Tang San Is Just My Brother (Seeking Reads)

The next morning, sunlight filtered through the window lattice, casting warm patches of light across the room.

Lin Yi was the first to wake. He looked at Xiao Wu, who was still fast asleep in his arms; her peaceful face still bore a trace of the crimson flush from last night's frenzy, and the corners of her mouth were slightly upturned in a curve of satisfaction and contentment. His heart softened, and he couldn't help but lean down to press a gentle kiss to her smooth forehead.

Xiao Wu was startled awake by the subtle movement; her long eyelashes fluttered a few times before she slowly opened her eyes.

Meeting Lin Yi's deep, smiling gaze so close to her own, she froze for a moment. Then, the heart-racing, face-heating images of the previous night flooded her mind, causing her to let out a soft "ah." Her entire face, down to her neck, quickly dyed a charming shade of crimson, like a ripened peach.

She shyly buried her face in Lin Yi's chest, not daring to look at him, while her small hands subconsciously gripped his lapels.

"Awake?" Lin Yi chuckled, his voice carrying a morning rasp and magnetism as he pulled her tighter into his embrace.

"Mm..." Xiao Wu's voice came muffled from his chest, thick with a nasal tone and shyness.

The two lingered in bed for a while longer before rising to wash up.

These subtle changes might have been hidden from outsiders, but they could hardly escape the eyes of Zhu Zhuqing, who lived in the same courtyard and possessed a keen and sensitive mind.

When Lin Yi and Xiao Wu emerged from the bedroom together to have breakfast in the living room, Zhu Zhuqing, as usual, silently placed the prepared light porridge and side dishes on the table.

Her movements remained meticulous, and no emotion could be read on her cold, aloof face. However, when she handed the bowls and chopsticks to Xiao Wu, her gaze inadvertently swept over Xiao Wu's complexion—which was clearly different from previous days—the lingering spring in her eyes, and the undisguised tenderness and possessiveness in Lin Yi's gaze as he looked at her.

The fingers Zhu Zhuqing used to hold the tray tightened almost imperceptibly, then quickly relaxed, returning to calm.

She said nothing, standing silently to the side.

The atmosphere at breakfast was subtly ambiguous and warm; Lin Yi would occasionally place food in Xiao Wu's bowl naturally, and Xiao Wu would accept it in a whisper, her face flushed.

All of this was like tiny needles, silently pricking at Zhu Zhuqing's heart.

In the morning, Lin Yi headed to the academy to handle some matters. Xiao Wu remained in the courtyard, sitting on a swing and swaying gently in a pleasant mood. She even hummed an off-key tune unconsciously, her whole being radiating a glow of someone immersed in happiness.

After finishing up in the kitchen, Zhu Zhuqing walked out. Seeing Xiao Wu like this, she remained silent for a moment before finally walking over.

Hearing footsteps, Xiao Wu stopped the swing and looked up. Seeing it was Zhu Zhuqing, she still wore a lingering smile: "Zhuqing, is something the matter?"

Zhu Zhuqing stood still before her, her cold eyes looking straight at her. Her voice was flat and waveless, yet carried a sharpness that struck at the core: "Xiao Wu, if I recall correctly, back at Shrek, you and Tang San... had a very close relationship. He risked his life to protect you many times, and everyone believed you were a couple. You never denied it either."

Her words were like a stone thrown into a calm lake, causing the smile on Xiao Wu's face to freeze instantly.

Xiao Wu's eyes flickered with a moment of panic, but that panic was quickly replaced by a more resolute emotion.

She stood up from the swing and looked at Zhu Zhuqing, her tone carrying a hint of offense and a declaration-like seriousness: "Zhuqing, what do you mean by that?"

Zhu Zhuqing did not back down, continuing to look at her calmly, waiting for her answer.

Xiao Wu took a deep breath and straightened her back. Although she was not as tall as Zhu Zhuqing, her presence was not the least bit weaker: "Tang San is my brother! He is my most important, dearest brother!

He protects me, and I rely on him, but that is only the bond of siblings! It was never what you all thought!"

Her voice was clear and powerful, carrying a decisiveness that cut off all past ambiguity: "I was young before, and perhaps the boundaries were blurred, leading others to misunderstand.

But I am very clear now: I only have familial love for Third Brother, not romantic love!"

She looked at Zhu Zhuqing with an open expression, even carrying a hint of defiance: "The person I like now is Lin Yi.

I am with him of my own volition, and it has nothing to do with anyone else!"

Zhu Zhuqing listened quietly, her face still devoid of expression, but in those cold eyes, extremely complex emotions seemed to flash by, too fast to be captured.

Was it realization? Mockery? Or... a trace of loss she couldn't even define herself?

She remained silent for a long time before speaking slowly, her voice still flat: "I understand."

Having said that, she said no more and turned to leave the courtyard, leaving Xiao Wu standing there alone. Her mood was somewhat turbulent due to the sudden questioning, but more than that, there was a sense of relief and firmness in having finally spoken her heart.

She clenched her fists, telling herself once more in her heart: Yes, she liked Lin Yi, and as for Tang San, they were just siblings! From now on, no one could ever use that to question her relationship with Lin Yi again!

As for Zhu Zhuqing, who had left, she returned to her quiet side room, closed the door, and leaned back against the cold wooden panel, slowly closing her eyes.

On her cold, aloof face, a trace of faint, indescribable jealousy finally flickered through...