This director only directs blockbusters.

When Yang Ning woke up, the sky outside the window was just beginning to lighten.

A gap was left in the curtains, and a beam of grayish-white light cut diagonally across the floor.

There was a special scent in the air—like the lingering warmth of last night, mixed with her faint, clean fragrance, creating a unique tranquility in this early morning.

He moved slightly and felt a deep warmth in his chest.

Looking down, Xue Kaiqi was lying on his side next to him, fast asleep.

The morning light peeked in through the crack and fell right on her face.

Her skin was fair and radiant, with faint marks from the pillow still visible on her cheeks, and her long eyelashes drooping down.

Her breathing was light and even, carrying the vitality unique to her age.

Twenty-two years old.

Yang Ningjing looked quietly at the number that represented youth. She leaned against it with a relaxed air, her body heat seeping through the fabric, warm and comforting.

She suddenly stirred, unconsciously nuzzling against his neck, mumbled something indistinctly, and then fell into a deep sleep again.

Yang Ning shifted her body slightly.

She seemed to sense something, and instead of loosening her grip, she pressed herself even closer, burying her face deeply in his shoulder.

The morning light moved slowly through the room, gradually changing from gray to pale gold. Yang Ning turned her head and looked at the sleeping face so close to hers—her eyelashes fluttered, and she groggily opened her eyes.

"...Director Yang?" The voice was full of a hazy and soft tone, as if the person was still half asleep.

He didn't answer, but simply raised his hand and gently brushed away the stray hairs from her forehead.

She was startled at first, then her eyes gradually cleared. When his hand stroked her cheek, she subconsciously raised her hand, her fingers gently resting on his wrist, as if in silent confirmation.

The morning light grew brighter, casting a warm honey hue over the room through the curtains.

The room was quiet, with only the sound of breathing gradually synchronizing.

Her eyes were looking at him, reflecting the light from the window, clear and focused.

Yang Ning has had many experiences. In both his previous and current lives, he has witnessed all sorts of human nature.

But Xue Kaiqi is different—her reaction has an unadorned sincerity.

Every glance exchanged was tinged with cautious probing, and every response revealed an awkward yet earnest sincerity.

When she held her breath slightly due to nervousness, and when her eyes reddened as she tried to suppress her emotions, something in Yang Ning's heart was gently touched.

In this industry, it's rare to see someone so pure at twenty-two. Its rarity makes him feel it deserves serious attention.

It's not about promising forever, but at least there should be a serious explanation. We can't just casually pretend nothing happened.

Perhaps this is a common flaw in men; a woman who has given her virginity to them always holds a special place in their hearts.

As the sunlight gradually brightened, the entire room was enveloped in a warm glow.

Yang Ning propped himself up and looked at her. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes were wet and unfocused, and her chest was rising and falling slightly.

A few strands of hair clung to the side of her neck, gleaming softly in the morning light.

He leaned down and gently kissed her forehead.

She let out a soft murmur and wrapped her arms around him.

Throughout the process, Yang Ning could clearly sense her nervousness and awkwardness.

She doesn't know how to hide her emotions, and every reaction is straightforward and sincere.

She wasn't very good at flattering him; she just followed his guidance instinctively.

But it is precisely in this awkwardness that there is a wholehearted dedication—she reveals her most authentic self without reservation.

As everything gradually calmed down, the light filtering through the curtains became dazzling.

The details in the room became clear in the morning light—a half-full glass of water on the bedside table, a white dress and his T-shirt on the floor, and her long hair scattered on the pillow.

Xue Kaiqi leaned on his shoulder, her breathing not yet fully calm. Her face was pressed against his chest, and she could clearly feel her rapid heartbeat.

Yang Ning gently stroked her long hair, one stroke at a time, tenderly and slowly.

"...Are you alright?" he asked, his voice low and hoarse.

She shook her head, then nodded, and finally said very softly, "It's a little... different."

Then he immediately added, "But... the good ones are different."

Yang Ning didn't speak, but continued to gently stroke her hair.

He understood what this moment meant to her—not just a morning, but an important delivery.

She gave him her most precious trust, and whatever the reason, he must cherish this sentiment.

It took her a while to recover, and she tilted her head slightly to look at him.

His eyes were still moist, his cheeks were flushed, but his gaze was bright, surprisingly bright.

"Director Yang..." she said in a hoarse voice.

"Um?"

"I just..." she paused, as if confirming something, "Was I dreaming?"

Yang Ning stared at her.

The bright morning light made her entire face glow. Her skin was fair, and her eyes were clear and pure, without any calculation or weighing of options; she was simply looking at him.

He lowered his head and gently kissed her eyelashes.

Her eyelashes trembled, and she closed her eyes.

"It's not a dream," he said.

She opened her eyes, looked at him, and her eyes instantly reddened.

Yang Ning didn't let her cry.

"Xue Kaiqi." He called her by her full name, not "Xiao Xue" or any other name.

"...Hmm?" she responded, her voice nasal.

"Don't call me Director Yang anymore," he said.

She paused, then blinked.

"So... what's it called?"

"Call me brother," Yang Ning said naturally. "When we get to Hong Kong, if anyone asks, just say I'm your brother. The sworn brother kind."

Xue Kaiqi opened his eyes wide, seemingly not having reacted yet.

Why?

"Are you stupid? Why do you think that is?" Yang Ning looked at her. "It's not good for a young actress to get too close to a director if word gets out."

If you say you're siblings, people will be more discreet. But if someone really tries to make things difficult for you, they'd better think twice.

He paused, looking at her intently. This girl had given him her most precious trust, and he couldn't let her suffer any injustice in Hong Kong.

In this industry, a newcomer with no background, especially a girl, is very easy to be taken advantage of.

He had to give her a title—not that kind of title, but a title that would protect her and prevent others from easily bullying her.

"I've got it," Yang Ning continued, his tone calm as ever. "In Hong Kong, whatever happens, don't be afraid. If someone makes things difficult for you, just mention my name. If that still doesn't work, just call me."

He looked at her and spoke clearly, word by word:

"With my current position, I can handle most things for you."

Xue Kaiqi looked at him, and tears finally fell.

It wasn't a loud cry, just a quiet flow, one drop after another, sliding down his cheeks and dripping onto his chest. Warm, drop by drop.

She didn't wipe her tears, but just stared at him, her eyes unblinking, letting the tears slide down her cheeks.

"Brother..." she tried to call out, her voice small and trembling with tears.

"Um."

"...In all my life," she sniffed, her voice trembling, "no one...no one has ever cared about me like this, never thought about me."

Yang Ning didn't say anything, he just watched her cry quietly.

She buried her face in his chest again, her shoulders trembling slightly. At first, it was slight, but the trembling became more and more obvious. She didn't make a sound, just cried silently.

Tears soaked the fabric of his shirt. Yang Ning knew from his previous life how much pressure and harm this girl's family of origin had brought her. Her father went bankrupt and her parents divorced, which caused her to suffer from depression.

Of course, since this life is a repeat of the tragedy of his previous life, it will certainly not be repeated in his life.

After a while, the crying gradually subsided. She raised her head, her eyes red and swollen, but her gaze was unusually bright, as if two small flames were burning within them.

"I will act well," she said, her voice still thick with a nasal tone, but each word was spoken clearly. "I won't let you down. I definitely won't."

Yang Ning nodded.

"I know."

She laughed, but tears streamed down her face as she laughed. She hurriedly wiped them away with the back of her hand, but the more she wiped, the more tears flowed. In the end, she felt a little embarrassed and buried her face in his chest, muttering, "...It's so embarrassing."

Yang Ning gently patted her back without saying a word.

He knew in his heart that this care was not only because of her purity—but also because she had given him that purity without reservation.

In this circle, genuine feelings are so rare, so rare that they deserve his extra effort.

Outside the window, it was completely light.

Sunlight streamed in through the gaps in the curtains, transforming into a bright beam that slanted across the foot of the bed, with tiny dust particles floating in the light.

Xue Kaiqi gradually calmed down and leaned back against his chest, his fingers unconsciously drawing circles on the sheets.

"Brother," she called again, this time much more smoothly.

"Um?"

"What you just said..." she paused, her voice very soft, "were you serious?"

"What are you thinking? You're definitely serious." Yang Ning touched Xue Kaiqi's hair, the messy ends making his collagen-rich face look even more charming and beautiful.

He was serious. Having accepted this precious trust, he deserved an explanation.

In this complicated circle, giving her the title of "younger sister" would at least reduce her suffering. And all of this is just a small favor for me, requiring no price to pay.

But even with such a simple act, many people would pay a huge price to obtain such leverage; this has always been the rule of how society operates.

She remained silent for a moment.

Then she looked up at him.

His eyes were still red and swollen, but something had settled in his gaze, heavy and unwavering, as if he had made a firm decision.

"I'll remember that," she said.

Yang Ning stared at her.

At this moment, Xue Kaiqi, who was 22 years old, seemed to have undergone a subtle change.

It wasn't a dramatic change like growing up overnight, but rather a more subtle transformation—her eyes held more confidence and less fear.

It was as if she had finally become certain that she had a mountain behind her that she could rely on, a mountain that could protect her from the storms.

"Okay," he said.

She smiled, a clean smile this time, without tears. Then she pressed her face back against his chest, nuzzling him contentedly.

The two lay there quietly, neither of them speaking.

The sunlight slowly crept up the edge of the bed, warmly bathing my skin. A lazy, peaceful atmosphere filled the air.

Xue Kaiqi suddenly spoke, his voice muffled against his chest:

"elder brother."

"Um?"

"I feel now..."

"What do you think?"

She thought about it.

"It feels so good to have someone to rely on," she said, her voice tinged with a hint of shyness yet also very honest.

Yang Ning did not respond.

But a slight smile played on his lips. That was good. At least this girl wouldn't be so easily bullied in Hong Kong from now on.

Now that he had accepted her trust, he should do something. This would be a way of returning that precious favor.

Outside the window, Beijing's morning has officially begun. The sounds of traffic and faint human voices drift from afar, and the breath of life flows in from all directions.

She shifted in his arms, finding a more comfortable position, and closed her eyes.

"I'll lie here for another ten minutes," she said softly, as if negotiating with herself. "Just ten minutes, then I'll leave."

Yang Ning stared at the ceiling, which had faint water stains left over the years.

"What are you thinking? Lie down for as long as you want. Don't stand on ceremony with me. I want you to be your most authentic self and be happy with yourself."

The sunlight grew warmer and warmer, spreading from my toes all over my body.

He didn't move.

Just lie there, let her lean against me, and listen to her breathing gradually become steady.

Ten minutes later, she got up as expected. She knew her man had a lot to do, and she couldn't be an obstacle to his career. She had to work even harder to become someone who could keep up with him.

She tiptoed out of bed, picked up her dress from the floor, put it on, and walked barefoot into the bathroom. She could hear the soft sound of running water coming from inside.

After a while, she came out, her face clean and her hair neatly tied back into a ponytail.

She stood by the bed, looking at him who was still lying there.

"Brother," she said, the way she addressed him now sounding much more natural, "I'm leaving."

Yang Ning nodded.

She walked to the door, put her hand on the doorknob, and then turned back.

"Um..." She paused, as if organizing her thoughts, and finally said very seriously, "I will try my best. Really."

Yang Ning looked at her face in the morning light; it was clean and her eyes were clear. This girl had given him her most precious trust, and he had to protect her.

This industry is too complicated. Having the title of "older brother" at least makes some people more cautious.

"I know, I've always known, my Qiqi is the best, keep it up."

She smiled and opened the door.

The door closed gently with a soft "click".

The room fell completely silent.

Yang Ning lay down for a while, then got up and walked to the window, lifting a corner of the curtain.

Downstairs, the white figure emerged from the building entrance and stood by the roadside waiting for a car. The morning sunlight shone brightly on her, making her white dress dazzling.

She seemed to sense something, and suddenly looked up towards his window.

Yang Ning stood behind the curtains, motionless.

She saw him, waved at him, not a big wave, but with a lot of force.

Just then, a car arrived—a yellow taxi. She opened the door, got in, and closed it.

The car drove away, turned the corner, and disappeared from sight.

Yang Ning stood by the window and gazed for a long time.

Then he took out a cigarette and lit it.

The smoke rose slowly in the morning light, swirling and dissipating. He remembered her words from earlier—

"It feels so good to have someone to rely on."

He exhaled a wisp of smoke, gazing at the bustling streets outside the window.

That's good. Since she's placed her trust in him, he should do something about it.

In this circle, the title of "older brother" and the promise of care were his way of returning the favor. It wasn't much, but it was thoughtful enough.

The sunlight outside the window was warm and bright, illuminating this morning that had just begun.