Although Jiang Mu had joked about taking responsibility for Jin Chao, there was a hint of sincerity in her words. However, Jin Chao didn’t respond to her remark and instead asked, “What would you like to drink?”
He walked over to the cabinet, and Jiang Mu glanced at it before saying, “Let’s have some red wine.”
Subconsciously, Jin Chao still thought of her as a little girl. He glanced at her sideways until Jiang Mu lifted her gaze and asked, “Is that not okay?”
Only then did it dawn on him that she was no longer a young girl.
After drinking some red wine, Jiang Mu’s complexion grew even more radiant. Jin Chao asked her, “How is your mother’s health?”
He had opened the topic, so Jiang Mu began intermittently sharing stories about her experiences over the years with Chris and his children. Jin Chao listened quietly, tasting the dishes she had prepared. The food was quite flavorful and visually appealing. Later, he noticed that she was no longer picky about her food—she didn’t seem to mind ingredients like scallions, ginger, or garlic. He had always hoped she would overcome her picky eating habits, but now that she had, a complex emotion welled up inside him.
Jiang Mu ate half a crab, struggling with it, and commented, “Crab is delicious, but it’s such a hassle to eat.”
Jin Chao stood up and fetched a set of specialized crab-eating tools. Jiang Mu sighed, “You’re quite particular, aren’t you?”
Jin Chao glanced at her but said nothing. By the time Jiang Mu finished a glass of red wine, Jin Chao had placed a bowl of meticulously picked crab meat and roe in front of her. Suddenly, emotions surged within Jiang Mu. It occurred to her that he didn’t eat crab because it was considered “cooling” in nature—he had gone through all that trouble just for her. The bowl was full, with a few drops of vinegar added. She took a large spoonful, feeling an indescribable sense of satisfaction.
She might… never meet another man willing to pick crab meat for her like this in her lifetime.
Jiang Mu finally grew quiet for a while. When she looked up again, she raised her empty glass to Jin Chao and said, “A little more.”
Jin Chao chided her, “Don’t expect me to take care of you if you get drunk.”
Jiang Mu stared at him with a smile, and Jin Chao indulged her by pouring a bit more.
She raised her glass to him and said, “Chao Chao, brother—no, Chao Chao…”
Her words were incoherent, and Jin Chao couldn’t help but laugh, wondering if she was already tipsy.
But Jiang Mu spoke to him seriously, “Given that you didn’t even tell me about such a major event in your life, I’ve decided to sever our sibling relationship. From now on, I no longer acknowledge you as my brother.”
Jin Chao was taken aback, raising an eyebrow as he studied her for a few seconds. Seeing him unmoved, Jiang Mu picked up his glass and handed it to him. He took it, and she clinked her glass against his before downing her drink in one go.
Jin Chao remained calm, watching her intently. He didn’t touch his glass and set it back down.
Jiang Mu put down her glass and said to him, “You know I’m still an intern, right?”
Jin Chao gave a noncommittal “Mm.” Jiang Mu muttered, “The pay isn’t great. Rent costs thousands a month, plus utilities. When I was in school, my mom supported me, but now that I’m working, I can’t keep asking her for money. I’m also afraid she’ll think I’m not doing well here. The cost of living is so high these days. Just the other day, my roommate called and asked me to cover next year’s broadband fee in advance. I feel like I might not even be able to afford food.”
Her sudden shift in topic left Jin Chao silent for a moment. He looked up and asked, “Do you need to borrow money?”
Jiang Mu instantly broke into a smile. “Can it be interest-free?”
Jin Chao’s expression relaxed, and his tone was casual. “No.”Jiang Mu felt a bit deflated, puffing out her cheeks. Jin Chao stood up and went into the kitchen, returning with a bowl of hot soup which he placed in front of her. He then asked, "How much do you need?"
Jiang Mu picked up the soup, suppressing a laugh.
Jin Chao sat back down and looked at her, saying, "Most people at least try to butter someone up before borrowing money. You, on the other hand, cut off our sibling relationship before even asking. Quite unique."
Jiang Mu took a sip of the soup and replied, "Who said I was going to borrow money from you? Considering my future livelihood, I can still weigh the difference between one full meal and regular meals. Think about it—you live alone anyway. If I move in, wouldn’t that mean someone to share the living costs with? Although I haven’t been made a permanent employee yet and my salary isn’t very high, once I get promoted and my pay increases, I can scrimp and save to help cover your expenses."
A smile played at the corner of Jin Chao’s lips. "Thanks for your kindness, but it’s not certain who would be helping whom."
After Jiang Mu finished her soup, Jin Chao started clearing the table. She stood up and said, "Let me wash the dishes."
Jin Chao glanced at her. "There’s a dishwasher."
Later, when she noticed Shandian had made a mess while eating and was about to look for something to clean it up, Jin Chao happened to walk out of the kitchen. He pressed a button, and a mopping robot swept past Jiang Mu, leaving her with nothing to do.
Jin Chao brought out a plate of freshly cut mooncakes and asked, "Shall we admire the moon?"
Jiang Mu murmured softly, "Admire me?"
Jin Chao made a questioning sound. "Hmm?"
Jiang Mu chuckled. "Never mind. Let’s admire it."
So the two of them sat on the balcony facing the full moon. They had admired the moon together as children, but Jiang Mu’s memories were hazy. Jin Chao, being five years older, remembered it clearly.
He told her they had to climb to the top floor back then. She couldn’t climb, so every time, Jin Qiang would be eating pineapple-filled mooncakes while Jin Chao urged her to look at the moon. She, however, was only focused on eating the mooncakes. He told her the story of Chang'e flying to the moon, but she only remembered the Jade Rabbit and later threw a tantrum, demanding to buy a rabbit plush toy.
Nowadays, Jiang Mu didn’t eat such rich things much anymore, but she enjoyed listening to Jin Chao recount her silly childhood stories.
As they chatted, Jiang Mu steered the conversation back to her original topic. "That guy I’m sharing the apartment with—well, when I was in a hurry to find a place, I didn’t pay attention to the roommate’s gender. But it doesn’t matter. In three months of living there, I’ve only seen him twice. He’s like a ghost, appearing and disappearing mysteriously. I suspect he’s part of some ghost-hunting team. He vanishes every night, and his room always has some eerie music playing. Do you think I should find another place to live?"
Her long eyelashes fluttered, giving her a pitifully charming look. Perhaps because she had been drinking, her face was pale yet flushed, and she leaned halfway back in the soft chair with an indescribable gentleness. Jin Chao didn’t beat around the bush and got straight to the point: "Still haven’t shaken off your old habit? The moment you come over, you plan on sticking around?"
Jiang Mu laughed and emphasized, "It’s not like I’m imposing on anyone else."
Jin Chao gazed at the brilliant full moon for a long time before saying to her, "Let me ask you something. When you returned to Tonggang this time, your father didn’t give you my contact information, did he?"
Jiang Mu nodded. "He said you hadn’t been back for years. Did you two conspire to trick me?"
Jin Chao’s eyes gradually lowered, and he fell silent. After a while, he lifted his head again to look at the full moon and said to her, "Zhao is the sun, Mu is the moon. The sun and moon alternate, never to meet again."
Jiang Mu slowly furrowed her brows. "What does that mean?"The dishwasher stopped, and Jin Chao stood up and walked into the house. As he passed by her, his voice fell lightly: "This is my promise to your father."
Jiang Mu instantly felt her whole body turn cold, as if a heavy boulder had crashed down from her heart. Back in her freshman year when she returned to China, Jin Qiang had concealed Jin Chao's situation from her. At that time, she thought Jin Chao just hadn't settled down yet and would eventually contact her. But this time, Jin Qiang used the same excuse again. Although she sensed something was wrong, she later always believed it was Jin Chao's intention. She never expected that Jin Qiang simply didn't want her and Jin Chao to continue their relationship.
Over the years, he had long regarded Jin Chao as his own son and cared for him deeply. He wished Jin Chao smooth sailing and hoped he could live well.
Yet similarly, Jiang Mu was Jin Qiang's own flesh and blood, and he also hoped she could find a fully able husband and live an easier life.
Everyone has their selfish desires. He didn't want both children to suffer, especially since he knew all too well how much Jiang Yinghan disapproved of Jin Chao. No matter who Jin Chao married, he didn't want it to be Mu Mu; otherwise, everyone's relationships would be pushed into an awkward situation.
"It's not because of your physical condition. Even without this accident, I would still advise you not to contact Mu Mu anymore. Consider it my fault."
That evening when Jin Qiang went to see him, he said these words. He brought many things and spoke at length. Jin Chao remained silent the entire time until Jin Qiang was leaving. Watching his back, bent by the burdens of life, Jin Chao clenched his fists and finally spoke: "Dad, I promise you..."
Six years passed since then, and he never actively contacted Jiang Mu again. He would return to Tonggang every year, update Jin Qiang on his current situation, and regularly send money home. Gradually, he made Jin Qiang understand that he was capable of not burdening those around him.
Yet despite all this, when Jiang Mu returned to China this time, Jin Qiang still hadn't relented.
Chao as the sun, Mu as the moon—sun and moon alternating, never to meet again.
Jiang Mu suddenly realized that her earlier words must have been like invisible knives to Jin Chao. Jin Qiang acknowledged him as a son, but his concealment also meant he still couldn't accept Jin Chao as Jiang Mu's husband. So after she said those words, Jin Chao lowered his eyes and remained silent for a long while.
Jiang Mu abruptly stood up, her heart trembling as she went to find him. Jin Chao was taking the cleaned dishes out of the dishwasher. Gazing at his back, in that instant, an overwhelming impulse flooded her heart. She ran to him, wrapping her arms tightly around him from behind. Jin Chao's movements froze. He looked down at Jiang Mu's arms encircling his waist and heard her ask: "You said you'd wait for me to grow up. Do your words still hold true?"
Nearly seven years had passed since she last asked this question. Waves stirred in Jin Chao's eyes, yet he remained standing still.
Jiang Mu's voice trembled with emotion: "I'm 26 now. I don't need anyone to make decisions for me anymore. What does it matter if everyone opposes us?"
Hearing the tears in her voice, Jin Chao patted her arm. She held him even tighter: "You said next time we met, you'd let me hug you as much as I wanted. The last few times I saw you, I've been polite enough to you."
A gentle light surfaced in Jin Chao's eyes: "I'm not stopping you from hugging me. Just let me turn around and look at you. Don't cry."Jiang Mu finally released her grip, but when Jin Chao actually turned around, his deep and piercing eyes were too captivating, making her heart tighten with such intensity that she felt too shy to embrace him again.
She lowered her head, hearing Jin Chao say to her, "Mumu, listen to me. You just found out about my situation, and I know it's hard for you, but there are still many issues I haven't had the chance to tell you."
Jiang Mu stared at him with burning intensity: "What issue could be more important than you standing right in front of me? You know I'm not a child anymore. If I turn around and marry someone else now, would you be content with that? I want you to tell me the truth."
Her emotions grew more agitated as she spoke. Jin Chao reached out to pull her closer, but Jiang Mu took a step back, glaring at him indignantly: "I'm not as rational as you, and I can't consider all those problems. Yes, you always have everything under control, but I can't. I only know that things will work out when the time comes, and I've managed to live this long.
If I marry a man who treats me poorly later—if he really spends money on equipment and other women like I said, or even hits me, abuses me emotionally—even if that man is physically whole, do you think I'd be any better off?
Haven't you ever considered that by giving up on me, you're making me gamble with my future?"
Upon hearing this, Jin Chao's eyes flickered with profound emotion, and his brows gradually furrowed. Jiang Mu choked back a sob, her gaze clear and steady as she looked at him: "Chao Chao, I severed our sibling relationship today. From now on, we can no longer be brother and sister. Whether we stay in touch or not, you need to think it through carefully. If you truly feel that being with me is too much pressure, then just forget it."
Jin Chao stared at her in stunned silence. As Jiang Mu turned to leave, his eyes tightened abruptly. He strode out of the kitchen, grabbed her arm, and said, "My leg isn't good. Don't run—I'm afraid I won't be able to catch up."
Even though she was the one who had spoken the harsh words, upon hearing Jin Chao's plea, Jiang Mu's eyes blurred with tears, her heart aching so sharply it felt like it was being wrung out. Even her glasses lenses gradually fogged up, misting over on the bridge of her nose like a layer of haze, and she couldn't bear to leave him for even a step.
Jin Chao looked at her and asked softly, "Can you still see?"
Jiang Mu replied with a heavy nasal tone, "I can't see anymore."
He pulled her back in front of him, raised his hand to remove her glasses, and then lowered his head to capture her lips. Jiang Mu's vision hadn't yet cleared, but his warm breath washed over her, the familiar sensation making her heart swell until it felt ready to burst.
There was no gradual teasing—the long-suppressed longing surged forth like a flood. Jin Chao hooked an arm around her waist, pulling her entire body into his embrace. At that moment, Jiang Mu's thoughts came to a complete halt, her soul seeming to evaporate from her body, until he pressed her against the wall behind them. His hands interlaced with hers, and his scorching kiss burned into her like flames.
Jiang Mu cried even harder, all the long-suppressed feelings of resentment, frustration, and grievance erupting at once. Jin Chao cupped her face, his tone gently coaxing: "Don't cry. When you cry, I don't know what to do."
His eyes shimmered with an intoxicating light. Jiang Mu lifted her damp eyelashes—she couldn't hear anything, absolutely nothing. The pounding of her heartbeat echoed in her eardrums, hazy and indistinct. The red wine she had drunk earlier was now truly taking effect, her face flushed with a delicate, enchanting warmth.Jin Chao simply scooped her up into his arms. Jiang Mu’s body hung in the air as she clung to him, the living room lights swaying in her eyes. He placed her on the soft sofa, her arms still looped around his neck. Leaning down, he gazed at her from close range, his Adam’s apple imperceptibly bobbing. His entire being radiated a restrained yet desire-filled tenderness as he said, "You don’t yet fully understand my physical condition. I originally wanted to give you some time to adjust, to accept the reality before telling you."
Weakly leaning against his chest, Jiang Mu lifted her head, her eyes flickering with unease. "Your body… can’t have children?" she asked.
Jin Chao’s expression froze briefly before he narrowed his eyes. "What are you thinking about?"
Jiang Mu admitted her mind had wandered, but in their current intimate position, what else could she possibly be thinking?
She averted her gaze somewhat awkwardly. Jin Chao bent closer and whispered by her ear, "Want me to prove it?"
His hand gripped her waist, a dominant and scorching presence. As he kissed her on the sofa until she was breathless and her whole body tingled, teetering on the edge of losing control, he pulled her into his embrace and said, "Don’t come back to me just because you want to take care of me or out of guilt. Go back and sleep. I’ll send my recent medical reports to your email—read them first. Once you decide, it might mean facing many inconveniences in the future. I may not be able to accompany you in everything you want to do. Consider the opinions of those around you, your parents’ views. Give me your answer after you’ve thought it through."
Jiang Mu’s hands clutched his clothes tightly, her mind dizzy. In a hoarse voice, she asked, "If I refuse, will you go back to being my brother, or will we part ways completely?"
She withdrew her arms from around his neck, but as they fell, Jin Chao caught her soft hand in time. Rubbing the back of her hand, he smiled with profound elegance and never let go.
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