Strolling through the streets

With these thoughts in mind, Meng forced a stiff smile and said, "Xiao! I think we should go check our things again." As she spoke, she pulled Xiao up.

A gentle breeze drifted by, rustling the leaves with a soft, whispering sound. Beautiful flowers danced gracefully in the wind. Everything in midsummer was so lovely.

Footsteps echoed through the garden—Shangguan Han had returned from outside. Seeing his sister and her friend in the garden, he walked over to them.

Xiao and Meng heard the approaching steps, turned to look, and were delighted to see Han was back. Xiao beamed, "Hey! Brother, how come you're home so early today?" Han walked to his sister’s side, his eyes full of affection as he smiled softly.

Unhurriedly, he replied, "Well, there wasn’t much to do today, so I finished early." Meng stood aside, her cheeks flushed, awkwardly greeting Han, "Um... hello!"

Seeing Meng’s shy demeanor, Xiao teased her gleefully, "Hehe! Meng, you weren’t like this just now!" At Xiao’s teasing, Meng’s already red face turned scarlet.

She anxiously retorted, "You’re so annoying! Xiao, if you keep this up, I won’t talk to you anymore!" The moment she said it, Meng regretted it.

Damn! Shangguan Han was right there watching—how could she be so petty? She glanced at Han, embarrassed, only to see him smiling gently at her.

Oh heavens! She felt as if she might float away with happiness. Xiao, watching Meng staring at her brother with stars in her eyes—almost drooling—found it all terribly amusing.

Still, not wanting to truly upset her, she decided to let it go for now. "Alright, don’t be mad! I won’t tease you anymore."

Even so, Xiao couldn’t help but tease her a little more. "Alright, Xiao, you’ve been here a week now. Today I happen to be free, so I’ll take you out for a stroll." After glancing at Xiao, he continued, "I remember you’re starting military training next week, right? Have you got everything ready? Did you pack any medical supplies?" This brotherly concern made Meng, standing nearby, feel quite envious.

But all she could do was watch—after all, he was Xiao’s brother.

Hearing her brother’s words, Xiao couldn’t help but pull a face and laugh, "Hey, you two are so in sync! Like an old married couple! Maybe you should just get together!" Xiao started matchmaking again.

Unfortunately, Han gave no response. "Let’s go," he said, taking Xiao’s words as another joke and paying them no mind. He turned and headed to the garage for the car. Meng watched his retreating figure, feeling a pang of disappointment.

Xiao, dissatisfied with Han’s reaction, muttered, "Hmph! So sly! Come on, Meng, let’s go together!" Hearing Xiao’s comment about Han, Meng’s gloomy mood instantly brightened.

It was wonderful having Xiao around. But when Xiao insisted she come along too, Meng hesitated. "Is that really okay?"

"Hmph! What does it matter? Come on, or I’ll be angry!" Xiao put her hands on her hips, striking a pose that said, "I’m not happy."

"Alright then!" Meng thought, I'll just go for it! The group climbed into Han’s sports car and fastened their seatbelts. Han turned to make sure Xiao was buckled in, then started the engine and drove toward the city center. The car moved smoothly along as Xiao gazed out the window at the passing scenery.

— Author’s Note —

Typing away furiously… Dear readers, please add this story to your collections!