Ye Qian truly was one of a kind!
...
I was still thinking of Ye Qian's words when a piece of mousse cake was placed in front of me, interrupting my thoughts.
I looked up and saw a man in white casual clothes standing in front of me. He had handsome features and a warm smile. He looked somewhat familiar.
However, I was sure I did not know him. I looked at him in confusion as he sat down across from me. "Nanxing, long time no see!"
I was confused even further. I scanned my brain and couldn't locate any info about this man. He smiled. "My name is Qu Hao."
That name sounds so familiar. Then it hit me. I pointed at him. "You are Mai Qi's older brother?"
He put away his smile and nodded. "Yes."
I quickly sat up straighter. "Oh, yes, nice to meet you." I thought, Mai Qi, I've met your whole family already. No wonder he looks so familiar. He looks quite like Mai Qi.
He looked at me and I looked at him. I didn't know what to say. Since he was Mai Qi's family, I would wait for him to start.
He didn't kidnap me like Mai Qi's father or threaten me like Mai Qi's mother. Instead, he sat down politely before me so I decided to hear him out.
"Nanxing, you haven't changed much. You're still the same as when you were a child." His voice was low and mellow with a smile. It was very pleasant to the ear.
However, it felt like I had been struck by lightning.
Qu Hao, the name was familiar to me when I first heard it but I couldn't recall it. But how would Mai Qi's brother know me when I was young? Because he was one of the kids kidnapped along with me and Jing Tian.
Everyone who was kidnapped had appeared before me. So Qu Hao from back then was Mai Qi's older brother.
Qu Hao smiled, "You finally remember?"
I shook my head slowly, "No, I lost my childhood memory. But I do know of the incident and your name. But I haven't connected that name to Mai Qi's brother."
Qu Hao frowned. "What happened to your memory? Was it due to the injury from back then?"
He reached to touch the back of my head. I agilely avoided him. I surprised him and at the same time, I realized how rude I was.
"I'm sorry, that was rude of me." He pulled his hand back.
I didn't say anything.
His smile was very gentle. "Nanxing, in my eyes, you'll always be that strong and determined child. Whenever I face any difficulty, I will think of you and I'd pull myself together."
I laughed dryly, "I have no idea I was so inspirational."
He didn't smile back. "I never understood how a child so young could have such a strong and kind heart. Nanxing, for all these years, I never forgot about you."
My eyes widened. What? Stop! One Gu Nian is not enough, there's another?
"Why don't you have the same surname as Mai Qi?" I changed the topic stiffly.
Qu Hao paused as my intention sank in. Instead of answering me, he said, "I was worried that you'd change after you grew up. After all, the world is bound to change a person but I was relieved when I heard you take that tone with Mrs. Mai that day. Nanxing, you're still the same after so many years."
I was stunned.
When I met Mrs. Mai, I felt a pair of eyes from the 2nd floor studying me.
He smiled and nodded as if answering the question in my mind.