Chapter 1: The Nation Owes Me a Brother

Inside the coffee lounge of the TV station’s office building, two staff members were chatting casually while scrolling through Weibo.

“Just saw something super interesting,” said the younger one. “There’s this girl who’s the only daughter in her family but has a ton of older brothers. Once, when she got bullied, over ten of her brothers helped her teach the thug a lesson... I really envy girls who have brothers.”

“That’s nothing,” the other staff member chimed in, tilting his chin. “You’re new, so you probably don’t know—Jiang Beibei from the social news department has five brothers.”

“For real? But I heard she lives in the government family housing area, and her parents worked for the government. Weren’t they strict about enforcing the one-child policy back then? Where did she get these ‘brothers’ from?”

The more experienced employee lowered his voice. “They’re her neighbors. Jiang Beibei’s parents died in the line of duty, and she was raised by her neighbors. You didn’t know this—when she first joined the station last year, the director of the social news department tried to take advantage of her, thinking she’d be easy to bully since both her parents had passed away. He even thought she looked cute and vulnerable, but it ended up ruining him.”

“The five brothers?” the seasoned employee gossiped. “One’s a lawyer, one’s a SWAT officer, another is a retired special forces soldier, and there’s even one whose job is handling corpses. They legally sued him and got the director investigated. Only later did we find out that Jiang Beibei’s parents were national martyrs. Our station director personally took her out to dinner to apologize.”

“National martyrs?” The newcomer listened with wide-eyed admiration. “Wow, so dramatic!”

At that moment, Jiang Beibei was standing on the pedestrian street waiting for someone. She had long chestnut hair with slightly curled ends, and her appearance was excessively sweet, like a dessert shop on a sunny afternoon, exuding warmth and a sugary charm. Of course, though she appeared sweet and harmless, she was actually quite prickly.

Not long after, a bespectacled man approached her, holding his phone nervously. “Um… are you Jiang Beibei?”

“Yes, that’s me,” Jiang Beibei recognized him as her blind date for the day and politely smiled, dimples appearing faintly on her cheeks.

The bespectacled man was both surprised and astonished. “To be honest, I’ve been on many blind dates before, but you’re the first one who made me…”

He spread his arms dramatically. “Light up at first sight! My aunt told me you work at CCTV? I’ll have to check out your show later—Channel 3, right?”

“Mm-hmm, News Focus segment.”

“To be blunt, someone like you could host any program effortlessly,” the man exclaimed, clearly thrilled beyond expectations. “My aunt mentioned you live next door to her, so we practically grew up together. You seem so reliable—I’ve never met anyone like you in all my years of blind dating.”

Jiang Beibei gave a polite half-smile. “Let’s go eat at Kade Plaza first.”

Near the mall was a bustling pedestrian street lined with specialty shops. Midway down the street stood a particularly adorable-looking shop called “Meow Meow” that sold milk tea, yogurt, and small desserts. The store’s glass doors were plastered with cute cat stickers, but oddly enough, the owner was a towering man nearly six and a half feet tall. Upon closer inspection, he was somewhat handsome, though his small eyes and muscular build gave off a tough, intimidating vibe that didn’t match the shop’s cutesy theme at all. Most peculiar of all, he kept a husky named Song Dawang (Big Cat Song) in the shop.

At the moment, the burly man was wiping down the shop’s glass doors while Song Dawang sat beside him, acting adorably silly.

As Jiang Beibei walked past the shop, Song Dawang barked excitedly, its tail wagging so fast it blurred. If not for the leash holding it back, it would have lunged straight at her.

Jiang Beibei greeted them cheerfully. “Hello, Big Cat Song! Fourth Brother, I’m going to eat over there. Don’t forget to eat on time too!”

The towering buzz-cut man turned his head, ready to wave back with a smile, but then he spotted the bespectacled man next to Jiang Beibei. His small eyes narrowed instantly, and alarm bells rang in his head. Drawing a deep breath, he bellowed, “Beibei, where are you going?!”

But Jiang Beibei was already far ahead, heading toward the mall. Realizing this, the big guy quickly pulled out his phone and sent an alert in their five-member group chat, named “Brotherhood Honor”: “Attention everyone! Beibei just went shopping and eating with some young man! Something’s up! Let’s all come home early tonight to ask her about it—she might be dating someone!”

Surprisingly, the first reply came from their eldest brother, Yan Qingming.

Yan Qingming sent a thumbs-up emoji.

The big guy was shocked. “Eldest Brother, no surgery today?” Yan Qingming, a surgeon, was usually busy with operations and often replied last.

Yan Qingming: “Finished one just now. I’ll stop by your shop for dinner—I’ll bring the groceries.”

Then, the second brother, Tang Xizhou, whose profile picture was Batman, replied: “What’s going on? Is the little brat dating someone? Are you sure you’re not exaggerating, Song Lang? Where exactly did you see them?”

“In front of my shop,” the big guy replied. “They walked past and went into Kade Plaza.”

“That definitely sounds suspicious,” Tang Xizhou deduced.

Third brother Qin Yuan sent a voice message: “I just left the law firm. I’ll head over to Song Lang’s place later this afternoon. This little troublemaker—dating without notifying us first? She needs to be disciplined.”

It wasn’t until the afternoon that the youngest of the group, Chu Yao, finally saw the messages.

He simply replied: “….”

Before dinner, Jiang Beibei saw her blind date off and returned to “Meow Meow.” She bent down to pet the overly enthusiastic husky, Song Dawang, and greeted the burly man cooking in the kitchen. “Fourth Brother, I’m here!”

Song Lang poked his head out from the kitchen, holding a ladle. “Everyone’s waiting for you.”

Jiang Beibei pointed to the private room next door and whispered, “Are Big Brother and the others here?”

“Just Fifth Brother hasn’t arrived yet. Go in—your Second Brother’s been waiting to interrogate you. The food will be ready soon, but take this dish in to stall them for a bit.”

“Thanks, Fourth Brother!” Jiang Beibei rubbed her hands together, picked up the plate, and turned around—only to find Tang Xizhou standing straight behind her.

Tang Xizhou raised an eyebrow, his eyes shimmering with mischief, his smile radiant like blossoming flowers. If it weren’t for his righteous aura as a SWAT officer, this grin alone could have charmed thousands.

“Stop right there. Where do you think you’re running off to? Stand tall and straight,” Tang Xizhou commanded, snatching the plate from her hands and handing it over to Qin Yuan, who stood behind him.

“Second Brother, Third Brother,” Jiang Beibei said softly, her voice meek like a kitten’s, greeting them obediently.

Qin Yuan appeared to have just arrived; he hadn’t taken off his trench coat yet. A gray scarf hung loosely around his neck, his hair styled perfectly, and his gold-rimmed glasses reflected the light, making him look like a charming playboy who had just returned from wandering through life.

Qin Yuan placed the plate on the table, crossed his arms, leaned against the doorframe, and looked at Jiang Beibei with an amused expression, as if sizing her up.

“Are you dating someone?” Tang Xizhou asked first.

Jiang Beibei confessed truthfully: “No, it was a blind date.”

“A blind date, huh…” Tang Xizhou probed further. “What made you decide to go on one? Was it introduced by a colleague?”

“It’s good to meet new people sometimes…” Jiang Beibei replied cautiously. “If someone introduces me to someone, I’ll give it a try.”

“What does he do? What’s he like?” A gentle-looking man with a steady demeanor emerged from the private room. He wore a plaid sweater with slightly frayed cuffs, his shirt collar rolled inside, seemingly unaware of its state.

“Big Brother,” Jiang Beibei greeted him before shaking her head honestly. “He didn’t say much about what he does, but I think he works in IT.”

Tang Xizhou’s other eyebrow shot up. “You went on a blind date without even knowing his basic information? What if they kidnap you? Why didn’t you tell your brothers beforehand? You could’ve invited him here to Fourth Brother’s shop. Little troublemaker, don’t you have any sense of caution? Men aren’t all trustworthy!”

“Alright, alright, I get it! Don’t scold yourself, Second Brother!” Jiang Beibei clasped her hands together pleadingly. “Let’s eat—I’m starving.”

Tang Xizhou pressed down on her head and chuckled. “If you want to date, tell me—I’ll introduce you to someone reliable. I’m not stopping you from falling in love, but sneaking around like this is too dangerous. The world is complicated. What if you run into someone like that perverted director from your workplace? Where would I cry then?”

With that, he draped his arm over Yan Qingming’s shoulder and walked into the private room, casually straightening Yan Qingming’s rolled-up shirt collar. In a low voice, he asked, “Tired today?”

Qin Yuan still stood by the kitchen door, smiling faintly at her. Seeing that he wasn’t moving, Jiang Beibei carefully tried to sidestep him, but he suddenly grabbed her, hoisting her onto his shoulder.

“Where do you think you’re running off to? Did you call me?”

“I called! I called earlier!” Jiang Beibei yelped, flailing her arms. “Third Brother, show some restraint!”

Song Lang poked his head out again, frowning and narrowing his small eyes. “Qin Yuan, enough already. Beibei’s grown up now—no inappropriate physical contact.”

“Shut up. Sibling affection runs deep.” Qin Yuan teased half-jokingly, raising his peach-blossom eyes, pulling Jiang Beibei back into his arms, and looking down at her. With a humph, he said, “Looking for a boyfriend? Do you find me unsuitable?”

“No way, no way! You’re my Third Brother!” Jiang Beibei pushed against his chest anxiously.

Qin Yuan drawled leisurely, “Why let outsiders benefit when we’re family? Besides, I’m your Third Brother, not your biological brother.”

“No, no, no—you’re like a real brother…” Jiang Beibei stammered nervously. Suddenly, the shop door creaked open, a gust of cold wind blew in, sending chills down her spine. Qin Yuan glanced up at the newcomer, smirked lightly, and set her down.

At the entrance stood a tall, slim young man in a black trench coat. His jet-black hair and eyes contrasted sharply with his snow-white skin. His entire appearance seemed to consist only of black and white, simple yet distinct, exuding an aloofness that lingered in people’s minds.

His gaze swept lazily toward Jiang Beibei, lingering on her for a long moment before shifting to Qin Yuan. He gave a slight tilt of his lips, almost imperceptible.

Qin Yuan stretched lazily and entered the private room. “Yao’s back. Everyone’s here—let’s eat.”

“Yao Brother,” Jiang Beibei avoided meeting his eyes and whispered softly.

Hearing the commotion, Song Lang poked his head out again and exclaimed happily, “Chu Yao, you’re finally here! Come help—it’s just two dishes left.”

“Mm.” The young man slowly removed his trench coat, draping it over his arm. His pristine white shirt gleamed like freshly fallen snow.

He moved silently, and as he approached, the familiar smell of disinfectant drifted toward Jiang Beibei—cold and frosty.

“Was that blind date guy this morning? Who introduced him?” he asked, his voice low, clear, and resonant.

Jiang Beibei hesitated, shaking her head slightly, her words caught in her throat.

The answer was obvious. Chu Yao’s tone grew heavier. “Qin Yuan’s mom?”

Jiang Beibei stole a glance at the private room and nodded discreetly.

Chu Yao stared at her intently for a while, his gaze heavy and suffocating. After a long pause, he finally spoke. “How did it go? Do you like him?”

Jiang Beibei took a deep breath and answered honestly. “He’s shorter than Big Brother, less upright and humorous than Second Brother, not as eloquent as Third Brother, and doesn’t have Fourth Brother’s big eyes.”

And compared to you… Jiang Beibei silently added in her heart—he doesn’t compare at all.

“…” Chu Yao’s eyes flickered with the faintest trace of a smile, like spring breaking through winter snow, dispelling the oppressive atmosphere from moments ago.

“Let’s go eat. How was work today?”

Jiang Beibei nodded, her fingers picking at the peeling paint on the edge of the table. Lowering her head, she scurried into the private room like she was escaping.

Chu Yao’s gaze followed her until she disappeared. Then, with a faint smile, he tasted the bitterness lingering on his tongue.

She was afraid of him.

He couldn’t remember when she had started deliberately keeping her distance.

What should he do?

A blind date… Right, she was already at the age for blind dates.

She didn’t like today’s match. But what if one day she met someone she liked? What expression should he wear then? How could he sincerely offer his blessings?

Chu Yao lowered his eyes, slowly rolling up the pristine sleeves of his shirt, swallowing the loneliness along with his meal.

Meanwhile, Jiang Beibei rested her chin in her hand, staring absentmindedly at a spot on the wall. When Chu Yao extended chopsticks toward her with his elegant hand, she reached out instinctively, only for a line from Salinger’s description of love to flash through her mind:

—Love is wanting to touch, but pulling your hand back instead.

Jiang Beibei withdrew her hand, and Chu Yao froze momentarily before setting the chopsticks down.

Frustrated, Jiang Beibei wondered how she could bridge the gap between them, overcome his aloofness, and draw closer to him.