If Only He Were My Brother-in-Law

"Ah? Cousin... Cousin, hello." Le Yue's cheeks were flushed, and her voice was so soft it was almost a whisper.

She has a pretty outgoing personality; she only gets shy in front of handsome guys.

"Hello, please get in the car." Zhang Yang smiled slightly, picked up a suitcase in each hand, and effortlessly put the two girls' suitcases into the trunk.

The two girls naturally sat together in the back row.

A moment later, Zhang Yang fastened his seatbelt and looked back at the two girls in the back seat.

"Let me take you to eat first."

"Brother, you're driving Porsche now! You're doing so well! And you're so handsome, I almost didn't recognize you!" Song Yumeng couldn't hide her amazement.

Zhang Yang couldn't help but smile.

This is nothing! His current state is just the lowest-level version of Zhang Yang.

The low-end version already surprised my little cousin so much; I wonder what her reaction would be if he pulled out the high-end version?

This shows that what he perceived as being low-key was merely his perception.

In the back row, Le Yue sat next to Song Yumeng, glancing every now and then at the incredibly handsome figure in front of them. She couldn't help but tug at Song Yumeng, exchanging a silent glance.

It's as if it's saying...

With a cousin like that, how did you manage not to show him the photos on the high-speed train? Are you keeping me in suspense?

Song Yumeng opened her mouth, but although she understood what Le Yue meant, she couldn't utter a single word.

At noon, at a local Shanghainese restaurant in the BFC Bund Finance Center.

The average cost per person at this restaurant is around 700-800 yuan.

While it wasn't extravagant, it was a decent and respectable way to entertain my younger cousin and her classmates, with a just-right level of sophistication.

"Order whatever you like, don't try to save me money."

Seeing the two girls looking a bit hesitant when ordering food, Zhang Yang couldn't help but say something.

"Yu Meng, this is too much of a waste," Le Yue said a little embarrassed.

"Don't call me that. If you're too shy to call me by my name, just Zhang Yang. I'm your real sister, so you can just call me brother. It's not wrong for you to call me Brother Zhang Yang," Song Yumeng said from the side.

Le Yue blushed and whispered, "Brother Zhang Yang."

Zhang Yang responded, feeling the youthful innocence and vitality emanating from the young girl.

A moment later, the food was ordered.

The dishes are all very down-to-earth.

Sweet and sour pork ribs, Magic City smoked fish...

The cheaper dishes were ordered by the two girls. Zhang Yang thought their selections were too conservative, so he added a few more expensive dishes, such as steamed crab with minced black pork and braised veal.

"My brother's all right, he still doesn't believe what I told you on the high-speed train. How about you go back and think about it?" Song Yumeng winked at Le Yue.

Zhang Yang watched from the sidelines, finding it strange, wondering what the two of them were whispering about.

"No, what are you whispering about?"

"It's nothing, it's nothing," the two girls said in unison, then looked at each other at the same time.

A moment later, all the dishes were served, each one a feast for the eyes, nose, and palate.

Since it was mostly girls present, Zhang Yang didn't order any alcohol, but instead got almond milk.

"Brother Zhang Yang, let me toast you." Le Yue raised her glass, taking the initiative to toast Zhang Yang.

"Sit down, you've already called me brother, so there's no need to be so polite. Everyone can make themselves at home," Zhang Yang said with a smile.

Le Yue held the cup and drank it all in one gulp, then sat down with a flushed face.

The three of them ate and chatted during the meal.

Gradually, the atmosphere became more familiar, and Le Yue's calls of "Brother Zhang Yang" became more and more fluent, carrying a hint of intimacy.

"Come on, eat more, don't be shy." Zhang Yang put a piece of pork rib into Le Yue's bowl.

"Thank you, Brother Zhang Yang," Le Yue said obediently, quietly watching Zhang Yang when he wasn't looking while eating her sweet and sour pork ribs.

My mind kept replaying the impressions I had of this new older brother I had met in those few short hours:

For example, he's super handsome and has a very nice and warm personality.

For some reason, she inexplicably thought of her brother-in-law, whom she wasn't very familiar with—that aloof, distant, arrogant, and domineering ex-brother-in-law.

Everyone envies her sister, thinking she married a real-life domineering CEO.

Only she knew the suffering her older sister had endured over the past few years.

All the burning passion in my heart and eyes could not warm the heart of a man who was not even by my side.

Compared to his ex-brother-in-law, Zhang Yang's brother is practically perfect.

"I wish he were my brother-in-law," Le Yue thought to herself inexplicably, then she was startled by her own thought.

After lunch, the three of them strolled around the Bund.

During the day, the Bund naturally doesn't offer the same dazzling spectacle as Lujiazui at night.

Song Yumeng stood by the Huangpu River, gently opened her arms, and pulled Zhang Yang to take a picture of her.

"Is it ready, brother?" She jogged over, wanting to see the photos.

Zhang Yang is quite confident in his photography skills. In this candid shot, his little cousin's skirt flutters, her arms outstretched, creating an undeniably beautiful and atmospheric image.

"Here you go. Oh, and shall I arrange accommodation for you?"

"Oh? I'm so sorry, how about I go to the hotel by myself?" Song Yumeng said shyly while looking at the photos with great satisfaction.

Although Zhang Yang was quite generous to her younger sister.

But how to put it? After all, she's her cousin, not her biological sister, and she really can't bring herself to let Zhang Yang keep spending money on her.

"Don't be so polite, we're practically family." Zhang Yang shook his head and smiled. "By the way, where's Le Yue?"

"Oh, my sister is in Magic City, I'll go find her," Le Yue quickly offered.

"Your sister? I'll take you there later," Zhang Yang said.

Just as Le Yue was about to say something, Song Yumeng stepped forward and grabbed her arm, "Okay, don't be shy, I'll have my brother take it with me later."

"Well... thank you, Brother Zhang Yang," Le Yue said softly.

"You're welcome, it was nothing," Zhang Yang said with a smile.

A moment later, Zhang Yang drove his Cayenne, intending to take Song Yumeng to the hotel first to settle her luggage.

The hotel is the W Hotel on the Bund, a luxury hotel under the Marriott brand.

Young girls definitely need to take photos and show off.

The W Hotel on the Bund has a trendy vibe and is great for taking photos. It also has a great location, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering views of the Lujiazui skyline.

Since she's staying here, Song Yumeng has plenty of photos to take.

"What? The W Hotel? Long live the brother!"

Sure enough, upon hearing this, Song Yumeng immediately cheered with Le Yue, while Yueyue, standing to the side, was also a little envious.

They have no concept of how luxurious or top-tier a hotel is when you talk about it, but they are extremely familiar with the hotels that are constantly being photographed and checked in on Little Blue Book.

In the afternoon, in the lobby of the W Hotel North Bund.

Zhang Yang casually took out his Centurion Black Card and booked a Bund view room for Song Yumeng for over three thousand the Bund a night.

"Hey, bro, your credit card is all black, but it looks kind of nice." Song Yumeng caught a glimpse of black flashing by and immediately became curious.

Zhang Yang smiled, put away his credit card, and didn't explain anything.

A moment later, he helped carry the suitcases, and the three of them went to check on the guest rooms.

"Wow!"

As soon as the door opened, Song Yumeng looked at the huge floor-to-ceiling window that came into view, and the three iconic Lujiazui that stretched out before her, and couldn't help but exclaim in amazement.

Without saying a word, she ran inside and lay heavily on the soft bed, bouncing excitedly.

Zhang Yang casually placed the suitcase against the wall, smiling as he watched his little cousin's excitement slowly subside.

"Cousin, you're practically my own brother! Even my parents aren't this kind of loving towards me." After a while, Song Yumeng, still excited, grabbed Zhang Yang's arm and kept talking.

"Your aunt and uncle are reluctant to part with you?" Zhang Yang asked curiously.

"Hmph, two stingy people." Song Yumeng didn't elaborate, she just muttered something.

Zhang Yang was speechless and chuckled. Had he truly not expected this couple to be so stingy with their own daughter? Or had he misunderstood?

Having thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful view from the observation deck, Song Yumeng was almost reluctant to leave.

"Then you can rest first, I'll take Le Yue back," Zhang Yang said casually.

"Well... that's fine too. I'm a little sleepy anyway, so I'll take a nice nap first and then go shopping later." Song Yumeng was immediately interested and nodded quickly.

A moment later, Zhang Yang and Le Yue came out together.

Walking alone with Zhang Yang, Le Yue was still a little shy, especially since Song Yumeng, the middleman, was no longer there.

Fortunately, Zhang Yang took the initiative to speak, and that slight awkwardness eventually disappeared.

"Your sister works in Magic City?" Zhang Yang asked curiously, glancing at Le Yue in the passenger seat as he drove.

Le Yue was about to blurt out, "I'll marry someone from Magic City."

But for some reason, the words just wouldn't come out.

"Yes," she simply said.

Zhang Yang nodded, didn't ask any further questions, and didn't seem to think there was anything wrong with it.

A freshman girl who stayed with her older sister during summer vacation; her older sister working hard in Magic City —everything sounds normal.

In the car, Zhang Yang overheard Le Yue making a phone call.

"Sis, I've arrived in Magic City. I forgot to tell you beforehand," Le Yue said, holding up her phone.

"You've arrived in Magic City? Where are you now? I'll come pick you up."

Zhang Yang vaguely heard a very elegant and intellectual voice on the phone. She guessed the person in question was a sophisticated and beautiful woman.

After all, Le Yue is good-looking, so her older sister must be just as beautiful.

"No, sis, I'll be at your place in a bit. See you there." Le Yue said as she hung up the phone.

After an unknown amount of time, Zhang Yang parked his car outside a luxury apartment building.

"Here, your suitcase." Zhang Yang took the suitcase.

"Thank you, Brother Zhang Yang," Le Yue said softly. She wanted to invite Zhang Yang up for a seat, but ultimately she was too shy to say it.

"You're welcome, go ahead. You can ask Song Yumeng to hang out with you later, okay? I'm off now." Zhang Yang got into the car, rolled down the window, waved, and drove away.

Le Yue stood there watching the car drive away, standing there for a long time, lost in thought.

A moment later, she turned and walked into the apartment.

This apartment was recently rented by her sister; since they've separated, they can no longer live in their old house.

Standing outside the door, Le Yue hesitated for a moment.

Because she didn't know her sister's current state—whether she was disappointed or had come to terms with it.

Just as I was about to knock, the door suddenly opened.

"Le Yue? I was just about to call you!" The woman inside the door exclaimed with delight.

Le Yue glanced at the figure inside the door. She wore a long dress and had long, flowing hair. She was as elegant and intellectual as ever, as if nothing had ever happened to her.

This is her older sister, Le Man.

"Sister, it's been a long time." Le Yue smiled and gave her sister a hug.

What appeared to be a sisterly embrace was, in her eyes, more of a comfort, because she knew how difficult the past few years had been for Le Man.

But thankfully, I'm finally free.

"Hey sis, are you sending something?" Le Yue noticed the package in Le Man's hand.

"Hmm, just some little trinkets, I don't need them anymore, give them back to him," Le Man said calmly, as if nothing had happened. "By the way, go back and sit down, I'll be right up."

A moment later, Le Yue went into her sister's house first.

The house was spotless, and the potted plants on the balcony were lush and green.

Everything was full of life.

She was initially a little worried about Le Man's state of mind. After all, three years of her youth had been wasted, and her sincere feelings had been given to the dogs. How could she not feel anything?

It seems that everything is alright now.

She sat for a while, then heard the door open.

Her sister is back.

"Le Yue, have you had lunch? How did you get here?" Le Man asked with a smile as she changed her shoes.

"Yes, yes, my roommate's brother treated me," Le Yue said. "Oh, and he brought me here too."

"So beautiful?" Le Man smiled and stepped forward, taking Le Yue's hand to examine her closely. "You've really changed since starting university; you're getting more and more beautiful."

"Sis, um... how have you been lately?" Le Yue asked hesitantly.

"Everything is fine," Le Man said softly. "By the way, come with me to go out later."

"Okay? Where to?" Le Yue asked.

"Go get a haircut, get my hair done, go buy clothes, and never wear a long skirt again." Le Man turned her head to look at the black hair on her shoulder. "Just because he likes long, straight black hair, I grew my hair long and wore long skirts for him. In the end, I'm just a substitute for his white moonlight. Why can't I be myself?"

Hearing these words, Le Yue was taken aback, then nodded.

"Sister, you're right. Why should you change just because he says he likes you? You are you, not a substitute for anyone."

"So, your sister is officially saying goodbye to the past. Are you happy?" Le Man gently opened her arms.

Le Yue smiled and went forward to hug her sister tightly.

"Sister, now that you're starting a new chapter in your life, are you ready to meet new guys?"

Le Man was taken aback, then shook her head.

"No more, I'm too tired."

Le Yue realized that her sister was not as relaxed and unperturbed as she appeared. The impact of those three years on her was far greater than she had imagined.

"Seriously, sis, you're still so young. Aren't you going to be tempted by someone even better?" Le Yue tried to persuade her.

"Sister, let me tell you, let's talk about today..."