Brother! This is the adoption certificate. I don't want your sister-in-law!

The two left the police station and walked slowly along the street.

Su Xiao originally wanted to take a taxi directly to eat, but Su Wan Ning kept her head down and took small, slow steps, as if she was being dragged down by heavy thoughts.

He glanced back at her, didn't urge her, and slowed his pace as well.

The shadows of the plane trees along the street fell on her, making her look hazy and gray.

When they arrived at the restaurant, Su Xiao ordered several dishes, all of which were Su Wan Ning's favorites.

When the dishes were served, she picked up her chopsticks, poked at the rice, and didn't put it in her mouth for a long time.

Su Xiao put a piece of sweet and sour pork ribs into her bowl, but she didn't look up and just ate her rice in small bites.

Unlike Su Wan Ning's sullen expression, Su Xiao's face occasionally flashed a smile, as if she had something happy on her mind.

Su Wan Ning finally noticed. She put down her chopsticks and poked the back of his hand: "What are you laughing at?"

Su Xiao snapped out of her daze and quickly forced a smile down her face.

He coughed and said seriously, "It's nothing, I'm just happy to think that after graduation I'll be able to marry such a cute and beautiful younger sister."

After saying that, he smiled at her again, revealing a row of white teeth.

Su Wan Ning looked at him like this and was speechless, but the stuffiness in her heart was finally dispelled a little.

She lowered her head, took a bite of the rib, and didn't say anything more.

Su Xiao pressed her advantage, placing two more bites of food on her plate before waving to the waiter: "Bring a bottle of beer."

Su Wan Ning looked up at him: "Why are you drinking?"

Su Xiao took a plastic cup, poured in the beer, and the foam rose up and overflowed to the rim of the cup.

He said, "I'm happy, today is a good day."

Then he tilted his head back and gulped down a huge mouthful.

He drank quickly, and the wine dripped down the corners of his mouth and onto his collar, leaving a strong smell of alcohol.

Su Wanning frowned.

She glanced at the half-empty bottle of beer beside him and suddenly said, "I want some too."

Su Xiao was stunned for a moment.

He put down his cup and looked at her: "Why?"

Su Wan Ning put down her chopsticks, slightly raised her chin, and said with a stubborn tone, "I want to be happy too."

Su Xiao was both amused and exasperated.

But seeing her stubborn little expression, he still took a clean cup and poured her a small amount.

"It's agreed, just a sip, no overindulgence."

Su Wan Ning took the cup and looked down at the thin layer of yellow liquid.

She brought her nose close and smelled it.

Her sense of smell was naturally more sensitive than most people's, and the smell of alcohol immediately made her frown.

Seeing this, Su Xiao quickly reached for the cup: "Never mind, never mind, don't drink it."

Su Wan Ning slapped his hand away.

She took a deep breath, as if she had made a major decision, then picked up her glass and took a small sip.

Just that one tiny bite.

The next second, all her facial features contorted together.

Her eyebrows were furrowed, her eyes were squinted, and her mouth was wide open, her delicate little face scrunched up in a frown.

Su Xiao felt both sorry for her and amused. He snatched the cup from her, grabbed a tissue to wipe her mouth, and muttered, "What are you trying to prove?"

After saying that, he drank the rest of the wine in his glass in one gulp.

Su Wanning didn't speak; she just sat quietly, looking at the bowls and plates in front of her.

Su Xiao knew why she insisted on taking that sip.

She must have heard someone say that drinking can make people happy and help them forget their troubles.

But that little bit of alcohol didn't make her happy, nor did it make her forget anything.

The brand-new household registration booklet was still in her pocket, hard as a small stone.

After finishing their meal, Su Xiao paid the bill, and the two left the restaurant.

The night breeze was cooler than in the evening, and it felt refreshing on her face. Su Xiao walked ahead, took a few steps, and then reached out to grab something, only to find her hand empty.

He looked back and saw Su Wanning still slowly moving a few steps away.

She lowered her head, her shadow stretched long and thin by the streetlight.

Su Xiao sighed, turned around and walked back.

He stood in front of her, reached out and pinched her cheek: "Are you so sad?"

Su Wan Ning didn't answer, only hummed through her nose, her long eyelashes drooping down, almost showing her sullenness on her face.

Su Xiao knew that she was still upset about the household registration booklet.

He opened his mouth, wanting to say something to coax her.

Before she could finish speaking, Su Wan Ning suddenly looked up.

Her eyes were brimming with tears, and the light from the streetlamp fell on the teardrops, making them sparkle like shattered stars scattered on the ground.

She spoke through choked sobs, her voice hoarse and soft, yet each word was emphasized: "Brother, I am yours in life and in death. No matter what, you can't abandon me."

Su Xiao was stunned.

He looked into her eyes, into the fear hidden within them that he hadn't usually noticed.

That unease was deeper than all her usual little tantrums and whining.

She was afraid, she was really afraid.

She was afraid he would leave, afraid he would abandon her, afraid he would erase her from his life again.

Just like that household registration book, once you turn the page, you only see her.

Su Xiao felt as if something had squeezed her heart tightly.

He thought about what he needed to do.

Thinking about the things that might happen in the future, things he hasn't told her yet.

Guilt surged up like a tidal wave, almost engulfing him.

He smiled faintly and reached out to tuck the wind-blown hair from her forehead behind her ear.

"Silly girl, why are you saying all this?" He opened his arms and pulled her into his embrace.

Su Wan Ning pressed herself against his chest, her hands gripping his shirt tightly from behind, as if trying to meld him into her own body.

She held him very tightly, as if if she let go, he would turn into a gust of wind and slip away from her arms.

Su Xiao gently patted her back until her breathing calmed down, then released her, squatted down, and looked up at her: "Do you want your brother to carry you back?"

Su Wan Ning wiped her eyes, sniffed, and nodded vigorously.

Su Xiao turned around, with her back to her, and bent down slightly.

Su Wan Ning climbed onto his back, wrapped her arms around his neck, and pressed her face against his back.

His back was broad and warm.

She closed her eyes, feeling the familiar warmth emanating from him, a comforting and comforting sensation.

Su Xiao supported her knees and slowly stood up, weighing herself in her arms.

She felt lighter than when she carried her last time.

He started walking, step by step, along the street illuminated by streetlights towards Songbin University.

The plane tree leaves on the street rustled in the wind. Su Wan Ning lay on his back, her breathing gradually becoming even.

She suddenly remembered that he used to carry her on his back like this.

She had a fever at that time, and he carried her across several streets to the clinic.

He was covered in sweat from running, but he kept telling her, "Don't be afraid, I'm here."

He's still carrying her on his back like this.

Time flies, but my brother seems unchanged; he is still as good to me as ever.

She nuzzled her face against his back and whispered, "Brother, slow down, I want to stay with you a little longer."

Su Xiao paused for a moment, then nodded without thinking and slowed her pace.

The streetlights cast the two shadows together, stretching them long across the road like an endless road.