Chapter 12

A standalone four-story villa stood surrounded by lush greenery, the atmosphere so quiet it felt somewhat stifling.

Beside the black wrought-iron gate was a large wolfdog, who fixed a fierce gaze on the mother and daughter as they stepped inside.

Xu Xieyi startled.

Chen Huiping shielded her daughter protectively behind her, her own fear evident.

Du Juan turned back with a gentle smile. "Don’t be afraid, it won’t bite."

She clicked softly twice, calling the crouching wolfdog “Xiao Hei.” The dog slowly wagged its tail at Xu Xieyi and her mother.

“See? It’s very obedient—just looks a bit scary,” Du Juan said.

Xu Xieyi silently breathed a sigh of relief.

The well-maintained, youthful-looking woman ahead was her godmother.

She looked no older than her early thirties, not nearly forty as she was.

Du Juan led them inside, glancing at the German Shepherd and explaining, "Xiao Hei is a retired military dog. Though it looks fierce, it’s actually very gentle with humans. It earned many merits in the army."

Chen Huiping nodded knowingly, praising the dog a little, calling it “good boy” and such.

Xu Xieyi glanced at her mother, blinking. Adults could be so contradictory. Her mother disliked dogs intensely after being bitten by several in their rural hometown.

The villa’s interior was spacious, quiet, and open. The décor was much like Xu Xieyi remembered—traditional Chinese wooden furniture, classic and elegant.

Du Juan personally brewed tea, and the three of them sat on the camphor wood sofa, chatting.

"You came and brought so many things. It’s not like you’re a stranger," Du Juan said.

Chen Huiping smiled. "Just a few little things, not many."

"Our little Xieyi has grown so much, she’s just a spitting image of Mr. Xu," Du Juan said, turning her gaze to Xu Xieyi. Her voice was soft and warm as she enthusiastically took the girl’s hand.

The skin on her fingers was delicate and soft; Xu Xieyi obediently let Du Juan’s fingers smooth back the stray hairs at her temples. "Look at this little model—so well-behaved."

Chen Huiping sighed. "Xieyi is obedient, but sometimes a bit slow to react. We’ve troubled you to watch over her these past months. Thank you for your patience."

“Hui Ping, don’t be so formal. Xieyi is your daughter and mine as well.”

The two women exchanged words back and forth, while Xu Xieyi responded occasionally, mostly quietly listening.

The camphor wood sofa and tea table were finely grained and exquisite. Steam curled from the purple clay teacups, carrying a faint aroma of tea.

The scene suddenly transported her back to when she was eight—a time when the neighbor’s house next door always seemed to hold hidden treasures and wonders.

She loved that neighbor’s home, though she couldn’t quite recall what games they played.

Lost in nostalgic thoughts of childhood for a moment, her mind then shifted to another matter—Brother Lin seemed unaware she even existed as his god-sister.

They had met several times, yet he never mentioned her.

“Is Brother Lin home?” Xu Xieyi asked suddenly.

Du Juan was slightly surprised; Lin Sheng had only been to Ze’an once, many years ago.

“Xieyi still remembers Asheng, huh?”

Xu Xieyi nodded. Of course she remembered—the man was unforgettable.

Du Juan smiled. “Asheng works at the hospital and usually doesn’t come back. He lives in an apartment near the hospital, not far from your school either.”

—

On the way home, Xu Xieyi clearly sensed her mother’s relief.

The Lin family upheld strict values and was small in number. Chen Huiping thought that sending her daughter there would reduce many troubles, allowing her to study in peace.

But the Lin household was affluent, with many things to be mindful of. In the back seat of the taxi, Chen Huiping repeatedly reminded Xu Xieyi about polite manners, not to cause trouble for anyone.

Xu Xieyi memorized every word.

“Tonight, pack your things. Tomorrow night, your dad and mom will bring you to your godmother’s place,” Chen Huiping said, rubbing her daughter’s hair, her eyes moist.

Xu Xieyi’s tears welled up, her voice thick, “Mm.”

The day after tomorrow, her parents were leaving for Tibet.

Chen Huiping wiped her daughter’s tears, reluctant to let go. “Be good at other people’s homes. Don’t act like a spoiled princess just waiting to be served, even if there’s a housekeeper. Help out, wash your own clothes, and be polite to the servants.”

Xu Xieyi nodded. “I know, Mom.”

Actually, Chen Huiping wasn’t overly worried. Her daughter was quiet, independent, and self-organized. Often when her parents were busy, Xu Xieyi handled cooking and tidying up.

“Your godfather has been on business trips in the north all year and seldom comes back. At home, it’s just your godmother, the housekeeper, and servants… oh, and a brother who comes back once in a while,” Chen Huiping paused.

She had some impression of Lin Sheng—a slender youth in a short-sleeved white shirt, speaking impeccable Mandarin.

That had caused a small stir in the neighborhood years ago—everyone’s first encounter with such a handsome, well-mannered city boy.

But…

Chen Huiping recalled once accidentally seeing him leaning against a wall, smoking one cigarette after another, looking quite world-weary and fierce.

“That brother is about ten years older than you. He should be mature and won’t cause you trouble,” Chen Huiping said to herself, then added worriedly, “If anyone bullies you, call your parents. Don’t keep it to yourself, okay?”

Tears streamed down Xu Xieyi’s face as she hurriedly nodded. “I remember, Mom.”

Chen Huiping wiped her daughter’s tears. “Tomorrow night your parents will bring you here, then we’ll invite your godmother and brother to dinner and ask them to look after you.”

Xu Xieyi nodded, sorrowful and tearful.

Chen Huiping sighed softly, “Be good when you’re there, and sweet talk your brother a bit.”

—

The next day was Sunday.

Just after two in the afternoon, Xu Xieyi was packing her suitcase when her phone rang.

Outside, her parents were busy tidying up the guest room. She quietly closed her door, leaned on the windowsill, and answered.

The sun blazed on the busy street below, cars flowing past.

With firm, pale fingers adjusting the Bluetooth earpiece, Lin Sheng immediately heard the girl’s voice amid the street noise, sounding small and tentative: “Hello, Brother Lin.”

A ray of light glanced off the roadside, briefly flashing across Lin Sheng’s eyes, framed by thick lashes.

His voice was low and steady, with a hint of warmth: “Yeah. What are you doing?”

“Packing my things.”

“Have you finished?”

Xu Xieyi looked back at her messy bed and the open suitcase on the floor. “Not yet.”

Lin Sheng smiled quietly. “I didn’t expect I’d have a little sister. All these years, I didn’t know.”

She was surprised too. Xu Xieyi didn’t know what to say, just listened.

The man’s voice carried the calm assurance of a man with experience, but Xu Xieyi only felt it was steady and gentle, unlike the noisy boys at school.

“Keep packing. I’ll be there in about half an hour. We’ll go to eat together in my car.”

“No need, Brother Lin,” Xu Xieyi quickly replied. “You’re so busy; I don’t want to trouble you. We can just take a taxi.”

The afternoon sun was warm and soft. Lin Sheng leaned back in his seat, his eyelids half-closed, looking slightly lazy. “I’m already on my way.”

After hanging up, Xu Xieyi suddenly remembered—

She had forgotten to tell Brother Lin not to mention that she had looked him up!

Ah.

Would he… tell her parents?

Xu Xieyi clutched her chest, uneasy.

—

With this nervousness, Xu Xieyi was restless inside the house.

Lin Sheng was punctual; half an hour exactly later, there was a knock on the door.

Chen Huiping immediately went to open it.

“Hello, Auntie. I’m Lin Sheng.”

Lin Sheng stood in the doorway, smiling gently. His eyes caught Xu Xieyi nervously twisting her fingers in the living room.

Their eyes met, and Xu Xieyi blinked, suddenly flustered.

Chen Huiping and Xu Dajiang sat with Lin Sheng in the living room, not forgetting to turn to their daughter: “Xieyi, go make some tea for Brother Lin.”

“O-okay.”

Lin Sheng looked up just as the girl turned to fetch the tea leaves.

She wore a white short-sleeved T-shirt, pale blue sporty drawstring shorts, a high ponytail with hair ends resting mid-back, and faintly visible pink underwear lines.

Lin Sheng withdrew his gaze.

“These next few months, we’ll be relying on you to look after Xieyi,” Xu Dajiang said, offering a cigarette.

“Uncle, you’re too polite. Xieyi is my god-sister; it’s only right I look after her,” Lin Sheng replied.

The moment he appeared, Chen Huiping’s earlier doubts vanished. She smiled, appraising him—shirt and trousers neat and clean, more poised and respectable than most men in their late twenties. The more she looked, the more reassured she felt.

—Children from good families carried a different aura of vitality and spirit.

“Brother Lin, please have some tea.”

Xu Xieyi placed the cup carefully on the tea table before him.

Lin Sheng watched her every movement, noticing her bowed head, the clean, fair skin behind her ear. Her hair was uncolored and soft, some strands slipping down her neck into her T-shirt collar.

“Be careful, it’s hot,” Xu Xieyi looked up, unexpectedly meeting Lin Sheng’s half-lowered eyelashes as he studied her. Her heart skipped.

Fortunately, Lin Sheng smiled the next moment. “Thank you.”

“Our Xieyi is very sensible and good-natured. She never throws tantrums,” Chen Huiping said, taking her daughter’s hand.

Xu Xieyi stood obediently by her mother’s side.

“If she has flaws, it’s that sometimes she’s a bit stubborn, simple-minded, and persistent. If she does anything inappropriate, please tell her. After all, she’s still a child and will have moments of disobedience.”

Hearing this, Xu Xieyi broke out in a cold sweat and secretly glanced at Lin Sheng.

Lin Sheng ignored the girl’s anxious, pleading look and accepted Chen Huiping’s charge. “Okay, Uncle and Auntie, don’t worry. I’ll take good care of her.”

Upon hearing this, the couple exchanged a relieved glance, convinced they had made the right choice entrusting her to the Lin family.

—The Lin family exuded a steady, reliable vibe. Probably because they were a military household.

—

Dinner that evening was unremarkable—just the Xu family of three, plus Lin Sheng and Du Juan.

The elders chatted back and forth, while Xu Xieyi remained anxious, sneaking glances at Lin Sheng, afraid he’d reveal their prior acquaintance.

She desperately sought reassurance in his eyes.