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

Meanwhile, at Xu Nian's restaurant.

"What's wrong? Just say it!"

Xu Nian impatiently tapped Qi Yu on the back.

Qi Yu had been sitting in his shop for two hours.

She wouldn't eat, rest, or chat, and even grabbed his arm to prevent him from going out to collect the food, looking hesitant and as if she wanted to say something but couldn't.

It's just like an old lady suffering from constipation, sitting on the toilet, wanting to apply some glycerin suppository, but accidentally using super glue instead.

Two hours passed, and not a single word came out.

Qi Yu's eyes darted around, his lips moved but he stammered and couldn't say anything.

How could I possibly bring myself to ask such a thing...?

If Qi Yu hadn't promised Zhao Lin that he would correct Xu Nian's thinking and prevent him from developing romantic feelings for his sister, he definitely wouldn't have stayed here for two hours.

Whether out of concern for his friend or to fulfill a promise he made to his girlfriend, he has a responsibility to correct Xu Nian's wrong path.

But he was too shy to ask.

Xu Nian was, after all, his "senior," having guided him through so many years of ups and downs in Yuncheng.

Interfering in his family affairs always made Qi Yu feel like a student criticizing a teacher.

"Are you ever going to stop? If you have nothing to do, go play with that tree by the door."

Xu Nian pointed to the bare tree by the door, its leaves all fallen.

"Uh...Brother Xu..."

Qi Yu scratched his head, his gaze falling on Xu Nian's torn and bleeding lips.

"Brother Xu, what happened to your mouth?"

Xu Nian raised her finger, gently rubbed it against her lips, narrowed her eyes in pain, and hissed.

"It's nothing, the stream bit me."

Recalling yesterday's madness, Xu Nian still felt a lingering fear.

Xu Xi was like a starving little tiger, frantically devouring the fat meat that was about to be eaten.

He was in excruciating pain and tried to push her away repeatedly, but he was always intimidated by the girl's empty, lifeless eyes.

The minute hand was slowly released only after it had completed a full circle on the clock.

His back was soaked with sweat, whether from fright or from nervousness, it was hard to tell.

He slumped to the ground, panting heavily, his heart pounding as if it would burst from his chest.

Just when he thought it was finally over.

Little did they know, this was just the beginning.

Even when they were sleeping, they weren't spared.

Only when the sky began to lighten and the clear chirping of birds awakened the silent night did the girl's eyes regain their vitality.

She cried and apologized to him, deeply regretting her actions of hurting her brother the night before, repeatedly banging her little head against the cold wall.

How could Xu Nian bear to blame her most beloved younger sister?

He held the tearful girl in his arms, gently stroking her hair with his fingertips, telling her not to blame herself or take it to heart.

The price to pay is that I'm probably in so much pain today that I won't be able to eat...

......

Qi Yu's chin almost hit the ground.

To admit it directly, without any concealment?

He originally thought that Xu Nian would find another reason to brush it off, and that he would then give her a veiled reminder.

As a result, the vague words he had prepared for two hours were suddenly stuck in his throat.

"Brother Xu...you...you shouldn't be like this..."

"Can you please explain clearly? Who are you trying to drive me crazy with anxiety?!"

Xu Nian paced back and forth in anger, wishing she could slap this buzzing fly to death.

Seeing that Qi Yu was still stammering and couldn't utter a word for a long time, Xu Nian shook her arm, broke free from his hand, and walked straight out of the store.

"You and Xu Xi cannot be in a relationship!"

After shouting those words, Qi Yu gasped for breath in tension.

He trembled as he took off his glasses, twisted his stiff neck, and turned his head to the side, not daring to look Xu Nian in the eye.

"What did you say?"

Xu Nian's tone lacked the anger and annoyance Qi Yu had expected; instead, it conveyed deep confusion.

Xu Nian got off the electric bike and walked step by step to Qi Yu's side, her brows furrowed deeply.

"Who told you I'm dating Xiaoxi?"

"You...I...you...I..."

Qi Yu's lips twitched, and his face flushed red and then turned pale.

I can't exactly say, "My girlfriend told me this, so I'm here to give you some advice."

Besides, you've kissed so much your lips are practically bleeding, and you're still not dating?

Qi Yu only dared to complain in his heart, and didn't dare to utter a single word from his mouth.

Seeing Qi Yu start to stutter and dawdle again, Xu Nian rubbed her temples and sighed helplessly.

"How can a grown man act so effeminate?"

"Fine, if you don't want to say, then forget it. I'll explain it to you, and you can pass it on."

"Xiaoxi and I are like siblings. I only see her as my younger sister."

"My sister is a little clingy, but it's just a manifestation of her lack of security. Considering her background, it's understandable, and I'm willing to provide her with that sense of security."

"She is my only family member. Between us, there is only familial love. I love her very much, but it is only the love between family members, just like your parents love you very much."

After saying that, Xu left the restaurant without looking back, got on his electric scooter, and rode away.

Qi Yu was left completely bewildered, standing there in a daze, still processing what he had just learned.

Having spent so many years with Xu Nian, he knew very well that Xu Nian's tone of voice was definitely not a joke.

He pondered for a long time before finally taking out his phone and calling Zhao Lin.

"Lin, is it convenient for you to talk on your end?"

Zhao Lin glanced at Xu Xi, who was working on her notes, and gave Wen Yao a look. The two left the dormitory and went to the stairwell.

She didn't forget to put on her headphones and gave one of them to Wen Yao.

"Qi Yu, you speak. Right now, only Linlin and I can hear you."

"I think that Brother Xu didn't have feelings for Xu Xi, but rather that Xu Xi was pursuing Brother Xu unilaterally."

"How is that possible? They're kissing!"

Wen Yao exclaimed in surprise.

"Ayu, how did you come to this conclusion?"

Zhao Lin frowned and asked.

"Just now, Brother Xu assured me with great conviction that he only felt brotherly affection for Xu Xi. I know him; he wasn't lying."

"Brother Xu once said that he had been working in society for over ten years, which means that his and his sister's parents left them a long time ago."

"But he had no choice but to drop out of school early in order to make a living."

"During the golden period of his value formation, he lacked the companionship and guidance of his parents, and after puberty, he had no opportunity to communicate with his peers, which led to Xu Ge having serious misunderstandings about relationships and family affection."

"Therefore, he didn't know what boundaries should be maintained between siblings, and mistakenly took Xu Xi's overstepping romantic behavior towards him as intimacy between family members."