Chapter 7 — My Best Friend's Older Brother Took Responsibility for Me

After the photoshoot, she didn't leave immediately, but stayed to drink a cup of coffee and chat with me. "Where are you from, Miss Lin?" "I came from Jiangcheng, just moved to Hecheng." "Living alone?" "Staying with a friend." "Have a boyfriend?" The question shifted quickly.

"I'm married." Wen Ruyue's hand holding the coffee cup paused. "So young and already married? How blessed." "Just average." She didn't ask further, smiled, grabbed her bag, and left. Escorting her to the door, she looked back and said, "I'll treat you to dinner sometime to thank you for your skill." "Sure thing." Quite polite.

Xiao He waited until she was gone before whispering in my ear, "Sister Wan, do you know who Miss Wen's blind date is?" "Who?" "Rumor has it he's the eldest son of a major family in Hecheng—super wealthy!" "Oh." I didn't think much of it. Eldest son of a major family, Miss Wen's blind date, Ye Zhiyi's eldest brother... three lines pointing to the same person, but I didn't connect them at the time.

...

After work, I drove home. Pushing open the door, Aunt Wang was tidying up the living room alone. "Where's Zhiyi?" "Miss Zhiyi went out to pick up the second young master." "And the Young Master?" "Left at noon—said he had work." Gone again. Mysterious movements. I returned to my room; the door next door remained tightly shut, quiet as a grave. The dark grey trench coat on the balcony was gone, leaving only a lingering white tea scent in the air. This guy was like a ghost—living on the same floor with completely mismatched schedules; it was harder to meet him than people living apart.

As I pondered, my phone vibrated. Zhi: *Done with work?* Lin Wan: *Yes, I'm home.* Zhi: *Business trip ended early, returning tomorrow.* Returning tomorrow? Meaning returning to Hecheng—we could meet tomorrow! My heart skipped a beat; I could take a secret photo to send to Ye Zhiyi for evaluation. Just as I thought this, another text popped up: Zhi: *Something to tell you. Family dinner at home tomorrow night, so might not be convenient to see you—let's meet the day after.* Family dinner? What dinner? I replied with a simple "Okay."

Putting down my phone, I browsed WeChat Moments to kill time, accidentally catching Chu Yan's latest update—a photo of Hecheng Railway Station captioned: "Clearly I came first." I stared at it for three seconds. He was in Hecheng. Exiting Moments, I blocked him immediately. Thick-skinned scumbag—couldn't shake him off no matter what.

...

The next day, the Ye house was busy from morning till night. Aunt Wang went to the market three times, Li Yingqiu tried on clothes since early morning, and Ye Ding'an was ordered to move flower stands into the dining room. Ye Zhiyi leaned on the staircase railing watching the chaos. "Is this really necessary? Just a blind date meal—acting like it's a state banquet."

"What do you know? Your eldest brother is thirty-one; if he doesn't find a partner, my hair will turn white." Li Yingqiu held two silk scarves against herself. "Miss Wen is coming today—behave yourself and don't talk nonsense in front of her." "When did I talk nonsense?" "Last time you told her about your brother punishing people with leapfrogs, her face turned pale!" "It's the truth!"

Li Yingqiu ignored her, turning to wave at me. "Hi Bao, help me see which looks better—the red or the olive green?" "Olive green, Auntie—it matches your earrings better." "Alright, I'll listen to you." I was pulled around the living room helping set tables, arrange flowers, adjust lighting. Ye Zhiyi lay on the sofa enjoying the show. "Later you'll witness my eldest brother," she winked at me. "Don't wet your pants."

At six in the evening, Wen Ruyue arrived—wearing a beige waist-fitted dress, soft wavy hair, exquisite as a painting. Li Yingqiu was delighted, holding her hand warmly. Ye Ding'an greeted her politely. I stood aside pouring tea. Seeing me, Wen Ruyue's eyes flickered. "Miss Lin is here too?" "I live here—I'm Zhiyi's best friend." "What a coincidence." She smiled without saying more.

By six-thirty, everyone who should arrive had arrived, except the eldest young master. Li Yingqiu called him three times; he only answered with two words: "Arriving soon." The family waited until seven o'clock—the food had gone cold. Ye Zhiyi rolled her eyes. "Told you, workaholic."

Just as her voice fell, noise came from the doorway—a car parked, followed by footsteps approaching.