What kind of phrase is that?!

Qi An’an had originally wanted to defend her cub a bit, but she was afraid Qi Yan would misunderstand if she said too much. Forget it. Qi Yan hadn’t read the original novel anyway, no point arguing with him.

“Ring ring ring……”

Qi Yan’s phone rang. He was driving and casually gestured toward the phone. “An’an, help Brother see who it is.”

Qi An’an picked up the phone. The name ‘Qi Hong’ was flashing on the screen. She blinked. “It’s Dad. I’ll answer it, then.”

Qi Yan’s expression changed slightly. “Wait, don’t answer. I’ll take it.”

Once he picked up, Qi Yan’s entire demeanor shifted. He turned cold and distant. “Got it. I’ll keep an eye on the company. You don’t need to worry. Is that all?” Qi Yan seemed wary of Qi An’an and replied perfunctorily, “Don’t say any more. I don’t agree with it. You figure it out for her, don’t dump her here to bother people.”

────ρя

This translation is by Pocketrobbin at S h a n g h a i f a n t a s y . c o m

Since that phone call, Qi Yan hadn’t seemed quite himself. These past two days, he had been so busy he was barely seen. Qi An’an asked Butler Chen to inquire, and she also tried hinting at it a few times herself, but Qi Yan never gave her any real information.

Tch. Even if he didn’t say anything, she could still guess. Just from those pitifully few details she overheard during the call, it was enough for a superfan like her to piece together seventy or eighty percent of the truth.

The plot had developed to the point where the female protagonist was about to appear— the initial meeting of the male and female protagonists. But in the novel, this segment focused entirely on the female protagonist and nothing was written about her side. Still, Qi An’an figured that their family definitely wouldn’t welcome the female protagonist’s arrival.

After all, the female protagonist was the child of their father with another woman, who happened to be his long-lost first love from youth.

Come to think of it, her precious girl’s backstory was quite tragic too. Qi An’an and Qi Yan’s parents had married through a family arrangement and never had much love between them. Thankfully, their parents had an open-minded approach and lived their own lives separately without interference. A few years later, their father happened to reunite with his white moonlight^[1]a first love, a missed love, or a person who represents purity and longing, rekindling a flame of romance and deceiving the woman with sweet nothings. That woman gave birth to a child for him, which was the original novel’s female protagonist, Qi Zhen.

Later, the white moonlight died of illness, and Qi Zhen could only rely on her father. But Qi Hong was an irresponsible man. His oaths of eternal love were all just empty words. He didn’t devote much affection to this daughter either. And thinking that Qi An’an and Qi Zhen were sisters anyway, he put them together so they could look after each other.

So he sent Qi Zhen to live with Book Qi An’an.

Book Qi An’an and the female protagonist were born in the same year. She herself had never received a shred of love from her father. Suddenly being made to live with an ‘older sister’ who was showered with affection, it would’ve been strange if she treated Qi Zhen kindly. After Qi Zhen arrived, Book Qi An’an became as vicious as could be, and the male and female protagonists suffered together at her hands.

That was the starting point of the main couple’s relationship in the novel. They were two pitiful kids brought together by hardship. Qi An’an had felt so heartbroken when reading it back then, wishing she could charge in and protect them, and let them grow up happy and free.

And now, that opportunity had finally come. The long-awaited, thrilling plotline was about to begin.

It was fine. Just a bit more patience. Qi Yan was only hiding it because he didn’t want her to feel upset. But how long could he hide it? The powerful tide of the plot would definitely bring her precious girl to her side!

────ρя


There had been rain recently, and the return of winter chill in spring was especially bitter. In the classroom, low coughs from several students echoed here and there.

After class, Qi An’an handed out ginger-red date tea to a few sick girls around her. Having transferred in for several days now, Qi An’an had quickly blended into the group. Her kind personality made her popular among her classmates.

Yu Tianyang saw this, turned around with a stuffy nose, and called out, “Qi An’an! What good stuff do you have? I want some too!”

He asked so naturally and shamelessly, without the slightest hint of embarrassment. Jiang Lu glanced sideways at Yu Tianyang but soon lowered his head to continue his work.

There were always sunny, innocent people like this in the world, which made someone like him seem even more dark and unpleasant— maybe even a little despicable.

Why was she so kind to everyone? She was like a warm little sun, and he was just someone who happened to get a bit of that light.

Jiang Lu hid all his emotions in the shadow beneath his lashes, saying nothing.

Qi An’an didn’t explain that the tea was more suitable for girls. After handing two packets to Yu Tianyang, she turned and asked Jiang Lu, “Jiang Lu, the temperature’s dropped these days. Have you been feeling unwell?”

Although he looked the same as usual, Qi An’an was worried about her cub and couldn’t help but ask.

See, she had just shown concern for someone else, and now it was his turn. She treated everyone the same. Jiang Lu suddenly felt a flicker of anger and replied coldly, “I’m fine.”

That was good. Qi An’an felt relieved, but Yu Tianyang turned back again. “I forgot, I forgot! Let me copy your math homework real quick! Lao Liu’s definitely gonna check it next period, I’m scared!”

Qi An’an took out her notebook. “Big Nephew, your cold’s pretty bad. Your health isn’t even as good as mine.”

Yu Tianyang rubbed his nose and stuffed the tea she gave him into his pocket. “Nonsense. I was just careless this time. I’m not that weak. Oh right, Little Aunt, give me the English homework too. I’ll copy that at the same time.”

Young people got familiar quickly. In just a few days, Qi An’an and Yu Tianyang had already hit it off. As for the nickname ‘Big Nephew’, Yu Tianyang had rolled his eyes a few times at first, but then easily accepted it, calling Qi An’an ‘Little Aunt’ in return with great fondness.

Yu Tianyang didn’t turn back. Instead, he leaned over Qi An’an’s desk to copy homework and chat at the same time. “Hey, Little Aunt, which high school are you planning to apply to?”

Jiang Lu frowned slightly when he saw Yu Tianyang leaning over Qi An’an’s desk, but when he heard the question, he said nothing. His breathing quieted, fully focused on listening.

Qi An’an countered, “You’re younger, you go first. Which school do you want to apply to?”

Yu Tianyang grinned wide, showing all his white teeth. “I’m going for Xincheng No. 1 High. My family bought a place in the new district, so for convenience, I’ll definitely go there. But I probably won’t see our classmates much anymore. The old district is pretty far, so not many people will apply there.”

He laid everything bare and kicked the leg of Qi An’an’s desk. “What about you? You haven’t said where you’re applying yet.”

Jiang Lu’s hand paused over his notebook. He kept his gaze lowered without a word.

Qi An’an hesitated for a moment. “I haven’t decided yet. I still need to see what my family thinks.”

Actually, that wasn’t true. She had already decided. She was definitely going to apply to Xincheng No. 1 High too. After all, both her precious boy and precious girl would end up there. But Yu Tianyang was the type to dig to the bottom of things. If Qi An’an said she was applying there without giving a reason, he wouldn’t let it go.

Qi An’an blinked, then turned with a bright smile. “Jiang Lu, what about you? Which school are you applying to?”

Jiang Lu didn’t seem very interested, his focus entirely on the test paper. His profile was cool and aloof. “I haven’t decided.”

“Jiang Lu, you could get into any school.” Yu Tianyang said carelessly. “You’ve got great grades. Every school’s probably fighting to get you.”

Yu Tianyang was easygoing and had never thought anything was off about Jiang Lu. It was just that Jiang Lu usually kept to himself, so they hadn’t interacted much. After becoming close with Qi An’an, he got more chances to talk to Jiang Lu and found that, though the guy didn’t say much, he wasn’t bad at all.

Despite his stuffy nose and labored breathing, Yu Tianyang was making full use of the ten-minute break to chat, “Oh right, Qi An’an, my birthday’s during summer break. I’m inviting everyone over to my place. You have to come! Ah-choo—”

Before Qi An’an could warn him not to spread his cold to Jiang Lu, Jiang Lu had already glanced over. Looking at Qi An’an, he told Yu Tianyang, “You’ve caught a cold. Don’t infect others.”

“Oh, oh, right, right. I’ll turn around now.” Yu Tianyang belatedly slapped his forehead, then turned around with his math homework and started copying.

────ρя


For several consecutive days, it had rained every night. The weather had been unusually cold lately. Even with a wool sweater under her school uniform, Qi An’an still felt chilly, so she wrapped herself in an extra jacket.

As school was about to end in the evening, the sky outside grew gloomier. The wind rustled the tree leaves loudly, making people feel cold just looking at it.

Qi An’an glanced out the window for a while, then turned her head and asked softly, “Jiang Lu, did you bring an umbrella?”

Everyone kept their umbrellas either under their desks or hanging from the side. Jiang Lu had come empty-handed. He clearly didn’t bring one.

Before Jiang Lu could answer, Qi An’an added, “My umbrella is really big. Let’s walk home together, okay?”

Jiang Lu shook his head and said quietly, “No need. You use it yourself.”

He held his forehead with one hand, his gaze somewhat heavy. His face was pale, and his lips looked dry and cracked. He seemed exhausted, like he wasn’t in good shape.

Qi An’an frowned. Something felt wrong. He had seemed fine just last period. Why did he suddenly look so unwell? She reached out and tentatively touched the back of Jiang Lu’s hand. “Jiang Lu, are you feeling sick?”

The moment she touched him, she realized his skin was burning hot.

Qi An’an immediately realized Jiang Lu had a fever. She whispered, “Jiang Lu, I think you have a fever. Don’t move. Let me feel your forehead.”

As she spoke, her hand reached for his forehead.

Jiang Lu finally reacted, a flicker of surprise flashing in his eyes. He leaned away, and his voice, slightly hoarse with heat, came out, “What are you doing?”

Qi An’an’s hand firmly pressed against his forehead. “You’ve got a fever. Wait here. I’m going to get you some medicine.”

Jiang Lu dodged her hand again and muttered, “……Don’t touch me.” Wasn’t she disgusted?

Qi An’an didn’t respond. She threw on her jacket, clearly preparing to sneak away.

Jiang Lu turned his head slightly, looking dazed.

His head felt clouded and heavy. He watched Qi An’an swiftly put on her jacket and sneak out the back door, bent over. The fever-induced headache slowed his thoughts to a crawl.

There still seemed to be a lingering soft sensation on his forehead— cool, yet gentle.

That hand had been so warm. In the moment their skin touched, he hadn’t even felt the slightest urge to resist.

……

Qi An’an ran to the school clinic and bought some cold medicine and fever reducers. By the time she returned to the classroom, the bell had long rung. Almost everyone had already left. Only Jiang Lu sat there alone in the empty classroom.

Hmm, her cub was very obedient today. Sick people really were more well-behaved.

Qi An’an felt her heart soften. She hurried over, placed the medicine on his desk, and began unwrapping it. “Jiang Lu, take the medicine first. You’ll feel better soon.”

Following the school doctor’s instructions, she popped out the pills that needed to be taken. Then she took Jiang Lu’s water bottle, unscrewed the lid, and poured some water into the cap.

The water was too hot, with thin steam rising steadily. It clearly couldn’t be drunk yet. Qi An’an alternated the cup and lid, trying to cool it faster.

Throughout all this, Jiang Lu silently watched Qi An’an without saying a word. But those usually cold and distant eyes softened bit by bit, holding a misty warmth.

She was kind to everyone. She remembered when others were sick and didn’t hesitate to buy medicine for them. He shouldn’t have been so stubborn before. He ought to feel lucky that among all the ‘everyone’, he was included.

“It should be okay now.” Qi An’an said, handing him the cup. “Try it. Be careful. Don’t burn yourself.”

As the warm water passed through his throat and the round tablets followed, Jiang Lu closed his eyes. He wanted to tell Qi An’an that this was his first time taking medicine.

So this was what medicine tasted like. Books had exaggerated. It wasn’t bitter at all. In fact, it carried a faint hint of sweetness.

Watching how obediently Jiang Lu took his medicine— no coaxing or persuading needed— Qi An’an felt a rush of motherly satisfaction. “You’ll recover faster now. Take these pills home with you. The capsules are three times a day, two each time. The fever medicine is twice a day, one each time. Don’t forget.”

Jiang Lu murmured, “Mm.”

He didn’t have the strength to say another word. His chest felt strange. If he said anything else, he might not be able to stay this calm.

Qi An’an continued, “Then let’s go home together.”

Jiang Lu paused for a moment, then finally nodded.

When they stepped out the main doors of the school building, a fine drizzle was falling. Jiang Lu took the umbrella from Qi An’an and opened it, quietly tilting it in her direction.

“Jiang Lu, go to bed early the next few days. Don’t stay up late.”

“Mm.”

“Do you think Yu Tianyang got you sick?”

“Don’t know.”

There was a puddle ahead. Qi An’an tugged on Jiang Lu’s sleeve and pulled him to the side.

“It was him! That troublemaker! I’ll help you get back at him tomorrow, teach him a good lesson for what he’s done to you.”

Jiang Lu glanced at her. “No need.”

“Hey, Jiang Lu, do you like math more or language……?”

Qi An’an’s voice was sweet and clear. Jiang Lu quietly listened. Even he didn’t notice that just a fleeting moment ago, the corners of his lips had gently curved up.