Volume 1, Chapter 7: Does Brother Like Shengsheng, Then?

Wen Zhi’s consciousness was hazy, yet Shen Nianchi appeared exceptionally vivid before her. "I didn't drink... I'm an adult. Even in a dream, you still try to manage me..."

His gaze darkened. "Be good. Let's go home."

Wen Zhi frowned slightly, struggling to process his words for a second, when a sudden force pulled her into his arms, her cheek bumping against him with a sharp sting.

The man’s scent washed over her—a faint aroma of wine mixed with his masculine aura—causing her heart to race. "Let go..."

Before Wen Zhi could finish her sentence, Qin Yi’s voice rang out: "Teacher Shen? Wen Zhi? You two..."

Wen Zhi pushed Shen Nianchi away with force, and as she looked up, she met Qin Yi's eyes, which were wide with surprise and shock. She stumbled forward and whispered, "Let me tell you a secret: he’s my brother, the kind without any blood relation..."

Qin Yi’s intoxication vanished instantly. She covered her mouth in shock, staring at them in disbelief.

What had she just heard?

Suddenly, Wen Zhi’s eyes closed, and she began to tip backward. Shen Nianchi caught her with swift reflexes, pulling her securely into his arms.

"If she asks you about this when she wakes up, just act like you don't know anything."

Qin Yi nodded blankly.

Shen Nianchi scooped Wen Zhi up in his arms and prepared to leave. "By the way, I have a favor to ask of you. See you tomorrow."

With that, he walked away carrying Wen Zhi, leaving Qin Yi alone at the entrance of the restroom.

*Holy cow!*

Was she dreaming?

Teacher Shen! Wen Zhi’s brother! Not blood-related!

Wait... could the "big brother" Wen Zhi always talked about be Teacher Shen?!

Qin Yi stood frozen for a long time, unable to process the revelation.

The car door opened, and a gust of cold air rushed in. Wen Zhi shivered and slowly opened her eyes, her head feeling heavy and dizzy.

"Did I wake you?" A familiar voice came from beside her.

"Brother... it’s cold..."

Wen Zhi looked at Shen Nianchi. Her small face was flushed from the alcohol, her glistening eyes narrowed into slits, and she reached out to grab his collar, looking for all the world like she wanted a hug.

Shen Nianchi hesitated for a moment before reaching out. Wen Zhi leaned into him, wrapping her arms around his neck and clinging to him.

"Long time no see, Brother..."

Wen Zhi rested contentedly on his shoulder, murmuring softly with her eyes closed.

Shen Nianchi tightened his hold on her instinctively, the corners of his lips curling upward. "Long time no see..." He paused. "Did you miss me?"

"I did~" Wen Zhi replied in a soft, sweet voice.

"Good girl."

Her behavior was more than he could handle; his frustration was laced with deep indulgence. Shen Nianchi brushed her hair aside, carried her into the house, and shut the door.

Passing through the living room, Wen Zhi blinked groggily, tilting her head to look at his profile. "Brother, you’re so handsome~"

Shen Nianchi looked down at her, a knowing, enigmatic smile on his lips. He didn't deny it. "Mm, and our Wen Zhi is quite the beauty herself!"

Their breaths mingled, and an ambiguous tension filled the air between them.

Wen Zhi’s eyelashes fluttered, and her soft, shallow breathing brushed against his ear. "So, does Brother like Sheng-sheng?"

She blinked, her face flushed, and her glistening eyes sparkled like fragments of stars.

"I like you."

Shen Nianchi reached up to pinch her nose, looking at the adorable, tipsy kitten in his arms. He whispered, "Since our Sheng-sheng is such a good girl, of course Brother likes you."

"Oh~"

Wen Zhi’s tone sounded slightly disappointed.

Shen Nianchi paused, a strange emotion suddenly welling up in his chest.

Disappointed?

Of course she would be disappointed not to hear it from the person she liked.

Why was he feeling so unsettled?

Wen Zhi hiccuped, the scent of alcohol on her breath. She instinctively licked her lips and tilted her head at Shen Nianchi.

She looked just like a lazy, cute kitten.

Wen Zhi’s head spun, and her stomach lurched violently. She covered her mouth, pushed away from Shen Nianchi, and stumbled into the bathroom.

"Ugh..."

The sound of retching came from the restroom. Shen Nianchi’s expression darkened; he followed her inside and began gently patting her back to help her breathe.

After a long while, Wen Zhi felt much better. "Thank you..."

Her voice was barely a whisper, strained as if her throat were constricted.

Shen Nianchi frowned and stepped out of the bathroom, returning shortly with a glass of honey water.

"Drink some honey water."

Wen Zhi nodded obediently, took the glass, and gulped it down, feeling much more comfortable afterward.

She stood by the sink, looking at her reflection in the mirror, and froze.

The mirror reflected Shen Nianchi’s devilishly handsome face, currently leaning in close to her...

Wen Zhi felt her breath hitch, and her cheeks turned burning hot. "Brother..."

She turned around and instinctively raised her hand to push him away, but she stopped—there was still a distance between them.

"Feeling better?"

His magnetic voice echoed. Wen Zhi blinked, unable to speak; her head was still spinning, and her body swayed unsteadily.

"It’s getting late. I’ll carry you to rest." Shen Nianchi put an arm around her waist and lifted her up. Wen Zhi leaned against his shoulder.

"Thank you..."

Shen Nianchi carried her upstairs, laid her on the bed, and tucked her in. Just as he turned to leave, Wen Zhi grabbed his hand.

"Brother, don't go..."

Shen Nianchi paused and looked back at her, a ripple of emotion in his eyes. "What’s wrong?"

"Can you wait until I’m asleep before you go?"

Shen Nianchi looked at her, his heart suddenly feeling as if it were filled with honey—sweet to the point of cloying. He stroked her cheek. "Alright."

His movements were gentle, and his gaze was filled with tenderness.

Wen Zhi nodded obediently, but her small hand kept holding onto him, refusing to let go. Shen Nianchi had no choice but to sit on the edge of the bed, letting her hold him.

"Sheng-sheng..."

Shen Nianchi whispered her name. His low, resonant voice felt like a small hammer, tapping gently against her heart.

"Mm~"

Wen Zhi responded softly. Gradually, her breathing leveled out, and she fell into a deep sleep.

Only then did Shen Nianchi gently pry her fingers loose. He stood up slowly, lingered by the bed for a moment, then turned and left the room, closing the door behind him.

Downstairs, in the living room, he picked up his phone and made a call. "Yeah... she’s had too much to drink. She might not feel well tomorrow, so bring some food over when you come..."

After the call, Shen Nianchi headed back upstairs.

In the bedroom, the lights were off. Standing in the darkness before the floor-to-ceiling window, he lit a cigarette and took a slow drag.

Amidst the swirling smoke, his eyes were deep, his expression unreadable.

After a long time, he finished the cigarette and crushed it out.

Outside the window, it began to snow, the flakes dancing through the air as they drifted down.

The wind blew in through a gap in the window, biting and cold. Shen Nianchi frowned slightly, reached out to turn on the light, and drew the curtains.

The phone in his pocket vibrated. Shen Nianchi answered it. "Hello?"