I Have a Brother, a Very Good Brother

On the way back to school,

Lin Wanning obediently walked beside Long Aotian.

"Brother."

Long Aotian stopped and turned to look at Lin Wanning, who had called out to him. "What is it?"

"Nothing. It’s just that you seem really happy today—you’ve been smiling the whole way. Last time, you scolded me for looking at my phone while walking. You should focus too, Brother. We’re about to cross the street."

"My bad. Didn’t mean to make you worry, little sister," Long Aotian chuckled. He was in an exceptionally good mood today, and even his tone felt lighter.

"So… you and Yu Ying are really together now, right?" Lin Wanning asked softly.

Long Aotian’s smile faded slightly as he noticed the way Lin Wanning lowered her gaze.

The memory of her confession to him had long been buried under the passage of time and their gradual companionship. But seeing her like this now, he nodded. "Yes. She’s very important to me."

"So…"

Lin Wanning heard the answer she expected, and a faint smile appeared on her delicate, coldly beautiful face. "Brother, I respect that."

"You once said that as long as I call you 'brother,' you’ll protect me. I’ve kept those words close to my heart. So, you’ll always be my brother."

Long Aotian studied the sincerity in her bright eyes, then lightly tapped her forehead with his finger. "That promise stands forever. The best thing about me is that I keep my word."

"Thank you, Brother." Lin Wanning turned to face him fully. "Having a brother is really nice."

Like ice melting, like a snow lotus blooming—her happiness radiated toward him in that moment.

"Silly girl, watch where you’re going," Long Aotian teased.

"Brother, would you listen to my story?"

"Of course. Tell me, and I’ll listen." In the original novel, Lin Wanning’s past had only been briefly mentioned. Long Aotian was curious about the untold chapters of her life.

Lin Wanning clasped her hands behind her back and walked playfully beside him. "Where should I start? Well… from when I was little."

Her tone was light, as if she were narrating someone else’s tale.

"Ever since I was very, very young, my parents separated. My father didn’t want me, and my mother left me with my grandparents. For a long, long time, she never came back."

"Back then, Wanning used to smile a lot. My teachers and grandparents always said I had a lovely voice—that I could become a singer someday."

"Even without my father or mother around, I wasn’t sad. My grandparents gave me all their love, so I was happy then."

As she spoke, the warmth in her eyes was pure and untainted.

"But when I was seven, my mother returned. She had remarried in the city and took me away from my grandparents."

"I was still so young. I had to adjust to a strange city, a strange 'home,' and call a strange man 'Dad'..."

Though Lin Wanning still wore a smile, Long Aotian could sense the difference in it.

He gently stroked her long hair, wordlessly trying to lend her strength.

"Brother, do you think that man treated me badly?"

"No… actually, he was kind to me at first."

"Until my little brother was born."

"I loved my brother, but that man didn’t believe me. Not even my own mother did."

She looked up at Long Aotian. "Brother, why can people change so suddenly, as if they’ve become entirely different?"

"But I’m still grateful to them. Because of them, I got to attend the music academy I’d always dreamed of."

"Still, sometimes I’d secretly cry. Back then, I often wished I had an older brother—someone to protect me..."

She let out a soft laugh. "Luckily, I have one now."

The story was short, just a few sentences, yet it had shaped an entire life.

In the beginning, even without her parents, Wanning had been joyful.

But in the end, with a stepfather and her mother back in her life, she lost that happiness.

Someone who had once smiled so freely gradually grew distant and cold.

Long Aotian knew these words couldn’t possibly capture everything she’d endured after turning seven. Perhaps the truth wasn’t as easy to accept as she made it sound—or maybe she just didn’t want him to worry.

Because some things couldn’t be summarized in just a few lines.

"You’re strong."

Hearing those two words, Lin Wanning pressed her lips together, smiling even as her eyes reddened. The teardrop mole at the corner of her eye looked especially tender against the flush. "You don’t think I’m just clinging to you?"

Long Aotian smiled and wiped away the tear threatening to fall from her eye.

If it hadn’t fallen yet, then she wasn’t sad.

"Everyone has moments when they’re unhappy. If you can’t pull yourself out, then I’ll pull you out."

He smoothed down her hair, which he’d ruffled earlier.

"Don’t dwell on the past. Don’t hesitate about the future. Don’t be too hard on yourself. None of this was your fault. You’ve already done so well—better than I might have in your place. You’re truly amazing."

"I can’t hold an umbrella over your heart, and I can’t fully understand what you’ve been through. But I can listen. I’ll help you carry the weight, bit by bit."

His words made her heart ache, then suddenly flood with warmth. Emotions swirled inside her.

The young girl tilted her delicate, coldly beautiful face up, her eyes glistening with stubborn tears she refused to shed. "Brother… can I hug you?"

Seeing the fragile smile she tried to maintain, Long Aotian stepped forward and gently wrapped his arms around her, patting her back in slow, soothing motions.

Pressed against his chest, breathing in his familiar scent, Lin Wanning closed her eyes and smiled.

A single tear slipped down her cheek, vanishing into the fabric of his clothes—as if it had never fallen at all.

"As long as you call me 'brother,' I’ll always protect you."

He loosened his embrace slightly. "Your dream will come true. You’ll become the greatest singer, shining on stage with all the brilliance of Lin Wanning’s youth."

"Brother, you sound even more confident than me," Lin Wanning said with a laugh, her nose still tinged pink.

"Because you’ve worked for it—over and over, never giving up. The world is fair. You’ve poured so much effort into the dream you’ve loved since childhood. It will give you a beautiful future."

"Thank you, Brother, for listening to my venting and still choosing to stand by my side."

"You called me 'Brother'—do you really think I'd care about these things?" Long Aotian tapped Lin Wanning's forehead lightly in mock annoyance. "Some things, some words—they only lighten your heart once you say them out loud."

"So if something’s bothering you, tell me. I’ll be your most devoted listener."

Lin Wanning took a deep breath. Yes, some things really did feel clearer once spoken...

How wonderful—to have a brother now, a truly wonderful brother...

[Honestly, since January 10th, my family’s been swamped with matters, and I’ve been exhausted. Thankfully, it’s all over now. Two chapters today—I’ll definitely make up for all the extra chapters owed to the boss. Please bear with me (begging here).]

[Thank you, boss, for the "Big God" and flower showers, and to everyone for the continuous "Power of Love" support. Truly grateful.]