Chapter 40: Brotherly Bonds vs. Jealousy Hearts

As the lights gradually brightened, the audience began to leave the theater in waves. Once outside, Ming Zhao quietly slipped her hand into the man’s palm.

His hand was large and his fingers long, completely enveloping hers, providing a great sense of security.

In the corridor, the surrounding audience members, still immersed in the story, were enthusiastically discussing it.

“The scene where the princess carried out the assassination was truly spectacular! Every movement was perfectly timed—I got goosebumps from the intensity!” a girl exclaimed excitedly.

“Exactly! The battle on the left side of the stage was fierce, while the assassination on the right was thrilling. The way it was designed, everything flowed seamlessly with the music—there was no chaos at all. But my poor little couple, sob sob…”

“Ah? Couple? Aren’t they siblings?” someone exclaimed in shock.

“It’s a beautifully tragic love story! The princess is from the former dynasty, and she only acted affectionate to appease the old ministers from the previous reign.”

Upon hearing this, Ming Zhao’s brows knitted slightly, and she instinctively tightening her grip.

Zhou Tingyun noticed her reaction and glanced down at her. “What’s wrong? Are you still cold?”

She shook her head.

After a moment, she looked up at him, her curiosity piqued. “What do you think? Was it love?”

As she asked the question, Ming Zhao focused intently on Zhou Tingyun’s expression, not wanting to miss even the slightest change.

Her heart, like a delicate thread, hung suspended in the air, swaying in the wind—teetering on the brink of falling.

But the man’s expression remained unchanged, as calm and indifferent as ever. “No.”

With a snap, the thread broke.

Ming Zhao felt as if her fragile heart had shattered into a million pieces.

The sound of it clattering cruelly mocked her.

She shot him a glare and swiftly withdrew her hand.

Coldly, she said, “I’m going to the restroom.”

Inside, the sound of running water echoed as she stood before the mirror.

Cool water flowed over her knuckles, gliding over the beautiful ring on her finger. She stared at it blankly for a while.

It was a gift from Zhou Tingyun.

When he put it on her finger, he had smiled and said that when she got married, her fiancé’s proposal ring couldn’t be cheaper than the one her brother had given her.

She was starting to dislike him.

It was so frustrating. How could he be so clueless?

For days, Ming Zhao was in low spirits, and the weather seemed to mirror her mood—a thin layer of fog clinging to her heart.

To relieve her despondency, she went to the club to shoot arrows, using it as an outlet for her frustration.

She fiercely aimed at the target, picturing it as Zhou Tingyun. Just as she was about to release the arrow, a jarring, unpleasant, bubbly voice cut through the air.

“Miss, your archery stance has some issues.” 

Who are you?

Ming Zhao finally turned her gaze to him and stared for a long moment.

A smug smile spread across the man’s face as he was about to take out his phone and open his QR code—

“To be frank, my ancestors were a renowned family of traditional Chinese medicine practitioners. I observe that you have puffy eyes, severe dark circles, and pale lips, which strongly suggests a possible kidney deficiency.  I suggest you go home and rest to avoid worsening your condition.”

Ming Zhao was completely making it up.

The man was speechless for a moment, his face turning green.  He wasn’t sure if she was serious, and he wanted to ask about treatment methods but couldn’t bring himself to do so.

Just then, a light chuckle was heard.

“Her national-level coach certificate and awards are still on display in the cabinet.  There’s no need to trouble you with advice.”

Hmm?

Ming Zhao turned curiously toward the source of the voice and saw a man sitting at the bar—handsome, refined, and vaguely familiar.

He rose and walked toward her, studying her for a moment before saying gently.

“Don’t you recognize me?”

Seeing her bewildered expression, he kindly offered a hint.

“Lin Muqing.”

Lin Mu…

Wait a minute—Ming Zhao’s eyes lit up as she searched her distant memories resurfaced.

“Muqing Ge (brother)?” she asked joyfully. “When did you come back?”

Lin Muqing was her childhood neighbor, living in the villa next door. Because they had grown up so close, and Ming Zhao had always been friendly and outgoing, they had quickly become playmates.

He was five years older than her, often accompanying her and Zhou Tingyun to amusement parks.

Zhou Tingyun would carry her, while Lin Muqing would secretly feed her ice cream.

However, his family later moved abroad and they lost contact information. Their three-month childhood friendship had ended abruptly.

“Last week,” he said with a smile.

She responded with an “Oh,” then curiously asked, “By the way, how did you know I have that certificate?”

“A guess.”

Ming Zhao smiled; her eyes sparkling.

After exchanging pleasantries and contact information, the joy of reuniting with a childhood friend temporarily dispelled her gloomy mood.

…

In the car, Ming Zhao, forgetting her earlier frustration, excitedly told Zhou Tingyun about the reunion.

“Do you remember Muqing Ge (brother)? Our tall and handsome neighbor?”

She kept calling him ‘Muqing Ge (brother)’ over and over, her excitement palpable.

Zhou Tingyun’s expression gradually darkened.

Of course, he remembered.

When Ming Zhao was little, she didn’t understand much and would cling to anyone who gave her candy.

Every day, he had a heavy workload at school, yet he rushed home, only to find Lin Muqing had taken advantage of his absence.

Seeing her sitting on Lin Muqing’s lap, calling him ‘brother’ in her soft, sweet voice, Zhou Tingyun had been furious. He wanted to spank her.

“Seatbelt.”

Zhou Tingyun calmly interrupted her excited chatter.

Ming Zhao pouted but fastened it anyway.

Later, she was spinning in his office chair, scrolling through messages on her phone, when she suddenly looked up excitedly.

“No time,” he said flatly.

Ming Zhao: “?”

“Do you expect me to let you go alone?”

Zhou Tingyun lowered his gaze and looked at her. “Or, you could come to the company and spend the day with me.”

It’s not like I’m not working every day anyway.

“How can you be like this?” Ming Zhao grumbled, puffing out her cheeks. “It’s Muqing Ge(brother) We used to—”

She was about to say, “get along really well,” but he interrupted her.

“Ming Zhao.”

His dark, intense eyes locked onto hers.

After a long pause, he spoke coldly, “Who exactly is your brother?”

Hearing this, Ming Zhao froze.

So…so familiar.

Her mind raced. And then she suddenly understood.

Bursting into laughter, she stood up and deliberately leaned closer.

“Gege. (older brother)”

Ming Zhao tilted her head, her eyes curving into crescent shapes as she asked, “Are you…jealous right now?”