Chapter 155

Zhou Yanli studied diligently every day. His classmates praised his hard work, and the teachers commended his well-written essays. Whenever classmates invited him to social gatherings, he would decline whenever possible, preferring to spend more time at his desk reviewing his studies rather than wasting time on other activities.

Others spoke of his boundless potential, but no one knew the torment and urgency within him.

How could he not feel urgent?

Without ability, how could he stand as an equal to Nianxi?

How could he protect Nianxi?

He resented his youth.

If only he were Lu Wensheng’s age, with power and status, he too would dare to express his feelings for Nianxi publicly.

Yes, he was too timid.

In Nianxi’s presence, he didn’t even dare to speak a single inappropriate word or make an intimate gesture. He feared that if he ever expressed or acted on his feelings, he would lose even the chance to remain by his sister’s side.

All he longed for was Nianxi’s affection, yet he was firmly trapped in the role of her “younger brother.”

He wasn’t even as bold as Pei Jian. Although Nianxi didn’t give Pei Jian any attention, at least Pei Jian was always forthright and open about his feelings.

Zhou Yanli understood better than anyone else that he had only two choices before him.

One was to let go. The other was to wait.

He could never let go; he could only remain where he was, waiting for Nian Xi to turn around and see him standing behind her.

On this path, he saw danger ahead and behind—wolves in front, tigers behind—each more cunning and sly than the other.

Zhou Yanli had witnessed how Nianxi interacted with Lu Wensheng. Lu Wensheng was too skilled at manipulating emotions and too adept at knowing when to advance and retreat. Even if Nianxi wasn’t moved by him now, who could guarantee she wouldn’t be in the future?

Nianxi admired him. Love takes many forms. Admiration and love often intertwine, overlapping and tangling—who can say for certain where one ends and the other begins?

So he went to find Wen Qingheng. Initially, the conversation naturally revolved around academic matters. After discussing serious topics, he did not rush to leave and instead brought up casual subjects: “Last time, I heard Aunt mention matchmaking. Big Brother, have you met someone you fancy yet?”

Wen Qingheng, currently most irritated by the idea of “settling down,” felt about it the same way Wang Muyi reacted to the mention of tonics.

“Don’t bring that up again,” he said impatiently, waving his hand and changing the subject. “Earlier, I noticed you seemed hesitant. What’s the matter?”

Wen Qingheng had always supported Zhou Yanli, the younger brother he’d watched grow up.

Zhou Yanli hesitated and replied, “I’m not sure if I should say it.”

Zhou Yanli hesitated for a while before saying, “Big Brother, you know that in my heart, you are like family to me. These things weighing on my mind leave me uneasy.”

Wen Qingheng, intrigued by his words, became curious and said, “It’s fine, just tell me.”

Under Wen Qingheng’s urging, Zhou Yanli reluctantly continued, “It’s nothing much to tell you, Big Brother, but this matter must be kept from my sister. I’m afraid it would hurt her feelings.”

When it came to his younger sister, Wen Qingheng immediately grew serious. “Is it about Nian’er?”

Zhou Yanli confirmed.

After Wen Qingheng repeatedly assured Zhou Yanli that he wouldn’t tell Nianxi, Zhou Yanli finally explained: “Previously, during the incident with King Jing, Uncle Lu protected my sister on many occasions. However, due to his connection to the Empress, there has been much gossip in the household about my sister. I rarely visit my aunt’s place nowadays, but when I do, I always hear rumors about Uncle Lu and my sister. I know that Uncle Lu and my sister are entirely innocent, but the servants still gossip endlessly.”

He kept addressing him as “Uncle Lu,” which gave the impression of a middle-aged man lusting after an unmarried young woman in her prime.

Wen Qingheng frowned. “Our family has no intention of seeking social advancement.”

“I know, I know.”

“It’s just that Xiaoqi frequently visits my sister.” Zhou Yanli hurriedly added, “In the past, Xiaoqi has disrupted many marriage proposals, but when it comes to my sister, he has completely changed. It’s hard for people in Duke Fu’s household not to misunderstand. I know my sister’s gentle and patient nature—how could a child not love her? But those people don’t understand and just assume she’s scheming.”

“Uncle Lu is a very good man; everyone who meets him praises him as a true gentleman, and many women in the city admire him.”

“I know my sister is deeply grateful to Uncle Lu and harbors no inappropriate thoughts, but I fear she would be saddened to hear such gossip.”

“So, Big Brother, please don’t let my sister know.”

Wen Qingheng fell silent for a moment before replying, “Anyone who marries into their family is bound for misery!”

Zhou Yanli poured him a cup of tea and said, “That’s why I’ve stopped visiting my aunt’s place altogether.”

Wen Qingheng nodded coldly, his expression stern.

In his heart, Wen Qingheng resolved to interact less with the Lu family in the future, especially with Lu Huai, who was cunning and sly—who knew what schemes he might be plotting?

After exchanging a few more words, Zhou Yanli took his books and said goodbye.

Once Zhou Yanli had left, Wen Qingheng glanced at the now-cold teacup by his side and snorted lightly: “So full of thoughts!”

“No one’s going to easily marry his sister!”

“Annoying men!”

“Hmph!”

…

After the New Year, the weather showed no signs of warming. Instead, it grew colder. During this period, many children fell ill with colds and fevers.

Families with means could seek doctors and medicines for treatment and recovery, but poor families, struggling even to put food on the table, had no money to spare for medicinal herbs.

This time of year, when food supplies ran low, was always the hardest to endure. As a result, Liuji Pavilion recently set up a porridge station and purchased a large supply of herbs to treat colds.

Holding a feverish child, a desperate woman came to beg for medicine. Upon seeing her, Nianxi not only gave her the needed medicine but also instructed Cui Lian to take out two donated cotton coats from the city to help her ward off the cold.

The woman was overwhelmed with gratitude, kneeling on the ground with her child to kowtow, her sincerity unmistakable. She even wanted her child to start calling Nianxi “mother” on the spot.

Nianxi found this both touching and amusing.

Cui Lian stepped forward and quickly pulled the woman and child up from the ground. “Hurry back and brew the medicine for the child. What’s all this about calling someone mother?”

After all, her young lady wasn’t even married yet!

From a distance, Pei Jian stood quietly, observing. He saw Nianxi’s lowered head and the soft, serene smile on her face. He was too far to hear what she said, but he could imagine it to be kind and gentle words.

A cold sensation touched his cheek, and as he looked up, he saw snowflakes drifting from the sky.

It started snowing. This was the first snowfall of spring, symbolizing a bountiful year and good fortune.

He saw Nianxi childishly stretch out her hand, unafraid of the cold, trying to catch the snowflakes falling from the sky. Her face was lit with joyful delight. Her smile was gorgeous.

Pei Jian quietly watched from a distance. His heart ached a little but felt warm at the same time. He didn’t realize that a smile had also appeared on his own face.

Nianxi was brimming with vitality. On this snowy afternoon, she shone brightly among the crowd while he stood quietly in the background, admiring her.

Even as the porridge station was dismantled and she boarded her carriage to leave, she never realized he had stayed with her, accompanying her in the snowfall.

Snowflakes had settled on her hair.

And on his as well.

Pei Jian looked up at the snowflakes falling from the sky. If we can share this snowfall today, then this life can count as a shared journey into old age.