Chapter 213: You By My Side For A Lifetime

"Why?"

Zhu Yuan truly could not understand why her brother would not agree to her being with Sheng Yu.

He had not even met Sheng Yu, yet he was so decisive in refusing their relationship.

She guessed that her brother must know of Sheng Yu; otherwise, when she mentioned Sheng Yu during her prison visit that day, her brother did not ask any questions but directly spoke to deny it.

Sheng Yu had a great reputation, and there was no one in Kyoto City who did not know him. She did not find it strange that her brother would know him; after all, before her brother went to prison, he had studied in Kyoto City and worked at the Aerospace Institute in Kyoto City.

Zhu Jingyao said in a tone that allowed for no negotiation, "I don't agree, and that's that."

"In a few months, I will be twenty-three. My relationship with Sheng Yu is a free choice; no one is forcing anyone. Even if you are my brother, you cannot be this despotic."

Looking at the pouting Zhu Yuan, Zhu Jingyao felt a strong urge to soften his heart and pat her head.

But he knew very well what kind of temperament the girl he had watched grow up since childhood had. If he softened his heart, she would only become more emboldened.

"Then let me ask you, why do you look so much thinner today than the last time I saw you? It's only been a few days, and you've lost so much weight. Excluding physical factors, it must be caused by a bad mood."

Zhu Jingyao analyzed unhurriedly, "You have always had a good mindset since you were little; nothing could make you feel so bad that you would lose weight. Do you dare tell me that your bad mood isn't because of Sheng Yu?"

Facing her brother's words, which were clear and gentle in tone yet piercing to the heart with every syllable, Zhu Yuan clenched her already fisted hands even tighter.

"What couple doesn't have arguments? Besides, this is my first time in a relationship; isn't it normal to be easily affected? Furthermore, that matter has already passed, and things between Sheng Yu and me are fine."

Zhu Jingyao was a sharp person; he sensed the change in her emotions the moment Zhu Yuan fell silent for a second.

Otherwise, given her sharp-tongued nature, there was no telling how she might have retorted to him.

"You lose several pounds every time you have an argument; is your small frame enough for you to have many more?"

Zhu Yuan was displeased, "Can't you wish me well?"

"Yuanyuan, I support you in doing anything you want, but you cannot be with Sheng Yu."

"Is this the reason? I might have lost a little weight recently, but did I look thin when I went to visit you in prison last time? You still said you didn't agree the moment you heard I was with Sheng Yu, didn't you? You have to give me a reason."

Although she was an adult, free to love and free to marry.

She truly hoped her brother could accept Sheng Yu.

"Must we bring up other men the moment we siblings meet?" Zhu Jingyao's voice dropped, and his expression became serious.

"He is not 'other men'."

Zhu Yuan met Zhu Jingyao's intense gaze and said, word for word, "He is my man."

My man.

Zhu Jingyao's eyes narrowed slightly, and the water in the glass he held in his hand rippled gently.

If the glass hadn't been partially empty, it likely would have spilled over.

"Say that again."

Zhu Yuan sensed her brother's simmering anger and knew she was defying his wishes, and he was angry. But no matter how angry he was, she had to say it: "Sheng Yu is my m..."

"Yuanyuan." Zhu Jingyao interrupted her.

He stood up and handed her the glass of water she had given him earlier.

The temperature was just right.

Looking at her face, which was displeased at being suddenly interrupted, Zhu Jingyao showed no sign of backing down, looking down at her, "Drink the water and go to sleep. Rest early; we have to go see Mom and Dad tomorrow."

Watching Zhu Jingyao's back as he walked toward their grandfather's room, Zhu Yuan pressed her lips together tightly.

She knew her brother cared for her and had her best interests at heart.

But the moment she thought of Sheng Yu, she did not want to give up.

Zhu Jingyao turned the doorknob and entered. Zhu Qi, standing behind the door, seemed startled, then turned around with forced composure and walked toward the bed.

"What did Grandfather overhear?" Zhu Jingyao closed the door behind him.

Zhu Qi looked at him with an expression of absolute denial, "What overhearing? I went over to lock the door."

No matter what he said, Zhu Jingyao did not refute him. He walked over, helped Zhu Qi onto the bed, supported him as he leaned against the headboard, and then sat down by the bedside, looking at the old man with a heavy expression.

"Why did you agree to let Yuanyuan be with Sheng Yu?"

Zhu Qi's eyes darted away. This grandson had been more mature than his peers since he was a child, and in recent years, this feeling had become increasingly obvious.

Sometimes it felt as if he, the grandfather, was the grandson. He hadn't expected that after returning from two years in prison, the steady and mature aura about him would be even more pronounced.

Facing his questioning, Zhu Qi sighed, "Yuanyuan likes him, and he truly dotes on Yuanyuan."

The meaning of these words was clear: they were in love with each other.

Zhu Jingyao's expression did not change; he remained serious, "Have you looked into the situation of the Sheng Family? She is young and easily tempted; can't you see that clearly?"

"I..." Zhu Qi wanted to speak, but as soon as he met Zhu Jingyao's eyes, he lost his nerve.

Zhu Jingyao had not come in to "call him to account"; he casually found a topic to divert the conversation and chatted with Zhu Qi for a while longer.

Not until Zhu Qi yawned did he tuck the quilt in for him, turn off the light, and leave.

When he walked to the living room, he heard movement from the kitchen and turned to walk over.

Zhu Yuan had just finished ladling the noodle soup from the pot into a bowl.

As she turned around, she saw Zhu Jingyao standing at the doorway. She didn't know how long he had been standing there, his gaze clear and devoid of emotion.

"Brother, you must be hungry."

She carried the noodles to him, "I cooked a bowl of beef noodles for you. Will you have some?"

Zhu Jingyao lowered his eyes and looked at her for a moment, then raised his hand to take the bowl of noodles and walked toward the dining room.

Zhu Yuan hurriedly grabbed a pair of chopsticks and a spoon and followed, sitting down beside Zhu Jingyao with a fawning expression, "Try it and see if my cooking has improved."

Zhu Jingyao knew her little intentions but went along with her and took a bite.

Chewing the tough, old beef in his mouth, Zhu Jingyao realized after a while that it wouldn't break down, so he forced himself to swallow it.

He glanced at the delicate little face beside him, full of expectation, and did not discourage her: "It has improved."

Zhu Yuan beamed.

Zhu Jingyao's hand gripping the chopsticks tightened, "Sit a little closer."

Zhu Yuan obediently sat a little closer, and Zhu Jingyao raised his other hand to gently stroke the back of her head, "You have worked hard during this time."

"It is not hard work; Brother is the one who has suffered," Zhu Yuan shook her head, her heart aching.

Although she had just had a conflict with her brother, it did not affect their sibling bond.

However, Zhu Jingyao still insisted, "Why must you marry? You can stay by my side for your whole life, and I can afford to support you."

Zhu Yuan raised her face to look at him, her eyes sincere and bright, "But Brother, I love Sheng Yu."

Yet after she finished this sentence, Zhu Jingyao put down his chopsticks with a cold face and stood up to walk upstairs.

He had only eaten two bites of that bowl of noodles.