C13 You Are Her Sister for the Rest of Her Life

Leng Huaiqing had never anticipated that after hastily wrapping up his company's affairs and rushing home, he would be greeted by such a sight.

Seeing Soong Zicheng embracing Huo Mengmeng with a look of spring fever on his face, he felt an inexplicable surge of irritation.

It didn't help that the young woman showed no signs of resistance, comfortably nestled in Soong Zicheng's arms, further darkening Leng Huaiqing's mood.

He had initially dismissed the rumors he heard the day before as mere gossip—idle talk of mutual affection and romance.

Yet, witnessing the closeness of the pair before him, Leng Huaiqing's voice was laced with barely contained fury.

He barked each syllable, "Huo! Meng! Meng!"

His abrupt outburst sent a shiver down Huo Mengmeng's spine.

In a fluster, she quickly extricated herself from Soong Zicheng's embrace. As she turned to face him, her smile was tinged with obvious embarrassment.

"Brother, when did you get back?"

"This is my house!"

Leng Huaiqing's voice was frosty, his piercing gaze causing Huo Mengmeng's heart to skip a beat and a chill to run down her spine.

"Right, of course!" Huo Mengmeng hastily concurred, nodding subserviently and taking a couple of steps to the side, instinctively distancing herself from Soong Zicheng.

Observing her actions, Leng Huaiqing's anger subsided slightly, though his stern demeanor remained.

"Instead of resting at home, what are you up to? Get back to your room, now!"

"Okay, brother, I'm heading up!" Huo Mengmeng quickly responded, clutching the black plastic bag and scurrying upstairs.

As her figure vanished around the corner of the staircase, Leng Huaiqing's gaze followed her discreetly.

His sharp, eagle-like eyes, filled with animosity, then settled on the unwelcome Soong Zicheng. "What brings you here?" he asked, his displeasure evident.

Soong Zicheng had always been intimidated by his cousin, whose perpetual cold demeanor made it seem as though everyone was in his debt.

Having been strictly disciplined by Leng Huaiqing from a young age, Soong Zicheng harbored a deep-seated fear and respect for him, which only compounded his anxiety about his visit to see the person he secretly adored.

Soong Zicheng didn't dare reveal his affection for Huo Mengmeng in Leng Huaiqing's presence. He nervously clutched at an excuse, saying, "My mom heard that Mengmeng hasn't been well, so she sent me to check on her..."

"You've seen her, so why not head back?" Leng Huaiqing's voice was cool and detached.

Soong Zicheng had a response on the tip of his tongue, but facing his cousin's icy demeanor, he involuntarily backed down and obediently turned to leave.

Yet, he had barely taken two steps when Leng Huaiqing's deep voice followed him, laced with a clear warning and implication. "Huo Mengmeng is Grandpa's adopted granddaughter; she's your sister for life!"

Soong Zicheng was no fool; he understood Leng Huaiqing's meaning perfectly. But his stubborn heart argued that there was no blood tie between him and Huo Mengmeng—what was stopping him from liking her?

He opened his mouth to argue, but before he could get a word out, Leng Huaiqing had already turned and ascended the stairs, clearly uninterested in further conversation.

Resigned, Soong Zicheng sighed and walked away. Yet, the thought of Huo Mengmeng's upcoming birthday in just half a month—and the opportunity it presented for him to declare his feelings—brought an involuntary smile to his lips.