I arrived at my villa just an hour before midnight. Tang Junyan was already asleep. I felt a pang of guilt—I rarely made time for him outside of weekends due to my demanding work schedule. Junyan, however, was a sensible child. He rarely fussed or cried, and sometimes I wished he would act more like a typical kid his age. After gently patting his head, I sighed and quietly left his bedroom.
As I headed toward my room, I was startled to find someone wearing a face mask sitting on my bed.
“Tang Jun Jié! Why didn’t you inform me about your arrival?” I demanded. Like all younger siblings, Jun Jie was mischievous, always playing tricks. I had informed him when Grandma called and mentioned our visit to the ancestral home, but I hadn’t expected him to arrive two days early. He was always busy with his shoots or whatever it was celebrities did.
“I’m a popular celebrity, you know. My travel plans have to be private to avoid paparazzi. Welcome home, ge,” Jun Jie mumbled through his mask.
“Go to your room. I’ve warned you not to come into my room randomly,” I said, rolling my eyes as I took off my jacket.
“Why are you so irritable? You haven’t even welcomed me properly. Aren’t you happy to see me? Is it work or women?” Jun Jie teased, turning back to his phone and ignoring my words. I massaged my temples, feeling a headache coming on. With Jun Jie around, Junyan seemed like the elder sibling. I pitied his fans and manager—managing him must be a nightmare.
I poured myself a glass of water and sat on a nearby couch. “Dye your hair back to black. We’re visiting Grandma this Sunday,” I said. Grandma was conservative, and Jun Jie’s brown hair would undoubtedly cause a stir.
“It really suits me! Why is Grandma still stuck in ancient times?” Jun Jie whined.
“You brat, watch how you talk about your grandmother,” I scolded.
“As if you don’t think the same thing,” Jun Jie grumbled. I couldn’t argue with that, but as the elder brother, I had to set an example.
“What time did you arrive?” I asked, changing the subject.
“At 9:30. Unfortunately, I missed talking to poker-faced Junyan. He’s so cute!” Jun Jie said.
A small smile tugged at my lips. Surprisingly, Junyan and Jun Jie got along well. Junyan often preferred playing with Jun Jie over me, probably because I was too old-fashioned to understand modern kids’ games and slang.
“You can see him tomorrow. I assume Aunt Po is already asleep. If she catches you being mischievous with Junyan, don’t come to me for help,” I warned. Aunt Po was Junyan’s babysitter and caretaker, sent directly by Grandma. She had her own room in the house.
I grabbed a change of clothes from the wardrobe and headed to the bathroom for a quick shower. By the time I returned to my room, Jun Jie had already left, presumably to sleep.
Early the next morning, I brushed my teeth and went downstairs, where I heard giggling and muffled voices. Jun Jie and Junyan were sitting on the floor in front of the sofa, their heads bent over something.
“What are you two doing?” I asked as I sat on the sofa behind them.
“Pa,” Junyan called cutely, walking over to me and handing me something. I looked down to see a piece of a puzzle.
“You’re putting together a puzzle?” I asked.
“Hm!” Junyan replied with a nod. I smiled and joined them on the floor. The puzzle was a simple children’s one, nothing too complicated. I quickly found the missing piece and fixed it, earning a round of applause from Jun Jie and Junyan.
“Good, you’re all here. Chef Zheng has prepared a hearty breakfast. Come and eat,” Aunt Po said, appearing in the doorway. Despite being in her fifties, Aunt Po looked sharp and energetic, her age barely showing.
“Alright,” I said, picking up Junyan and heading to the dining table. Jun Jie followed behind us.
Aunt Po seated Junyan in his high chair and served him a balanced meal of milk, protein, carbs, and veggies. We all dug into our food. I had insisted that Aunt Po join us at the dining table, something she had initially resisted due to her training at Grandma’s house. But now, it had become the norm.
“You’ve always loved stir-fried pork chops and all kinds of meat. Oh dear, it seems you’ve lost weight,” Aunt Po fretted as she piled meat onto Jun Jie’s plate.
Personally, I preferred a light breakfast, but Jun Jie was different. While other celebrities dieted, he ate like a pig yet never gained weight. It was almost enviable.
“Aunt Po, I had to lose eight kilograms for a movie shoot. That’s why I’ve lost weight. But don’t worry—with this food, I’ll gain it all back,” Jun Jie explained before diving into his meal.
After breakfast, we took a walk in the garden. I carried Junyan, who quietly complied. The atmosphere was calm and refreshing. This garden was one of the reasons I had chosen this house, aside from its security.
“Mom called last night, asking if we’ll stop by the house before heading to the ancestral home. She said it’s been a while since you visited,” Jun Jie mentioned.
“Auntie worries too much. You know my schedule—I barely have time to spend with Junyan. How can I find time to travel back? I’ll make an effort to stop by,” I replied.
“That’s what I told her, but she almost scolded me. Who knew you held such power in her heart?” Jun Jie grumbled, making me chuckle.
“If things go well, you might soon have an aunt,” I said, gazing ahead at the beautiful garden.
“What do you mean? Are you saying what I think you’re saying? A sister-in-law?” Jun Jie exclaimed, stopping in front of me with a bewildered look.
“Let’s head back inside. It’s too windy—not good for Junyan,” I replied, turning back toward the villa. I couldn't say more Infront of Junyan.
“Wei ge! That’s not fair! Why would you say that and leave me hanging? You know I can’t focus on anything else without knowing who she is!” Jun Jie protested, trailing behind me in frustration. But that was all he would get to know for now. Kasi wasn’t mine yet, but I had faith she would be. If things went according to plan, they would meet soon enough.
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