Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
Shi Xiuâs spirits lifted. She stretched and leaned back in her seat as she said, âYan Tang and Xiao Zhao want to form a band, Yun Nan. Theyâve already written a few songs and made demos. Iâve heard the songs. Theyâre really, really good! Their voices are simply amazing!â
âYan Tang wants us to do a few interviews with them before they officially release their songs, as a teaser for the new band and their songs and also as an official farewell to the past. What do you think of this idea?â
Before Yun Nan could say anything, Shi Xiu continued, âLu Hui and I checked their previous figures. Their fans from before are now in their thirties and forties. If these fans return, their sway will be something to reckon with. Yun Nan, I really think that this matter is a good idea! We should do it!â Yun Nan chuckled, âIf thatâs what you think, then go ahead and do it!â
âBut I donât have any experience. I want your support!â Shi Xiu bashfully uttered. âWhat would I do without you? Our entire family wouldnât know what to do without you! Dearest sister-in-law, I can live without my brother, Shi Nian, but I canât live without you, Yun Nan!â
Yun Nan interrupted Shi Xiuâs continuous stream of flattery. âAlright, keep your sweet talk for someone else! Try to hurry up and arrive within the next five minutes. I can delay things for that bit longer, so thereâs still hope for you getting here before things start!â
âFive minutes?â Shi Xiu looked at the alley not far away. âFive minutes is enough!â She got out of the taxi and bolted off in her nearly ten-centimeter-high heels before suddenly remembering that she still had a âdebteeâ to deal with. She turned around, ran back, and grabbed an eyebrow pencil from her handbag but realized she had no paper. Seeing this, Lan Long handed his phone over to her.
Shi Xiu took the phone and keyed in her phone number. âThis is my number. Thereâs a cafe downstairs. You can wait for me there. Iâll be done in about two hours. You can give me a call then. Put the coffee on my tab!â
Lan Long looked at the string of numbers on his phone and then at the girl sprinting away in a hurry, and smiled in amusement. âD*mn, the Shi family sure is lucky. Why are all the beautiful and cute girls gathered in that family? That wonât do. The heavens are too biased. Iâll have to correct this!â
Thanks to the nearby entertainment company, Yun Innovations, the coffee shop at the alleyâs entrance was doing quite well. The owner of the shop, a lady called Miss Wang, was smart and good with people. Through her efforts and people skills, she managed to make her coffee shop âCreative Yunâ the second home of Yun Innovationsâ staff.
As soon as Yun Nan entered the shop, Miss Wang came over and smilingly asked, âOh, hello there. I heard youâre busy lately; where did you find the time to come here today?â
Yun Nan chuckled, âYeah, Iâve been quite busy. I need a pick-me-up. Quick, get me a large cup of black coffee!â
âDid you stay up all night again?â Miss Wang lightly chided. âYou canât disregard your health just because youâre young, you know! Have a seat and wait.â Miss Wang turned around and instructed the barista, âPrepare a cup of black coffee and a cup of warm milk for Miss Yun. Oh, and cut up a plate of fresh fruits for her. Go!â
Lan Long saw Yun Nan the moment she entered the cafe. He picked up his coffee and was about to head over when he noticed a man with stubbles sitting himself down opposite her.
Yun Nan stared at the man sitting before her, Yun Zhang, speechless and in shock. Yun Zhang looked at his younger sister, and the bitter sadness in his smile was evident as he stated, âYou canât recognize me?â
Indeed, the Yun Zhang before Yun Nan was nearly unrecognizable; he looked worn out and as if heâd been through turbulent times. His hair was long, and his face was full of stubble. There was no trace of the dashing and suave man he once was. Instead, he seemed like heâd experienced strenuous hardships on some remote mountain. âWhere have you been? How did you end up like this?â
Yun Nan asked.
The barista brought over coffee, warm milk, and fruits. Yun Nan pushed the glass of milk toward Yun Zhang. âDrink some warm milk first.â
Yun Zhang smiled, his eyes gentle. âThank you!â He reached out and held the glass of milk but made no move to drink it, feeling the warmth of the glass in his hands. Yun Nan noticed the calluses on his fingers and was even more puzzled about what Yun Zhang had experienced.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
Yun Zhang looked at Yun Nan and said calmly, âI went to where you lived when you were a kid and followed the route you wandered all the way home. I did all the odd jobs youâd done and re-walked the path youâd once tread.â
âYun Nan, Iâm sorry. Our entire family, all of us, has let you down.â Yun Zhang had repeated this sentence countless times in his heart along his journey, and now that he could finally say it to his sister in person, his voice couldnât help but catch.
Yun Nan was at first surprised, and then she found herself letting go of the disappointment sheâd felt toward her elder brother in her heart. Her eyes slightly reddened as she muttered, âThere was no need for that, silly.â
âYes, there is! Only then will I know how much we owe you. Yun Nan, Iâm not asking for your forgiveness. I only hope that you can still acknowledge me as your brother,â Yun Zhang said softly..