"What illness?"
Shen Qingqing turned to look at him. Yuan Zichen hadn't expected her to suddenly turn her head. He flusteredly averted his gaze, coughed lightly, and tried to compose himself. "My mother has a benign tumor. The doctor said we need to observe it further. If it doesn't worsen, we'll consider a minor surgery to remove it. It's not strictly necessary, but what if it deteriorates..."
He bit his lip in annoyance, feeling like he was rambling incoherently. He felt her clear, bright gaze on his face.
He was too nervous.
Shen Qingqing withdrew her gaze and looked at Yuan Fang. "It's good that Auntie is okay. You should take her for regular check-ups so any issues can be detected immediately. Also, if you need any connections or anything else for her treatment... you can call me anytime. Don't hesitate."
"Okay."
She didn't notice his unusual behavior.
Yuan Zichen breathed a sigh of relief, but also felt a pang of disappointment. He lowered his head, saying nothing more.
After a moment, he couldn't help but look up at Shen Qingqing again.
Shen Qingqing suddenly said, "Zichen."
Yuan Zichen's heart skipped a beat. This was the first time in all the time they'd known each other that she had addressed him so intimately.
He awkwardly pursed his lips, his voice softening even further. "I'm here."
Shen Qingqing looked straight ahead. "Auntie mentioned before that you're getting on in years and hope you find a girlfriend soon. What are your thoughts on that?"
Yuan Zichen stammered, "I, I'm not in a hurry..."
His mind was in a mess.
Why was she concerned about him? She had never brought this up before.
"Actually, actually I..." Yuan Zichen summoned his courage, the tension gripping his heart tightly, his breathing becoming increasingly rapid.
"Actually, I've always seen you as a younger brother."
Yuan Zichen's head snapped up abruptly. All his nervousness and awkwardness vanished, replaced by a vast emptiness. The surrounding scenery and sounds seemed to fade away, leaving only her face, the one that had haunted his dreams and occupied his thoughts for countless nights.
"Wh, what?"
"I don't know if Auntie mentioned it, but I have a sister," Shen Qingqing said the word "sister" with no trace of tenderness, only calmness and indifference on her face.
"I know," Yuan Zichen replied instinctively.
Shen Qingqing said calmly, "However, this sister isn't close to me, and... never mind, let's not talk about the past. But every time I look at you, I feel like I'm looking at a younger brother."
Yuan Zichen forced out, "Is, is that so..."
"How about you just be my younger brother from now on?" Shen Qingqing patted his shoulder. "If you ever like a girl, remember to bring her for me to see. I'll be like a sister to you."
A bitter sweetness began to spread through Yuan Zichen's heart, his throat tightening. He knew he should pretend nothing was wrong, even show happiness.
But he couldn't utter a single word.
Shen Qingqing looked at him, slowly withdrawing her hand. "My mother passed away early. In my heart, Dean's mother is like my own mother. Her relatives are my relatives."
"Sister, come play with us!"
A little girl suddenly ran over and tugged at her clothes. Her large, watery eyes gazed up at Shen Qingqing, her round cheeks rosy and adorable.
"Okay, what do you want to play?" Shen Qingqing replied gently.
The little girl pulled her towards the slide. "Lots of friends want to play with Miss Sister. They all say you're beautiful, like a fairy, and that fairies come from heaven and don't pay attention to us mortals."
The little girl's voice gradually faded into the distance.
Yuan Zichen watched Shen Qingqing's retreating figure. She never looked back. Perhaps her words earlier were not unintentional but deliberately spoken.
He finally realized a truth.
She was making him give up.
Yes, she had always been so intelligent; how could she not see through his unspeakable infatuation? He suddenly felt incredibly ashamed.
He wanted to leave this place. Staying here for another minute would be torture for him.
But just then, a little boy walked over and, in the same manner as the girl, grabbed Yuan Zichen's clothes.
"Brother, come play with us."
Yuan Zichen was startled by the child's gaze. He felt a sense of shame, but it was different from before; this shame was subtly mixed with guilt.
Since he had come here, his purpose was to play with these children. What was he thinking about?
All impossible fantasies, and he was still clinging to them.
Compared to the child's clear eyes, he was truly awful!
"Okay, brother will play with you," Yuan Zichen said patiently.
Shen Qingqing saw him approach and glanced at him. Seeing the gentle smile on his face, she felt as if she were seeing the sunny boy she had first met.
She pursed her lips and smiled.
This was good. It meant her words hadn't been in vain.
After playing for nearly two hours, Shen Qingqing checked the time and said, "I need to go now. I'll come see you again next time."
"Ah, Sister, you're leaving already!"
The children looked visibly reluctant. Such a beautiful and elegant fairy sister, who was willing to patiently play with them; they truly didn't want her to leave.
Shen Qingqing coaxed them, "Because I promised this morning that I had something to do at noon, and I must keep my word."
Although the children were sad, they were already starting to learn, and they understood what keeping one's word meant. Naturally, they didn't insist on Shen Qingqing staying.
They only wistfully saw her to the door. The little girl who had first pulled her sleeve quietly asked, "When will you come again?"
"When I have time."
Shen Qingqing couldn't set a specific date for her next visit right now. She crouched down and patiently told the little girl, "But you can rest assured, since I promised, I will definitely come to see you."
The little girl understood that grown-ups were usually busy. She nodded obediently, "Okay, I'll wait for you here, Sister."
Shen Qingqing ruffled her hair and then turned to leave.
Yuan Zichen kept watching her retreating figure.
He only turned around when his shoulder was tapped. He looked at Yuan Fang. "Mom."
Yuan Fang's expression was solemn. "Come with me."
Yuan Zichen's heart sank.
The mother and son went to a secluded spot. The sounds of children playing were not far away, but the area around them was eerily silent.
"Mom, what do you want to say?"
Yuan Fang took a deep breath. "Child, do you like Shen girl?"
It was a question, but her expression clearly indicated that she wasn't just suspecting; she was quite certain.
Yuan Zichen lowered his head.