The white rose I picked up cried and said she liked me.

Zhou Xiaoman walked into the kitchen, her brightly colored manicured nails brushing against bottles of wine. She finally chose one, took it out, and with a slight push of her fingertips, the cork popped open with a "pop."

A faint aroma of wine immediately filled the room.

She took a deep sniff, a look of pure bliss on her face.

Then, she took out a wine glass, tilted the bottle, and filled it halfway.

Zhou Xiaoman gracefully held her wine glass and sat back down on the sofa opposite Xu Nian, a slight smile playing on her lips as she gazed at Xu Nian.

"You're not very old, probably not even 20 yet, so you should call me 'older sister'."

"However, you have an appearance that doesn't belong to your age, and you've disguised your real age very well."

"What is the reason that you need to help mature that innocent childlike heart?"

"If I'm not mistaken, you're an orphan."

Xu Nian remained silent, not uttering a single word.

From his evasive gaze, Zhou Xiaoman had confirmed her suspicions.

She smiled gently and continued.

"Only a sapling without support needs a strong exterior to protect itself."

"It seems we have some similarities."

Xu Nian raised her head and looked at Zhou Xiaoman with a slightly confused expression.

Is this dangerous woman also an orphan with no one to rely on, just like him?

Zhou Xiaoman swirled her wine glass, took a small sip, leaving a faint wine stain on her alluring lips.

"However, you are probably not alone; someone lives with you."

"Let me guess, what's your relationship with this person?"

"Family? Friends? Or rather, girlfriend?"

"What's it to you?"

Xu Nian frowned unhappily.

Zhou Xiaoman chuckled, ignoring Xu Nian, and continued speaking.

"I doubt any girl would fall for such an oblivious Mr. Xu."

"If they were friends who lived together, after Mr. Xu got injured, he would probably ask a friend to help deliver food to Xiaoman, which would cause Xiaoman to miss Mr. Xu."

"Then, the only remaining possibility is family."

Zhou Xiaoman took out her phone and opened Xu Nian's profile on the food delivery app.

"Your rider business card shows that you work an average of 13 hours a day, which is more than 90% of food delivery riders."

"This means that this relative still needs Mr. Xu's care."

"You have a younger brother or sister."

Zhou Xiaoman glanced over and noticed the red string on Xu Nian's wrist.

"It's my younger sister."

Xu Nian's pupils contracted sharply, fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead, and her body unconsciously moved away from Zhou Xiaoman.

He originally thought that if he didn't say anything, Zhou Xiaoman wouldn't find out about his background.

Unexpectedly, even so, this dangerous woman almost uncovered his secret simply by guessing.

They even guessed that Xu Xi was there.

What exactly does she want to do?

Faced with the nervous Xu Nian, Zhou Xiaoman simply gave a faint smile.

In her eyes, a hint of admiration and longing, barely perceptible to others, was revealed.

"How wonderful, Mr. Xu."

"She single-handedly raised her younger sister and supported both of them."

After saying that, she stood up, swayed her graceful body, sat cross-legged next to Xu Nian, propped her cheek with one hand, and quietly gazed at Xu Nian's profile.

Those rough cheeks must have endured countless storms.

His calloused hands gripped the dusty hem of his clothes tightly.

His once tender shoulders were now bent under the weight of life's burdens.

Unconsciously, Zhou Xiaoman seemed to recall something, and her eyes gradually became a little hazy.

"Mr. Xu, who has always been relied upon by others, has he ever experienced what it's like to rely on someone else?"

She smiled slightly, extending her gracefully curved fingers to touch the white hair at Xu Nian's temples.

But Xu Nian dodged it.

"What exactly do you want?"

Xu Nian stared at Zhou Xiaoman warily, her eyes no longer showing the composure they once had, but filled with vigilance.

Seeing Xu Nian's reaction, Zhou Xiaoman was slightly taken aback, then smiled, lowered her hand that was hanging in the air, and rested it on her cheek again.

"Don't be nervous, Mr. Xu. Xiaoman just wants to know your story."

"What good will knowing do?"

Zhou Xiaoman stood up, her long, dark purple dress trailing on the ground, and strolled to the pile of luggage. She took out a certificate from a suitcase and handed it to Xu Nian.

It clearly states on the screen: [Yuncheng Writers Association Member: Zhou Xiaoman; Pen Name: Fuping].

Are you a writer?

Xu Nian exclaimed in horror.

He remembered that Zhou Xiaoman seemed to have told him once that she was that kind of person.

That kind of person seems to have absolutely nothing to do with writers.

"Is it strange, Mr. Xu? These two professions don't seem to conflict with each other."

"Besides, Xiaoman has already retired from writing; being a writer is now my full-time job."

Zhou Xiaoman smiled.

"Novels are inspired by reality, and learning more about other people's past can be beneficial for writing."

Xu Nian lowered her head and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

If that's the case, then Zhou Xiaoman's investigation into his background seems to have some justification.

"You seem down, Mr. Xu. Has something happened in your life that's making you unhappy?"

Zhou Xiaoman noticed that Xu Nian's complexion was rather poor, especially the dark circles under her eyes.

Her keen sense of smell was triggered again, and she perked up, staring at Xu Nian with her all-seeing, deep eyes.

"Didn't sleep well."

Xu Nian turned her head away, avoiding Zhou Xiaoman's gaze.

You're only half right.

Zhou Xiaoman noticed Xu Nian's guilty conscience.

"Could it be that Mr. Xu has something on his mind that he finds difficult to talk about?"

"This has nothing to do with you, don't speculate!"

Xu Nian forced herself to remain calm, cleared her throat, and said sternly.

Zhou Xiaoman leaned back on the sofa, raised her head, gently swirled the wine in her glass, and appeared to be deep in thought.

"The only person who can make Mr. Xu care so much is your only relative, your sister."

"Rebellious phase and disobedience? No, poor academic performance? That's not right either."

While guessing the reason, Zhou Xiaoman observed Xu Nian's reaction.

When asked about the reasons related to feelings, she clearly felt Xu Nian's eyes tremble.

"Oh, so your sister has met someone she likes."

"It's...it's just a love letter..."

Xu Nian sighed, gave up struggling, and began to recount the whole story.

Even if he says nothing, Zhou Xiaoman will see right through him.

It's better to tell everything and avoid the fear of being figured out.

After hearing the whole story, a knowing smile appeared on Zhou Xiaoman's face, which was covered by exquisite makeup.

Could this seemingly invincible little man really have such a vulnerable side?

She swirled her wine glass and slowly parted her luscious red lips.

"You and your sister are no longer in a traditional brother-sister relationship."

"Your presence is more about taking on the role of a father, supporting both of us, and accompanying your younger sister as she grows up."

"After all, it would be hard for anyone to part with a rose that they have carefully nurtured and cherished. It would be difficult to give it away."

"Your sister will meet her ideal husband, and you will also meet your life partner."

"Try to accept it. Since that day will come sooner or later, face it with a smile."

...

Zhou Xiaoman's words undoubtedly struck a chord with Xu Nian.

He lowered his head, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

She's right. She's just feeling reluctant because Xu Xi will leave her sooner or later.

I think so.

right.

......