The room was silent.

Cheng Yue stood with his hands in his pockets not far away, his peach blossom eyes obscured by a hazy pale smoke, making it hard to discern his emotions.

Cheng Chu nervously swallowed and spoke with trepidation, "Brother, you're still awake."

"Mhmm." He lowered his gaze and replied softly, then spoke again in a calm tone, "Is it your classmate?"

"Huh, who?" Cheng Chu was a bit slow to react.

Cheng Yue raised an eyebrow and asked, "The one who rode the bike so fast just now?"

"Yes." Cheng Chu nervously clenched his hands.

Outside the window, it began to drizzle, the raindrops lightly tapping against the glass.

Cheng Yue walked up to her and glanced at the bag in her hand, "Did he give it to you?" 

"Yes," Cheng Chu pursed her lips, lowered her eyes, and her butterfly-like long eyelashes trembled slightly, giving her a pitiful look that was hard to describe.

"Can you please not tell Mom and Dad?" Her voice was cautious and tentative.

Cheng Yue, who was approaching a height of almost two meters, seemed to have a layer of ice attached to his handsome face, with a hint of an imposing aura. 

He stood there and could make people break out in a cold sweat.

The rain gradually grew stronger, tapping against the glass window and trickling down.

In the cold rainy night, time seemed to stretch out for an eternity. Cheng Chu could hear her own heart beating nervously, and in the sound of the pitter-patter rain, she felt her palms gradually becoming damp.

Just as she was about to give up resistance, two words slowly drifted through the air - "I won't." 

She looked up suddenly, her face filled with surprise. "Really?" 

Cheng Yue nodded slightly. 

After a moment, he said, "Don't let it affect your studies. Take care of yourself. If you do these two things, I won't tell them." 

"Okay." Cheng Chu looked up, her eyes shining with gratitude. "Thank you, big brother." 

Cheng Yue's cold heart softened a bit. He reached out and touched her head, his voice carrying a hint of authority. 

"Next time, let the driver pick you up. That guy rides his bike too fast and it's not safe." 

Cheng Chu nodded and a smile appeared on her lips. 

"Did you have a fight with Mom today?" Cheng Yue asked. 

Cheng Chu's upturned mouth froze slightly and the light in her eyes gradually dimmed. 

She lowered her head and replied softly, "Mm." 

"Do what you want to do," Cheng Yue lowered his eyes and looked at her dark hair, his voice gradually becoming gentle. "I will talk to Mom about it."

Their little princess should live a carefree life, doing what she likes and loving whoever she wants.

Under the light, Cheng Yue's eyes were filled with indescribable tenderness. 

"Chuchu, we all love you. The reason why Mom said that is because she thinks that kind of life is the most comfortable and the best, so don't be angry with her, okay?"

"Okay." Cheng Chu's nose felt sour, she nodded vigorously, raised her face, and her beautiful peach blossom eyes seemed to shimmer with tears.

"I love you too," her voice choked up even more. "You are the best brother in the world." 

Cheng Yue smiled gently, her voice tinged with a hint of helplessness. "Alright, why cry? Take a good shower and go to bed."

As the night fell, Cheng Chu returned to her room and carefully placed all her dolls by her bedside. The various Doraemons acted as her guardians, watching over the girl as she drifted off to sleep.

*

On New Year's Eve, Cheng Chu woke up to a WeChat message from her class monitor. It was a confirmation form for class transfer.

Written on it was: "Due to your excellent grades, Cheng Chu, please choose whether to enter the advanced class or not."

The rain continued to pour through the night, and the sky remained dark and gloomy. 

Cheng Chu printed out the application form and checked the "yes" box for entering the advanced class. 

The last column of the confirmation form required a signature from the parents, but Cheng Chu didn't feel rushed. She simply placed the form under a book and went on to do other things.

Today, the atmosphere at home was extremely pleasant. Cheng Ruohai, who was often not at home, sat on the sofa in the living room watching TV. Fu Xun played with his phone next to him, while Fu Rong was in the kitchen preparing the New Year's Eve dinner with the nanny.

After Cheng Yue's mediation, Fu Rong had loosened up about whether or not Cheng Chu should attend a music college. 

However, she still worried and asked from time to time, "What if you can't support yourself in the future?"

Cheng Ruohai glanced at her coldly and said, "Do we lack money at home? Our daughter can do whatever she wants. Even if she can't earn a penny, what's the big deal?"

Only then did Fu Rong shut her mouth. 

After a happy lunch, the family took a leisurely nap. 

When Cheng Chu woke up, it was already pitch black outside.

Still feeling groggy from her nap, she stumbled downstairs.

As usual, the New Year's Eve dinner was a feast, with a table full of delicious food.

After the family had eaten their fill and were lounging on the couch, watching the Spring Festival Gala, Cheng Chu looked out through the French windows.

It had been raining for several days without stopping, the rain pouring down relentlessly, as if determined to wash away the city's hustle and bustle.

Her phone vibrated a few times, with unfamiliar friends sending early New Year's greetings.

Although it was obviously a mass message, Cheng Chu still took the time to reply to each one.

After replying to all of them, she realized that there were already 99+ messages in the class group chat. 

Some people were wishing each other a "Happy New Year," while others were sharing photos of their New Year's Eve dinner.

On the TV, a boring song and dance routine was playing, and Cheng Chu was scrolling through his messages, starting from the beginning out of boredom.

One of the messages was from his homeroom teacher:

"Let's give a shoutout to the top three students in our class for this final exam. First place goes to Ye Feixue, with a grade of 43. Second place goes to Cheng Chu, with a grade of 50. Third place goes to Hu Zongbai, with a grade of 68."

Cheng Chu's hand holding the phone went stiff as he read the message again in disbelief.

Why wasn't Gu Miao mentioned?

Did he make a mistake this time?

Cheng Chu's heart, which had been racing, gradually calmed down. Could it be because she had borrowed Gu Miao's answer sheet marker and that's why she made a mistake?

The beautiful singing on the TV grew louder, as Fu Xun turned up the volume. He turned his head and looked at Cheng Chu, who looked lost and confused. "What's wrong with you?" 

"Nothing, it's nothing." Cheng Chu stiffened and turned off her phone screen with her hand, shaking her head to cover up her emotions. 

The rain outside was getting heavier, mixed with strong winds that beat against the glass windows, making a loud noise. 

"Chuchu, go close the window." 

Feeling that the heating room was too stuffy, Fu Rong had left a small gap in the window. 

"Okay." Cheng Chu snapped out of her thoughts and walked to the window absentmindedly. 

A few drops of rain seeped in through the gap in the window and splashed on her face, bringing a piercing coldness. 

Cheng Chu felt as if the storm outside had suddenly struck her heart, extinguishing the joy and warmth of the New Year in an instant. 

She sniffled and turned her head, saying, "I'm a bit tired, go upstairs and rest." 

"Go ahead and sleep." Cheng Ruohai waved his hand. 

Cheng Chu pursed her lips and ran up to the second floor, the wooden floor creaking beneath her feet. She closed the door to her room and slumped down at her desk. Nearby, Doraemon's mouth was twisted into a mocking grin, as if laughing at Cheng Chu's foolishness. 

She hung her head in disappointment, blaming herself for everything. If it weren't for her, Gu Miao wouldn't have missed out on the opportunity to attend the advanced class.

Outside, the plum blossoms in the garden trembled in the wind and snow, but still proudly displayed their vibrant red color. Cheng Chu pulled out the transfer confirmation form from her textbook and crossed out the "yes" at the bottom. 

She stared blankly at the parent signature line at the very bottom for a few minutes before finally mustering up the courage to knock on Cheng Yue's door.

"Come in," he said quietly.

Cheng Chu peeked her head in and whispered, "Brother, can I ask you for a favor?" 

The air seemed to be infused with the rain outside, carrying a slightly sticky dampness.

After hearing her words, Cheng Yue pursed his lips and remained silent for a while.

It felt like a long time had passed, yet it also seemed like only a few seconds.

Finally, he spoke with a deep voice, "Chuchu, have you asked that boy for his opinion?"

"Hmm?" Cheng Chu looked up at him, her eyes filled with confusion.

Cheng Yue sat in his office chair, his handsome face hidden in the dim light, his eyes slightly drooping, making it hard to discern his expression.

But his tone was extremely serious.

"A boy who truly likes you would not want you to compromise for him. If he agrees to let you give up something better for him, then he is not worth your affection."

"But it's because of me that he didn't do well on the exam," Cheng Chu raised her head, looking puzzled. 

"You should listen to how he feels," Cheng Yue said slowly.

As she emerged from her brother's room, the rain outside had gradually subsided. A few drops of rain fell on the window, making a faint sound.

The surroundings were extremely quiet.

Cheng Chu stood by the window and dialed Gu Miao's phone number.

A long "beep" sounded, and the next second, the phone was answered.

The boy's voice was filled with obvious surprise, "Cheng Chu?"

"It's me." Cheng Chu looked at the night sky in the garden and spoke warmly, "Happy New Year, Gu Miao."

"You, too." Gu Miao's voice was slightly hoarse through the phone line, with a hint of indescribable sexiness, "Happy, New Year."

His tone was extremely sincere, as if he wanted to bestow all the happiness in the world upon her in this moment. 

As if a gentle hand had caressed her heart, Cheng Chu's hand holding the phone trembled slightly. 

After a moment of contemplation, she said, "I saw the results, was it because of the answer sheet marker? I'm sorry, if it wasn't for me..." 

Gu Miao never interrupted her when she spoke, but this seemed to be the first time. 

He said, "No, it's because...well, it's, my own fault. I didn't, perform well." 

The window was blurred by the rain, and a few crystal clear raindrops traced a winding path down. 

The boy's voice seemed to blend into the rainy night, with a hint of moisture, and slowly entered Cheng Chu's ears. 

She lowered her gaze, her voice tinged with sadness, "I don't want to go to the advanced class." 

"No, next semester, when school starts, I will get into the advanced class." 

So, please wait for me, okay? As I strive to keep up with your footsteps, I hope to become confident, strong, and brave, shining just as brightly as you do. 

Only then will I be qualified to stand by your side.

The author has something to say: G

u Miao: Only by becoming an outstanding person like her can one be qualified to be with her.

*

Suddenly, I realized that men like my brother are also quite charming - noble, gentle, and cultured.