Lin Yu thought about it and felt that his guess might very well be right. After all, what is there that those who draw adult comics wouldn't dare to depict? But he couldn't be so hasty to conclude; what if there was some misunderstanding? With this in mind, Lin Yu's eyes narrowed slightly; if only he had a photograph, if he had a picture of her brother, he could immediately determine whether the person in pain was Xia Mu Zhu's brother or not.

Thinking this, Lin Yu couldn't wait to call out to the willowy figure in the kitchen:

"Sister, did you say back at the tavern that your brother was being bullied?"

"Do you have a photo of him?"

"I'd like to see if I know him; maybe I could help him if I see him being bullied again."

"That would be wonderful," a grateful voice from Xia Mu Zhu came from the kitchen, "I have photos; they're in the coffee table drawer. Feel free to take a look."

At this, Xia Mu Zhu let out a sigh, her tone one of helplessness as she continued, "He's so mischievous now; he doesn't listen to anything I say. I just don't know how to handle him anymore."

After Xia Mu Zhu finished speaking, Lin Yu pulled out the drawer underneath the coffee table to find, indeed, a heap of photographs. Among them, the top photo featured two people: an affectionately smiling Xia Mu Zhu and a scowling boy who looked like he was still in elementary school.

Lin Yu studied the photograph; the boy's face practically spelt out 'unhappy.' But he wasn't the child from Lin Yu's memory. The boy in the photo and the child in his recall were entirely different people, making Lin Yu frown even deeper.

Could he be mistaken?

Was the boy in his memory not Xia Mu Zhu's brother?

Or perhaps the photo was so outdated that her brother had since matured beyond recognition?

Thinking this, Lin Yu took the entire stack from the drawer and began looking through them one by one, hoping to find some recent photos.

There were many – landscape photos featuring Xia Mu Zhu alone and the scowling boy, as well as photos of two older individuals, a man and a woman, presumably their affectionate parents given the closeness of their poses.

Among the many photos, Lin Yu found some recent ones. The boy had only gotten a bit taller; his complexion was just as dark and upset as before, the typical look of a child lacking paternal love and discipline.

So Xia Mu Zhu's designated male wasn't her brother but another unknown boy of similar age?

The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

Lin Yu scratched his head, his mind struggling to make sense of it.

Xia Mu Zhu had finished cooking. She emerged from the kitchen, removing her apron and giving Lin Yu a gentle smile, "The fish will be ready in a little while. Then we can eat."

Lin Yu nodded, his insight laser-focused on understanding adult comic storylines as he looked at the silent bedroom doors. Curious, he asked, "It's already so late; hasn't your brother come back from school yet?"

At Lin Yu's question, the smile in Xia Mu Zhu's blue eyes faded, transformed into a wistful expression as she admitted, "He's at a friend's place tonight."

"Oh, okay then," Lin Yu responded, nodding and not probing further, his thoughts lingering on possible plots of adult comics.

Xia Mu Zhu's face held a resigned sadness. She took a seat on the single-seater sofa next to Lin Yu, looking as if she wanted to speak but hesitated.

After a while, she couldn't hold back and softly said, "Lin Yu."

"Hmm?" Lin Yu looked at her curiously, "What's wrong?"

"I have a question for you. You're still in school, so you might understand better: what are kids thinking these days?" Xia Mu Zhu's expression was one of troubled concern as she explained, "I don't know why, but around fourth grade, my brother Xia Yue Shan suddenly started disliking me. He just started junior high this year, and it hasn't even been a few months since school began, yet now, he won't even inform me about not coming home – something as serious as that."

"It was the parents of the friend he's staying with who messaged me, only then did I find out he wasn't coming home tonight."

"Do you think someone might have led him astray?" Xia Mu Zhu asked, her voice laden with worry.

Hearing Xia Mu Zhu's words, Lin Yu furrowed his brow in thought, then shook his head, "I don't know, maybe it's just his rebellious phase. Kids mature pretty early these days."

Xia Mu Zhu sighed softly, her beautiful face filled with concern. "That's what I'm afraid of – someone leading him astray. My parents work abroad, and if they come back to see Xia Yue Shan turning into a bad kid, I don't know how I'd face them."

"No worries," Lin Yu slapped his chest confidently, "I'll handle this. Having just experienced my own rebellious phase, I think I can probably relate to your brother."

"Really?" Xia Mu Zhu's eyes shone with excitement, "Do you truly have a way?"

"Absolutely!" Lin Yu nodded convincingly.

Taking care of kids during their rebellious phase?

That's right up my alley~

"That would be great," Xia Mu Zhu sighed in relief and gratefully said, "If you could help me talk to Yue Shan, I'll definitely give you a big red envelope when you graduate from high school."

"It's no big deal. Leave it to me!" Lin Yu declared with confidence.

...

"Wah, sister, the fish you made is delicious. Can I come to eat again in the future?" Lin Yu, after devouring his third large bowl of rice and eager for the fourth, looked at Xia Mu Zhu with puppy eyes full of yearning.

"Of course, you can," Xia Mu Zhu responded warmly.

After the meal, Lin Yu stood up on his own to help clear the table.

After most the dishes were returned to the kitchen, Lin Yu glanced at the scattered drink bottles on the table and instinctively reached to throw them away.

"Don't throw those away!" Xia Mu Zhu, placing the half-eaten food inside the kitchen, quickly intervened.

She walked up to the table, gently took the empty bottles from Lin Yu's hands, and said, "I'll take care of them."

Then she placed the empty bottles into a large bag specifically for beverage containers before attending to the other chores.

Lin Yu watched the scene, puzzled.

Xia Mu Zhu didn't seem like someone who lacked money.

Why did she care about a few drink bottles?

Was it frugality and a desire not to waste?

What a good person!