“Hera.” After several days, Russell finally returned to the villa, and Hera had just returned from her business trip to America.

The villa's furniture and appliances had been almost completely replaced, much to Hera's shock; she nearly thought she had walked into the wrong house. Of course, if Russell hadn't appeared in time, she would have believed it.

“Ah Ming, what happened here?” Hera masked her surprise and asked calmly, “Did something go wrong?”

Given her intelligence and experience, she knew Russell wouldn’t replace all the furniture and appliances without a serious reason. The original furnishings weren't bad, and the cost of replacing everything would likely exceed hundreds of thousands.

In her view, her younger brother shouldn’t have the financial means for such an overhaul, yet it had happened.

“Yeah,” Russell replied with a wry smile. Once they were seated in the living room, he confessed, “A few days ago, I clashed with an old bully, and it led to some trouble here.”

“But don’t worry, sis. It’s all been taken care of, and it won’t happen again, I promise.”

Russell didn’t hide the truth from her. Hera was clearly not a shallow, materialistic woman; she had immediately sensed that something was wrong. Any attempt to cover it up with a lie wouldn’t work.

“Is it really over?” Hera’s eyes flickered with concern for her younger brother. She hesitated for a moment before biting her lip and saying, “I know some influential people. If your problem is too big, we can ask for their help.”

“It’s truly over. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have let you come back,” Russell reassured her, feeling warm inside. He believed in Hera’s ability to help, given her background and the villa they lived in. It was obvious her past wasn't simple, though something had caused her family to decline suddenly.

But even if the issue wasn’t resolved, he didn’t want Hera to owe any favors on his behalf. Seeing her hesitation, Russell was certain that seeking help from those influential people would come at a price for Hera.

“Alright then, I trust you.” After staring at him for a long moment, Hera finally smiled, easing the tension. “Okay, I believe you. You can stop being so serious.”

“Okay.” Russell rubbed his nose, feeling a bit embarrassed. “Hera, why are you so good to me? I always feel like you’re very familiar, like the kind elder sister from my childhood!”

This was a question he had long wanted to ask. Initially, Russell thought Hera was grateful for his timely help, but soon he realized there was more to it.

“Uh…” Hera was momentarily speechless. After a pause, her expression dimmed slightly. “I once had a younger brother. He was like you, silly and adorable. Haha, don’t get mad, but I kind of see him in you…”

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Russell had considered many possibilities but hadn’t expected this outcome—that he was a substitute for someone else.

Still, he wasn't angry. Having a beautiful, kind elder sister was a comforting feeling. Based on his estimation, Hera’s real age was probably around 27 or 28.

As the eldest in his family, Russell had always shouldered the burdens of being a big brother. Deep down, he was just a young man who envied those with an elder sister to lean on.

“Hera, do I really resemble your brother?” he asked, curious. Although the topic might stir up Hera’s emotions, since she brought it up, he assumed she had moved past it.

“They don’t look alike. He was much more handsome; he was a real heartthrob even in middle school. It’s just a pity…” Hera didn’t finish her sentence. She instead playfully regarded Russell, adding, “But you and he have the same silly charm, the kind that made me feel at ease when I first met you. I knew then that a guy with such charm couldn’t be a bad person.”

“Hera, are you teasing me?” Russell felt a bit deflated that she saw him as a brotherly figure, but her words also filled him with warmth.

It was a different kind of warmth from his relationship with his own sister, Luoxiner. There was no pressure, only a vague, indescribable sense of comfort.

Still, the best times often hint at impending separation. After the incident with Chen Jincheng, Russell realized he didn’t want his problems to affect Hera.

Although she wasn’t family, he didn’t want her to be harmed in any way, no matter how slight.

So, as they sat once more at the dining table, enjoying the meal Hera prepared, Russell hesitated several times before finally declaring, “Hera, I plan to move out tomorrow and buy a house.”

Beyond wanting to keep Hera safe, another reason compelled Russell to leave. Setting up the Spirit Trap Array required space unsuitable for the villa's courtyard, and staying there with Kaiser wasn't practical.

“Huh?” “I thought so. You wanted to say something during dinner, didn’t you?” Hera’s fleeting disappointment was replaced by a smile. “I can tell that something significant has happened in your life, Ah Ming.”

“Yes, that’s right.” Russell agreed honestly, then added, “But I’m still the same Russell, the silly, clumsy younger brother you mentioned.”

“I know.” Hera gave him a teasing look, full of charm.

It was then Russell realized how his sophisticated sister, when teasing, could so easily make one’s heart race.

“Please, Hera, only look at me like that. Don’t give other men that look again. Really, it could kill them,” Russell joked exaggeratedly.

Hera’s charming gaze indeed stirred him. If it were anyone else, it might genuinely captivate them, bringing trouble in its wake. Russell’s feelings were mixed; he both feared and adored those stirrings of affection.

“Quite possessive, aren’t we?” Hera placed a piece of pork rib on Russell’s plate. “Since you’ll be moving out, eat more meat. You look so skinny—I can’t stand it.”

“And I’ll keep your room. You can always come back for soup. There’s plenty of room in this big house for just me.”

“Am I thin?” Russell pondered. His physique was standard, not lean. At 175 cm, his height wasn't remarkable, but well-dressed, he cut a handsome figure. Yet to Hera, he was a younger brother to be nurtured and fed.

Russell left Hera’s villa with a sense of gentle loss and complex emotions.

“Heh, why am I acting like this? It’s not a farewell forever, just moving to another place to buy a house, something I’ve always wanted. Silly me, Russell…” he muttered to himself, a mix of emotions swirling within. Regardless of his conflicted feelings, he was determined to protect Hera.

Sometimes, feelings develop suddenly and inexplicably. As he watched the distant white silhouette fade away, he resolved firmly to himself: whatever happens, he wouldn’t let her get hurt.