I hugged Evelyn tightly, tears of happiness rolling down like broken pearls. I kept repeating: "Mom, you're awake, you’re finally awake. I missed you so much..."

At the door, Xie Wanzhi listened to my crying, wiped away her own tears, and leaned into Arthur’s embrace.

Arthur held his wife, his eyes also red. He let out a long breath and smiled.

"Brother Gu, your brother has finally lived up to his duty to you this time."

Two months later.

Evelyn could already walk around a little bit. She had been transferred from the high-dependency unit to a general ward. There were three beds in the general ward; she could chat when there was nothing else to do, which I felt was lively.

I still ran to the hospital whenever I had a moment. But now, my mood was light, and I carried a smile for everyone I saw; my entire state of being had improved more than a little.

Perhaps because I was in such a good mood, several drafts I had written on a whim were accepted by a magazine. The money I earned was just enough to cover what I had owed Julian, and I returned it to him anonymously.

When Xie Wanzhi was free, she would go to the hospital to sit with Evelyn, chat, and keep her company. When it came to raising a daughter, the two of them always had endless topics to talk about.

Reborn in this life, I knew the college entrance exam would be reinstated next year. With my mother’s health improving day by day, I could also focus on preparing for it.

Everything was moving in a positive direction.

Chapter 15

"Sister Elena, why do you spend all day reading so many books?"

I was wearing a water-blue dress, my thick hair braided to one side, sitting on the small balcony on the third floor and flipping through the pages of a book.

Just as Arthur walked downstairs and looked up, he was greeted by this scene: a woman more beautiful than the flowers. The cascading greenery and blooming flowers on the balcony could not compare to even a fraction of my beauty.

A gentle breeze flipped the pages, stirred my hair, and caught the silk scarf tied to the ends of my braid, causing it to flutter down and land right in Arthur's palm.

"Oh! My hair ribbon fell!"

I stood up and looked down from the balcony, straight into Arthur's smiling eyes.

Fu Shuning, who had been lying on the sofa behind me reading a comic book, sprang up and patted his chest, guaranteeing, "It's okay, Sister Elena, I'll go get it back for you."

He scampered downstairs, but the moment he saw Arthur, he immediately turned and bolted back.

As he ran, he shouted, "Big Brother, why didn't you say anything when you got back! I want to declare in advance that I've been very well-behaved these two years you were away! Don't tell Mom and Dad on me! I really didn't do anything! Sister Elena, save me!"

He scurried like a slippery little mouse and ducked behind me.

Looking at the tall man before me, with his sharp, piercing gaze and intense aura of authority, I instinctively shielded Fu Shuning, though I was secretly afraid.

Even though I knew he was Uncle Arthur's eldest son, it was our first meeting, and I felt a bit restrained, making my speech somewhat stuttered.

"F-Fu, Brother Fu, I am..."

"Elena, I'm very happy to meet you."

Before I could finish, Arthur smiled and reached out, the hair ribbon that had fallen resting across his large palm.

I took the ribbon, an unnatural blush appearing on my face, and mumbled, "Th-thank you, Brother Fu."

The man in front of me suddenly laughed, his voice clear and hearty: "You are exactly as Mom described—you love saying 'thank you' very much. Let's get acquainted; my name is Arthur, you can call me Brother Fu, or you can call me... Arthur."

"Huh?" I stood there, mouth slightly agape, stunned.

Fu Shuning poked his head out from behind me and aimed his hand like a gun at Arthur, firing: "You're a rogue! Take that!"

The result was him being dragged away by his brother for a good scolding.

Watching the two brothers bickering, I couldn't help but chuckle.

Arthur had been sent to the border for a two-year secret mission, and he had returned now to settle down in South City. Before his formal appointment came down, he had a period of leave.

Sniffing the scent of food wafting through the air, Fu Shuning’s eyes sparkled. Behind him, it looked as if an invisible tail were wagging; he looked just like a puppy, incredibly cute.

Seeing him like that, I shook my head with a smile.

Arthur had just returned and hadn't eaten yet. The housekeeper, Mrs. Wu, had taken leave because her daughter-in-law back in her hometown was giving birth. I had originally intended to go to the kitchen to help him make something, but he refused.

"I'm familiar with cooking, so don't you worry about it. The oily smoke isn't good for a girl's skin."

Fu Shuning followed the scent and dove into the kitchen, constantly pestering Arthur with "Brother, Brother, Brother."

"Oh, Brother, just let me taste it to see if it's salty enough."

"Just one more bite, really! Sister Elena doesn't like things too salty; she likes sweet food. Do you know how to cook sweet dishes?"

"Whoa, you actually know how? Brother, you aren't... a mess hall soldier, are you?"

It was only thanks to Fu Shuning's speed that Arthur's ladle didn't land on his head.

Amidst the noisy laughter and chatter, four dishes and a soup were placed on the table.

Arthur placed a piece of glistening, braised pork into my bowl. I hurriedly held out my bowl to receive it, lowering my head to thank him.

I picked up the pork and took a careful bite. It was tender and flavorful, with a moderate sweetness, melting in my mouth. My eyes lit up instantly, and I looked at Arthur in surprise.

He only smiled and asked, "Is it good?"

"It's delicious!" I nodded vigorously.

Arthur placed another piece into my bowl and said solemnly: "I'm 28 this year, 187 centimeters tall, weigh 81 kilograms, served in the military for ten years, received one First-Class Merit and five Second-Class Merits, and my current rank is Lieutenant Colonel."

"What I mean is, if Comrade Elena is planning to date, you might consider me."

Chapter 16

"Cough, cough, cough—"

A piece of braised pork got stuck in my throat, and I coughed violently. Fu Shuning hurriedly handed me a glass of water.

Arthur patted my back to help me catch my breath, his brows knit together, looking annoyed—it seemed he was feeling apologetic for his own words.

My face turned bright red, my eyes misted with tears from the strain, and it took me a long time to regain my breath.

In truth, I had lived two lifetimes and never truly been in a relationship.

In my past life, my love for Julian had been one-sided, and Julian had only ever felt disgust for me. Even our marriage had been a forced, helpless decision.

Being asked to engage with feelings again made me somewhat fearful, especially since this was Arthur, whom I had only just met.

My eyes dodged Arthur’s gaze, and it took a while before I carefully ventured to speak: "I'm sorry, Brother Fu, I... I don't have any plans to date for now."

I buried my head so low I was practically under the table.

I had expected Arthur to be angry or annoyed, but to my surprise, he burst out laughing.

"I said you could consider me when you are planning to date, not that you have to consider me right now. There are no delicious dishes under the table, you know."

"Ew! So cheesy!" Fu Shuning complained while shoveling rice into his mouth.

"Sister Elena, don't listen to him. He’s like this at home, always talking nonsense. Eat, eat! The food is getting cold."

Arthur shot him a glare, but unfortunately, Fu Shuning’s head was buried in his bowl and he didn't see it.

The meal ended in a stumbling fashion.

The next morning.

I dressed neatly, took a bouquet of fresh flowers, and prepared to go to the hospital to see my mother. As soon as I walked downstairs, I saw Arthur leaning against a jeep, flashing a smile at me.

"I heard you go to the hospital to visit Aunt Evelyn every day. Come on, I'll go with you today."

"This... wouldn't that be too much trouble for you?"

I held my bag, subconsciously wanting to refuse.

Arthur looked up at Xie Wanzhi and Fu Shuning, who were spying from the second-floor window, and revealed two rows of neat, white teeth in a bright, cheerful smile.

"It’s actually me troubling you—troubling you to accompany an idler like me for a stroll. I haven't been back in over two years, and I don't recognize many of the roads anymore. Let’s start with the places you’re familiar with."