The sound of the downstairs door being opened drifted up, along with the heavy footsteps of many people and the thud of heavy objects hitting the ground. All the noises mingled together, suddenly filling the mansion with a lively atmosphere.
Duan Qinghuai heard a familiar voice. Suddenly, his eyes, which were fixed on Ning Yitao, sparkled with surprise. "My elder brother must be back," he said.
Duan Qinghuai grabbed Ning Yitao's hand and rushed downstairs.
With excitement surging through him, he sprinted downstairs.
As soon as they set foot on the stairs, Ning Yitao saw that the living room was brightly lit. A group of people were surrounding a man in the middle of the room, which was already filled with boxes.
The downstairs door stood wide open, and people were still carrying boxes in non - stop.
The man in the center, surrounded by the crowd, was Duan Qinghuai's elder brother, Duan Yushu.
He was sitting on the comfortable sofa in the living room, wearing a pair of rimless glasses on his nose. His eyes were fixed intently on the scroll in his hand.
His delicate side profile, high nose bridge, and tightly pursed thin lips, which were a lovely cherry - red color, made him look extremely handsome.
He didn't seem much older than Duan Qinghuai, but the aura that emanated from him was completely different from his younger brother's.
The most attractive part of him was his hands. They were fair, well - proportioned, long, and strong. The joints glowed with a cold, white light like jade.
Feeling someone's arrival, Duan Yushu looked up slightly. When he saw it was Duan Qinghuai, the corners of his lips curled up slightly, forming a beautiful arc. His obsidian - like eyes were filled with a gentle light, showing the care that only an elder would have.
Then his eyes shifted, and he saw Ning Yitao being pulled by Duan Qinghuai.
His expression froze for a moment. He looked back and forth between the two of them. Then, as if he had suddenly understood something, a knowing look appeared on his face. With a touch of sadness, he thought to himself, "Indeed, the kids have grown up. It's time for them to leave home, fall in love, and start a family."
Seeing his elder brother, Duan Qinghuai, who was usually calm, showed a rare childish side. He shouted downstairs, "Brother!"
Duan Yushu's voice was deep, mellow, and slightly warm. "I'm back," he said.
Then he quietly pursed his lips and looked at Ning Yitao with curiosity. Looking at Duan Qinghuai who had come in front of him, he wanted to confirm something. He asked doubtfully, "Is this your good friend?"
Duan Qinghuai could clearly see the teasing in his elder brother's eyes.
Under his brother's gaze, Duan Qinghuai nodded and changed the subject, not wanting Ning Yitao to feel uncomfortable. "Brother, what's that in your hand?" he asked.
Hearing this, Duan Yushu's interest was piqued. He picked up the painting in his hand and praised it non - stop.
Duan Qinghuai listened patiently. Since it was his brother's first day back, he decided not to interrupt him.
But it seemed that Duan Yushu was going to tell the whole story of the painting, from its origin to the present.
Afraid that Ning Yitao would get bored, Duan Qinghuai was about to pull her away to escape his brother's nagging.
However, he was just distracted for a moment.
The two of them were already chatting away enthusiastically.
"????"
They completely ignored Duan Qinghuai as if he were air.
Unexpectedly, Ning Yitao was also very interested in these things.
While Duan Qinghuai was in a daze.
Duan Yushu had already led Ning Yitao towards the boxes.
He was introducing his "trophies" that he had collected to Ning Yitao.
Their hobbies were exactly the same, and Duan Qinghuai standing on the side became a mere backdrop.
Watching the two of them getting along like old friends who had known each other for years on their first day of meeting.
Duan Qinghuai looked at them with a resentful expression, but no one paid attention to him.
Duan Qinghuai suddenly thought that maybe it was better when Duan Yushu wasn't around. Originally, Ning Yitao was accompanying him, but now she was with Duan Yushu.
Duan Qinghuai looked at them with full of resentment as they opened the boxes one by one and introduced each item.
Before they knew it, the moon was already high in the sky.
Duan Qinghuai couldn't help but sit on the sofa, feeling drowsy. His eyelids were getting heavier and heavier. He didn't want to interrupt Ning Yitao because it was rare to see her so interested in something.
Just as Duan Qinghuai was about to fall asleep.
Duan Yushu and Ning Yitao finally walked over.
Duan Yushu said something to Ning Yitao, and then Ning Yitao went upstairs.
Duan Yushu walked straight up to Duan Qinghuai and gently woke him up.
Duan Qinghuai opened his eyes in a daze. Seeing only Duan Yushu, he quickly sat up and looked around for Ning Yitao's figure.
He asked blankly, "Brother, where's Ning Yitao?"
Duan Yushu watched him anxiously from the side, let out a soft laugh, and sighed. "Alas, I didn't expect that. It feels like you were just a kid yesterday, but now you've already found a girlfriend. The first thing you do when you wake up is not to look for me. But I'm very satisfied with your girlfriend this time. She's young but has good taste..."
As he talked, Duan Yushu drifted off - topic. He said with emotion, "When you two get married in the future, she will definitely be able to help you grow up. She's calmer and more mature than you. You have to take good care of her. When you have kids, I can even help you take care of them..."
Duan Qinghuai had just woken up, and his mind was still muddled. Suddenly hearing Duan Yushu's long speech about the future shocked him awake.
He quickly jumped up from the sofa and covered Duan Yushu's mouth tightly, ignoring his "mmm" sounds.
Duan Qinghuai looked around warily, afraid that Ning Yitao would hear this.
After making sure that there was no sign of Ning Yitao, Duan Qinghuai let out a sigh of relief and slumped back on the sofa. "Brother, don't let me fail before I even start. I haven't told her how I feel about her yet. She doesn't seem to like me. If you expose my feelings, I won't even have a reason to stay by her side. I'll be really sad," he said.
As he spoke, a sad atmosphere surrounded Duan Qinghuai.
Finally able to speak, Duan Yushu looked puzzled. "You two aren't even together yet?" he asked.
This time, it was Duan Yushu's turn to look worried. What if Ning Yitao didn't like his younger brother and Duan Qinghuai was deceived by other women?
Moreover, it would be very difficult to meet a girl who suited his taste so well again. If she became his sister - in - law, it would be great.
After much thought, Duan Yushu made a decision. He placed a heavy hand on Duan Qinghuai's shoulder, bent down, and looked at him on the sofa at eye level. "Don't worry. Let your brother help you. I'll use all the methods I've accumulated over the years to help you chase that girl," he said.
Duan Yushu's confidence infected Duan Qinghuai, igniting his fighting spirit. There was a glint of determination in their eyes as they looked at each other.
Duan Qinghuai didn't feel sleepy anymore. The two of them got together, and Duan Yushu started to teach...
Ning Yitao, who had already gone upstairs, first went to the room to look for Zhaocai. Duan Yushu had just said that it was too late and told her to go upstairs to sleep first. He would go and call Duan Qinghuai.
So Ning Yitao left first, giving the two brothers some time to catch up.
But when Ning Yitao rushed to the room at the end of the corridor, she didn't find Zhaocai.
As soon as she opened the door, a musty smell hit her face. Ning Yitao raised her hand to cover her nose.
She searched the room but couldn't find it.
Ning Yitao closed her eyes. Since she had a contract with Zhaocai, she could talk to it from a distance.
But after calling for a long time, there was no response.
A hint of coldness flashed in her eyes. She turned around and walked out of the room with the unique yin energy of the room.
She reached out and grabbed the air in front of her. The air actually took shape. Inside the pure - white ball was a wisp of yellow aura, which pointed straight ahead.
The yellow aura was left by Zhaocai. She could rely on this to find Zhaocai's direction.
Ning Yitao followed the aura and walked towards the unexplored parts of the mansion.