When Fan Muzhi returned, the meal was almost over.
The atmosphere at the dinner table was also strange.
The usually stern-faced Mr. Qin calmly raised his phone. Fan Muzhi didn't peek intentionally, but he vaguely saw that the other person had turned on the front-facing camera.
The ever-smiling Xi Juan looked somewhat melancholy. His stunningly handsome face was reflected in the lamplight, but Xi Juan seemed to have some dissatisfaction, probably due to anxiety about his appearance.
Nan Qing's powerful boyfriend appeared as steady as ever, his handsome and refined face carrying a certain aloofness that kept people at a distance. His eyes were smiling, but the smile didn't reach his eyes.
Only Nan Qing maintained the expression he had when he left; seeing him was like seeing a savior.
"Teacher Fan, you're finally back!"
Several gazes fell upon him, Fan Muzhi's body trembled. He gave a dry, forced laugh.
"Has everyone finished eating?"
"I... I'll pay the bill..."
"I'll come--"
Before Xi Juan could finish speaking, Huo Yuzhou's gaze swept over him lightly.
"The assistant has already paid."
Huo Yuzhou's slender fingers picked up an invitation card, his narrow phoenix eyes falling on Xi Juan.
"I received the invitation. If I have time, I'll go with Qingqing."
The wind was strong outside the window, and the sky had darkened.
Huo Yuzhou put his arm around Nan Qing's shoulder, his voice gentle.
"Okay, Baby, say goodbye to everyone."
After seeing off the socially awkward Fan Muzhi, Nan Qing looked at Xi Juan and hesitated for a moment.
" Xi Juan, I have a boyfriend, and I love him very much."
Xi Juan looked at him and smiled; the evening lamplight reflected in those affectionate peach blossom eyes, making them sparkle.
"I know!"
Nan Qing thought for a moment, then gripped Huo Yuzhou's fingers tightly.
"I don't know why you like me, but didn't you say you wanted to live the life you want? So, don't waste my time on me."
"I'm living the life I've always wanted, my Qingqing."
"Don't worry, I won't bother you or cause you any trouble. I'm very patient; I might just outlast him—"
Xi Juan looked at Huo Yuzhou with a smile.
"I'm young and tend to speak my mind, President Huo won't be angry."
Huo Yuzhou ignored him, only lowered his eyes to look, sighed softly, and squeezed Nan Qing's fingers back.
" Baby, if I die--"
Nan Qing raised her hand and slapped Huo Yuzhou's mouth shut, then began to shoo him away.
" Xi Juan, you'd better leave now!"
After dismissing Xi Juan, Qin Mubai, who had remained silent for a long time, finally spoke.
Are you coming back for Chinese New Year this year?
A firework burst across the sky. Nan Qing paused for a second, then released her grip on Huo Yuzhou and smiled at him.
" Qin Mubai, I've been kicked out. That's not my home."
Qin Mubai's Adam's apple bobbed rapidly, and the lines of his profile tightened.
" Qingqing-- "
"Big brother,"
Nan Qing interrupted him.
The dazzling fireworks burst open at the highest point in the sky, and after a brief moment of brilliance, they plummeted at top speed, disappearing into the deep black night sky.
Nan Qing leaned against Huo Yuzhou, her dark cashmere coat almost blending into the night sky, only her fair face gleaming under the lamplight.
"Big brother, I've grown up."
"I have my own life, my own career, and I'll have my own family in the future, so I'm no longer that little kid who clings to you every year, making a fuss and bothering you."
You once told me that if I felt too tired, I could stop for a while and rest in that warm harbor called home.
"But brother, the Bai Family is not your safe haven."
"It burdens you with things beyond your years, yet it doesn't give you the warmth you deserve from family members. If the Bai Family makes you feel exhausted, you don't have to shoulder all the burdens, and you don't have to force yourself to stay in the Bai Family."
"You are not a machine that keeps the Qin Family and Bai Family running. You can stop, take a break, relax, and go on vacation."
You look very tired.
Clusters of fireworks lit up the sky, then quickly turned into cold ash, drifting down from the horizon.
The afterglow of the fireworks illuminated Nan Qing's features, and for a moment she seemed just like she was back then, her eyes sparkling, and even her voice was very soft.
Qin Mubai looked at him with red eyes, her eyes moist.
"Good."
The night breeze lifted the hem of Qin Mubai's clothes, making his shirt seem a little looser, and revealing a somewhat gloomy and thin appearance.
This side of Qin Mubai would make Nan Qing uneasy.
His powerful and all-powerful elder brother was like someone had skinned and dismembered, leaving only a stiff skeleton.
It seemed that if the north wind blew any stronger at night, it would blow him away.
Nan Qing hesitated for a moment, then, just like Qin Mubai had comforted him many, many years ago, he took a few steps forward and gently hugged Qin Mubai.
Qin Mubai's body stiffened, and his breathing stopped abruptly.
The boy who was holding him gently patted his back, mimicking how Qin Mubai had comforted him countless times before, his voice very soft.
" Qin Mubai, thank you for being there as I grew up."
"My new friends say you raised me to be a very good kid, and I also think you're the best and most responsible older brother in the world."
"I don't know why you ignore me, why you always avoid me, but you've always had your own ideas since you were little, and you always have your own reasons for everything you do."
"I can't find out exactly what illness you have, but Qin Mubai, I hope you live a long and healthy life, and I even hope that one day after I die, you can still come to my tombstone and lay a bouquet of flowers."
" Qin Mubai, I've reminded myself time and time again to hate you."
"But I also know very clearly that if there is anyone in this world who would be willing to give their life for me without hesitation, then that person is probably only Huo Yuzhou or Qin Mubai."
"I really want to hold a grudge against you a little longer, with enough backbone—"
"After all, my older brother, who always granted my requests, broke his promise for the first time by abandoning me."
"But Qin Mubai, I still can't bring myself to do it."
" Qin Mubai, I hope you live a healthy, peaceful, carefree, and fulfilling life."
His voice drifted away amidst the exploding fireworks, carried by the north wind brushing against his hair, seemingly crossing an entire ocean current, and landing on Qin Mubai's aching heart.
She spoke to him in a soft, low voice.
" Qin Mubai, I forgive you."