"There are indeed other matters," Qin Ningyi stated truthfully. "But seeing you is an unexpected joy."
He looked at Huo Rou, his eyes deep and dark. "I've been looking for you for a long time..."
Amidst the sound of water from the kitchen, Qin Ningyi's voice, mixed with the steam and mist, reached straight into Huo Rou's heart.
"You don't need to mind me," Qin Ningyi said, word by word.
With just those words, Huo Rou's tears instantly fell.
He truly understood her.
Seeing her sudden tears, Qin Ningyi's face, which could remain unperturbed even if Mount Tai collapsed before him, changed.
He walked forward in a panic, reaching out to wipe away her tears, then suddenly remembered the dishwashing foam on his hands. He could only nervously use his sleeve to dry the tears on her face.
"There, there, be good, be good, don't cry..." Qin Ningyi repeated these words, his usual clear thoughts now absent.
Huo Rou felt Qin Ningyi's flustered yet gentle movements, saw the panic and tenderness in his eyes, and suddenly reached out to embrace him.
Her older brother.
"Gege..." Huo Rou murmured softly.
Qin Ningyi froze on the spot.
When Huo Rou kissed him, Qin Ningyi seemed to awaken from a dream. He carefully raised his hand, resting his wrist against her back, and embraced her with a gentle yet firm grip.
That address...
After they parted, Qin Ningyi gently kissed the tear tracks on her face and said affectionately, "No more crying, I'll buy you cake."
Huo Rou remembered the gift from Qin Group last night. She looked at his earnest face and suddenly recalled the giver's words about his wife sharing the same birthday.
He knew her birthday, it must have been An'an who told him. If that was the case, An'an would surely have also told him that she never liked cake.
Suddenly, a thought flashed through her mind. Huo Rou whispered, "I don't like to eat..."
"You clearly like it," Qin Ningyi said, looking at the inquiry in her eyes. He curved his lips and hugged her. "You clearly love cake, Youyou."
"You!" Huo Rou's eyes widened. "You know?"
She hadn't expected Qin Ningyi to know that she was Youyou.
Even though she was the light that illuminated her path forward in her youth.
Qin Ningyi looked at Huo Rou's expression, his guess confirmed. His A'Rou must have known for a long time.
Since, from that night at the hotel.
Huo Rou had called him "Gege" back then.
But at that time, he had been manipulated and hadn't paid attention to that voice filled with dependence and longing, nor had he thought much about it.
What he thought was a casual address was actually Huo Rou recognizing him before letting go.
He should have known earlier.
"I'm sorry, I only just found out," Qin Ningyi said, cherishingly nuzzling her cheek, his face full of apology.
Huo Rou shook her head.
"As long as you like me, does it matter if you know or not?"
Back then, Youyou, with her brave heart, had almost gone astray. He had pulled her away, indirectly saving her.
His words had completely rewritten her future.
She joined the army, she did many things beneficial to the country, all of which aligned with her parents' hopes.
Although the person who shot her father had not been caught, although the developer of the poison that killed her mother had not been eliminated, she was still walking a correct and upright path in her search.
All of this was brought about by Qin Ningyi.
Qin Ningyi looked into Huo Rou's eyes and said, word by word, "It matters."
At least the flutter in his heart from his youth had found its destination, at least the swing he made could be seen by its original owner.