Chapter 30: The Bond Between Sister and Brother

Last night, Xiao Kaitian enjoyed a rare good night's sleep. In truth, sleeping was, to him, nothing but a waste of time; yet his body retained the uniquely human need for rest, and he found a certain comfort in it.

Jiang Churan had gone to the university and had not yet returned, which made Xiao Kaitian a bit uneasy. Although Jiang Churan had not become the target of any underworld bounty, she was his elder sister, and it was not impossible that those targeting him might use her as an excuse. Moreover, she was a young woman, a college student—faced with a criminal, she likely lacked even the means for self-defense, let alone against assassins or martial artists.

Sun Zhongyi must have assigned someone for her protection, but his subordinates were mere street thugs, sufficient for ordinary threats. This was also why Xiao Kaitian acted with such caution; he still lacked the strength to protect those around him.

After washing up, he decided to go to Jiang Churan’s university. As he left, he remembered to tell Haruike Sakura his plans. Jiang Churan’s university was in the capital city; driving there was inconvenient, and Haruike Sakura, being “free,” kindly offered to drive Xiao Kaitian to Yokohama Station.

In the car, she covertly watched him through the rearview mirror. He was a striking young man, his gaze clear and bright, nothing at all like the “danger” the Hattori police inspector had described.

Once Xiao Kaitian stepped out, his figure swallowed by the crowd, her cheeks flushed as she shook her head, embarrassed. Yamamoto, beside her, was long accustomed to her infatuation.

The journey was straightforward. He took the Tokaido Line to Higashike Station, then transferred to the Chuo Line, and within a few stops arrived at Ochanomizu. Meiji University, where Jiang Churan studied, was nearby.

He had informed Jiang Churan in advance, and after exiting the station and walking up the gentle slope, he soon reached the small plaza in front of a glass-clad academic building. There stood a girl in a black long coat and black jeans, her shoulder-length hair fluttering faintly in the breeze. She carried a GG bag and spoke politely with the man before her.

Xiao Kaitian frowned slightly. The young man wore a polo shirt and carried a backpack, evidently a fellow student of Jiang Churan. His face was tense and awkward, his right hand nervously scratching his hair.

“I truly apologize for today,” Jiang Churan bowed politely, her manner natural and gentle, the poise of a lady from a distinguished family unmistakable. “And soon I’ll be returning home. Takeda, I must decline your kind offer, I’m sorry.”

Takeda’s face paled instantly. He stammered, “Jiang-chan, you know... Is it that you look down on my family?”

“Not at all,” Jiang Churan kept her smile, already noticing Xiao Kaitian approaching and waving to him. She turned back to Takeda, her tone earnest, “In truth, I know nothing about your family. We are classmates, nothing more.”

Takeda tried to respond, but Jiang Churan cut him off, “I’m sorry, my brother has arrived. Excuse me.” She bowed lightly, the distance between them immediately apparent. Seeing Xiao Kaitian, Jiang Churan let all other matters fall away and hurried toward him.

Takeda remained, face cold, head turned, his expression complex as he watched Jiang Churan’s retreating figure.

The two met halfway up the slope. Xiao Kaitian glanced at Takeda, “Who was that? A nuisance?”

Jiang Churan forced a smile, “Are you jealous? Only now do you appreciate your sister. That’s one of my pursuers.”

“Alright,” Xiao Kaitian recalled Uncle Zhong’s words, recognizing the undertone in Jiang Churan’s reply. He wiped his face, “So you rejected him.”

“The Takeda clan is one of the prominent families in Kai Prefecture,” Jiang Churan said with a slight pout. “As a power in Kanto, the Takeda family’s attitude toward Han-Tang is not favorable. No reason to invite such trouble.”

“That’s true,” seeing that Jiang Churan had her own perspective, Xiao Kaitian dropped the subject. In the distance, Takeda saw the two whispering intimately and left with a cold expression. With that, Xiao Kaitian withdrew his gaze, looking warmly at the energetic Jiang Churan, “Let’s eat together.”

“Do you have money?” Jiang Churan laughed behind her hand. “Don’t forget, the money you have is from me.”

“It’s common here to split the bill,” Xiao Kaitian shrugged, spreading his hands indifferently. “And besides, yours and mine are all the same.”

He spoke earnestly; for his sister, he cared deeply, enough to come to the university to see her. Jiang Churan understood his concern, but her feelings for Xiao Kaitian went far beyond mere sibling affection.

It was an indescribable emotion. When Xiao Kaitian was oblivious, she could find excuses to comfort herself. But now—what could she say to convince herself?

Caught in the confusion of familial attachment and something more, she lowered her head, fiddling nervously with her bag strap.

Xiao Kaitian didn’t understand these subtleties. He had come simply to ensure her safety. Seeing Jiang Churan suddenly shy and hesitant, he merely shook his head, “Come on, I’ll treat you to ramen.”

There was a well-known ramen shop near the slope. The shops here were small, and after Xiao Kaitian and Jiang Churan took their seats, the place was nearly full.

“One bowl of soy sauce ramen,” Xiao Kaitian looked to Jiang Churan for her order. She asked for miso ramen, and the two waited quietly.

“You’ve decided to return home early,” Xiao Kaitian broke the silence. “Is it because of my situation?”

Jiang Churan raised her cup and sipped the hot tea, her eyes narrowed. “Honestly, I told you before: seeing you become like this, I don’t know if I should be happy or sad.”

“I think it’s something to be happy about,” Xiao Kaitian protested.

Jiang Churan nodded. At first, she was resistant to his ‘awakening’, but now she felt a certain optimism. “Yes, Kaitian, I truly hope you achieve what I wish for you.”

“But perhaps I’m too anxious, too afraid of losing,” she smiled, self-deprecating. “I don’t want anything bad to happen to you. Do you understand?”

“That’s exactly what I want to say to you, sister,” Xiao Kaitian’s face became more solemn. “You’re the one I worry about most. I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

“The shares are still in my hands, so Uncle can’t do anything to me,” Jiang Churan said confidently. “The Zhao family sent someone to handle your issues, which means they’re still reserving judgment. Kaitian, make the most of it.”

Xiao Kaitian hesitated, having never dealt with the Zhao family and feeling uncertain, but he couldn’t refute Jiang Churan’s words. “If you return home first, wait for me. Remember, nothing matters more than you. Promise me, even the shares don’t matter.”

Jiang Churan smiled gently, brushing aside a stray lock of hair before her eyes. “I’m not as hopeless as you think.”

“Alright!”

That meal of ramen was enjoyed with great relish by both.