"Brother!" With that cry, a golden figure streaked over like lightning and threw herself into Qian Fan's arms.
Qian Fan felt a tremendous force slam into him and involuntarily stepped back, but quickly steadied himself.
He looked down at the girl in his arms, an indescribable warmth welling up in his heart.
The girl hugged him tightly around his back, her arms drawing ever tighter. Her voice caught, trembling with tears. "Brother... it really is you."
Feeling the girl tremble, Qian Fan could sense her excitement and joy. He smiled, gently patted her back, and said softly, "Xiao Xue, I'm back."
At the sound of Qian Fan's voice, Qian Renxue shuddered slightly. She raised her head and looked at him through tear-blurred eyes, her lips trembling. "Brother, I've missed you so, so much..."
Qian Renxue's tears poured out like floodwaters bursting through a dam, streaming down her cheeks and falling drop by drop onto Qian Fan's purple robe, leaving a small wet patch.
Seeing his sister cry so bitterly, Qian Fan felt an ache in his heart. He lifted his left hand and gently stroked her long golden hair, comforting her. "It's all right, Xiao Xue... you'll feel better after a good cry... let it out... your brother's back."
Qian Renxue was still trembling slightly. She seemed to want to say something, but did not know how.
All she could do was hold Qian Fan tightly and let her tears flow freely. Only after a long while did she stop crying and lift her head from his embrace. Looking at him with eyes still glistening with tears, she asked between sniffles, "Brother, where have you been all these years? Why wasn't there any news of you?"
Qian Fan smiled and wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes. "I