, Dongkui, who had pretended to go to the outhouse, quietly pushed open the door and returned.

She tiptoed in and immediately saw Ah Yan, who was fast asleep on the bed. She softened her steps and a look of relief appeared on her face.

She sat down next to Tao'er and asked in a low voice, "Sister Tao'er, what did Seventh Brother come here for just now?"

"Did they come to apologize to you?"

As Dongkui spoke, a mischievous smile played at the corners of her eyes and brows, as she glanced at Tao'er's expression.

This was the first time she had ever seen Sister Tao yell at Seventh Brother!

She was startled, thinking that Tao'er was usually very kind to Brother Shi Qi, so why was she so angry with him today?

Tao'er was sitting on the edge of the bed tucking the blanket around Ayan when she heard this. Her hands paused slightly, and she looked up at Dongkui, a faint smile appearing on her lips.

She nodded, then shook her head.

Dongkui was completely confused by her reaction, tilting her head and blinking: "Little sister Tao'er, what... what do you mean by nodding and shaking your head like that?"

Tao'er pulled Ayan's blanket down further to make sure the night wind wouldn't get in through the gaps before straightening up and saying softly, "Seventh Brother Shi came mainly to apologize to Ayan, and also apologized to me."

She spoke casually, as if the matter had little to do with her. There was no sense of grievance or resentment in her tone; rather, it was as if she were stating a perfectly ordinary fact.

Upon hearing this, Dongkui couldn't help but chuckle, then asked with a hint of inquiry, "Sister Tao'er, I don't think so."

He's usually such a steady person. If he hadn't angered you, why would he have bothered to come over so late at night?

He did want to apologize to Ayan, but he could have apologized to Ayan tomorrow morning.

Kids are easy to coax and soothe!

In my opinion, he probably came mainly to apologize to you...

Upon hearing this, Tao'er shook her head indifferently, the faint smile on her lips not fading, but only showing a hint of disdain.

She didn't delve into Dongkui's words; it wasn't a big deal to begin with.

She was speaking rashly and yelled at Xiao Yi.

Because of Ayan, this matter was over and done with, and she didn't take it to heart at all.

It's just that Dongkui is too much of a worry...

Tao patted Dongkui on the shoulder and laughed, "It's not important."

Dongkui was about to make another joke when Tao'er shut her up with her next words.

"The important thing is that he apologized to Ayan."

Tao'er raised her head, her gaze passing over Dongkui's shoulder and landing on Ayan's peaceful sleeping face on the couch. In those eyes was a gentleness and firmness that Dongkui knew all too well. "It's good that Ayan isn't sad anymore."

She spoke very softly, as if afraid of disturbing the child's dream.

Dongkui looked at her, then at Ayan. She opened her mouth as if to say something, but in the end she just sighed softly and reached out to hold Tao'er's hand.

"Tao'er, you are so good to the young master!"

Just like his own sister.

Dongkui knew that Tao'er was protecting Ayan today.

Tao'er patted her hand in return, as if to say, "The young master was entrusted to me by the old lady on her deathbed, so of course I have to treat him well!"

At first, it was because of the system's arrangement that she had to protect Ayan's life, otherwise she wouldn't be able to survive either.

Now she truly treats Ayan like a younger brother.

After spending a lot of time together, they eventually developed a sibling-like bond.

This is only human nature!

"Yes, Peach Sister, I will also be good to the young master."

Of course they'll treat you well!

Dongkui's eyes instantly reddened as she spoke.

Seeing Dongkui's reaction, Tao'er changed the subject, her tone slightly mischievous: "Sister Dongkui, you weren't just going to the outhouse, were you?"

Did you go to see Brother Qingfeng?

This Sister Dongkui is great in every way, except she cries tears all the time.

She didn't want to see Sister Dongkui shed tears.

Caught off guard by her sudden question, Dongkui's smile froze for a moment, and a blush crept up her ears: "What nonsense are you talking about? I, of course I'm going to..."

Actually, she was just taking a walk in the courtyard to digest her food, but she actually ran into Qingfeng, and the two of them went for a walk outside before returning.

"Oh?" Tao'er interrupted her unhurriedly, tilting her head slightly, her tone carrying a hint of leisurely enjoyment, "Then how come I saw Brother Qingfeng standing outside the courtyard just now?"

Sister Dongkui's outhouse is quite far; it's even outside the yard.

Dongkui's face flushed bright red instantly, and she reached out to pinch Tao'er's lips: "You little rascal, when did your mouth become so sharp!"

As they spent more time together, Dongkui became less reserved than at the beginning, and they became like sisters, often playing and joking around.

Tao'er nimbly dodged backward, laughing and begging for mercy: "Okay, okay, I won't say anymore, I won't say anymore."

But even though she said she wouldn't say anything more, the smile in her eyes was impossible to hide; they were sparkling like a little mouse that had stolen some oil.

Dongkui glared at her, embarrassed and annoyed, then turned her head away, pretending to tidy up the not-so-messy tea set on the table. But the blush had already spread from her ears to her neck and wouldn't go away.

Knowing she had won, Tao stopped teasing her. Instead, she rested her chin on her hand, her tone becoming more serious, and said softly, "Sister Dongkui, there's something I've always wanted to tell you."

"What is it?" Dongkui asked with a smile.

"I think Brother Qingfeng is a pretty good person."

Tao'er's voice wasn't loud, but every word was clear.

Why don't you marry him?

He has feelings for you, and you have feelings for him too.

If you two are truly in love, I can arrange a wedding for you once you've settled down.

Then Sister Dongkui can live with Brother Qingfeng and won't have to stay with me and Ayan all the time.

When she said these words, there was not a trace of probing in her tone; she was genuinely concerned for Dongkui's future, and even carried the solemnity of an older sister worrying about her younger sister's lifelong happiness, despite being a few years younger than Dongkui.

Dongkui stopped what she was doing.

She slowly turned around, the shyness on her face had mostly faded, replaced by a complex expression—a mixture of emotion, heartache, and a hint of stubbornness that was hard to define.

She did not deny it.

She just stood there, eyes downcast, silent for a long while, then nodded gently.

Winter Sunflower's voice was low, like a feather falling on water, yet creating ripples, "Sister Peach, I have feelings for Qingfeng..."

I do have some feelings for her.

He has indeed treated me very well.

Marrying him wouldn't be a bad thing.

Tao'er was happy for her but also felt a pang of reluctance. She was about to say something when Dong Kui's next words completely shut her up.