Chapter 4.1 The Person She Once Liked

Shi Miao glanced at the time and informed Ye Xicun, “I’ll be there in an hour.”

She needed to wash her car first and planned to return it afterward.

The line at the car wash was longer than expected, so she arrived nearly half an hour later than planned.

During her college years, she’d visited Ye Xicun’s company twice, so she was familiar with the layout of the building’s ground floor.

With Ye Xicun’s prior instructions, she encountered no obstacles and went straight to his office.

As always, he wore a white shirt, the cuffs adorned with black gemstone cufflinks, exuding maturity and elegance.

“Brother.”

Ye Xicun went to pour her some water, his tone gentle and casual. “Traffic jam?”

“Not really. The car wash took some time.”

He handed her a cup of warm water. “How long has it been since you took a break? It’s been ages since I last saw you.”

It had indeed been a long time—more than half a year.

Shi Miao lightly gripped her car keys and replied, “I’ve been working as the chief resident.”

“I know, Aunt Zhao told me.”

Over the years, he’d always referred to Zhao Moyin as Aunt Zhao, never changing the way he addressed her.

Setting the water in front of her, he walked back around his desk and sat down. “Isn’t the chief resident supposed to work six days and have one day off?”

He wasn’t a doctor, so he naturally didn’t understand some of the unwritten rules in hospitals.

Shi Miao explained, “In theory, it’s six days a week with one day off. But it depends on the situation. If things get too busy, there might be no days off.”

As they spoke, Ye Xicun received a call. Glancing at the screen, he saw it was his younger sister’s number. Picking up the phone, he answered, “Hello, Sangyu? You’re here? Mm. Shi Miao is here too, just arrived.”

Shi Miao silently drank her water. Ye Sangyu was his biological sister, sharing the same parents.

From his tone, it was clear Ye Sangyu already knew she was here.

After the call ended, Ye Xicun informed her, “Sangyu and Shao Siwen were playing tennis nearby and are stopping by. You haven’t met Shao Siwen before, right? I’ll introduce you.”

Shi Miao nodded. “Okay.”

Shao Siwen was his girlfriend. They had been dating for nearly half a year.

According to his mother, their relationship was stable. Both families had met, and the wedding was set for June next year. Now it was May—a year from now, they’d be married.

Shaking off her thoughts, Shi Miao placed her car keys in the middle of his desk. “I don’t need the car anymore.”

Ye Xicun looked at the keys and then at her dark eyes. “You came all the way here just to return the car?”

Shi Miao sidestepped the question. “It’s been sitting idle with me. It’s better to make good use of it. Since the car’s registered under your company, you can use it as a company car.”

“That’s only because you’ve been living at the hospital as the chief resident. Once that ends, you’ll need it again.” He pushed the keys back toward her. “You haven’t even managed to get a license plate number yet. You transferred me the money for the car, so why feel uneasy about using it?”

“Shi Miao, I’m your brother. Why are you being so formal with me?”

It was her own issue.

Shi Miao pushed the keys back again. “It’s not because I’m the chief resident. Min Ting has a car, so I don’t need it.”

Now that she was married, she finally had a valid reason to return the car, avoiding any awkwardness.

Ye Xicun almost thought he misheard. “Min Ting?”

Shi Miao confirmed, “Mm. We got together and registered our marriage earlier this month.”

“What?”

Ye Xicun was stunned.

He was usually composed, but at this moment, Shi Miao noticed the shock and stiffness in his gaze. Anyone would be astonished to hear she married Min Ting.

When her mother had heard about the flash marriage over the phone that night, she’d been speechless for a long time.

After sipping half his coffee, Ye Xicun finally spoke. “Does Aunt Zhao know you had a flash marriage?”

Shi Miao replied, “She found out a day before you.”

“Shi Miao, you…” Ye Xicun suppressed his words along with another sip of coffee. Since he wasn’t her biological brother, he refrained from saying anything too harsh that might strain their already distant relationship.

It was clear to Shi Miao that he was upset, though he never lost his temper with her.

When his emotions settled slightly, Ye Xicun spoke again. “Marriage is a big deal. You didn’t even say a word beforehand. You didn’t have any of the proper pre-wedding rituals. Do you realize you’re at a disadvantage with Min Ting’s parents?”

Shi Miao quietly listened without responding.

Apart from Shi Wenli and her mother, he was the only one who genuinely cared for her, worrying that her marriage might not bring her happiness.

But the marriage certificate was already issued. She never regretted her decisions.

Now, it was too late for regrets. Seeing no point in continuing, Ye Xicun simply said, “If you ever face difficulties at your in-laws’ place, come to me. Don’t let yourself suffer.”

Suppressing a sudden rush of emotions, Shi Miao responded softly, “Thank you, Brother.”

“Knock, knock.” The sound of two quick knocks interrupted them.

“Brother!” Ye Sangyu’s voice came from outside the door.

“Coming.” Ye Xicun stood to open the door, ending their conversation.

Ye Sangyu had already reached the ground floor when she called her brother.

As the door opened, Shi Miao stood and turned around. Ye Sangyu entered first, wearing a gray and black sports tracksuit. Beside her was a woman in a white sports outfit, her shoulder-length hair half-dry, her complexion pale and delicate, unadorned by makeup.

Having finished their tennis game, neither had bothered to put on makeup after their showers.

Ye Sangyu gave Shi Miao a brief, expressionless nod, then leaned against the armrest of the sofa, sipping iced coffee while scrolling on her phone.

Shi Miao and Shao Siwen had both heard of each other, but this was their first meeting.

Ye Xicun made a simple introduction. “This is my sister, Shi Miao. And this is Shao Siwen, my girlfriend.”

Shi Miao smiled faintly and greeted her briefly.

After some polite exchanges, Shao Siwen smiled warmly. “A friend of mine just opened a new restaurant. I’ve reserved a table for four tonight. Let’s all have dinner together.”

Shao Siwen was as beautiful and gentle as her voice. Shi Miao had often wondered what kind of woman Ye Xicun liked. Seeing Shao Siwen today finally gave her an answer.

Grateful for Shao Siwen’s genuine invitation, Shi Miao politely declined with an excuse. “I can’t make it tonight. I have a shift. Next time, it’s my treat.”

After glancing at her phone, she excused herself. “I need to head back. I have to hand over my shift at six.”

Shao Siwen smiled. “Next time, then.” She turned to Ye Xicun. “You should walk her out.”