Volume One, Chapter 16: Voices, Why Does Brother Like a Man?

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Something was off about him... very off!
“Shengsheng?”
Shen Nianchi’s gentle voice whispered near her ear, like a feather lightly brushing her heart.
“Ah?”
Wen Zhi looked up, meeting his dark eyes, her heart jolting before she quickly averted her gaze.
Just then, Wei Yuan appeared out of nowhere, breaking the intimate atmosphere between them.
“Junior, so you’re here.”
Shen Nianchi frowned upon hearing the voice. This guy was even more persistent than that Cheng Cheng!
Seeing this, Wen Zhi pulled her hand free from Shen Nianchi’s grasp and turned to Wei Yuan. “Senior, what are you doing here?”
“Of course I’m here to see you off. You’re a girl out late, and this is abroad—it’s not safe,” Wei Yuan said with a smile.
As he spoke, Shen Nianchi shot him a cold, sharp glare.
He didn’t take him seriously at all!
Wen Zhi smiled awkwardly. “Th-thank you, Senior, but Director Qin arranged a driver for me, so I won’t trouble you.”
Shen Nianchi raised an eyebrow, mocking, “Yeah, all the sinister ones are outside—how safe can it be out there?”
Hearing this, Wen Zhi glanced between Wei Yuan and Shen Nianchi, her expression stiffening.
What’s gotten into her brother? Why is he so sarcastic?
An awkward silence settled.
“Alright, Shengsheng has me to send her home. If you’re done here, you should head back early,” Shen Nianchi said, scrutinizing Wei Yuan.
After a moment, Wei Yuan smiled. “Knowing Wen Zhi has Teacher Shen looking after her makes me feel at ease. I’ll head back then.”
Wen Zhi said nothing, watching Wei Yuan’s retreating figure.
Once Wei Yuan disappeared around the corner, Wen Zhi turned to Shen Nianchi, frowning. “Do you have some grudge against Senior Wei Yuan?”
“No,” Shen Nianchi replied, reaching out to rub her head. “Come on, let’s go home.”
He took her wrist and started to lead her out.
Wen Zhi pulled away. “Brother, the live stream is over. Holding hands now isn’t very appropriate...”
Not appropriate?
He’d been holding her hand since they were little—what’s inappropriate about that?
Shen Nianchi looked puzzled but didn’t press further.
By the time they got home, it was already nine o’clock.

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After changing clothes at home, Shen Nianchi cooked something, but neither of them ate much at the dining table.
Both kept their heads down, eating quietly, words few.
“Brother...”
The silence was broken by Wen Zhi’s soft call as she looked at him. “Actually, Senior Wei Yuan is a nice person. He cares about everyone...”
Shen Nianchi paused, then smiled lightly. “Hmm~ as long as Shengsheng thinks he’s nice.”
“But do you really have no grudge against Senior Wei Yuan?” Wen Zhi couldn’t help but ask.
She could sense Shen Nianchi’s hostility toward Wei Yuan.
“Hmm? You think I’m targeting him?” Shen Nianchi raised an eyebrow in return.
“Not exactly, it’s just that you don’t seem to like him very much,” Wen Zhi said thoughtfully.
Wei Yuan seemed like a bright, warm guy.
But Shen Nianchi, though outwardly gentle and refined, always gave off a distant, cold vibe, and his words were often ambiguous...
Her remark made Shen Nianchi chuckle. “Shengsheng, why would your brother be interested in men?”
It took Wen Zhi a moment to register the reply. She bit her lip lightly. “That’s not what I meant...”
She pouted slightly, looking a bit wronged.
She looked exactly like a spoiled little doll...
Shen Nianchi couldn’t help but laugh, setting down his bowl and rubbing her head. “Shengsheng, you’re not a good match for him.”
Wen Zhi was even more confused.
“Brother, what are you talking about?”
Shen Nianchi hesitated before saying, “Shengsheng... remember, men’s words are often lies. Don’t be fooled by sweet talk.”
He looked at her seriously but worried whether she would listen. They hadn’t seen each other in four years, and after just a few days together, he was already nagging her. Would she find him annoying and then avoid him for another four years?
Wen Zhi, meeting his unwavering gaze, looked down shyly. “I... I understand. Don’t worry, Senior Wei Yuan and I are just schoolmates...”
Hearing this, Shen Nianchi smiled slightly. “That’s good.”
“Well... Brother, I’m done eating. I’ll head upstairs first. You should rest early too.”
She quickly grabbed her dishes and went into the kitchen, afraid he’d call her back if she lingered.
Seeing this, Shen Nianchi frowned slightly. What was wrong with her?
Had she caught the hidden meaning in his words? Was she unsure how to face him now that her thoughts were exposed?
He wasn’t against her dating or having a boyfriend, but those guys never seemed like good people. His Shengsheng was so pure—love was something to be very cautious about. She mustn’t suffer the pains of love.
Wen Zhi went upstairs to her room, but her mind was full of Shen Nianchi. She couldn’t settle down at all.

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She had promised to keep distance, to draw clear boundaries—what had she done today?
Their romance hadn’t been clarified, and now the pairing was being hyped up. If those photos were dug up and linked to her, she’d never clear her name.
Wen Zhi checked the trending topics about them—over a million comments and shares already...
“Oh my god, so enviable!”
“So close, so eye-catching!”
“Wuwuwu, I want my husband to say that to me!”
“Ahhhh! Stunning beauty, my wife!”
“Oh my, so jealous!”
“Such a perfect match!”
...
Reading the comments, Wen Zhi’s heart grew more restless.
They had a whole day of self-arranged dates tomorrow—what was she going to do?
Her private messages had already flooded over ten thousand, and followers kept increasing.
WeChat was no exception, with constant notifications popping up.
The show’s popularity was about to explode; the production team surely wouldn’t let them off easily. Though tomorrow was self-arranged, they’d likely stir up trouble, perhaps holding an emergency meeting now to figure out how to mess with her and Shen Nianchi.
Wen Zhi turned off her phone and tossed it aside, lying on her bed staring at the chandelier on the ceiling, lost in thought.
Shen Nianchi passed by her room upstairs and noticed light slipping through the door crack. He frowned slightly.
Why wasn’t she asleep yet?
“Shengsheng?”
He knocked gently, testing the waters.
Inside, Wen Zhi’s heart jumped. Sitting up on her bed, she looked toward the door. “Brother? Did you need something?”
“Remember to take your medicine and soak in a bath. Don’t catch a cold,” Shen Nianchi said. “Get some rest. Good night.”
“Okay...” Wen Zhi replied softly.
Outside, snow fell heavily as the temperature dropped, but inside it was warm as spring. Wen Zhi lay in bed clutching a pillow, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep...