C9 A Heartwarming Welcome 

Du Hengyu turned around, and his bright eyes widened. "What's wrong? Are my muscles too good-looking?" He flexed his biceps and posed in front of her, like a model seeking approval.

He sat up, revealing his well-built figure.

Other women wouldn't have been able to handle him. In fact, some would've been flushed and ducked their heads in excitement, but Du Xiaoxiao looked resigned.

The last thing she needed was to deal with her noisy brother.

Grabbing the t-shirt lying on the ground, she chucked it into his space. "I've already seen your bubbly butt when you were younger." She snorted. "Nothing has changed."

"Hey! I thought you weren't going to mention that anymore!" His cheeks flushed bright red.

The more he ducked and shook his head, the more she laughed. Her lips spread into a wicked grin as she feigned innocence. "What's wrong? I still remember all those little moles dotted across–" Before she could finish, he jumped up from the sofa and carried her up into the air.

"Laugh one more time, and I'll throw you out!" He laughed, swinging her around.

"Hey!" she protested, wiggling under his hold. "All right, all right–you got a deal! Just put me down."

Knowing that she had enough, he followed her lead. That still didn't remove the smug smile on his face. "You're so small," he teased. "You should've been my younger sister."

She frowned.

"Since I'm the little sister, why don't you cook for me instead?" she threatened.

Du Hengyu had always considered his sister's food a delicacy. If she refused to cook for him, then what the heck was he going to do with his life now?

His face paled and he hurriedly put her down. "Still the best older sister in the world," he praised sheepishly as his eyes glinted. "Now, can you please cook me something? I'm starving!"

"You're really something else, aren't you?" Murmuring to herself, she helplessly got up to cook.

After closing the kitchen door behind her, Du Xiaoxiao clutched her chest and took a deep breath. All the memories she had gone through flooded her mind, and she squeezed her eyes shut.

No. This night was supposed to be just any other night for her. Now that Du Hengyu had finally returned from his university, the last thing she needed was to cause any more problems.

She patted her face. "It's all over," she murmured herself. "It's all going to be fine."

It was a good thing that everything was back to normal. While she wasn't totally fine, she'd get better one step at a time. She took another deep breath and began to wash the vegetables. Within a few minutes, her mind was already much relaxed.

It was as if everything had come to pass.

With a smile on her face, Du Xiaoxiao carried all the dishes out. "Hengyu," she called out. "Time to eat. Go and wash your hands."

After a night of catching up, the two of them sat on the sofa and watched a little bit of TV.

It was already past eight o'clock when she glanced at her watch. Her camera still sat at the edge of her desk, and she couldn't help but feel a little sad.

This was the first night she had in weeks of not squatting in plain sight. Her legs ached at the memory of all the mosquito bites she just had. Not only did she not have to deal with her boss's yapping, but she also got to finally enjoy her space. Sure, getting fired wasn't in her choice of events, but she wasn't depressed about it.

While she tried to keep a strong face, Du Hengyu could tell something was off. There were a couple of times when he'd want to ask her about what happened, but every time he did, he always found a way to back out.

Du Xiaoxiao pretended not to read his questioning glances. A part of her hoped that he wouldn't ask her about work, or how her progress was going...otherwise...she wouldn't even know what to do.

Unfortunately, he wouldn't let things go that easily.

"You're not working today," he slowly said. "I thought you said you were heading out every night just to catch your big break? Did something happen at work?"

"About that..." She clenched her fists. "I wanted to talk to you about this, but...I don't work there anymore."

Although stunned, his face immediately brightened. "It's a good thing you're out of the entertainment business. You know how hated reporters are. Besides, you don't have to worry about my tuition fees too," he quickly said. "I have some funds left, and it covers up all my living expenses too."

Scholarship fund? Her heart sank, and she gazed at her lap. "It's my fault," she murmured. "It's all my fault–"

"Sis, don't talk that way." He nudged her. "Besides, I already told you, didn't I? Once I'm successful, I'll be the one taking care of you."

"Of course, you will." She leaned against him. Even then, she still couldn't help but feel a little guilty.

As the older sister, she was supposed to be the one guiding up, teaching him all the things he needed to know. He was just a college kid, and now, he was forced to share this burden with her.

Honestly, Hengyu was an outstanding child. If he weren't stuck with her, then he was probably better off–

"By the way, did that Jiang Chen guy bother you again?" Seeing her thoughts in disarray, he immediately changed the topic. "If you ever get tired of him, you gotta tell me, all right? I'll set that guy straight!"

Her lips twitched.

He really knew the worst topics to brign up, huh?

Helplessly sighing, she turned away. "Don't worry, he won't come by and harass me anymore." A smile spread across her face. "I've always thought he's a good guy, but you were right about him. The guy's sick in the head; it seems you've always been a great judge of character."

"Oh? Where's the 'you shouldn't judge a person by his looks' or 'I'm sure you'll warm up to him soon'?" Du Hengyu leaned in. "Did you knock your head or something?

Du Xiaoxiao smiled bitterly. "Don't be sarcastic, all right? I'm serious here–the guy's a jerk." She gazed out the window. "Turned out, he was sleeping with Alie while he was courting me."

"It's a good thing you don't like him anymore." He pursed his lips, struggling to restrain himself. "That kind of scum isn't worthy of you."

He drew his sister into a hug. Just then, a trace of coldness flashed across his eyes.

It turned out that his sister had already woken up about Jiang Chen's character. It was a good thing that she never gave him a chance, otherwise...his hands clenched into fists.

Du Hengyu was going to murder him!

Who did he think he was?

"There are just so many things running on my mind." She exhaled, shaking her head. "Let's just forget about it, all right? What about a baseball game?"

"I'll go get some drinks." He smiled, heading to the fridge.

The siblings watched the baseball game on the sofa. Soon enough, the intense game was enough to get their thoughts straight. The awkward atmosphere dissipated between them, and they found themselves cheering along.

"Yes! It's a home run!"

"Come on, catch up!"

"Damn it, he caught the ball!"

Du Xiaoxiao threw her hands up in the air, obviously frustrated from the results of the game. Her brother, who had been watching from the side, couldn't help but smile.

The two of them watched till midnight. Her eyes were slowly drooping as she found herself leaning against Du Hengyu's shoulder. Her breathing slowed.

He just ate the popcorn, watching till the end of the baseball game so she could ask him whatever when she wakes up. Once everything was over, he turned off the TV and carried her back to her bedroom.

Putting her on the bed, he stared at her deeply.

"When I grow up, it's going to be my turn to protect you," he promised.

Du Xiaoxiao simply turned around in response, none the wiser of his promise. With a sigh, he turned around and left.

A few hours later, sunlight finally streamed through the window, and she was suddenly woken up with the sound of her phone ringing. Her eyes squinted, covering her eyes from the shriveling light.

Still a bit dizzy, Du Xiaoxiao picked up the phone.

"Hello? Who is this?"

"Who is it? Have we really not seen each other for so long that you've already forgotten all about me?" On the other side, a bold voice shook her awake. "Come pick me up at the airport, will you?"

"Yinyin!" She scrambled up. "You're...you're back!"