Don't be nervous, this will be your home from now on.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Carrying her luggage into the elevator, Ye Zhenzhen looked around, a curious light shining in her cool, clear eyes.

They arrived at the ninth floor. Ye Shulian unlocked the door with her key, and a spacious, brightly lit living room immediately appeared before the young girl's eyes.

Sunlight poured through the windows onto the floor, warm and bright.

An LCD TV hung on the wall, although to Gu Ran, it looked incredibly old-fashioned.

But in this era, online video streaming had not yet developed. Every household watched cable TV, and this forty-inch LCD TV had cost Lao Gu a full month's salary.

To the left of the entrance was an open-plan kitchen, and to the right was the expansive living room and an extended balcony.

Further inside was Gu Ran's room, and right next to it was the second bedroom prepared for her.

Gu Xiangcheng and Ye Shulian's bedroom was separated from their rooms by a guest bathroom. Since the master bedroom had its own en-suite, the users of this guest bathroom would be Gu Ran and Ye Zhenzhen.

"Come in, come in quick."

Gu Xiangcheng walked in first, carrying a box. After setting it down on the floor, he brought out the slippers he had prepared in advance for Ye Shulian and Ye Zhenzhen.

Taking off her little white shoes, Ye Zhenzhen glanced around, neatly placed them against the door, and then stood there, hands clenched tightly, looking a bit reserved.

"Don't be nervous. This is your home from now on."

Noticing the girl's unease, Gu Xiangcheng smiled at her, then quickly turned to Gu Ran, "Hurry up and take your sister to see her room."

"Oh."

Gu Ran replied, then carried Ye Zhenzhen's luggage and led her to the second bedroom inside.

Pushing open the door, the first thing that caught the eye was a large, spacious bed.

Compared to the small bed she used to sleep in, it was easily twice the size.

Next to it, against the wall, was a white louvered wardrobe, a desk, and a bookshelf resting on top of it.

Looking further inside, there were bright floor-to-ceiling windows.

Ye Zhenzhen's eyes visibly lit up. She walked quickly and lightly to the window, gently standing on her tiptoes to look down.

She really liked these floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a direct view of the river.

However, she then frowned, sniffing with her small, straight nose, feeling that the smell in the room was somewhat familiar.

Gu Ran put the luggage away and chuckled softly when he saw her reaction.

"How is it? Smells good, right? This is an air freshener I specifically picked out, osmanthus scented!"

Ye Zhenzhen: "..."

A trace of embarrassed annoyance flashed through her cool eyes. She covertly shot a glare at the guy beside her, then turned her head to continue looking at the snow-covered river dam.

Gu Ran stepped forward, leaned out to take a look as well, and then reached out to open the balcony door.

"Do you want to go out and take a look?"

"Mhm." Ye Zhenzhen nodded, the corners of her mouth curling up slightly.

Stepping lightly onto the open-air balcony covered in snowflakes, she couldn't stop a smile from blooming on her face.

A cold breeze swept by, lifting her long hair.

She gripped the balcony railing with both hands, gently closed her eyes, and enjoyed the tranquility before her.

"So nice..."

Gu Ran also didn't say a word, just quietly staying with her on the balcony, enjoying the breeze.

Turning his head to look at the girl's wind-blown hair and her delicate face, the corners of his mouth curled up slightly. Imitating her actions, he closed his eyes and enjoyed the refreshing feel of the breeze brushing against his face.

After a long time, Ye Zhenzhen opened her eyes.

She looked at Gu Ran beside her and asked softly, "What is summer like here?"

Summer?

Gu Ran was slightly taken aback. Staring at the scenery outside the window, his memory instantly flashed back to more than a decade ago.

Gu Ran suddenly became solemn, staring out the window, lost in unknown thoughts.

Ye Zhenzhen's cool eyes were filled with curiosity, but she didn't interrupt. She just stood quietly by his side, carefully studying the boy's profile.

"Summer... it should be full of blooming lotus flowers here. I used to love going to see the lotuses. Before leaving, I would conveniently pick the best-looking one. But after going so many times, the lotuses noticeably decreased, and the security guards even started staking the place out."

As Gu Ran spoke, a look of weathered nostalgia appeared on his face. Ye Zhenzhen was very curious, unable to understand why such an expression would show on his face.

At this very moment, she suddenly realized she couldn't read the boy in front of her, and that she knew very little about him.

"Do you want me to take you to steal lotuses next summer?"

After saying this, Gu Ran's face was once again filled with a bright smile, as if his earlier solemnity had been merely her illusion.

Hearing this, Ye Zhenzhen's beautiful eyes shifted. She stared into Gu Ran's eyes for a few seconds, then couldn't help but purse her lips and smile, "Sure."

Receiving an affirmative reply, Gu Ran was greatly surprised. Turning his head to stare into the girl's cool eyes, he couldn't help but burst into laughter.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

Feeling strange about his gaze, Ye Zhenzhen touched her cheeks and asked in confusion.

"Nothing, I just didn't expect you to actually agree."

Hearing this, Ye Zhenzhen smiled and asked softly, "Oh? Then how did you think I would answer?"

"Hmm..."

Gu Ran pondered for a moment, then slightly furrowed his brows. Imitating the girl's demeanor, he put on an indifferent expression, shot an embarrassed and annoyed glare, and pitched his voice high, saying, "I would never go steal someone else's lotuses!"

Seeing this, Ye Zhenzhen couldn't hold back her laughter. She reached out and smacked his shoulder, "Drop dead, I don't look that ugly!"

She glared at Gu Ran again, but he quickly said, "Look, look! You're doing it right now!"

"Hmph, I am not!"

Ye Zhenzhen blushed a little at his words. She subconsciously tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, turned around, and continued looking toward the riverside.

After blowing in the cold wind for a while, her mood gradually calmed down, and her face returned to its indifferent expression.

She turned to look at Gu Ran, blinked her eyes, and said, "Little brother Gu Ran, your big sister is going to pack her things now."

He understood he needed to make himself scarce; after all, girls had many personal items that weren't convenient for others to see.

He pulled at the corners of his mouth and smiled, "Then you go ahead and pack, big sister. This little brother will take his leave."

"Mhm, you may withdraw."

Click!

The room door closed. A blush still hung on Ye Zhenzhen's face. Recalling her conversation with Gu Ran just now, she couldn't help but laugh softly.

For some reason, when she was with Gu Ran, she felt exceptionally relaxed and completely free from the need to put on a facade.

Because faking it was useless anyway; that guy would always break through her defenses with just a few words.

Thinking of this, she looked around her new room. Smelling the elegant osmanthus scent at the tip of her nose, her cool eyes filled with warmth.

The new family was great, and the people were great too...

...