Luo Yunyan raised an eyebrow. “Not today, Pretty Boy. Another day, maybe.”

“Then can I get your contact info? How about tomorrow?” Gu Shilin pulled out his phone, unlocked it, and handed it over.

Luo Yunyan blinked. “You’re just handing it over like that? Aren’t you afraid I’ll snoop through your stuff?”

“If you want to, go ahead. I’ve got nothing to hide,” Gu Shilin replied casually.

Chu Moxuan: You sure about that? That’s your private phone. Don’t you know how much stuff on there shouldn’t be seen?!

Luo Yunyan couldn’t help the curve of her lips. But she didn’t peek—just added herself on WeChat and saved her number. Then she handed the phone back.

“You’re not allowed to change the contact name. If you do, I’ll beat you up,” she said, all fierce.

Gu Shilin glanced down at the name: “Baby.”

Baby?

A ripple passed through his eyes. Kinda… sweet, actually.

“Sure. Check anytime you like.” Then, mouthing the word, he said silently: “Baby.”

Ugh. Luo Yunyan felt a jolt of secondhand embarrassment. “Ugh. Gross.”

The end-of-class bell rang. The school gates opened and students surged out like a stampede at a street market.

In Class 2 of Grade 12, a boy with silver-gray wolf-cut hair slung his backpack over his shoulder and headed out fast.

“Hey, Xiaojin, wait up!” Chu Moting called, hurrying after him and slinging an arm around his shoulder. “What’s the rush? The driver’s not going anywhere.”

“No driver today,” Luo Yunjin replied, shaking his shoulder to throw the arm off.

“The driver’s on leave? Then come with me—we’re headed the same way anyway.”

“No need. My sister’s picking me up. We’re going back to the old house.” His expression remained blank, but his tone practically screamed look-how-important-I-am.

Luo Yunjin didn’t remember much about Luo Yunyan—he was only two when she was kidnapped. But even as time passed, her image had never faded.

Everyone in the family always reminded him: he had a sister. When she came home, he should love her, protect her—because she was the most cherished one in the Luo family.

He’d grown into a secret sis-con. Every year, they even celebrated her birthday—even if the birthday girl wasn’t there.

In fact, it had been him who first spotted Luo Yunxi’s Weibo post yesterday and shared it in the family group chat. Otherwise, most of them still wouldn’t know she was back.

Chu Moting blinked. “Yunyan-jie?”

“Back off. She’s my sister,” Luo Yunjin said coldly.

“Pfft. What’s the big deal? You think you’re special ‘cause you’ve got a sister?” Chu Moting rolled his eyes—then paused. Wait. He actually didn’t have a sister.

Ouch.

The two walked to the gate together—only to be greeted by the dazzling sight of three incredibly attractive people.

Seriously, their faces were practically glowing. But why did they look like a family of three? Dad, Mom… and a Toy Poodle?

Luo Yunjin’s puppy eyes lit up. He ran forward.

“Xiaojin,” Luo Yunyan waved at him.

He stopped in front of her, his eyes slightly red. He looked shy and a little stiff. “Jiejie, you’re finally back. Now we don’t have to celebrate your birthday without you anymore.”

Luo Yunyan froze for a moment.

Every year? They’d held birthday celebrations for her every year?

No one had ever told her that.

She reached out to ruffle his hair. “I’m back now. From now on, I’ll be there for every one of your birthdays too.”

“Promise?” Luo Yunjin held out his pinky.

Gu Shilin frowned at the sight of that finger. Tch. Ugly.

Even Chu Moxuan winced at the jealousy oozing from him. He cleared his throat.

“Gu-ge, what are you doing here? And Cousin, is your throat acting up?” Luo Yunjin asked, confused.

“Pfft—hahaha!” Chu Moting couldn’t help bursting into laughter.

Chu Moxuan shot him a glare. “Shut up. Who asked you to talk?”

“Gu-ge. Yunyan-jie,” Chu Moting greeted them both with a zipped mouth.

“She’s my sister,” Luo Yunjin emphasized again.

“Alright, we’re heading back,” Luo Yunyan said, glancing at Gu Shilin.

He nodded slightly. “See you tomorrow?”

“We’ll see. Depends on my schedule.” She smiled, taking her brother’s hand as they walked away.

Gu Shilin stood there, watching her leave.

“Enough staring, Bro. She’s gone. That look in your eyes is enough to drown someone, seriously.” Chu Moxuan waved his hand in front of him.

Gu Shilin swatted it away and turned to go.

Chu Moxuan followed, leaving Chu Moting standing there, confused.

What the hell? You weren’t here to pick me up?
Where’s my ride?!

“Hurry up!” Gu Shilin’s shout jolted him back. Chu Moting quickly chased after them.

---

Back at the Luo family’s old mansion, Luo Yunyan handed Luo Yunjin his gift—a giant box.

Inside were multiple rare, discontinued LEGO sets—the big-ticket items.

Even Luo Yunyan was stunned. These were Jiang Ziang’s beloved collection. He treated them like a girlfriend!

And Jiang Ziang’s true girlfriend—Jiang Yining—had just yanked the most expensive ones and sent them over?!

Best. Friend. Ever.

She pulled out her phone and transferred Jiang Ziang fifty million as “medical expenses.” Not even a twinge of guilt.

[Jiang Ziang]: Luo-jie, what did I do? Is this my severance package?

[Jiang Ziang]: I swear I can redeem myself! Don’t throw me out just like that! I’ll change! I swear!

[Jiang Ziang]: At least tell me what I did wrong so I can die knowing, please?!

[Luo Yunyan]: Don’t come back to the estate. Buy what you want. Blame Jiang Yining.

After reading the reply, Jiang Ziang felt like his soul left his body.
She… betrayed him?

He immediately called Jiang Yining.

When he learned the truth, he lost all will to live.

Those were his babies! His rare treasures! His only true loves in this life!

Devastated, he called Luo Yunyan again.

She picked up while watching TV with Grandma Luo and stepped aside. “What is it?”

“LOU-JIE! BOSS LOU! THAT WAS MY WIFE! HOW COULD YOU JUST—GIVE HER AWAY?!” Jiang Ziang’s voice exploded in her ear.

She frowned and held the phone away from her head. “Yining gave them to me, okay? I didn’t know. Besides, he’s just a kid—why are you competing with a kid?”

“Kid? He’s 17, I’m 18! I’m only three months older! I’m a kid too!”

“That’s why I gave you fifty million in medical expenses.”

“This isn’t about money! She was my soulmate!”

“Fine. I’ll throw in another fifty mil.”

“…Cough. Still not about the money, I…”

“From now on, anything LEGO-related—buy it and send me the receipt. I’ll cover it. But if you keep whining, I’m taking back that extra five mil.”

“Deal! Lou-jie, you’re the best! You’re my second mother! Love you, mwah mwah mwah!”

“Start buying in twos from now on. That’s it. Bye.”

As the call ended, Jiang Ziang stared at his screen, dazed.

Why does it feel like Lou-jie only agreed to be nice because she wanted to buy LEGO for her brother?

And I was just… collateral?

Still.

He’d just made ninety million while crying.

He was content.

Time to go buy more LEGO.