Rebirth and Conquest

Chen Haoran's arrival seemed to have dissipated a lot of the cold atmosphere between Chen Yan and Wen Mu. The dormitory, which was usually silent all day long, suddenly became 'lively'. Although this liveliness only referred to Chen Haoran. At the same time, Wen Mu finally witnessed what it meant to have a brother dependency syndrome.

Since arriving, Chen Haoran has been following Chen Yan around like a shadow, constantly calling him "brother" and asking questions: "Brother, what are you doing? Brother, what's this? Brother, I want to see too!" Chen Haoran is curious about everything Chen Yan owns. When Chen Yan sits at the table looking at something, Chen Haoran also leans in, seemingly looking even more intently than Chen Yan.

Wen Mu's impression of Chen Haoran changed from the beginning, when he thought the younger brother was quite lively, to when he thought Chen Haoran talked too much, and then to when he was even influencing Chen Yan. Wen Mu had been living with Chen Yan for so long, and he never dared to get close to her when she was doing things, because Chen Yan didn't like being disturbed. But now, Chen Yan was completely indulgent towards Chen Haoran.

For some reason, Wen Mu felt a little uneasy. Chen Yan would talk to him if she wanted to, and ignore him completely if she didn't. But Chen Haoran's 'childish' questions were answered patiently by Chen Yan. Just like now, Chen Haoran had half his body close to Chen Yan, making it impossible for Chen Yan to concentrate on anything. Chen Yan just rubbed his head and told him to go play with his toys.

When Chen Haoran came, Yan Minghui bought him a large assembly toy car. Chen Haoran had been staying in the countryside, and when he saw this, he liked it very much. After Chen Yan mentioned it, he immediately went to assemble it with great enthusiasm.

However, this did not end his 'calling' for Chen Yan. Not long after, Chen Haoran said again, "Brother, how do I do this? Can you help me? I can't put it on."

Wen Mu sat in his seat with his back to the two brothers, seemingly engrossed in reading. In reality, however, he was constantly listening to the two behind him. Wen Mu had assumed that after Chen Haoran made this request, Chen Yan would put down his things and help Chen Haoran with it. But to his surprise, Chen Yan said, "Let Brother Wen Mu take a look for you."

Wen Mu's hand holding the pen trembled, and he almost dropped it.

"Brother Wen Mu, can you take a look at this for me?" Chen Haoran actually came to Wen Mu's side, holding a few parts in his hand, and handed them to Wen Mu. Wen Mu quickly smiled and said, "Sure, I'll take a look."

After handing the things in his hand to Wen Mu, Chen Haoran glanced at Wen Mu's desk and asked in confusion, "Brother Wen Mu, are your books upside down?"

If there had been a crack in the ground at that moment, Wen Mu would have crawled into it immediately. Fortunately, Chen Haoran didn't ask any more questions and instead helped him assemble the toy.

That night, Chen Yan wanted Chen Haoran to sleep in Gao Chenxing's bed, but Chen Haoran refused and insisted on squeezing in with Chen Yan.

After lying down on the bed, Chen Haoran nestled next to Chen Yan's face. Still excited from the day, he kept talking and twisting around as he spoke. Since they were sleeping on a single bed, Chen Yan was worried he might fall, so she put one arm around his waist. Chen Haoran snuggled into Chen Yan's arms and kept nuzzling against her.

"Brother, you say something, you say something too."

"say what?"

"Let me tell you about what we did today."

Chen Haoran's rosy cheeks were close to Chen Yan's face, his hair was all messed up from being touched, so Chen Yan rubbed his head and said, "Go to sleep now."

As Wen Mu lay on his bed, listening to the two brothers across from him whispering sweet nothings, a feeling of loss suddenly welled up inside him.

The next day, Chen Yan took Chen Haoran to the amusement park. Wen Mu also went along. It was Chen Haoran who insisted on bringing Wen Mu along. Although they had only known each other for a day, Chen Haoran liked Wen Mu very much. Wen Mu accompanied Chen Haoran while he played in the park because Chen Yan had no interest in the rides.

Chen Yan found a chair and sat down, watching the two people riding the roller coaster not far away. Suddenly, his phone rang. Chen Yan took out his phone and looked at it. It was Xi Yichen calling.

Ever since Xi Yichen brought Chen Yan back that time, he would call her every few days and sometimes ask her to go out together, but Chen Yan always declined. This time, Xi Yichen asked Chen Yan out again. Chen Yan wanted to make up an excuse to decline him as before, but Xi Yichen said that he had arrived at the school and was waiting for her at the school gate.

"It's okay, I'm free all day, I can wait until you have time to come out," Xi Yichen said with a laugh on the other end of the phone.

Chen Yan sneered inwardly. It seemed she couldn't refuse today. After glancing at the two who were having a great time, Chen Yan said into the phone, "Okay, wait a moment. I'm outside now and will be back soon."

"Okay, I'll wait for you," Xi Yichen replied ambiguously before hanging up the phone.

After hanging up the phone, Chen Yan left the amusement park and returned to school alone. Sure enough, she saw Xi Yichen's car at the school gate. At that moment, Xi Yichen was leaning against his car, striking a dashing pose.

Upon seeing Chen Yan, Xi Yichen straightened up and said with a smile, "You've come."

"Young Master Xi, is there anything I can help you with?"

"I'm free today, let me treat you to a meal. Get in the car," Xi Yichen said, opening the car door.

Chen Yan didn't refuse any longer and sat down directly.

Xi Yichen took Chen Yan to a high-end Western restaurant. Sitting in the room with romantic music playing, Chen Yan felt very bored. Xi Yichen really treated him like a woman and pursued him. There were two red candles on the long table in front of them. Xi Yichen sat opposite him, and the look in his eyes was something Chen Yan really didn't want to describe as affectionate.

Xi Yichen took out a box and placed it on the table: "By the way, I have a gift for you today."

Chen Yan patiently asked, "What gift?"

"Open it and take a look." Xi Yichen pushed the box off the table.

Chen Yan opened the box, inside which was an exquisitely designed watch. Chen Yan sneered inwardly, but her face remained docile. "Thank you, Young Master Xi, but I cannot accept such a valuable gift."

"Don't say that. I said you can accept it, so you can accept it." Xi Yichen stood up from his seat and walked to Chen Yan's side. "When I saw it, I felt that it was perfect for you. Here, let me help you put it on." As he spoke, Xi Yichen grabbed Chen Yan's wrist, took out the watch, and put it on Chen Yan's wrist.

After he finished putting the ribbon on Chen Yan's hand, he didn't immediately put it down. Instead, he held Chen Yan's hand and looked at it. Chen Yan's hand was very slender, with each delicate finger being extremely beautiful. Her fair skin was flawless. Xi Yichen leaned down, took Chen Yan's hand to his lips, and kissed it.

Chen Yan finally couldn't help but twitch her lips, and immediately withdrew her hand: "Thank you."

Xi Yichen smiled, got up and walked back to his seat. "Then let's start ordering."

This meal was the most disgusting meal Chen Yan had ever eaten in his life. He never expected that Xi Yichen would have such a nauseating side. If he hadn't been holding back, Chen Yan would have wanted to kick him to death any minute.

After they finally finished eating, Xi Yichen offered to take Chen Yan back home. Chen Yan got into his car, and when they arrived at the school gate, he stopped the car.

"I'm very happy to have dinner with you today," Xi Yichen said ambiguously as Chen Yan got out of the car.

"I'm honored too," Chen Yan replied, then closed the car door.

Watching Chen Yan's departing figure, Xi Yichen, sitting in the car, smiled and a hint of interest flashed in his eyes.

After Chen Yan returned to the dormitory, Chen Haoran and Wen Mu were squatting on the ground playing with his toys, and they seemed to be having a lot of fun.

As soon as Chen Yan entered, Chen Haoran put down what he was holding and ran towards Chen Yan, "Brother, where have you been?"

"Something came up. Did you guys have fun?"

"Mmm," Chen Haoran nodded repeatedly. "We had so much fun. Brother Wenmu took me to so many places. Look, all of these were bought by Brother Wenmu."

Chen Yan glanced at the pile of things on the ground, smiled, and said, "That's good." Then she looked at Wen Mu and said, "Thank you for today."

"You're welcome, your little brother is quite cute," Wen Mu replied. He looked at Chen Yan's face, which seemed to want to say something but hesitated, and ultimately said nothing.

The next morning, Chen Yan saw Chen Haoran off. He took Chen Haoran to the station, where Yan Minghui was waiting. After giving him a few instructions, Chen Yan returned home.

Next to H University is an art street lined with all kinds of art shops and rows of plane trees. Chen Yan happened to pass by here on her way back.

Perhaps influenced by the strong artistic atmosphere, Chen Yan slowed down and walked quietly down the street. He closed his eyes, took a breath, and then looked around. Not far away, under a sycamore tree, there was a simple painting stall, and a man selling paintings was sitting next to it. Chen Yan walked over there and sat down on the steps by the roadside.

Chen Yan turned her head and glanced at the down-on-his-luck painter, who looked to be in his early twenties. His face was somewhat sallow beneath his disheveled hair. When Chen Yan looked over, the painter also looked at her and smiled. Chen Yan smiled back.

The painter's business wasn't doing well; not a single person had come to take a look all day. After sitting for a long time, Chen Yan turned to look at the paintings on the stall again and said, "Sir, your paintings are quite good."

"Thank you. You've been sitting here for so long. Is there anything I can help you with?"

"It's nothing, I just suddenly felt tired and wanted to find a place to rest." Chen Yan replied, "Do you make a living by selling paintings, sir?"

"I don't know anything else besides this," the painter said with a wry smile. "If you're tired, take a rest. Everyone gets tired sometimes in this world."

Chen Yan nodded and said nothing more.

As Chen Yan was leaving, she rummaged through her pockets and only found a hundred-yuan bill and a few yuan in change. A little embarrassed, she asked, "How much is each of your paintings, sir? This is all I have on me. Would you mind buying one?"

The painter looked at Chen Yan with some surprise. Chen Yan smiled and said, "I don't know anything about painting either. Do you think it's okay?"

When Chen Yan left, she took a painting with her. She bought it for 100 yuan and also received a thank you from the painter. Actually, the painter's paintings usually don't sell for that much, and very few people come to buy them. Chen Yan's action was simply to help him out.

...