"Yibin, you’ve been excellent since you were young, always the child everyone praises. Your dad is very proud of you, and I’ve always been happy for you too. But Han Li is my own son. Over the years, he’s been rebellious and unruly because I wasn’t around and he’s made a lot of mistakes. It’s ultimately my fault as a mother. But can’t you, for my sake, just this once, let him have his way and not compete with him..."

"What does Auntie mean by this?"

"Han Li said he likes that girl. I hope you don’t interfere anymore. I know you are all young, but even if it’s just friendship, I hope you won’t ruin their relationship. After all, Han Li really lacks genuine care..."

Xin Yibin seemed to get the hint, a slight chill suddenly permeated his words, and he just responded with one sentence.

"I’m going upstairs first."

Watching Xin Yibin’s departing figure, Wu Mei felt a complex mix of emotions, regretting somewhat how harsh she was to Xin Yibin moments ago, but also feeling sorry for Han Li.

She didn’t know why, but the emotional entanglements of the previous generation had complicated the current situation.

"Mom, what you just said was really hurtful." Xin Hena suddenly interjected, shaking her head, "Have you ever considered how Brother feels? His excellence isn’t a fault. And besides, the person who truly hurts Han Li brother has never been him. Brother is a victim too."

Xin Hena solemnly threw out her words, not fearing her mother for the first time, and she also left her meal to follow Xin Yibin upstairs.

Wu Mei was left in shock.

Xin Yibin closed the door to his room, and suddenly sighed softly.

He didn’t turn on the lights, just sat in the pitch dark by the window. There were no stars, not even a moon; everything felt so lonely and dull.

When Wu Mei told him not to interfere between Si Ruoran and Han Li, a strong surge of jealousy suddenly welled up within him.

For the first time, he realized this was unmistakably jealousy.

No matter what kind of relationship Han Li would develop with Si Ruoran, even if they had no friendship now, just the thought of someone coming between him and Si Ruoran made him unable to imagine it.

He could ignore anyone else, but he couldn’t ignore Si Ruoran, and he wouldn’t.

He slowly closed his eyes. Outside, the colorful night scene, dotted with faint lights, illuminated his youthful face, radiating unparalleled charm amid a clear aura.

The next morning, he was still waiting near the parking lot for her.

She seemed to notice his change. Today, he was dressed in athletic gear with a baseball cap, the shadows of which made his eyes appear dark under the brim.

"Come here."

His voice carried a slight teasing tone, exuding a sense of affection.

Si Ruoran didn’t have time to ponder the subtle changes in detail, but instead ran happily towards him.

"Ruoran, have you had breakfast?"

It was the first time Si Ruoran heard Xin Yibin call her like this, and she froze for quite a while, sensing something was off, but unable to pinpoint exactly what.

"Why are you calling me that?"

"Aren’t we good friends? Is it a problem to call good friends closer names? Or do you never consider me a good friend?"

Si Ruoran was caught off guard, her eyes widening with confusion, but she couldn’t find a retort.

All she could hear was his gentle laughter, and the close, clean, and bright handsome face in front of her. It seemed... there really wasn’t any big issue.