The first golden rays of dawn filtered through the delicate curtains, casting a soft glow across the room.
The light gently illuminated Xuan Yan's peaceful face as he slowly stirred from his sleep.
His silver-white hair spilled across the pillow and his golden eyes slowly fluttered open.
His gaze fell upon the small, delicate figure nestled beside him... Xue Yin.
She was curled up close to him, her tiny hands gripping the fabric of his robe.
Her soft black hair, slightly tousled from sleep, rested against his chest, rising and falling gently with each breath.
Her peaceful expression, paired with the faintest trace of drool at the corner of her lips, made her look even more adorable.
A gentle smile formed on Xuan Yan's lips as he reached out and lightly patted her head.
His fingers brushed through her silky strands.
Feeling the soft touch, Xue Yin wokeup slightly.
Her small body wriggled as she scrunched up her nose, reluctant to leave the comforting warmth of her brother's embrace.
Slowly, she lifted one tiny hand and rubbed her eyes and her lashes fluttered as she struggled to wake up.
A sleepy yet radiant smile graced her lips as she yawned before snuggling closer to him once more.
"Gowd mowning, Big bwother…" she mumbled, her words slightly slurred from sleep.
Xuan Yan let out a soft chuckle as he gently wrapped his arms around her and patted her back soothingly.
"Good morning, Yin'er,"
For a moment, she simply lay there, pressing her face against his chest as if savoring the moment.
After a few seconds, however, Xuan Yan playfully ruffled her hair and coaxed her, "Come on, lazy girl, it's time to get up. Go to your room and freshen up."
Xue Yin let out a small whimper, unwilling to move.
She clung to him like a little koala and her legs curled around his waist as she whined, "Just a little more, Big Brother…"
Xuan Yan shook his head, "Nope. You need to get up now, little princess."
Still half-asleep, she pouted but eventually obeyed.
She unwrapped herself from him and, with a sleepy nod, climbed off the bed.
However, as she attempted to walk toward her room, her steps were clumsy, and she wobbled slightly like a drunk kitten.
Xuan Yan sighed, shaking his head with a smile. "Be careful, Yin'er."
"I know…" she mumbled sleepily, rubbing her eyes as she stumbled through the door.
Once she left, Xuan Yan stretched his limbs before getting out of bed.
He made his way toward the adjacent washroom, where he freshened up and changed into his usual robes.
Feeling refreshed, he made his way downstairs, where a rich aroma of freshly prepared breakfast filled the air.
In the dining hall, his mother, Xue Ling, was already seated at the table, sipping on a cup of tea.
Hu Liena sat beside her, chatting softly while waiting for the food to be served.
Xue Yin sat at the table with bright eyes, her feet dangling from the chair as she eagerly waited for breakfast.
As soon as she saw Xuan Yan enter the room, she smiled happily and waved at him "Big Brother! Come eat!"
Hu Liena also looked up and smiled at him, though there was a faint trace of redness on her cheeks.
Xue Ling chuckled. "Finally awake? Come sit, Yan'er."
Xuan Yan smiled and took his seat at the table.
The maids quickly served him a variety of delicacies... warm soup, crispy pastries, and an assortment of fruits.
...
With no urgent matters to attend to, Xuan Yan spent the entire day playing with Xue Yin and Hu Liena.
Xue Yin, full of energy as always, insisted on dragging her brother outside to play in the garden.
Xuan Yan, seeing how much fun she was having, indulged her whims, occasionally scooping her up into the air and spinning her around, making her giggle uncontrollably.
Hu Liena, watching from the sidelines, couldn't help but smile at the warm sight before her.
After a while, Hu Liena joined in, and the three of them spent hours together... playing games, chatting, and simply enjoying each other's company.
They even had a small picnic under the shade of a large tree, where they shared snacks.
As the sun began its descent, casting golden hues across the sky, the trio finally decided to take a break.
They found themselves sitting together, watching the sunset in comfortable silence.
Hu Liena stole a glance at Xuan Yan, who sat beside her as his golden eyes reflected the dying light of the sun.
Unknowingly, a soft smile formed on her lips.
She didn't quite understand why, but today felt special.
It was a simple day... nothing grand or extravagant had happened, but it was a day filled with warmth and laughter.
Her gaze flickered to Xue Yin who was already sleeping under the shade of the tree.
Xuan Yan leaned back a little to sit comfortably on the trunk of the tree.
Hu Liena, sitting beside him, found herself stealing glances at him from time to time.
At first, she had seen him as a cute little junior, someone she could guide and protect.
But that perception had gradually shifted.
Now, sitting here beside him, she realized that Xuan Yan was no longer the timid, slightly awkward boy she had first met.
He had become someone who exuded a quiet strength, that made it hard to look away.
As they sat in silence, the atmosphere between them felt oddly comfortable.
"You've been staring at me for quite a while now, Sister Nana," Xuan Yan suddenly said, turning to face her with a smile.
Hu Liena, caught off guard, quickly averted her gaze and she felt her cheeks warming gently "I-I was just... thinking," she muttered, trying to sound nonchalant.
She sighed and turned back toward the sunset, her voice softening "It's just... it's strange. When I first met you, you were this shy, awkward little thing."
"And now, in just a short time, you've changed so much. It feels like you're growing beyond my reach."
Xuan Yan blinked, slightly surprised by the seriousness in her tone "Sister Nana, I'm still the same person. Even if I grow stronger or change outwardly, I'll always be me."
Hu Liena turned to look at him "You say that now," she murmured, looking away.
"But one day, you'll become someone even greater. And then... maybe you won't need me anymore."
Xuan Yan frowned. "That's not true. Sister Nana, you're important to me. You always will be."
His words made her heart skip a beat.
Hu Liena felt an unfamiliar warmth spread through her chest, but she quickly shook her head and forced a teasing smirk onto her lips.
"Hmph, you better remember those words," she said, flicking his forehead lightly.
"Otherwise, I won't forgive you."
Xuan Yan chuckled, rubbing his forehead "Yes, yes, Sister Nana. I promise."
Hu Liena let out a soft huff at his playful response, but she couldn't hide the way her lips curled up slightly.
She turned back toward the horizon, her gaze lost in the fading light.
Yet, even as the sun dipped lower, her attention kept shifting back to the boy beside her.
No... the young man beside her.
Before she realized it, a sigh escaped her lips.
"You know… this is nice," she murmured, almost absentmindedly.
Xuan Yan glanced at her. "What is?"
"This." She gestured vaguely around them. "Just sitting here with you... peacefully."
Xuan Yan hummed in agreement as a soft smile tugged at his lips. "Yeah. It is nice."
Hu Liena hesitated for a moment before shifting slightly closer.
She bit her lip and, after another small pause, leaned her head against his shoulder.
Xuan Yan stiffened for a second, before relaxing.
A gentle breeze rustled through the trees, making strands of Hu Liena's soft hair brush against his arm.
"Comfortable?" he asked, his voice softer now.
"Mmm." She nodded slightly, her cheek resting against the fabric of his robe. "You're warm."
Xuan Yan chuckled "That's what Yin'er says too."
Hu Liena scoffed but didn't move away.
If anything, she nestled in just a little more "That little brat has good taste, then."
A comfortable silence settled between them.
The rhythmic rise and fall of Xuan Yan's breath, was oddly soothing for her.
"…You won't leave me behind, will you?" she asked suddenly and her voice was so quiet that it was almost lost in the breeze.
Xuan Yan turned his head slightly, looking down at her. "Never..."
"…Good,"
She raised her hand and intertwined her fingers with his fingers, relishing the warmth of his body.
They stayed like that for a while as the last remnants of sunlight faded into the distance.
A soft sigh escaped her lips 'This feels good...'
'I maybe love him after all...'