Song Chen had been snatched back from the brink of death, but the severe trauma to his head wiped away every trace of his memory. He forgot who he was, forgot his grandmother, and forgot his sister.

Song Xu, a young child at the time, had always desperately wanted an older brother. Suddenly, a Brother Lin had fallen straight from the heavens. Wanting to keep this brother all to himself, Song Xu hid the photograph away.

When Song Qingshi questioned him about the young man’s background, Song Xu knew absolutely nothing. He only remembered that the character “Chen” was part of his name.

Song Xu then begged his parents to take the boy in and let him be his older brother. Remembering that this youth was the savior who had rescued Song Xu, Song Qingshi and Xu Wantang pulled the necessary strings to process the adoption papers, officially naming him Song Chen.

As the years pressed on, the weight of this secret grew increasingly unbearable for Song Xu, yet he never found the courage to speak up.

“Dad, Mom,” Song Xu let out a long, heavy breath. “I’ve finally confessed everything today. I’ve wronged my brother, and I’ve wronged Grandmother Lin and Lin Xi even more. Because of me, their family has been torn apart for all these years.”

“You wretched brat…” Song Qingshi instinctively reached for his belt, only to realize he was wearing comfortable loungewear. Instead, he raised a fierce arm, preparing to slap his son across the face.

“Song Qingshi!” Xu Wantang snapped, her voice sharp and commanding. “Just try laying a finger on him.”

At his wife’s stern warning, Song Qingshi reluctantly lowered his hand. “Sweetheart, look at what this boy has done!”

“It all happened over a decade ago. What good will hitting him do now?” Xu Wantang countered smoothly. “Besides, when Xiao Xu went through that ordeal back then, you weren’t entirely blameless either. If we are placing blame, you carry a share of the responsibility too.”

“Xiao Xu, we understand your desire to make things right with the Lin family,” Xu Wantang continued, her tone shifting to a calm, measured cadence. “But gratitude cannot be repaid through marriage. Between you and Lin Xi… Mom hopes you won’t act on impulse. It isn’t fair to either of you.”

“Mom, I genuinely love Lin Xi,” Song Xu argued, desperate to defend his heart. “I fell for her long before I ever discovered she was my brother’s sister.”

“Don’t rush into registering a marriage just yet,” Xu Wantang replied, refusing to back down. “For now, you need to focus on how you’re going to break this news to your brother.”

Song Xu fell silent. The words simply wouldn’t form in his throat.

Song Qingshi’s brow furrowed into deep lines. “We keep this from Chenchen for the time being. Wait until his marriage arrangement with the Bai family’s daughter is finalized before we say a word.”

Given Song Chen’s unyielding character, the moment he discovered the truth of his lineage, he would undoubtedly cast aside everything the Song family offered to return to his original home.

Xu Wantang and Song Xu knew Song Chen all too well. Silently, they both conceded to Song Qingshi’s decision.

“Where is Chenchen’s grandmother right now?” Song Qingshi inquired. They might be keeping the truth from Song Chen, but his family had to be properly cared for and generously compensated.

“Grandmother Lin is in the hospital. She’s been comatose ever through her surgery for a cerebral hemorrhage,” Song Xu explained. “I’ve hired two caregivers to look after her, and Xixi goes to accompany her whenever she has free time.”

Song Xu went on to give a brief overview of the hardships Lin Xi and Grandmother Lin had endured over the past decade. “They’ve had a truly bitter life.”

Xu Wantang and Song Qingshi fell into an uncomfortable silence. Had Song Chen grown up within the Lin household, his sheer capability would have ensured their lives were far more comfortable and prosperous than they were now.

What a cruel twist of fate. Song Qingshi threw another scathing glare at Song Xu.

Yet, a sudden thought crossed his mind—welcoming Lin Xi into the Song family through marriage might not be such a bad idea after all. She was a decent girl.

Xu Wantang’s resolve began to soften as well. “In a few days, I’ll invite Xixi over to the house for a visit.”

Song Xu was satisfied enough with how today had turned out. He had never expected his parents to instantly bless his marriage to Lin Xi; as long as his mother was willing to meet her, he knew she would grow to adore her.

He tossed the entire file of photographs and DNA test results onto Song Qingshi’s lap. “Dad, keep these safe for me. I finally feel like a weight has been lifted.”

Holding the folder, Song Qingshi felt an immense, suffocating gravity in his hands. He wanted nothing more than to slam it right into Song Xu’s face. This troublesome brat had been stirring up chaos since childhood, and now he had left a massive landmine buried right in his lap.

“If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave,” Song Xu said, a visible lightness returning to his step. “Xixi is still waiting for me at the university.”

“Get out of here!” Song Qingshi barked with a dismissive wave, unable to bear the sight of his younger son for another second.

Song Xu scrambled out, making a swift exit.

—

The moment the morning lecture concluded, Lin Xi finally received a notification from Song Xu.

[Xiao Xu: Xixi, I’m waiting for you at the university entrance. Let’s grab some lunch.]

Lin Xi hesitated. She wasn’t entirely ready to face Song Xu just yet, and besides, she couldn’t simply abandon Tiantian.

“Xixi…” Bai Tiantian groaned, utterly spent. The sheer amount of physical exertion today had completely drained her. “I just want to go home, soak in a hot bath, and sleep for a century. I think I’ll have to skip this afternoon’s class.”

“Are you skipping lunch entirely then?” Lin Xi asked, her voice laced with concern.

Bai Tiantian barely had the strength to shake her head. “No energy to eat. I’ll just munch on some bread when I get home.”

“Let me help you back, then.” Lin Xi gently supported Bai Tiantian as they stood up.

Bai Tiantian’s legs were so stiff she couldn’t even bend her knees, making her walk resemble something out of a zombie movie.

As Lin Xi guided her friend toward the university gates, they ran straight into Song Xu. She instinctively lowered her head, hoping to slip past unnoticed, but Song Xu had no intention of letting her escape.

“Xixi!” Song Xu stepped forward, effectively blocking their path. “Where are you two heading?”

Bai Tiantian looked at him as if he were a divine savior. “Song Xu, did you drive today? Take me home, please. My legs are completely dead.”

Dropping her off was no trouble at all. Song Xu hadn’t brought his sports car today, making it perfect to give her a lift. “Get in.”

Bai Tiantian practically dragged Lin Xi into the back seat with her.

It wasn’t long before Song Xu pulled up right outside Bai Tiantian’s apartment complex. “Alright, out you safely go.”

“What’s the rush?” Bai Tiantian grumbled, manually shifting her stiff legs as she slowly crawled out of the vehicle.

Lin Xi stepped out as well, guiding her friend right to the entrance of the building. “Tiantian, do you need me to help you upstairs?”

Bai Tiantian shook her head quickly. “No need. I’m terrified your overbearing President Song will murder me with his eyes if you stay. Go on, see you tomorrow.”

With that, she slipped into the building alone.

Lin Xi walked back to the car with slow, hesitant steps. She reached out to pull the rear door handle, but it remained firmly locked.

The passenger door clicked open, and Song Xu leaned over. “Sit up front.”

Lin Xi climbed into the front passenger seat and quietly buckled her seatbelt.

“Are you afraid of me?” Song Xu asked softly, wrapping his fingers around her hand. “This morning, you—”

Lin Xi instantly reached out, pressing her palm against his lips. “Don’t you dare say it.”

Song Xu gently pulled her hand away, a playful glint in his eyes. “I was only going to say that I ate every single bite of the breakfast you prepared this morning.”

Lin Xi shot him a sharp glare.

“What do you want for lunch?” Song Xu asked with a warm smile.

“Whatever.” Lin Xi truly lacked an appetite; it didn’t matter to her.

Song Xu leaned across the console, stealing a swift kiss from her cheek. “Then how about you eat me instead?”

Lin Xi’s face flushed a brilliant crimson in an instant. How could a person be so utterly shameless? She let out a cold, dismissive huff. “You don’t taste good.”

“You haven’t even tried me yet, so how could you possibly know?” Song Xu coaxed in a low, seductive murmur. “Want to give it a taste test first?”

“No,” Lin Xi retorted, firmly pulling her hand from his grasp. “I don’t believe in premarital sex. I intend to be responsible for my own life.”

“Lin Xi!”

Song Xu’s demeanor suddenly shifted, turning incredibly earnest. With a swift flick of his wrist, a velvet ring box appeared in his palm. He clicked it open, revealing a flawless diamond ring—the central stone was easily the size of a thumb’s nail.

“Marry me, alright?”