Side story: What-if timeline (5)

As far as Ji Ran could remember, no one had ever patted his head like this. The feeling of being cherished without conditions made his nose sting.

Why? Why did he feel so much care and affection from his boss? How could Zhao Pingchuan be so good, better than everything he had ever imagined combined?

Brother Jiang was very good to him too, but the two kinds of kindness were a little different. As for how they were different, Ji Ran didn't dare think about it.

Zhao Pingchuan had to work during the day, so he hired a caregiver to look after Ji Ran at home and sent the caregiver home in the evening.

Zhao Xiaoran came home for the weekend and gave Ji Ran another warm welcome. The brother and sister really were both wonderful people.

Worried that Ji Ran would get bored with nothing to do, she went over to keep him company and chat.

Zhao Xiaoran asked him curiously, "Hey, Ji Ran, what's my brother like at work? Is he like those domineering CEOs on TV?"

Ji Ran laughed. "No, he's ten thousand times better than them. Everyone says he's a good boss."

"That good?" Zhao Xiaoran naturally loved hearing people praise her brother. She asked, "Does he ever scold people? Is he strict with you guys?"

Ji Ran shook his head. "I've never seen President Zhao scold anyone, and he isn't strict either. He's actually not much different from how he usually is."

Even when his subordinates made mistakes, Zhao Pingchuan only gave them a few words of criticism. If someone had a bad attitude, the most he did was give them a cold look.

But he was capable and highly respected at the company, so he could keep everyone in line without shouting at or hitting anyone.

Zhao Xiaoran nodded repeatedly as she listened, thoroughly pleased. Her eyes darted around, and she said with a smile, "Ji Ran, I think you and my brother really hit it off. This is the first time he's ever brought a friend home."

The word "friend" stirred something in Ji Ran's heart. He smiled and said, "I only got to come because I was sick."

But Zhao Xiaoran said, "No, I can tell my brother treats you differently."

So he wasn't the only one who felt that way. Ji Ran couldn't describe how he felt. He swallowed and asked, "How is it different?"

Zhao Xiaoran thought hard for a while before trying to explain. "It's like he sees you as one of his own, and he's really protective of you. Oh, I can't quite put it into words."

A moment later, she was beaming again. "Maybe it's because you're cute. Maybe my brother sees you as a little brother."

Ji Ran mulled over the words "little brother" and smiled too. "Having a brother as good as President Zhao must make you very happy."

Zhao Xiaoran planted her hands proudly on her hips and raised her chin, looking thoroughly smug. "Of course. Nobody can compare to my brother."

The two exchanged a look and burst out laughing.

A deep, pleasant male voice rang out. "What are you two talking about? You sound happy."

They both looked over at the same time. Zhao Pingchuan stood in the doorway with his coat draped over his arm, having just come home from work.

Zhao Xiaoran said, "We were saying, why don't you just take Ji Ran as your little brother? Then we'd all be family."

Zhao Pingchuan walked in and looked at Ji Ran, whose eyes were curved in a smile. "Is that so?"

Ji Ran lowered his eyes in embarrassment. "Xiaoran was joking."

Zhao Pingchuan chuckled and asked him, "Would you be willing?"

Ji Ran's head shot up, and he looked straight at the man, unsure whether he meant what Ji Ran thought he did.

Zhao Pingchuan was still smiling. "If you are, call me brother. Let me hear it."

At those words, Ji Ran's eyes instantly reddened. Feeling that he was about to cry, he hurriedly blinked several times before calling out in a hoarse voice, "...Brother?"

His voice was so hoarse that the word was barely clear, but everyone present heard it.

Zhao Xiaoran cheered them on from the side, clapping her hands. Ji Ran grew even more embarrassed. Was I possessed? Why did I take him seriously when he was only being polite?

But Zhao Pingchuan answered him firmly, then gently patted his head and said softly, "Ranran, now that you've called me brother, you're my little brother from now on."

Ranran. It was such an affectionate name. Ji Ran's heart felt both sweet and sorrowful.

Not to be outdone, Zhao Xiaoran hugged Ji Ran's arm and copied her brother. "Ranran. It sounds so nice! Even though you're two years older than me, I was here first, so I'm not calling you big brother."

Ji Ran laughed through his tears.

Zhao Pingchuan gave his sister a mock knock on the forehead. "Have some respect for your elders."

"I don't care," Zhao Xiaoran said. "At worst, I won't make Ji Ran call me big sister either. We'll be equals from now on."

Watching the siblings laugh and joke, Ji Ran felt as though everything that had just happened was a dream. Had he really gained two family members so easily?

Ji Ran stayed at the Zhao home for a week. After he returned to the hospital for a follow-up, the doctor said he was fine and only needed to avoid strenuous exercise for the time being. Ji Ran wanted to go back to work, but Zhao Pingchuan wouldn't let him. Afraid he might get bumped or knocked around at the office, he said, "You should rest a little longer."

Another week passed, and Ji Ran insisted that he really was fine and that his wound had more or less healed. Seeing that he could move around freely, Zhao Pingchuan finally agreed.

Although he had gained an older brother, Ji Ran didn't actually move into Zhao Pingchuan's home. He still knew where to draw the line. He was already content that Zhao Pingchuan and Zhao Xiaoran treated him as half a member of the family.

Zhao Pingchuan was also afraid he might feel uncomfortable staying there, so he didn't say much. He took him home and helped carry his luggage upstairs.

Ji Ran said, "Thank you, President Zhao."

He laughed after saying it. How many times had he said that already?

Zhao Pingchuan didn't answer. He only stared intently at him.

Ji Ran understood what he meant. Turning his face away, he repeated in a tiny voice, "Thank you, Brother."

Zhao Pingchuan's expression softened, and his lips curved upward. "Why be so polite with your big brother?"

When Ji Ran returned to the company, Jiang Ping still took on most of the work, afraid of tiring the patient out.

Ji Ran looked at the scant few tasks he had and said helplessly, "Brother Jiang, I really am better. Besides, this isn't physical work. It won't affect me."

Recently, Zhao Pingchuan had been taking Jiang Ping along to all his outside business engagements, on the grounds that Ji Ran's wound hadn't healed and he couldn't drink. Ji Ran was touched by their care and didn't let their kindness go to waste.

Ji Ran didn't tell anyone that he had gained a brother, and Zhao Pingchuan was even less likely to bring it up for no reason, so Jiang Ping knew nothing about it. At the company, Ji Ran still called him President Zhao at every turn, just as before. Only after work did he occasionally go to Zhao Pingchuan's home to cook and eat, and his relationship with Zhao Xiaoran grew better and better.

The days were peaceful yet full of life, and before they knew it, the New Year arrived.

On a day meant for family reunions, Zhao Pingchuan naturally wouldn't let Ji Ran spend it alone. He knew Ji Ran was an orphan, and he and his sister happened to be spending the New Year by themselves too. Now that they had gained another family member, it would be even livelier.

On New Year's Eve, the three of them happily went to the supermarket together to shop for New Year's supplies, then prepared the reunion dinner together. When they had some free time, they sat on the sofa and played games together. It was a warmth Ji Ran had never experienced before.

Outside the window, fireworks shot into the sky one after another, bursting with a bang and showering down dazzling stars. The room was warm and cozy, and the family sat together around the table.

Zhao Xiaoran poured everyone a drink and was the first to raise her glass. "Brother, Ranran, Happy New Year!"

Zhao Pingchuan and Ji Ran clinked glasses with her, full of anticipation for the coming year. "Happy New Year!"