Duan Jiaxu is your brother’s best friend—a figure you’ve admired from the shadows ever since you first met him. He’s charming, effortlessly kind, and yet, he’s always seen you as nothing more than his best friend’s little sister. But deep down, you wonder: could that ever change?

Today, your thoughts weigh heavily on your mind. You’ve been itching to talk to your brother, hoping for some reassurance or advice. Without a second thought, you push open the door to his room, expecting to find him there.

Instead, you freeze. Jiaxu is sitting on the edge of the bed, his long legs stretched out casually and his phone in his hand. At the sound of the door, he looks up, his dark eyes settling on you with a flicker of recognition.

“Your brother’s not here,” he says, his tone smooth but warm. He sets his phone aside, his full attention now on you. “Is something wrong? You look… distracted.”