"On the Day of Reunion, The Heir to the Wealthy Family Became My Brother" - Chapter 8

After drinking a glass of milk, Ning Xin’er returned to her room and went into the bathroom for a bath.

As she soaked in the tub, she played with her phone.

Suddenly, a message popped up on her screen—it was from Huo Jingtian:

[Xin’er, baby, do you want me to pick you up from the airport tomorrow?]

Ning Xin’er raised an eyebrow.

It’s already late at night, and Huo Jingtian was still awake like a night owl?

She tapped on the keyboard with her fair fingers:

 [No need, I’ll take a taxi back to school.]

It wasn’t that she didn’t want him to pick her up—it was just that he was too flashy and obsessed with motorcycles.

Every single one of his bikes was… well, simply unbearable to look at.

Other people’s motorcycles looked powerful and cool; his were bold and attention-seeking.

Too bold. Way too bold!

Every time she rode with him, she felt like she needed some “bl00d pressure medication” afterward.

His reply came quickly:

[Come on, isn’t this the perfect time to show off having a boyfriend? Give me a chance! I miss you so much after just a few days apart.]

He even attached a meme.

Looking at his cringey words, Ning Xin’er let out a fake gagging sound.

To outsiders, Huo Jingtian was the aloof campus heartthrob. But in front of her? A total goofy teenager!

As expected, people could have many sides—one longing to stay home, another yearning for adventure…

The “home” side was about security and familiarity.

The “adventure” side was about chasing freedom.

Ning Xin’er chuckled and replied:

 [Go wash up and sleep, kid. A boyfriend should be used for important things. Picking me up from the airport? Not necessary.]

[If you insist, what will people at school will think of me? That my boyfriend is so heartless that he won’t even pick me up?]

Ning Xin’er straightened her back and used all her debating skills to counter his argument. Every word she wrote subtly praised him for not picking her up.

After chatting for a bit, they wrapped up the conversation.

Once done with her bath, Ning Xin’er stood in front of the mirror.

Her fair skin was covered in faint marks—red, blue, and purple. All of them were left by Huo Jinyan two nights ago.

Her expression darkened.

Seeing these marks made her annoyed. Their relationship had ended three years ago.

There shouldn’t be any lingering ties between them now.

She figured that after a few days, Huo Jinyan would probably disappear from her life again.

They were like two parallel lines that never intersected. At most, they might run into each other once or twice… after all, they were “siblings.”

Yes, that’s how it should be.

Convincing herself, she pulled open a drawer, took out some ointment for bruises, and carefully applied it to her skin.

She had an important banquet next week. Since she had to wear an evening gown, she couldn’t let these marks be visible.

After putting on her pajamas, she walked out of the bathroom and dived straight into her soft bed.

She was so exhausted that as soon as she landed on the bed, she didn’t move at all—falling asleep instantly.

A miracle sleeper.

At 4 AM, she was woken up.

A bright light shone through her window, and a loud car horn broke the silence of the night.

Frowning, she muttered, Who’s the idiot shining their headlights at my window?

Do they have no sense of decency?!

Reaching for the remote, she pressed a button, and the blackout curtains slowly closed.

Finally, she slept peacefully until 9 AM the next day.

When she went downstairs, Uncle Song had already left for work. Her mother, Ning Wen Nuan, was in the living room doing yoga.

Ning Xin’er glanced at the instructor on the TV screen, then at her mother.

Tsk tsk. Her mom’s figure was way better than the yoga instructor’s.

No wonder Uncle Song had waited decades for her.

Even Ning Xin’er couldn’t help but be mesmerized at her mother.

She made a silent vow—she would eat well, exercise, and one day become a mom so beautiful that even her daughter would admire her!

“Xin’er, you’re up! Breakfast is on the table. Go eat.”

Noticing her, Ning Wen spoke while smoothly transitioning into a complex yoga pose.

But Ning Xin’er didn’t go to breakfast immediately.

Instead, she walked over, hugged her mother at the perfect moment between poses, and snuggled into her arms.

“My mom is so beautiful. I’m so lucky to have you. I love you, Mom.”

She wrapped her arms around her mother’s waist, internally screaming, So soft! So comfy! This is the best hug ever!

Her mother chuckled and patted her daughter’s back. She was already used to Ning Xin’er’s affectionate ways.

“Xin’er, I love you too. But I’m all sweaty—you don’t mind?”

“I would never mind. Never.”

“Alright, sweetheart, go have breakfast now.”

After all, as the saying goes, breakfast eaten before 9:30 AM is the real breakfast.

“Okay, okay, I won’t disturb your yoga.”

Ning Xin’er washed her hands in the kitchen and started eating.

Their family didn’t have a full-time maid. Even the cook only came by the hour, preparing three fresh meals a day before leaving.

After breakfast and a short break, Ning Xin’er started packing her suitcase.

She had taken a week off from school to attend her mother’s wedding. Today was the last day.

Her mother helped her pack with eyes full of reluctance.

She kept reminding Ning Xin’er to be careful at school, to call home often, and to reach out if anything happened.

Even though her words sounded nagging, Ning Xin’er didn’t mind them. She knew it was all out of love.

“I originally wanted you to leave with Xiaoyan so you’d have company,” her mother said.

“But he had something urgent and left at 4 AM. You wouldn’t have been able to wake up that early anyway.”

Ning Wenwen spoke casually.

Ning Xin’er froze.

Huo Jinyan left at 4 AM?

That early?!

Suddenly, she recalled being woken up in the middle of the night—the blinding light outside her window!

Could it have been Huo Jinyan shining his headlights at her window?

She had been cursing the “inconsiderate person,” only to realize… it was someone right under her nose!

“But Xiaoyan is a really good kid,” her mother continued.

“The moment his girlfriend called, he rushed off overnight to see her. That must be true love.”

Ning Xin’er’s fingers tightened around the edge of her suitcase.

Huo Jinyan left in the middle of the night… to see his girlfriend?

So, last night, when his phone rang, it was Li Qingqing calling him?!

Wow. True love, indeed.

A guy who kept one at home while flirting with more outside.

Ning Xin’er scoffed internally. Scumbag!