Unrivaled Soldier in the City

Listening to Xinxin’s childlike words and the others’ suppressed laughter, the little Witch blushed scarlet. At that moment, she was so embarrassed she wished a crack would open in the floor and swallow her whole. Especially since a child had said it, she had no way to refute the claim.

"Xinxin, let me tell you something," Lin Guo’er said, sidling over with a mischievous grin. "Your Auntie Xiaoyu is so big because she drinks milk every day. Haven’t you noticed? She’s built like a dairy cow!"

Hearing this, the little Witch’s face grew even redder. "Sister Guo’er..."

"Haha, just kidding!" Lin Guo’er leaned back on the sofa and roared with laughter, completely unconcerned with her image.

"I’ll try drinking more milk tomorrow too," Xinxin muttered to herself, which sent everyone into another fit of laughter.

After dinner, Liu Shilin, Lin Guo’er, the little Witch, Yang Ruotong, and Yang Ruoxi all headed to the company. Lin Kuang, on the other hand, became Xinxin’s nanny, taking the little one to school. Xinxin was thrilled to have Lin Kuang drop her off and pick her up every day. After leaving Xinxin at kindergarten, Lin Kuang drove to the office.

Just then, his phone rang again. It was an unknown number, but the area code was from Yanjing. A few faces flashed through his mind. He answered the phone, "Hello, this is Lin Kuang."

"Lin Kuang, it’s Shen Yanxia," she said. "I want to see you."

She had been hesitating for the past two days, debating whether she should see him. Lin Kuang’s words kept echoing in her mind, making it impossible for her to eat or sleep properly. She couldn’t stop wondering about the situation, and finally, she couldn’t resist calling him.

Hearing this, Lin Kuang paused for a moment before a smile touched his lips. "Hello. Where are you? I’ll come pick you up."

Shen Yanxia told him her location. Lin Kuang told her to wait there and immediately drove to pick her up. Less than half an hour later, he arrived at the spot she had indicated.

Shen Yanxia was standing at the edge of the road, her vacant gaze fixed on her toes. She looked melancholic.

Parking the car beside her, Lin Kuang smiled and said, "Get in."

Shen Yanxia gave Lin Kuang a slightly embarrassed glance, but she still opened the car door and slid into the passenger seat.

Seeing her troubled expression, Lin Kuang couldn’t help but ask with concern, "Have you eaten?"

"N-not yet, but... I’m not hungry," Shen Yanxia stammered.

The words had barely left her mouth when her stomach betrayed her lie with a loud RUMBLE. Hearing her own stomach, Shen Yanxia’s pretty face flushed red with embarrassment.

Giving her an amused glance, Lin Kuang asked with a smile, "Still say you’re not hungry? What would you like to eat?"

"I... I..." Shen Yanxia began to protest again, but her empty stomach cut her off with another loud RUMBLE.

To appease her stomach, Shen Yanxia could only say, her face beet red, "Anything is fine."

Lin Kuang nodded, thought for a moment, and then took her to a breakfast shop. After a bowl of porridge and a few steamed buns, Shen Yanxia was finally full.

Noticing how crowded the shop was, Shen Yanxia asked, "Can we talk somewhere else?"

Lin Kuang nodded, and they left, driving to the banks of the Huangpu River. Gazing at the majestic Huangpu River and feeling the cool breeze on her skin, Shen Yanxia’s mood improved slightly.

"Can you tell me about her?" she asked, standing by the riverbank, her beautiful eyes fixed on Lin Kuang.

"What about her? Which part do you resent?" Lin Kuang asked with a smile.

Shen Yanxia bit her lip and nodded, a blush coloring her cheeks.

"Actually, you have every right to blame your sister," Lin Kuang said with a slight smile. "Everything she did was for your own good. She wanted to give you freedom." When he spoke the word "freedom," his tone suddenly grew serious.

"Why... Why do you say that?" Shen Yanxia’s shoulders trembled, her eyes wide with disbelief.

"Because she always stepped forward first, shouldering responsibilities heavier than a boy’s, all to give you more time and keep you away from the political games. The more she excelled, the heavier her burden became. Conversely, if you didn’t seem as brilliant—or rather, if she eclipsed your talents—then you would appear unremarkable. And if you were unremarkable, no one would pay you much mind.

"That way, you’d have very little pressure on you. You could avoid all the darker aspects of our world and live a carefree life. That is what your sister did for you.

"Otherwise, why do you think she was so exceptional? Do you really think she’s the kind of girl who loves to steal the spotlight? Do you think she ever treated you poorly?" Lin Kuang finished calmly, posing three questions in a row.

Hearing this, Shen Yanxia’s entire body trembled. Her eyes filled with disbelief, which quickly morphed into a complex mix of pain and self-reproach. Lin Kuang’s words were a sudden, stark revelation. In that moment, she finally understood. She understood why her sister, who had always been so good to her, had suddenly started to outshine her in every way, doing everything better, and always taking the lead.

"Is... is this true?" she couldn’t help but ask.

Lin Kuang nodded. "Do I have any reason to lie to you?"

Shen Yanxia shook her head. He had no reason to lie.

The thought of how good her sister had been, and how she had treated her in return, filled Shen Yanxia’s heart with unbearable pain. Large, bead-like tears welled up in her eyes and began to stream down her cheeks.

Seeing this, Lin Kuang felt a bit helpless. I should get her a tissue, he thought, but a quick search of his pockets revealed he didn’t carry any.

While Lin Kuang was still trying to figure out what to do, Shen Yanxia’s sobs grew louder. Heedless of whether he was willing or not, she threw herself into his arms and began to cry her heart out.

Lin Kuang was left speechless. Should I hug her back? That doesn’t feel right. But not hugging her seems wrong too.

After a moment of indecision, he gently placed his arms around her, lightly patting her back. He had no idea what to say.

Passersby heard Shen Yanxia’s wails and shot Lin Kuang contemptuous looks.

Seeing their expressions, Lin Kuang felt a surge of irritation. Damn it, she’s not my wife! What are you all staring at?!