Reborn in 2006, I met Mr. Zhou from the past.

Downstairs, Jiang Shaoqing wanted to invite Su Fengnan and Zhou Chenyu out for a drink, but Zhou Chenyu flatly refused. He didn't want his little girl to get involved in that shady stuff.

"Drinking is fine anytime, but not today."

"Dr. Jiang, I'm sorry to bother you today, I have to go back and do my homework. How about you and Brother Zhou reschedule?" Su Fengnan politely declined with a smile.

Jiang Shaoqing glanced at Su Fengnan, then turned to Zhou Chenyu and casually remarked, "Fine, you're a womanizer who neglects your friends. I'm leaving."

After saying that, Jiang Shaoqing waved his hand and turned to leave decisively.

Seeing her cousin leave, Qin Shu turned to Zhou Chenyu and said, "Brother Chenyu, do you have time tomorrow? I have some work-related things I'd like to discuss with you."

Zhou Chenyu was well aware of Qin Shu's hidden feelings for him, but seeing that she had behaved herself well today and had not overstepped any boundaries, he hesitated for a couple of seconds before agreeing.

"Come to Junhui Photo Studio on the second floor of Zhengnan Shopping Mall at 10:00 AM tomorrow. You only have half an hour."

Qin Shu was overjoyed and quickly thanked him softly, "Thank you, Brother Chen Yu. See you tomorrow!"

As soon as she finished speaking, she ran off lightly, quickly catching up with Jiang Shaoqing ahead.

Seeing that the two had walked away, Su Fengnan gently tugged at Zhou Chenyu's sleeve: "Let's go too."

Zhou Chenyu turned around and affectionately took Su Fengnan's hand. The two intertwined their fingers and walked towards Su Fengnan's apartment building.

As soon as the two entered the door, Su Fengxia blocked their way.

Seeing their fingers tightly clasped together, Su Fengxia's long-held suspicions were instantly confirmed.

She glanced at Zhou Chenyu indifferently and said in a calm tone, "Sis, if you get caught dating too early, your parents will have to be called in."

Sensing the subtle tension, Zhou Chenyu remained composed. He gently tightened his grip on the person beside him, showing no sign of loosening his hold.

Then, he looked up and met Su Fengxia's probing gaze, his tone calm and steady: "Xiaoxia, don't scare people like that."

He paused, his brows furrowing slightly, his aura gentle yet undeniably firm: "We know what we're doing. It won't interfere with our studies, and it certainly won't cause any trouble. You don't need to say anything more about this, and don't gossip to Mom and Dad."

Su Fengxia's expression froze; she hadn't expected him to be so frank, without any intention of hiding or dodging anything.

Zhou Chenyu glanced at her indifferently, then softened his tone and offered bait: "If you obediently pretend you didn't see anything and keep it a secret for us, I'll buy you all the snacks, comics, and new stationery you want. How about it?"

"Keeping a secret is better for both of us."

Hearing that there were benefits to be gained, Su Fengxia's pent-up frustration, though not entirely dissipated, brightened up. She raised her chin with feigned arrogance, her tone slightly hesitant: "Alright, I'll reluctantly consider it."

As soon as she finished speaking, she turned around and walked back to the living room to watch TV, completely ignoring her older sister.

Su Fengnan stiffened slightly, the gentleness on her face gradually fading, and she unconsciously frowned. She had planned to confess to her younger sister as soon as she returned, but she hadn't expected to be caught off guard like this.

At this moment, her mind was in turmoil. Her worries were not about her own situation, but about how her early romance might arouse curiosity in her still innocent younger sister, leading her to blindly follow suit.

Having lived two lives, she was already mature enough to plan her relationship with Zhou Chenyu and their future together. But facing her younger sister, who was still quite naive, she was filled with guilt and unease. If the wrong paths and regrets Su Fengxia had experienced in her previous life were to repeat themselves, then her rebirth would lose all meaning.

Thinking of this, Su Fengnan slowly released her hand from Zhou Chenyu's tight grip, concealing the turbulent emotions in her eyes, and said gently yet firmly, "Brother Zhou, you should go back first. I need to talk to my little sister alone. I'll call you when I'm done, okay?"

Zhou Chenyu noticed the slight gloom in her expression and the worry in her eyes, so she immediately comforted her gently, "Don't worry too much, I'll take care of everything. Or, should I go and talk to Xiaoxia?"

Su Fengnan gently shook her head in refusal, her gaze calm: "I'll do it. Some things can only be said by me, the older sister. You go back first and wait for my news, okay?"

Seeing her resolute attitude, Zhou Chenyu knew it was not the right time to cause her any more trouble. He glanced at Su Fengxia in the living room, then turned back, his tone gentle and accommodating: "Alright, then I'll wait for your news."

"Mm," Su Fengnan replied softly.

Zhou Chenyu gazed at the person before her with lingering affection, reluctant to part. After a moment, she finally turned and opened the door, slowly walking away.

Su Fengnan took a deep breath, walked slowly to the living room, and sat down on the sofa next to Su Fengxia, intending to calm down and have a good talk with her sister.

Before she could speak, Su Fengxia preemptively said, her tone filled with certainty and dissatisfaction: "Don't try to explain. Explaining is just covering up, and covering up is the truth. I want to see what excuse you're going to make up to fool me."

Her sister's sharp retort instantly silenced Su Fengnan, forcing her to swallow all the words that were on the tip of her tongue.

After a moment of silence, she spoke slowly, her expression calm and composed: "I never intended to hide it from you. Today, Zhou Chenyu took me to meet his family. I was planning to tell you the truth as soon as I got back, but you just happened to see us."

Upon hearing the word "family," Su Fengxia abruptly stood up, both shocked and angry. Pointing at her sister, her face filled with disbelief, she exclaimed, "You...you two actually met each other's parents so early! Sister, are you out of your mind? How can you be so young and already so eager to commit to someone?"

Seeing her sister so agitated, Su Fengnan quickly reached out and pulled her to sit down, patiently explaining, "It's not what you think at all, don't get so agitated."

She then glanced at her sister helplessly, her tone becoming slightly reproachful and serious: "Are you going to listen to me properly or not? Stop overthinking."

Normally, Su Fengnan is always gentle and mild-mannered, but once she gets serious and assertive, Su Fengxia immediately suppresses her arrogance and falls silent instantly.

"Go ahead, I'm listening."

For a full hour, Su Fengnan slowly recounted the pros and cons, then gradually outlined her future path and expectations. After her explanation, Su Fengxia was completely convinced.

My sister talked on and on, most of it obscure and difficult to understand. She couldn't remember the details, only grasping bits and pieces. But one sentence was deeply etched into her heart:

Never try to depend on anyone. All the security you seek has a hidden price tag, and you'll have to pay it back someday. That price is often one you simply cannot afford.

Even though she couldn't fully grasp the profound meaning of those words, she inexplicably felt that every word pierced her heart and made perfect sense, so she silently memorized them.

……