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Escaping at the last minute wasn’t realistic.
Bo Ying’s eyelids drooped, looking at He Jingxiu plaintively, expressing regret, deep regret.
He Jingxiu, on the other hand, was fine, not as resistant as she was.
He even thought that meeting and greeting Bo Yan early wasn’t bad. But he certainly hadn’t expected it to be in such a bustling environment.
Chi Lu smoothed things over, smiling, “It’s almost our turn. Let’s go in.”
She linked arms with Bo Yan and pulled him away.
Bo Yan walked two steps with her, then turned back to Bo Ying, saying coldly, “Aren’t you coming?”
“...”
Bo Ying and He Jingxiu followed behind.
As the few of them queued for tickets, He Jingxiu observed Bo Ying for a moment, then took out his phone to message her.
He Jingxiu: [Don’t want to watch the movie anymore?]
Bo Ying’s phone vibrated. She picked it up, glanced at it, looked back at the person behind her, and hesitated before replying: [Not really, I just don’t know how to face my brother and them right now.]
He Jingxiu: [If you don’t want to watch, then don’t. I’ll tell your brother.]
Bo Ying: [No, don’t. He’s already angry. I’m afraid he’ll get even angrier.]
He Jingxiu was about to reply when it was their turn to have their tickets checked.
He moved his fingers, putting his phone away.
________________________________________
The four people’s seats were indeed connected, the four outermost seats in the last row in the middle. Chi Lu was a public figure, afraid of being recognized, so she usually chose the very end seats at the cinema. Bo Ying and He Jingxiu also habitually chose seats on the side.
Considering that the two men shouldn’t sit together, Chi Lu and Bo Ying sat in the middle of the two men.
After sitting down, Bo Yan didn’t say anything more.
Chi Lu said a few words to lighten the atmosphere, allowing everyone to reluctantly focus on the movie.
But Bo Ying still barely paid attention. She secretly glanced at Bo Yan, always worried that he was angry.
She watched Bo Yan, and He Jingxiu watched her. But she was completely unaware.
Only Chi Lu watched the movie attentively.
At the end, Bo Ying didn’t even know what the movie was about.
________________________________________
After leaving the cinema, Chi Lu suggested getting something to eat.
It was a busy weekend night, and the streets were lively. The lights of the small shops on both sides were still on, warm and cozy.
The others had no objection.
“So, what should we eat?”
Chi Lu asked.
Bo Ying looked at her, “Whatever you want.”
“Let’s get some street-side grilled skewers,” Chi Lu was a bit craving, “How about it? CEO He, is that okay?”
He Jingxiu nodded, indicating, “Ask Bo Ying.”
Bo Ying nodded, “I’m fine with it.”
The four of them walked towards the grilled skewers stall, immediately smelling the smoky aroma as they approached.
Bo Ying was restless, not even focusing on ordering food.
He Jingxiu looked at her for a moment, then turned to Bo Yan, “CEO Bo.”
Bo Yan lifted his eyelids to look at him.
He Jingxiu smiled faintly, “Shall we talk?”
Bo Yan initially wanted to refuse, but Chi Lu kicked him under the table. Under her warning gaze, he had no choice but to agree.
The two men left the narrow small wooden table and walked to the roadside.
They weren’t far from them, just close enough to see their backs.
Bo Ying observed for a while, then whispered, “Little Lu, my brother won’t hit He Jingxiu, will he?”
Chi Lu couldn’t help but laugh, “What are you thinking? This is a society governed by law. Your brother isn’t that unreasonable.”
“...”
Bo Ying drooped her mouth, “But my brother looks really angry.”
Chi Lu glanced at her, then smiled, “Anyone would be angry, let alone your brother.”
Bo Ying looked at her in confusion.
Chi Lu explained, “You’re your brother’s only sister. Not only did we not know you were dating, but then we saw you holding hands and acting lovey-dovey with your boyfriend outside. Put yourself in his shoes, wouldn’t you be angry?”
What’s more, although Bo Yan didn’t say it, he always held Bo Ying in high regard. He was her brother, but he also effectively served as Bo Ying’s father.
Regarding his sister’s choice of partner, Bo Yan was satisfied with He Jingxiu. But by the same logic, knowing that Bo Ying had chased He Jingxiu for so long, he naturally felt some dissatisfaction with He Jingxiu.
Because he felt for his sister.
Bo Ying was silent for a moment, “Oh.”
She whispered, “But it’s not like I wasn’t going to tell him. I just wasn’t mentally prepared yet.”
“Mentally prepared for what?” Chi Lu looked at her with a smile, “Yingying, this isn’t like you.”
Bo Ying didn’t say a word.
Chi Lu looked at her, handed the selected menu to the waiter, and looked down, smiling, “If you’re like this, not only will your brother be angry, but CEO He will be angry too.”
“Huh?” Bo Ying, on her first relationship, asked in confusion, “Why?”
What did He Jingxiu have to be angry about?
Chi Lu took a sip of water, smiling without speaking.
“You guess.”
She glanced at the two men, who had their backs to them, and said mysteriously, “I’ll tell you the answer when CEO He actually gets angry.”
Bo Ying frowned, not quite believing what Chi Lu said.
She turned and watched them for a while. Besides their backs, she couldn’t see any subtle expressions. And the two seemed to be chatting happily, even sharing a cigarette, showing no major emotions for them to detect.
Before Bo Ying could figure anything out, the two returned.
Bo Yan’s expression wasn’t great, but it didn’t seem so bad anymore either.
When he sat down, he glanced at Bo Ying.
Bo Ying guiltily avoided his gaze.
She turned to He Jingxiu, wanting to ask something, but then realized it wasn’t appropriate.
________________________________________
After finishing the grilled skewers, Bo Yan went to pay the bill.
He Jingxiu didn’t fight him for it.
As the few of them prepared to leave, Bo Ying was secretly glad she had escaped a crisis. Bo Yan turned to her and said, “Bo Ying, go home tonight.”
Bo Ying: “...”
She instinctively looked for Chi Lu, asking for help.
“Don’t look at her,” Bo Yan said, “She won’t help you tonight.”
Chi Lu choked slightly, unable to help Bo Ying.
On other matters, if she acted a little spoiled, Bo Yan would agree, but on this matter, she really couldn’t interfere too much.
Bo Ying was silent for a moment, then looked at He Jingxiu.
He Jingxiu looked down at her and said gently, “Tell me when you get home.”
“Oh...” This time, Bo Ying had no choice but to go back.
After getting into the car with Bo Yan, Bo Ying quietly curled up in the back seat.
She turned to look at the passing scenery outside the window, and He Jingxiu’s expression from earlier inexplicably flashed in her mind.
She thought for a while, wanting to message him, but then remembered he was driving and temporarily restrained herself.
The car was quiet. Chi Lu glanced at Bo Yan several times, silently mouthing: Don’t be so harsh.
Bo Yan: I’m not.
Chi Lu: You are. Look how scared you’ve made her.
Bo Yan was speechless.
The two exchanged glances for a while, and soon arrived home.
As soon as she entered the house, Chi Lu quickly said, “You two siblings have a good chat. I’m going to take a shower.”
Bo Ying: “...”
It had been a while since she was back. Bo Ying looked around and saw many feminine items that Chi Lu had moved from upstairs.
Only Yuan Yuan was living upstairs now.
Bo Yan glanced at her and went to the kitchen.
Pouring her a cup of hot water, Bo Yan asked, “When did you get together with He Jingxiu?”
Bo Ying held the cup, her expression like someone undergoing an interrogation: “Well... it’s been a while.”
Bo Yan raised an eyebrow.
Bo Ying secretly glanced at him and whispered, “I was planning to tell you later.”
“Hmm.”
“...”
Bo Yan’s attitude left Bo Ying momentarily speechless.
She pursed her lips and asked softly, “Brother, do you not like He Jingxiu?”
Bo Yan stared at her, then suddenly remembered what He Jingxiu had just told him.
Bo Ying was afraid of him.
This was actually something he had always known.
Besides fear, Bo Ying also loved him deeply. This love surpassed that for everyone else.
This was also what He Jingxiu had said.
Bo Yan naturally knew his sister was afraid of him, but when it came to love, their sibling affection certainly existed. However, he had indeed overlooked many of Bo Ying’s emotions.
They had a significant age difference. Bo Yan was busy with studies before, and then with work, so he didn’t take care of her as much, easily overlooking some things for a young girl.
To Bo Ying, he was both a brother and a protector.
Bo Ying was very dependent on him and also very afraid of him.
Originally, Bo Yan hadn’t realized it.
But after He Jingxiu mentioned it, he belatedly recalled and indeed it seemed to be true. It was just that occasionally, when she needed to rely on him, he wasn’t there.
Bo Yan felt some regret.
He knew Bo Ying would be neglected staying at home alone, yet after he grew up, he resolutely moved out, leaving her to endure so many years alone in that vast, cold house.
Thinking of this, Bo Yan suddenly couldn’t say anything harsh.
Seeing Bo Yan silent, Bo Ying cautiously called out, “Brother?”
Bo Yan came back to his senses, glanced at her, “Have you met He Jingxiu’s parents?”
“Huh?” Bo Ying was stunned, not understanding why he changed the topic so quickly.
She shook her head, “No.”
Bo Yan “hmm-ed,” looking at her plainly, “After this variety show is done, make some time to come to the company.”
Bo Ying: “?”
She looked at Bo Yan blankly, “Is there something?”
“Mm.” Still the same cold, serious expression.
Bo Ying blinked, bewildered, “Okay.”
She pursed her lips, “Then... do you approve of us being together?”
Hearing this, Bo Yan was amused by her.
“Am I a parent who breaks up couples?”
Bo Ying rubbed her nose, saying awkwardly, “At the cinema entrance earlier, you really did seem a bit like that.”
She was even afraid he would say, “You two, break up right now,” and then Bo Yan would arrange for someone to watch her, preventing her from ever seeing He Jingxiu again.
Bo Yan helplessly looked down at her, “Do you like him that much?”
“I like him,” Bo Ying said without hesitation, “Brother, aren’t you the same?”
Both siblings had the same personality: stubborn, unyielding. Once they made up their minds, they could never let go.
Bo Yan choked, about to speak, when he heard Chi Lu’s footsteps.
He rubbed his brow bone and sighed, “Go back upstairs and sleep.”
“Okay.” Bo Ying obediently left, “Good night, Little Lu.”
Chi Lu: “Good night.”
“And,” Bo Yan looked at her, saying with a troubled expression, “Protect yourself well.”
Bo Ying: “............”
She was scared off by that sentence.
Watching her run away, Chi Lu couldn’t help but laugh, “I thought you’d ask Yingying to move back in.”
Bo Yan pulled her into his arms, saying softly, “I can’t force her to do something I can’t even do myself.”
Chi Lu chuckled, poking his shoulder, “Oh, so CEO Bo means you can’t live without me now?”
Bo Yan glanced at her, demonstrating with action whether he could live without her.
...
The room upstairs for Bo Ying had always been kept ready and cleaned weekly. Her belongings were still neatly arranged.
________________________________________
After returning to her room, she saw the “arrived home” message He Jingxiu had sent her. Bo Ying replied, but the man didn’t respond promptly. She guessed he had gone to take a shower.
Bo Ying thought for a moment, then took her pajamas and went into the bathroom.
When she came out after washing up, she saw He Jingxiu’s concise reply.
Bo Ying: [Are you going to sleep?]
He Jingxiu: [Handling some business.]
Bo Ying: [Oh.]
He Jingxiu didn’t reply again.
After a while, Bo Ying asked: [What did you say to my brother? He’s being so pleasant to me now.]
He Jingxiu: [Just chatted briefly.]
Bo Ying: [You can’t tell me?]
He Jingxiu: [Mm.]
Bo Ying: [............But I want to know.]
He Jingxiu still didn’t say.
Bo Ying sent him several messages, but the replies were all cold and distant.
Her excited mood was ruined by him, and she felt cold all of a sudden.
She had been so happy just moments before, and she didn’t understand why He Jingxiu was suddenly like this. Was her brother making things difficult for him? Or what happened?
Bo Ying abruptly ended their conversation and angrily pulled the covers over herself, ready to sleep.
A few minutes after closing her eyes, she grew more and more annoyed. She felt she couldn’t just continue being so foolish, so she simply called him.
“Hello,” the man’s deep, husky voice answered.
Bo Ying pursed her lips, “He Jingxiu, I’m angry.”
He Jingxiu was speechless.
Bo Ying said, “You’re being so perfunctory with me tonight.”
He Jingxiu was startled, then said softly, “I’m sorry.”
“I don’t want your apology.” Bo Ying asked, “Did my brother make things difficult for you?”
He Jingxiu was slightly stunned, then realized, “No.”
“Then why are you being so cold to me?” Bo Ying said unhappily, “You’re dismissing me with just a few words when I message you.”
He Jingxiu opened his mouth, suddenly unsure how to explain.
He couldn’t possibly tell Bo Ying, I’m jealous of your brother, could he?
Of course, it wasn’t just that reason.
He Jingxiu knew Bo Ying was afraid of her brother, but he was actually unhappy with her constant retreating behavior tonight.
He could understand her panic when her plans were interrupted, but a movie’s length was enough time to calm down. Yet, Bo Ying didn’t.
He Jingxiu pondered for a long time, then whispered, “How many times did you look at me tonight?”
“Huh?”
This sudden question stumped Bo Ying.
He Jingxiu said, “When your brother asked you questions, you first looked for Chi Lu. Do you realize that?”
Bo Ying was startled, then opened her mouth and said, “Are you jealous of Chi Lu?”
He Jingxiu sighed, “Bo Ying, that’s not what I mean.”
He spoke softly, his tone sounding calm, yet somehow making one feel a little uncomfortable.
“Have you noticed that when you have a problem, you never put me first in your list of people to ask for help from.”
Whether it was work, or various small and large matters before, let alone tonight.
Bo Ying was speechless by his question, forgetting how to answer.
She didn’t know that He Jingxiu observed so carefully, nor did she know that he remembered all of these things.
Bo Ying’s lips moved up and down, and after a long while, she finally managed to squeeze out one word: “I—”
He Jingxiu was quiet.
Bo Ying pursed her lips, and said softly, “I’m sorry.”
He Jingxiu smiled helplessly, and whispered, “I told you this not for you to apologize to me. You have your own thoughts and habits, and I know and understand that.”
He was silent for a moment, then said, “I just want to tell you that in the future, if something similar happens, if you encounter difficulties, you can try to trust me.”
No matter what difficulties there were, he could help solve them.
He wanted Bo Ying to consider him first.
For some reason, Bo Ying’s heart ached from his words.
The air seemed to still for a few seconds. After a long while, Bo Ying finally managed to say in a hushed voice, “Okay.”
She didn’t want to continue chatting with He Jingxiu, quickly cut off the conversation, and hung up.
Putting her phone aside, Bo Ying opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling.
He Jingxiu’s words kept replaying in her mind. Bo Ying tossed and turned, holding her blanket, feeling more and more upset the more she thought about it.
She forgot to say that she didn’t look for him because she was too nervous tonight and it was partly a habit, but before, it was because she was afraid of disturbing him, knowing he was busy.
However, with different ways of thinking and different stances, it was easy for them to have disagreements.
Suddenly, Chi Lu’s words from the barbecue stand popped into Bo Ying’s mind.
Her eyes lit up, and she immediately messaged her, asking why she knew He Jingxiu would be angry.
However, the message seemed to sink into the sea, with no response.
Bo Ying lay in bed alone for a while. Just as she was wondering if she should call He Jingxiu again to explain, her phone vibrated first.
She grabbed it and opened it; it was a message from He Jingxiu.
He Jingxiu: [Asleep?]
Bo Ying: [Can’t sleep.]
He Jingxiu: [I’m at the door.]
Bo Ying: [???]
A moment later, Bo Ying tiptoed to the front door.
As soon as the door opened, the man she hadn’t seen for several hours appeared in her sight. He seemed to have run over, his breathing still somewhat noticeable, and his face was flushed.
Bo Ying stared at him blankly, “Why did you come over?”
He Jingxiu lowered his gaze, looking at her eyes first. He raised his hand and used his thumb to wipe the delicate skin under her eyes, then asked in a low voice, “Were you crying?”
Bo Ying’s emotions had been held back, but his question made them surge uncontrollably again.
She tightly pressed her lips together, looking up at him, “I wasn’t crying.”
He Jingxiu smiled and pulled her into his arms.
“Little liar.”
Bo Ying couldn’t help but raise her hand and hit his shoulder, “Who told you to wrongly accuse me?”
“Hmm?”
Bo Ying refuted his earlier words: “How am I always asking others for help first?”
She whispered, “And wasn’t I just thinking you were busy and didn’t dare to disturb you?”
She was very aggrieved.
He Jingxiu felt the warmth of her body as she lay against him, his heart softening completely. He suddenly couldn’t bear to argue with her about these things anymore.
He raised his hand and ruffled her hair, whispering, “Then that’s my problem, for making you misunderstand.”
Bo Ying pouted and declared fiercely, “If you want me to tell you everything, then just wait to be annoyed to death by me.”
He Jingxiu laughed helplessly, cupping her face and kissing her, gently agreeing, “Okay.”
Annoy me as much as you want. That’s how I’ll feel that I hold significant weight in your life.
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