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From the moment she stepped out following An Shaojie, Lin Xi had already vaguely realized from his intense gaze that the Brother Shaojie of her childhood had grown up, and his feelings for her were no longer the innocent playful relationship of their youth.
He was now a youthful boy filled with emotions!
Indeed, it wasn't just him; wasn't she also a young girl in love now?
Otherwise, why was her face so flushed and her palms sweaty under his heated breath?
Clearly, it was nervousness.
Though she thought this to herself, she still felt guilty and didn't dare to lift her eyes to look at An Shaojie, keeping her head down as she walked beside him.
"Oh, Brother Shaojie, how is your mother?" After walking for a long while in a flurry of thoughts, she finally found a topic she thought she could discuss, excitement showing on her face.
"She's good," An Shaojie replied, glancing at Lin Xi.
"Oh, that's good." Although Lin Xi had initiated the topic, her nervousness made her mind go blank after asking that one question. An Shaojie remained quiet like he did in their childhood, never initiating conversation and waiting for Lin Xi to speak again.
"Oh right, how's Sister Shaomin? Where is she studying?" After a long pause, Lin Xi suddenly thought of Shaw Min. Excitement sparkled in her eyes as her nervousness seemed to dissipate like smoke. She tugged at An Shaojie's sleeve like she used to in childhood, turning to stand in front of him, looking up with a bright smile.
"Sister... she's... she's doing well."
Lin Xi had thought this would be a great topic for discussion that could lead An Shaojie to reminisce about their childhood and many memories after she left Liu Family Village.
She knew that he had a good relationship with her sister; whether at home or outside, Shaw Min always looked out for him. He also liked and respected his sister very much.
However, when Lin Xi suddenly asked about Shaw Min, especially where she was studying, An Shaojie's expression twitched slightly at the corners of his mouth and cheeks, and his demeanor instantly darkened.
It seemed he was reluctant to talk more about it. Yet the reason for his reluctance didn't appear to stem from any negative change in his relationship with Shaw Min. When he mentioned that she was doing well, there was a barely perceptible look in his eyes—one filled with the same reverent affection he had for her since childhood.
"My Sister is excellent; even college students from the city like her."
Indeed, when it came to this topic, An Shaojie’s eyes brimmed with pride.
College students like her? Isn't she a college student? Lin Xi felt puzzled and seemed to understand the reason behind An Shaojie's somber expression. Could it be that Sister Shaomin didn't get into college later?
She was confused but didn't ask.
Changing the subject, Lin Xi's mind began to search for other memories.
It wasn't so much a search as it was a flood of childhood memories pouring into her mind as soon as she thought of An Shaomin.
There was no need to search; yes, Qinglan's name was already on Lin Xi's lips.
"What about Lanlan? Where is Lanlan now? Tell me quickly, Brother Shaojie!" She almost tugged at his arm, completely reverting to her childhood self, forgetting what nervousness felt like.
"Lanlan?" An Shaojie seemed to recall something. He had never called Qinglan "Lanlan."
"Qinglan, Sister Lan?" Lin Xi reminded him again.
Sister Lan! A familiar yet strange title.
Yes, An Shaojie had never called Qinglan "Lanlan," but in his memories, he had indeed called her "Sister Lan."
The mention of "Sister Lan" made An Shaojie's once hard heart soften for a brief moment.
Before the gossip about Qing Shusheng and Bai Cuifen spread in the village, Sister Lan was his little shadow, following him every day and calling him "Brother Shaojie." He and Lin Xi both called her "Sister Lan."
At that time, An Shaojie's relationship with Qinglan was no less than his current bond with Lin Xi; in fact, it might have been even stronger. Because Qinglan was mischievous, willful, lively, active, and loved to laugh. In front of An Shaojie, she was almost unrestrained and never listened to his commands, often teasing him in various ways.
The three of them, sometimes with An Shaomin, would always find themselves in the same situation even as a group of four. Qinglan would act mischievously and willfully in front of An Shaojie, who would patiently tolerate and protect her, while Lin Xi and An Shaomin quietly stood by, watching the two of them play around.
Good times are always fleeting and can easily slip away.
After a brief moment of softness in his heart, An Shaojie was once again reminded of the hidden pains buried deep within him.
Especially that early morning when he sent An Shaomin off on her journey alone. The entire Liu Family Village was still asleep, with only the creaky wooden door of Bai Cuifen's home opening to let in a refreshing mountain breeze. Yes, that morning was in August; the cool wind was meant to dispel the heat. However, on that morning, as the stars still twinkled in the sky and the moon hung high above, standing at the doorway of the main hall, An Shaojie felt the sudden chill from the breeze that swept into the house, like the coldness of a winter night, causing him to shiver.
Bai Cuifen carried a large bag on her back while he helped Shaw Min with a smaller bag. Shaw Min also held several small bags in her hands. He and Mother Bai Cuifen were seeing An Shaomin off as they crossed the arched bridge. The entire Liu Family Village remained quiet in slumber. The gentle wind blew through his mother’s hair and the thin fabric of her clothes. Behind him, Sister had lost the calm smile that used to bring him peace, and as he walked in between them, tears silently streamed down his face.
A cold smile flickered across An Shaojie's face.
"I have no news of her."
This was not what An Shaojie truly wanted to say; what he wanted to express was "I don't know this person."
But he knew that if he answered like that, Lin Xi would definitely suspect him and would ask about Qinglan's whereabouts, followed by a lecture.
He didn't know Qinglan? No one would believe that, especially not Lin Xi.
However, if he said he hadn't been in contact with her, Lin Xi might actually believe that. She understood An Shaojie too well; given his stubbornness and indifference, along with the resentment he had towards her in their childhood, it was natural for him not to have news about Qinglan. But Lin Xi thought that "no news of her" merely meant he didn't know her recent situation; she assumed he should still have some general information about her but just didn't want to discuss her at that moment. Since that was the case, Lin Xi decided not to press him further, thinking she could ask him another day when an opportunity arose.
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