Chapter 271: Chapter 250: Sister and Brother

Xiao Man said, "He shows up after being missing for so many years? So you don’t even know him? He lied to me, then, going on about how our families have known each other for generations and are on great terms!"

"His disappearance back then was understandable, and I don’t know him because of our large age gap. But he wasn’t wrong about our families knowing each other for generations. We’ve had ties since our great-grandparents’ time, though of course, our relationship isn’t as close as the one we have with the Gu family. Sis, I’m telling you: whether you like Brother Shaojun or not, I’ll support you. But don’t get mixed up with anyone from the Bai Family!"

Seeing Tang Haocheng put on a serious face and lecture her so earnestly, Xiao Man found it both exasperating and amusing. She teased him on purpose, "And what if I do get mixed up with him? What then?"

When Xiao Man said that, Tang Haocheng grew anxious. "That’s not good! I overheard Grandma and Granny Gu talking in private. They said... they said that before Mom married Dad, she was originally supposed to marry that Bai Lihua! They broke up later because of the Wu Family’s problems... We can’t meddle in our parents’ generation’s affairs, but shouldn’t we at least avoid any potential awkwardness? Why does it have to be someone from the Bai Family? Is he that much better than Brother Shaojun? Sis, if you don’t want the childhood engagement between the Tang and Gu Families, that’s fine. If you don’t marry Brother Shaojun, there are plenty of other good men out there. You can take your pick, I promise..."

Xiao Man laughed in exasperation and flicked Tang Haocheng on the forehead. "Just how old do you think I am? You sound like you can’t wait to marry me off. Am I stealing your food or drinking your water?"

Tang Haocheng rubbed his forehead. Realizing what he’d said, he couldn’t help but chuckle. "I was just worried, okay? It’s all Grandma and Grandpa’s fault. Ever since I got back to Beijing, whenever I’m home, all I hear is them talking about your marriage. It’s made me... well, I just think it’s perfectly normal for you to get married!"

Xiao Man was speechless. ’Why does that sound so awkward?’

"Sis, you still haven’t answered me: Do you think that Bai Junfan is better than Brother Shaojun?" Tang Haocheng scooted closer, leaning against Xiao Man. The siblings were pressed together like conjoined twins, holding hands with familiar intimacy.

Xiao Man could tangibly feel her brother’s trust and affection. Her mind drifted back to her past life, to when they met in the hospital. Hao Hao hadn’t known he even had a sister. He had been so cold and distant. She remembered secretly peeking at him through a crack in the door—he was noble and handsome, an unattainable figure. The memory of that desolate sorrow still made her heart ache, and Xiao Man couldn’t stop a sniffle from escaping.

"Sis?" Tang Haocheng took a closer look and noticed his sister’s eyes were red. He felt a bit helpless. "What’s wrong? Did I say something I shouldn’t have?"

"N-No."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"Look, Sis, I’m your biological brother. If I do something to make you unhappy, you can hit me or yell at me! Like that Mo Shuixia—she beats up Mo Yuanzhi like he’s an enemy, and Mo Yuanzhi just says he considers it a workout. I can take it too, so feel free to hit me!"

Xiao Man let out a PFFT of laughter. "What are you, a masochist? Insisting people hit you!"

"Not just anyone! The only person allowed to hit me is my own sister!"

"Oh, thank you so much! To borrow a line from that emcee earlier: you sure have a silver tongue!"

"Anyone can say that; you don’t need to borrow it from her! Sis, you don’t need to be intimidated by her. She isn’t even one of the top students at Kyoto University. There are plenty of people more brilliant than her! For example, your dear brother, me. I’m just a freshman, and I can already run circles around her!"

"My, I almost forgot. My little brother is a star student at Kyoto University, one of the chosen few in the ivory tower!"

"What? You actually forgot where I go to school? Some sister you are... You don’t care about me at all!"

"I’m just messing with you. Kyoto University, the top institution of higher learning in all of Huaxia. I memorized the name of that school the second you were accepted."

"Sis, do you want to apply to Kyoto University?"

"Nah, I’ll just get a degree from the Medical College. That’s enough for me."

"Oh. Then just get your degree. Don’t work too hard. Sis, don’t become a military doctor in the future."

"Why?"

"Military doctors... they seem to work really hard and are always busy. Plus, they’re away from home for years at a time. Look at Brother Shaofeng and Gu Shaoling. It’s so pitiful; it’s like they have a mom, but they don’t."

Tang Haocheng’s gaze was intense as he looked at Xiao Man seriously. "I don’t want you to be like Second Aunt Gu in the future, completely neglecting your children."

Xiao Man’s heart softened. ’Hao Hao also grew up away from his parents, raised by his grandparents. Despite his cool, swaggering, little-adult act, who could know about the void he felt inside?’

Xiao Man patted Hao Hao’s head, ruffling his hair. "By the way, what were you asking me earlier? Something about Brother Shaojun and that Bai Junfan?"

"Oh, I was asking: Between Brother Shaojun and that Bai Junfan, who’s better?"

"Brother Shaojun, of course! In my eyes, no one can compare to Brother Shaojun!"

Tang Haocheng grinned at Xiao Man. "Hehehe!"

Xiao Man glared at him. "What are you so happy about?"

"Uh, I am pretty happy. Honestly, I think Brother Shaojun is great, too. Sis, Brother Shaojun is a man of his word. I think you can trust him!"

"Look at you, Mr. Know-it-all. How old are you, anyway? Spouting off about marriage and relationships like you’re some kind of expert. You could start your own gossip magazine!" Xiao Man shot Tang Haocheng a sidelong glance, but her heart felt warm, filled with an inexplicable joy.

’Her brother is still so young, yet he’s already looking out for her. This feeling of siblings relying on and watching over each other is really wonderful!’

’As for Gu Shaojun, she never doubted his sincerity, nor had she ever considered refusing him. In her mind, the name Gu Shaojun was a free pass to do anything. If he ever made a request, she would agree without a second thought. It was both a form of repayment and a reflection of her true feelings for him. But watching him carefully coaxing and pleading with her was so satisfying that she couldn’t help but let him continue!’

’In this new life, she had given him a chance. She had helped him follow his ideals and pursue a love that was his equal. Yet, he still insisted on sticking by her, this little bean sprout. Fine, they could just stick with each other. It just so happened that she had designs on him, too. Her body might not be mature, but her soul was!’

’Once they’re bound together, he’ll be hers. He can forget about ever running away!’

"Sis, what’s a ’gossip magazine’?"

"That... it’s a kind of magazine or newspaper that claims to be trendy and progressive, but it’s filled with nothing but talk about other people’s business."

"A magazine like that actually exists? Where is it published? You’ve seen one?"

"Er, I saw one by chance... on a train..."

Just as Xiao Man was fending off Tang Haocheng’s questions, the car pulled into the Tang Mansion, and the siblings’ discussion came to an end.

There’s an old saying, "Speak of the devil, and he shall appear." While not always true, it’s often close enough. At the very least, as Xiao Man and Tang Haocheng stepped out of the car, they came face to face with a certain someone who had been mentioned that very evening.

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