But today she realized she had made it out to be far too simple.

A blind person has to work much harder in every aspect than a sighted person. No matter how well they pretend, they cannot live a normal life.

"I’m sorry." After a band-aid was placed on her finger, Clara’s face turned slightly pale as she apologized frankly.

Chen, usually easy-going, didn't mind and took the chance to cozy up to the beautiful newcomer.

Song Qinghe’s eyes, however, were full of apology. "It’s I who should say I’m sorry. I startled you."

Clara’s fingertips curled slightly. "Does Professor Song have something she wants to discuss with me?"

Song Qinghe took a soft breath. "I’m very sorry about last time; I was a bit impolite. I came to apologize to you today and, while I’m at it, I want to talk to you about your brother."

Song Qinghe’s tone was exceptionally sincere. Clara felt a weight lift from her heart. "Of course. Where shall we talk?"

"Wherever is convenient for you. I’m fine with anything."

Chapter 30

Clara turned her head slightly toward Chen’s direction and asked, "Will you be okay in the shop by yourself?"

Chen nodded vigorously. "I'll be fine! Go ahead if you have things to do, Sister Cece."

Half an hour later, at a café.

Melodic music drifted around them. Clara felt a bit constrained.

Song Qinghe’s hand holding her coffee paused. Her tone was gentle. "Are you a bit uncomfortable?"

"Mm." Clara’s eyelashes lowered. "Since the accident, I haven't been to places like this in a long time."

Hearing this, Song Qinghe felt a pang of sadness. She couldn't imagine how she would react if she lost her sight at such a young age, but she certainly couldn't be as strong as Clara.

"If you feel uneasy, we can change locations," Song Qinghe suggested.

Clara shook her head. "It's fine. I have to work hard to adapt; I can't stay cooped up at home forever."

Song Qinghe looked at the girl. Clara’s lips curved upward slightly, her dimples appearing faintly.

"You and your brother don't look alike at all." Song Qinghe’s remark brought the conversation to the main point.

"Mm. My brother looks more like our mother, and I look like my father," Clara explained, following her lead.

"Your brother went on a business trip this week. He... might not have told you, but the university offered him a spot for overseas study. He didn't accept it." Song Qinghe’s tone was calm.

Clara’s heart felt as if it were being hit by a tidal wave; for a moment, she was speechless.

Song Qinghe continued, "I don't think his choice was wrong. If it were me, I would also choose my family."

"But unfortunately, I have no family left."

Clara’s heart tightened abruptly, her throat feeling dry. If Marcus’s refusal to study abroad made her angry, Song Qinghe’s words made her heart ache.

"I’m sorry." Not knowing what else to say, Clara could only apologize.

Song Qinghe laughed as if she didn't mind at all. "Sweetheart, why are you apologizing? It's not your fault I have no family."

"Sweet... heart?" Clara instinctively repeated the word, her face flushing.

Song Qinghe looked with surprise at the blushing Clara and explained gently, "Back in my hometown, that's what we call the younger children."

"Oh." Clara’s reply was a bit stiff.

"My brother... he really likes you," Clara said urgently, her mind starting to feel a bit muddled.

Song Qinghe arched an eyebrow. During their first meeting, although Clara’s words had made her a bit angry, she knew the girl meant no harm.

This time, she found the girl even more endearing, but she hadn't expected her to say something like this.

It was Clara’s first time playing matchmaker—and for her future sister-in-law and brother, at that—so she was understandably nervous.

"How exactly does he like me?" Song Qinghe’s personality was nowhere near as gentle as her appearance suggested; she had a streak of mischief in her nature.

"He just..." Clara was at a loss for words for a moment.

"Have you ever been in love?" Song Qinghe thought she was adorable and couldn't help teasing her.

"I have." Recalling that person, Clara’s mood visibly dropped.

"But we aren't together anymore."

"Was it because of your eyes? Did he despise you for it?" Song Qinghe’s tone turned sharp instantly.

Clara waved her hands hurriedly. "No, it just wasn't meant to be."

She likely didn't realize the sense of loss and lingering attachment in her own voice.

Song Qinghe didn't press further. She heard Clara say, "I’ve heard about you for a long time, Professor Song. I saw your name in my brother's diary. If you're curious, you can go and ask my brother."

Clara’s eyes held no light, but her expression was exceptionally firm. "I want my brother and you to be together. I hope you both can be happy."

Chapter 31

After parting ways with Song Qinghe, Clara Tang did not return to the flower shop but went straight home.

Song Qinghe walked her to her doorstep, the two of them chatting softly about Marcus Tang along the way.

Just as they reached the Tang residence, they happened to run into Mrs. Tang, who was returning with a bag of groceries.

Mrs. Tang froze at the sight of Song Qinghe standing beside Clara, then quickly beamed. "Is this a friend of yours, Cece?"

Song Qinghe was about to nod when Clara spoke up first: "She's Marcus's girlfriend."

Mrs. Tang’s smile widened visibly, and her enthusiasm for Song Qinghe reached a new height.

"Quickly, quickly, come inside and have a seat!"

Hearing Clara’s introduction, Song Qinghe felt her heart skip a beat.

Half-dragged and half-pulled into the courtyard by Mrs. Tang, Song Qinghe sat stiffly on the sofa while Mrs. Tang set the groceries on the counter and happily called Mr. Tang.

Clara was the first to speak: "I'm sorry, Sister Song. I took the liberty of introducing you that way."

Having chatted all the way home, the two had grown quite close, and Clara naturally addressed her as "Sister."

Song Qinghe’s hand tightened around her phone. "It doesn't bother me, but your brother might not be pleased."

"It doesn't matter if he's pleased or not; we all like you very much."

Song Qinghe stayed for lunch under the warm hospitality of the Tang parents before taking her leave.

After she left, Mr. and Mrs. Tang kept pestering Clara with questions. After hesitating for a long while, Clara finally revealed Marcus’s secret concerns.

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Tang’s eyes grew red. "That boy has always carried heavy thoughts since he was a child, and now he’s overthinking even more..."

She turned to Clara. "Cece, don't dwell on it. Your father and I will handle your brother."

Hearing this, Clara finally felt a sense of relief. she reached down to pet Abu at her feet, a faint smile touching her lips.

...

On the other side, Ethan Shaw rubbed his temples as he listened to his assistant’s endless reports, feeling as though his head were about to explode.

"Weren't these matters always handled by my father? Why are they all coming to me now?"

The assistant bowed his head even lower. "Chairman Shaw said that since you are currently 'all alone with nothing better to do,' you might as well take on more work."

A flash of helplessness crossed Ethan’s cold eyes. He closed them and said, "Forget it. Let's stop here for today."

As soon as the words left his mouth, the assistant felt a gust of wind, and Ethan’s figure vanished through the doorway.

Lately, CEO Shaw had been skipping work frequently and was no longer the workaholic he used to be.

The assistant, confused, remained behind to continue tidying up the unorganized documents.

Ethan walked rapidly, checking his watch. There were only thirty minutes left before Clara would finish work at the flower shop.

He still couldn't bring himself to approach her, but just catching a few glimpses was enough.

By the time he reached Thirteenth Alley, the sun had already sunk in the west, leaving only a few scattered rays of light.

Ethan parked the car and walked quickly to a spot not far from the shop. Seeing the door still open, his heart eased—he wasn't late today.

He stood there, his eyes fixed unblinkingly on the entrance, as if the person he was waiting for would emerge at any moment.

However, he waited until Chen pulled the shutters and locked the door, and still, there was no sign of Clara.

In an instant, countless guesses flashed through Ethan’s mind, each one making his spine turn cold.

He instinctively stepped forward, wanting to ask about Clara’s whereabouts.

Chen turned around after locking up, humming a tune, only to see a tall man standing behind her. She jumped in fright.

"What are you doing..." Before she could finish, she looked up at the handsome man with the sharp gaze and fell silent.