The Yu Family

Yet, unfortunately, neither of these two people could be offended. Oh, how frustrating! If I can't provoke them, at least I can avoid them, right? Comparing myself to others only makes me angry! Seeing Ai looking so aggrieved, everyone burst into cheerful laughter.

"By the way! That TV drama is about to start, do you all want to watch?" Xiao hurriedly fetched the remote and turned on the television, which was currently broadcasting the most clichéd and melodramatic soap opera.

The female protagonist was framed and forced to leave her home, wandering to a distant land, where she encountered bandits and was rescued by the male lead. "How melodramatic!"

"What a tacky plot!" Ai and Hui simultaneously scoffed at the screen. "Hey, if you don't like it, just leave! I didn't ask you to watch," Xiao responded, clearly displeased that they dared to criticize her show right in front of her. How exasperating!

"Why do you like these kinds of dramas? Why not watch something else?" Ai pouted and complained.

"If not this, should I watch cartoons? Idiot!" Xiao retorted without even turning her head.

"What's wrong with cartoons? I actually like cartoons!" Ai seemed determined to argue with Xiao.

She simply loved cartoons—cartoons were wonderful; they didn't have the vulgar, annoying storylines. Watching them always lifted her spirits, unlike these dramas, which only made her feel uncomfortable.

Seeing Ai so animated, Xiao finally relented, "Hey, don't be angry. I never said cartoons weren't good."

"But doesn't Ai dislike romance dramas?" Xiao was somewhat perplexed; romance dramas were among the most universally beloved shows—surely no one hated them, right? Though she wasn't entirely sure herself. Oh well, forget it.

"It's not that, I just think they're unrealistic. No one in the real world would let a stranger stay in their home and trust them unconditionally without knowing anything about them," Ai explained her view on romance dramas, and for a moment, everyone in the room fell silent.

Indeed, apart from one's own family, no one would offer unconditional help in times of hardship.

What exactly is love? Some say love is like coffee—you think it's delicious, while others find it bitter. Sometimes love is like cola, bringing endless excitement. At other times, love is like a slushie—you have to drink it quickly, or it soon melts into nothing but water.

Perhaps, when love arrives, we may not notice it, but as long as we live each moment earnestly, I believe that even if love is as fleeting as air or sunlight, we won't miss it.

Dearest, love may be bitter; it may bring pain, but as long as you don't give up, there will surely come a day when it turns sweet—just as the sun always emerges after the rain.

"No matter what, there will always be those in this world who truly love each other. Regardless of the outcome, at least they once had it, right?" Xiao scratched her head and smiled casually, tossing out these words before heading upstairs alone.

Yes! At least we once had it! Ai stared in astonishment at Xiao's departing figure, wondering in disbelief: is it really just about having once possessed it?

Yu watched Xiao silently until she disappeared from sight, feeling a profound shock. Could she have someone she likes? "Once possessed"?

What had happened during these years apart? What had he missed? His heart surged with waves of emotion, and even his brows furrowed unconsciously.

Bingling, Hui, and Xuexin also fell into deep thought for a while. If anyone remained calm in this moment, it was Han; he sat quietly with his coffee, savoring each sip.

The corners of his mouth, shielded by the cup, curved up slightly. Only he knew that Xiao was merely speaking at random—none of it should be taken seriously.

The clock in the living room ticked on, but everyone's hearts were no longer as peaceful as before. Should they, as Xiao said, take a leap of faith?

Genuine feelings, sealed away for years, suddenly stirred with a reckless impulse. Everyone stood up in unison and went to bid farewell to Han.

"Thank you for your hospitality today! Please let Xiao know we're heading home," they said, bowing slightly to Han.

"Won't you stay for dinner? It should be ready soon," Han set his cup down and rose to extend the invitation, though no one had the appetite for a meal at this moment.

He really was a man with no sense of principle! Yu quietly watched Han's performance from the side, feeling an urge to expose him.

But for the sake of his own future, it was best not to provoke this man—otherwise, his path to love would only become more arduous! Thankfully, Ai wasn't being her usual scatterbrained self at this moment.

Shuo replied with polite humility, "Thank you for your kindness, but dinner is already prepared at home, so we'll eat there. We'll be going now—goodbye."

With these words, he managed to refuse Han's invitation without causing any loss of face—a true display of his style!

Seeing their clear intention to leave, Han didn't insist further. He nodded and instructed the butler, "Butler, please see them out. I have some matters to attend to, so I'll leave you to it. Goodbye, feel free to visit anytime."

With that, he rose from the sofa and went upstairs.

After he left, Yu and the others, led by the butler, got into their respective cars and headed home. The journey was smooth, and they arrived at the gate of the Ouyang residence.

"I'm home!" Yu called as he opened the door and stepped inside. His mother emerged from the kitchen, looking at him with loving eyes, "You're back! Go tidy up, dinner's ready soon."

Yu's mother was the epitome of grace and elegance in high society, but at home, she was the ideal mother and wife. Her cooking was superb, and she took excellent care of everyone's appetite.

She always felt she owed Yu; she hadn't been there for him when he was young, hadn't given him a mother's warmth, which left him with a cold demeanor toward everyone. She often worried: what if he never found someone he liked?

Her heart was anxious, but she couldn't show it too much, or it would only make him more resistant. "Mm," Yu replied, grabbing his backpack and heading upstairs.

As he ascended, the door next to his opened. "You're back, brother," his younger brother Ouyang Qianyi poked his head out, looking at his elder sibling who had just returned.

Yu's hand paused on the door handle. Even after three years, he still hadn't fully adjusted to this younger brother. "Mm," he said, not offering much else.

He opened his door and stepped into his room, ignoring Qianyi behind him. The room was spacious, yet sparsely decorated; everything was black and white—a black bed, a white desk, a wooden bookshelf, and a wardrobe.

Apart from these essentials, there was nothing extraneous; the room looked immaculate and orderly.

－－－－－－Author's Note－－－－－－
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