My sister never calls me brother.

Yao Xiaorui paused for a moment, then smiled slightly and said with her head down—

"I know, but I won't give up."

There was no further communication.

They each went their separate ways.

--------

Yao Xiaorui gathered her thoughts and slowly approached Zhou Han, who was leaning against the wall.

She was careful not to disturb him suddenly, because Zhou Han's quiet demeanor was quite attractive.

Zhou Han looked up at the azure sky when Yao Xiaorui's face, which seemed to be smiling but wasn't, suddenly appeared in his field of vision. She had a playful look in her eyes and was tilting her head to look at him.

“Uh…” Zhou Han was stunned for a moment, then quickly sat up straight. She was about to put on a fierce look, but then realized that it was no longer necessary.

He licked his lips, and said with a hint of displeasure, "Why are you here?"

"Hehe..." Yao Xiaorui narrowed her eyes into slits and said with a smile, "Why aren't you being mean to me anymore?"

Zhou Han blushed, turned her head away from Yao Xiaorui, and awkwardly said, "There's no need for that..."

"Really...?" Yao Xiaorui maintained her smile and asked, "May I sit next to you?"

"Whatever," Zhou Han replied casually. He didn't know how to face Yao Xiaorui now. He had treated her that way before, yet she still came to find him. He didn't know what tone to use when talking to her.

Yao Xiaorui smoothed her skirt and sat down next to Zhou Han, placing the lunchbox beside her.

She mimicked Zhou Han's earlier actions, raising her head to look at the sky with a smile, remaining silent and quiet.

The distance between the two was only about a fist's width. It looked very close, but how close was it really?

Only the two of them probably know the truth.

It was almost time for school to let out, and the empty playground had only the two of them.

Zhou Han looked up and secretly glanced at Yao Xiaorui beside her. She was very quiet and gave people a feeling of being very approachable.

Just like the sunflower symbolizes "silent love, love that is not spoken."

It's very heartwarming, and I've gotten used to her presence.

Dandelions and sunflowers may one day actually grow in the same field.

Yao Xiaorui quite liked the feeling of being by Zhou Han's side; she was carefree and had no worries.

Zhou Han looked away, lowered her head, and gazed at the gray playground, whispering, "I'm sorry..."

Yao Xiaorui was stunned for a moment, then turned to look at him and asked, "Why are you apologizing?"

"Hmm..." Zhou Han hesitated for a moment, frowned, and said, "Everything that happened before was my fault. I shouldn't have been so harsh with you."

After listening, Yao Xiaorui looked at the azure sky, nodded heavily, and said with a smile, "Yes! I feel your sincerity, but I do not accept your apology."

"Huh!? Why?" Zhou Han's eyes widened. He wasn't one to admit his mistakes easily, but this time he genuinely felt he had gone too far.

"Because I've given so much and been rejected repeatedly, no matter what the reason, I'm very unhappy and still angry! Humph~" Yao Xiaorui pouted, looking sullen.

“That makes sense…” Zhou Han was a little frustrated. He didn’t want things to be like this either. He couldn’t express his true thoughts in that situation, which was really annoying.

"Although I don't accept your apology, I still want to say thank you," Yao Xiaorui said earnestly, blinking her expressive eyes.

"Why...why are you thanking me?" Zhou Han didn't understand. She had already gone through all that, so why should someone thank her?

"Because you did all that for my sake, right? You didn't want me to be affected or treated coldly. You really went to great lengths to protect me!" Yao Xiaorui looked into Zhou Han's eyes, suddenly smiled, and said, "This is probably your gentle side, so I gratefully accepted it. Thank you..."

“Uh…” Zhou Han paused for a moment, then quickly looked away, not daring to meet Yao Xiaorui’s gaze. She said in a wavering tone, “I would never do something so awkward.”

"Is that really true?" Yao Xiaorui pressed, as it was the first time she had ever seen Zhou Han like this.

"Really." Zhou Han feigned an impatient tone.

Yao Xiaorui covered her mouth and smiled, saying, "When I'm rejected repeatedly, I really hope you'll consider my feelings more."

“I know… I’m sure you’ll feel disappointed, but there’s no other way…” Zhou Han said, frowning.

“That’s not it,” Yao Xiaorui interrupted Zhou Han and continued, “I won’t be disappointed because I was rejected, but because you care about what other people think of me, that’s why you rejected me.”

Zhou Han opened her mouth, but didn't know what to say.

"I dared to deliver lunchboxes in front of so many people because I was already prepared for whatever difficulties might arise. I'll learn to accept them," Yao Xiaorui paused, then said earnestly, "So..."

Yao Xiaorui quickly picked up the bento box that was placed beside her, put it in front of Zhou Han, her face slightly flushed, and said, "This bento box I made myself...can you accept it?"

Zhou Han stared blankly at the lunchbox in Yao Xiaorui's hand, unsure of how to express his gratitude. This was the first time he had ever received a lunchbox from a girl, and he had never imagined that he would have such a day.

"Thank you...thank you..." Zhou Han could only respond with such dry words, awkwardly accepting the lunchbox.

"Hehe..." Yao Xiaorui laughed happily, without saying much.

Zhou Han accepted the bento box made by Yao Xiaorui. Looking at the exquisite box, he felt a mix of emotions. After all the ups and downs, he finally felt a sense of warmth.

The simple act of delivering lunch boxes has value for both of them.

Yao Xiaorui's efforts, which involved staying up late every day, finally paid off, and she did not end up with nothing to show for her hard work.

Zhou Han received a bento box made by a girl for the first time and experienced feelings he had never felt before.

Perhaps in this silent transmission—

Both of them gained insights into their feelings and gradually grew together through mutual support.

Chapter 109 I Like You

Zhou Han slowly, with a hint of caution, opened the exquisite lunchbox.

Rice, water spinach, tofu, and chicken breast—it all looked ordinary, nothing particularly special.

Although it was very ordinary, it was made with great care.

Because the lunchbox Zhou Han was holding was still warm, making her feel cozy and comfortable.

He was feeling very complicated, with many emotions welling up inside him, which eventually blended into a cup of bitter coffee.

Zhou Han felt quite lucky. She never thought she would receive a bento box. She had always been the one envying others, but today it was her turn.

Yao Xiaorui was a little nervous, but said impatiently, "Eat quickly, it will get cold soon."

"Huh?!" Zhou Han snapped out of her daze, nodded, and said, "Okay."

He looked at the bento box in his hand and started eating.

Yao Xiaorui is very happy now because her efforts have finally paid off, and she feels it was all worthwhile.

After taking a few bites, Zhou Han put down the lunchbox, not finishing it all.

"How...how does it taste..." Yao Xiaorui asked timidly, her face flushed.

“This…” Zhou Han hesitated, unable to finish her sentence.

Yao Xiaorui's bento box didn't taste very good, far inferior to Miyazaki Airi's. Zhou Han didn't know how to bring it up.

"What's wrong?" Yao Xiaorui put her hand to her chest, becoming nervous. "Is it really bad?"

"Uh... this..." Zhou Han was a little embarrassed by the questioning. After thinking for a moment, she decided to tell the truth, just in case it caused any problems later.

But just as Zhou Han opened his mouth, his gaze fell on the bandages on Yao Xiaorui's fingers, and his heart softened immediately.

Sometimes lies are not malicious; although they are all forms of deception, the results can be quite different.

"It's not bad, not bad at all." Zhou Han shook her head, trying to keep her expression natural, and said earnestly, "It's delicious, really delicious!"

"Really...?" Yao Xiaorui breathed a sigh of relief, a smile spreading across her face. "Then I'm relieved..."

To make the act convincing, Zhou Han continued eating his bento box, this time wolfing it down, as if the bento box really looked delicious.

After finishing her meal quickly, Zhou Han wiped her mouth with her sleeve.

Yao Xiaorui noticed that there was still oil stains on the corner of Zhou Han's mouth. "Ah... wait a minute."

"Huh?" Zhou Han was completely confused.

Yao Xiaorui turned around, took out a white handkerchief, turned sideways, and reached out her hand to help Zhou Han wipe it clean.

Zhou Han was stunned for a moment, but quickly came to her senses and dodged back as if she had been electrocuted.

He wasn't used to needing someone to take care of him in this kind of situation, especially these ambiguous actions that only couples would do, which he found hard to accept.

Yao Xiaorui froze, then withdrew her handkerchief, looking shy and awkwardly asking, "What's wrong?"

"I can handle this myself," Zhou Han said somewhat awkwardly, extending her sleeve to wipe the item again.

"Okay..." Yao Xiaorui said with some disappointment, silently folding the handkerchief.

"Why are you on the playground at this time?" Zhou Han asked softly.

"I..." Yao Xiaorui lowered her head and thought for a moment, then said, "It's too stuffy in the classroom, I came out for a walk to clear my head."

“Stop lying, you brought lunch to relax…” Zhou Han said.

"And you?" Yao Xiaorui looked at Zhou Han and asked with a smile, "Why are you on the playground at this time?"

“I…” Zhou Han paused, her eyes darting away, and said, “I came out to exercise.”

“You’re the one lying,” Yao Xiaorui retorted to Zhou Han.

"Uh..." Zhou Han blushed, feeling a little embarrassed.

"I know what difficulties you've been going through lately, so don't lie to me anymore, it will really hurt me." Yao Xiaorui said this with a very serious expression and tone.

The two fell silent.

Zhou Han looked down at the gray playground. He didn't want to reveal his feelings to anyone. He still held onto his stubbornness and pride, insisting on bearing his own burdens.

Yao Xiaorui looked up at the azure sky, wondering how she could persuade Zhou Han to seek help from her friends.

Time flowed by slowly like a stream, and finally Yao Xiaorui spoke first.

Why don't you ask others for help when you're in trouble?

“It’s nothing serious…” Zhou Han frowned, paused, and said, “I can handle it myself.”

"You're really confident, much better than me..." Yao Xiaorui said with a smile.

Zhou Han felt a little embarrassed. What confidence could she possibly have? She had clearly just wanted to give up and escape reality.

"Would you like to hear my childhood stories?" Yao Xiaorui asked Zhou Han cheerfully.