Yang Yi was wounded by Yun Luoqiu’s indifferent attitude, his head hanging low as he concealed the anguish within. He closed the door behind him.

Yun Luoqiu sighed, her hand on her forehead. She did not object to relationships with an age gap, but eight years was a considerable divide. Moreover, having watched him grow up, she couldn’t rid herself of the ingrained image of him as a diaper-wearing youngster.

She found it difficult to perceive him as a man.

However, these were not the primary reasons for her maintaining a distance from him. There were two principal factors.

Firstly, the obstacles posed by people like Yin Yin and her mother

Secondly, her lack of confidence in her enduring affection for him, enough to grow old together, Given the intertwined connections between their families, even if their feelings faded in the future, it would be exceedingly difficult to part ways.

All things considered, being with him was a venture not worth undertaking.

Yun Luoqiu was a shrewd individual, having lived through a prior lifetime. She simply desired more freedom and preferred to avoid unnecessary complications. Although Yang Yi increasingly aligned with her preferences as he matured, to forsake an entire forest for a single sapling, causing such monumental trouble, was, in her view, unwise.

Facing the mirror, she fastened the final button.

She wore a light grey high-necked long-sleeved silk gown, adorned with a polka dot ribbon at her neck, expertly concealing the marks left by the absurdity of the previous night.

After applying a layer of scarlet lipstick, she stepped out of the room.

Yang Yi had not left; he was leaning against the corridor, waiting.

His posture was upright, his long and graceful neck immaculately white, and he emanated a crisp, hormone-laden aura.

He epitomised the boundary between adolescence and young adulthood.

The allure, born of a blend of youthful naivety and mature sophistication, held a peculiar charm for Yun Luoqiu, who had already lived through two lifetimes and possessed inner maturity.

“Sister, Aunt Yin, and Uncle Yin have already left the hospital.”

Feeling slightly itchy under her gaze, Yang Yi had to interrupt the atmosphere to conceal his unease.

Yun Luoqiu nodded in acknowledgment.

This time, she had returned to her homeland not only because she wanted to but also due to her mother’s recurring illness. Her father had called her, urging her to return immediately.

Relations between the Yin and Yang families were excellent, and to celebrate her mother’s discharge from the hospital and her own return to the country, Yang’s mother personally cooked up a feast.

When Yun Luoqiu and Yang Yi arrived at the Yang residence, Yin’s parents had not yet arrived.

Wearing an apron, Yang’s mother had Yin Yin help her bring the dishes to the table.

As soon as she laid eyes on Yun Luoqiu, Yang’s mother broke into a smile and rushed over. She embraced Yun Luoqiu, exclaiming with delight, “Xiao Qiu, you’ve finally come back!”

Yun Luoqiu was a head taller than her, so to accommodate her, she had to bend down and rest her chin on the top of Yang’s mother’s head.

“Mrs. Yang, you’re still as young and beautiful as ever.”

Yun Luoqiu’s words came straight from the heart.

Mrs. Yang was petite and adorable, wonderfully preserved by Mr. Yang. She had never been troubled by life after marriage, enjoying both wealth and leisure. In her fifties, she appeared to be in her early thirties.

“I’ve made your favourite dishes today. Please eat more later,” Mrs. Yang said with excitement, holding onto Yun Luoqiu’s hand.

She was like a child.

Yun Luoqiu felt a warm sensation in her heart. Mrs. Yang’s attitude towards her had never wavered.

“Luoqiu, my mom has been talking about what dishes to make for you since the day before yesterday! Compared to me, you are more like her own daughter.”

A teasing voice came from behind them.

It was Yang’s eldest daughter, Yang Zhi Xia.

She was the same age as Yun Luoqiu, and the two of them had been best friends since childhood.

Mrs. Yang gave her daughter a stern look and teased, “What are you saying? Who worked two extra days for today?”

Yang Zhi Xia retorted without being embarrassed by the teasing, “That’s right! I’ll let you off because you were looking forward to her return!”

She and Luoqiu had grown up together and even spent some time studying abroad together. Their connection had never been severed.

It could be said that Yang and Yin’s families were the ones who knew Yun Luoqiu the best, and Yang Zhi Xia was the person who knew her the most.

Yun Luoqiu had had several boyfriends, and when her first love was, what type of men she liked—Yang Zhi Xia knew it all. Even the fact that Yun Luoqiu had a boyfriend was something she had discovered, as she overheard a video call between Yun Luoqiu and Yang Zhi Xia. She had even hired someone to take some photos as evidence to show Yang Yi.

Yun Luoqiu had figured all of this out.

Zhi Xia would never reveal her secrets without her consent. Others who knew about her having a boyfriend had obtained the information through eavesdropping or surveillance.

“You’re finally back! Yang Zhi Xia hugged Yun Luoqiu tightly.

She and Yun Luoqiu were similar in height and had no-nonsense personalities that were straightforward and efficient.

“I’ll take you somewhere tonight to broaden your horizons. I promise it’ll be more upscale than those three years ago.”

Yang Zhi Xia whispered in Yun Luoqiu’s ear, making a proposal.

Before Yun Luoqiu could react, her attention was drawn to the voices outside.

Yun Luoqiu’s father had brought her mother back from the hospital.

Her mother’s surgery had been very successful. It turned out to be a fibroadenoma, and the biopsy showed it wasn’t cancerous.

The doctor said she had fallen ill due to excessive stress, but she smiled and laughed every day. Where could that stress be coming from?

Work-related stress? She handled it with ease, and the company was thriving. There shouldn’t have been enough stress to make her sick.

Yun Luoqiu’s father was puzzled. After repeatedly pressing her, Yun Luoqiu’s mother finally spoke up. She confessed that she had pressured herself because she wanted to match her younger daughter with Yang Yi. She had sent Luoqiu abroad when she was eighteen and, three years ago, let her leave again without trying to keep her, all to force her into staying away.

She didn’t consider herself a good mother.

This weighed heavily on her mind.

But Yin truly liked Yang Yi, and their ages were very compatible.

Yang Yi was very attached to Luoqiu.

However, when Luoqiu was eighteen, she was in a romantic relationship.

At that time, her mother had predicted that if Luoqiu, Yin, and Yang Yi weren’t separated, their love triangle would become incredibly complex in the future.

Yang Yi’s possessiveness had been growing day by day. Even though her mother was reluctant, she took action.

Ignoring Luoqiu’s wishes, she sent her abroad.

“Mom, are you feeling better now? Yun Luoqiu stepped forward, wanting to assist her mother, but Yin was quicker.

Yun Luoqiu’s mother had her father on her left and Yin on her right, leaving Yun Luoqiu with no place to land.

She feigned indifference and withdrew her hand.

“I’m fine. The doctor said there’s nothing serious.”

Yun Luoqiu’s mother still had that hearty smile.

Yun Luoqiu smiled politely and said, “That’s wonderful!”

She didn’t know when it had started, but her relationship with her family had become polite and no longer had the warm intimacy of a family.

Initially, it had made her somewhat sad, but with time, she had let it go.

In her previous life, she had lived for 38 years. She had accumulated enough connections, experiences, and a bit of money to start her own cosmetics research and development studio.

The studio had officially entered a profitable and high-growth stage, but then she had a car accident.

Her parents had gone through a period of sadness after losing their daughter, then they took the inheritance she left behind and “cared for” their son and grandson.

Friends and loved ones from her previous life, no matter how close their relationships had been or how deep their emotions had run, now, when she looked back, those memories had become fuzzy.

No one can leave and still survive.

At the dinner table, Yin would chat with Yang’s mother, gossip with her own mother, and tease Yang Yi, trying to get him to help her with tutoring later. She would also be attending Z University, becoming his junior.

Yin, at the age of seventeen and still in her senior year of high school, had an endless supply of topics to discuss. Her mouth was so busy that her voice filled the entire dining table.

Yang Zhi Xia, while chewing on a piece of steak, exchanged a glance with Yun Luoqiu.

See, your sister is quite the talker! Unlike you, the star of today, with barely any presence

Yun Luoqiu ignored her teasing.

She had never been the type of child who could easily win adults’ favour.

Yun’s father looked at his obedient younger daughter, then at his eldest daughter with her calm demeanour, and asked, “What are your plans for the future, Xiaoqiu?”

Yin finally fell silent, and she didn’t interrupt because this was also a question she was concerned about.

Three years ago, she could cry and beg her to leave. Three years later, she couldn’t use the same tactics again.

Luoqiu put her chopsticks down. This was the first time her family had inquired about her plans for the future since she returned.

“Z University has sent me an invitation, and I’ve accepted.”

Before Yun Luoqiu could finish her sentence, Yin interrupted with an unflattering smile: “What about your company, sister? Wasn’t it supposed to be transferred to China? Isn’t it a lot of work? You’ll be exhausted!”

Yang Yi was studying at Z University, so if Yun Luoqiu were to join there too, wouldn’t they have many opportunities to meet each other?

Yin’s words sounded like concern for her sister, but the rejection and displeasure were so evident. Her jealousy was also quite open, straightforward, and justified.

Yang’s parents and Yun’s parents were a bit uncomfortable. They knew that Yin liked Yang Yi and wanted to marry him. They also knew that Yang Yi only saw her as a little sister; he cared about Luoqiu. However, Luoqiu was indifferent to these complicated emotional entanglements and detached from them.

Compared to Yang’s parents and Yun’s parents’ laissez-faire attitudes, Yun’s mother was more inclined to see Yang Yi and Yin together and made efforts to that end.

A mother knows her daughter best.

Yun’s mother had seen her elder daughter’s indifference and her younger daughter’s infatuation since they were little. It was challenging for Luoqiu to reciprocate the same level of affection for Yang Yi; he would get hurt. Yin loved Yang Yi deeply, and if she couldn’t have him, she would go crazy.

In this love triangle, it had to be Yang Yi and Yin together for it to have a happy ending.

Yun’s mother felt a pang in her chest. She had been working very hard for years to bring Yang Yi and Yin together, but with minimal success.

Yin’s infatuation with Yang Yi had only deepened, while Yang Yi’s gaze remained fixed on Luoqiu.

Look at him now. When Luoqiu mentioned going to Z University, Yang Yi’s eyes lit up, and he happily took a few more bites of his food.

When Yin voiced her objections, Yang Yi coldly glanced at her.

Yun’s mother let out a faint “oh” due to the pain in her chest, attracting everyone’s attention.

What was supposed to be a good meal ended with Yun’s mother not feeling well. Yang Zhixia sat in Yun Luoqiu’s room, somewhat irritated. “Your sister is really vigilant about you! But seriously, my brother may be younger, but his looks and character are excellent. He’s genuinely interested in you. Don’t you even consider it?”

She was genuinely curious. It wasn’t just boasting; her younger brother was truly attractive. Take him out, and he could easily capture the hearts of countless men and women.

What was even more remarkable was that her brother genuinely, really liked her!

Such a devoted man, and Luoqiu wasn’t moved?

Yun Luoqiu shot Yang Zhixia a glance. This person loved to meddle in other people’s affairs!

“I don’t like younger guys.”

“Nonsense!” Yang Zhixia raised an eyebrow and said, “As if I don’t know! Your first love was two years younger than you! Your ex-boyfriend was three years younger!”

Yun Luoqiu cleared her throat awkwardly.

She didn’t know why, but in this life, she seemed to attract the affection of younger men.

Could it be because of something from her past life? Did it manifest itself in this life?

In her previous life, just before she died, she was on the phone with her mother. Her mother was urging her to get married, but she was driving at the time and didn’t have the patience for that conversation. She had blurted out, “Mom, don’t even bother with that. Your future son-in-law might still be in his mother’s womb!”

That was the last thing she said in her previous life.

In the early years of her life, her parents had been supportive, and she had lived like a little princess. However, when she was eight years old, her mother pointed at Yang’s mother’s belly and said that it was her future husband. She had almost fainted right then and there!