The First Encounter with Xiao’s Brother

Leading them to the sofa, she gestured graciously, “Please, have a seat.” She pointed at the sofa, inviting them to sit, then casually settled onto it herself. Seeing their eyes still wide with amazement, she felt a sudden urge to laugh. “Hehe, are you already finding this unbelievable? This is just the tip of the iceberg! When the renovations are finally done and I bring you here again, it will be even more splendid. For now, close your mouths and blink, would you? You might hurt your eyes if you keep staring like that!”

The butler entered from outside. “Miss, you’re back! Here is the tea you requested.” He carefully set down the tea one by one, then stood quietly behind her, awaiting orders. “Butler, has my brother come home?” she turned and asked.

“Young Master has already returned and is in the study. Shall I fetch him for you?” the butler replied truthfully, ready to turn and ascend the stairs to find her brother.

She quickly reached out to stop him. “No need, I’ll look for him myself later. If you have work to do, go ahead. You don’t need to mind us.”

“Yes, Miss. If you need anything, just call and I’ll come at once.” With that, he quietly left the living room, restoring silence to the grand hall.

She picked up her teacup, glancing to the side, thinking: This Yu is really something—no matter what he does, he always seems so calm and composed, just like now. He reached for his teacup, his well-defined fingers lightly gripping the handle as he brought it slowly to his lips for a delicate sip. Lifting his head, his prominent nose and those sharp, almond-shaped eyes—there was no denying he was handsome.

She snapped out of her reverie to find Yu looking at her. “Hmm? Why are you staring at me?” she complained, displeased.

“That’s not quite right! Shangguan, it’s you who’s been staring at Ouyang all this time,” Bing Ling defended Yu gently.

She looked at Bing Ling, whose presence was soft and gentle, but such grace was not achieved overnight—it was cultivated over time.

Shangguan studied Bing Ling, feeling that her appearance was not as simple as it seemed. Her intuition had always been sharp.

“Yes, Shangguan. You were so absorbed in your thoughts while looking at him—you were about to drool!” Hui joked, his sunny good looks earning him extra charm.

“Oh, go play somewhere else! How could your sister possibly drool? Are you still three years old, talking without thinking? Honestly, you’ll never get the better of him. What a hopeless case!”

She rolled her eyes at him. No matter how good-looking he was, it was useless with her—she’d seen plenty of handsome faces.

“Who are you calling hopeless? So annoying!” Hui was flustered, but unable to find a retort, he could only swallow his frustration, his face a shifting palette of colors.

Tap, tap, tap… Footsteps sounded down the stairs, drawing everyone’s attention to the landing. A young man appeared, dressed in a pale blue shirt, brown casual trousers, white slippers, and with tousled short hair. His eyes were narrow and long, his straight nose supporting a pair of rimless glasses that softened his otherwise piercing gaze. Though his presence was less imposing with the glasses, it was still difficult to meet his eyes directly.

Anyone with less composure might feel compelled to confess everything in his presence. If he were a police officer, perhaps no one in this world would dare commit a crime.

His lips were set in a thin line, a personal coffee mug in his hand, and his stature—one meter ninety—was something his sister envied with both admiration and jealousy.

“Brother!” She saw him coming downstairs and, overjoyed, hopped and skipped into his arms.

The cold expression he wore melted instantly into tenderness at the sight of his sister—a side of him the employees at the company would find truly astonishing. The man who always maintained an icy, unflappable demeanor before others, who could remain absolutely calm no matter the crisis—

The legendary CEO, in front of her, revealed a gentler side, reserved only for her. The two siblings were as different as night and day. If she was like a fairy from a storybook, Han was a demon king from the depths of hell, radiating a kingly aura that could chill the soul.

“You’ve brought friends home?” His deep, magnetic voice could lift anyone’s spirits just by listening.

“Mm, I just met them. Hehe, the school was lively today! But brother, Yu goes to my school too, and he bullied me again!” She seized the chance to complain.

“Oh? Yu is here as well? Go and have fun, I’ll make some coffee.” Han ruffled her hair affectionately, took his mug, and headed for the kitchen.

She returned to the sofa and sat down. “Shangguan, who was that just now? He’s so handsome! And his aura is even more powerful than Yu’s!” Xiao Ai immediately scooted closer, chin propped on her fists, eager to ask questions.

“That’s my brother, Shangguan Han, currently the CEO of Tianyu Group.” She sat with one leg crossed, offering a succinct introduction.

“Wow! He looks so young! By the way, how old is he?” Xiao Ai exclaimed, waving her hands as if he were her own brother.

“Twenty-two. Why do you ask? Are you doing a background check?” She looked at Xiao Ai with exasperation. Normally, she would have lost her patience, but since someone even more annoying was present, Xiao Ai’s behavior was less irritating.

Everyone present came from wealthy, influential families and had seen many successful figures from high society. Yet, her brother was the most distinguished among them.

“No, I just feel like I’ve seen him somewhere before.” Xiao Ai scratched her head in confusion, then suddenly brightened. “Oh, right! In the newspaper—he was named the youngest and most promising CEO ever, wasn’t he?” She pulled out her phone, as if to look it up.

“Yes, that was a few years ago. How do you still remember?” She frowned in thought, genuinely impressed by Xiao Ai’s memory.

At that moment, Han returned from the kitchen carrying coffee. “Welcome, everyone. Please take care of my sister,” he said courteously, handing out freshly brewed coffee to each guest.

“Thank you!” they all replied in unison. It wasn’t their first time speaking with someone so impressive, but it was their first time drinking coffee personally prepared by someone with such a commanding presence. They couldn’t help but feel a little overwhelmed by the honor.

—End of Chapter—

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