Ethan was gone.

Just like that, he left his younger brother behind at Vivian’s house.

Vivian couldn’t help but feel a mixture of confusion and frustration. She pressed her palm to her forehead, torn between wanting to laugh and wanting to curse.

Was this intentional? Or was it an accident? Or a calculated accident? Ethan! That sly bastard! Had he planned all this last night? Damn it, she’d fallen for it, tricked by his innocent look!

As she thought about it, she realized it was probably planned much earlier. Had she really accepted responsibility as their guardian? Would the police station have a record of it? Oh no, was she really stuck with these two troublemakers?

Ethan had definitely slipped away quietly.

And Noah? He was left behind, as expected.

That angelic face that had seemed so sweet moments ago now filled her with irritation.

“Damn it!” Vivian was furious, her chest ready to explode. She kicked him hard—but of course, her expression was fierce, and her foot was careful not to hurt him too much.

“Get up, Noah! Get up!”

Noah woke with a start, sitting up quickly.

Vivian stared at him coldly, eyes narrowed. “Where’s your brother? Where did he go?”

“My brother…” Noah rubbed his sleepy eyes, still confused. “Huh? Where’s my brother?”

“Don’t play dumb with me!” Vivian gritted her teeth, grabbed him by the collar, and lifted him up. “Tell me! Where did your brother hide?”

She shook Noah, his head spinning.

“I don’t know!” Noah protested, his voice full of confusion. “Wasn’t he sleeping in the living room last night?”

“Go check the living room! Go!” Vivian shoved him toward the room. “Look with your own eyes! Your brother grew wings and flew away!”

Noah’s face, once slightly flushed, turned pale as he saw the empty room. His breathing slowed, and with stiff steps, he walked over to the couch.

Tears welled up in his eyes. “Where’s my brother?”

“Don’t you dare cry! You tricked me once, and I’m not falling for it again!” Vivian no longer believed a single tear from Noah. If she’d known these two brothers would cling to her like this, she never would have helped them in the first place!

Noah was crying. For Vivian, even if his tears were fake, they were way too convincing. Could a kid that young really act that well?

But from Noah’s perspective, this wasn’t acting: His brother hadn’t told him he was leaving. Why had he suddenly disappeared? What was he supposed to do now?

“I really don’t know where my brother went…” Noah sobbed, tears spilling from his eyes, rolling down his cheeks. “He only told me what to do last night, he didn’t say he was leaving… Did he forget about me?”

Vivian glared at him, her anger rising.

It took a moment for her to realize he truly didn’t know.

Ethan hadn’t said a word about leaving to Noah. He’d planned it, making sure his younger brother would show the most genuine reaction.

“Alright! Enough! Stop crying!” Vivian shoved over the pile of money on the table, over two thousand yuan. “Take your money and go find your brother! I told you—first thing in the morning, you two are out! I’m not keeping either of you!”

“I… I don’t want the money…” Noah gasped, still sobbing harder. “I just want my brother… I want my brother…”

“You want a hammer? A spoon? A royal flush?” Vivian snapped. “I don’t care who you want, I want you out!”

“I’m going to the police…” Noah started running toward the door.

Vivian immediately stood up. “Get back here!!”

Noah, like a helpless lamb, was dragged back.

“Listen to me! I don’t care how you find your brother, but the one thing you cannot do is go to the police!” Vivian’s tone was sharp, her voice commanding. “What if they ask about your guardian? I’m still stuck with you two! Don’t make more trouble for me!”

“But… my brother…”

“Your brother doesn’t want you anymore!!”

Noah collapsed again, his face covered with tears.

“Enough! No more crying!” Vivian barked.

Noah sniffled, trying to hold back his tears.

“You going to keep crying like that?”

Stolen novel; please report.

Noah fell silent when he saw Vivian’s hand raised.

“Looking for trouble,” Vivian muttered under her breath as she lowered her hand.

Vivian stood in the living room for a few minutes.

“Well, I’m done with you. Do whatever you want. As for me, I’m going to work.”

Noah immediately panicked, instinctively grabbing her arm. “No! Don’t leave me here alone, sis! Please, don’t go!”

“What? You think everyone will abandon you like your brother did?” Vivian was softened by his words, but she kicked him lightly, her irritation returning. “Get up, get up! Go wash your face! You’re covered in snot and tears. It’s disgusting!”

Noah quickly ran off to wash his face, while Vivian cleaned up and changed into her work clothes. When she returned to the living room, she noticed Ethan had left the clothes he bought for Noah last night, taking only his own. It was obvious what had happened—Ethan’s intentions were clear as day.

“Put on the clean clothes. Take the rest with you.” Vivian gave him a quick glance as she sat down on the sofa. “Then come with me.”

“Are we going to find my brother?” Noah asked, his eyes hopeful.

Vivian shook her head. “No. We’re going to find an adoption agency.”

Noah’s eyes watered again. “I don’t want that!”

“Don’t cry!” Vivian pinched his face. “It’s ugly!”

Noah’s soft face, like tofu, twisted in her grip as he pouted, looking like a little duckling. “I don’t want a new family… I don’t want new parents… I just want my brother… just my brother…”

Vivian enjoyed the feeling of his soft face in her hands. “What about me?”

“Want my sister…” Noah only knew how to act spoiled.

As for Ethan, Vivian cursed him inwardly. He left his sheep-like brother in her eagle-like care, and now he had vanished without a trace.

What was he doing? He hadn’t taken much money and left behind a brother. Didn’t he worry she might sell Noah?

Vivian shook her head. She still held on to a naive belief. She thought Ethan was just a kid. Even if he went to the library or did some part-time work, how long could he stay away? Maybe he’d be back before nightfall.

She took Noah out for breakfast—hot dry noodles. Noah ate quickly, drinking a large cup of soy milk. After they were full, Vivian took him back home.

She told him, “Stay home quietly. Maybe your brother will come back soon.”

Noah didn’t like being alone, even though it wasn’t his home. “When will you come back?”

“Tonight, tonight.” Vivian pried his little hand off hers. “Do whatever you want, just stay home and don’t run around.”

“No, no.” Noah grabbed her other hand again, soft and clingy. “Give me a specific time. I need to know when you’ll be back. I’ll wait… wait… wait…”

Wait for what?!

Was this kid suffering from separation anxiety?

“Ugh! So annoying! Let go!”

Vivian’s coat was crumpled as Noah reluctantly let go.

“I’ll be back after my last shift,” she said.

“When is your last shift?”

“Tonight! Who knows when I’ll finish?” Vivian grabbed the car keys and left.

She didn’t start work until 10 a.m. that day. No lunch break, she worked straight until evening. One of the jobs was to the provincial library. She didn’t take another job immediately but parked the car and went in to wander around.

She still didn’t find Ethan.

Vivian thought to herself, “What a waste of time.”

There was a milk tea shop nearby, so she bought a hot cup of milk tea. Her previous job had been a big one—over 80 kilometers, from XG city to the provincial library. She made around 120 yuan. Every job was paid immediately.

Vivian checked her bank balance.

220,316 yuan.

She put her phone down and rubbed her temples.

What if Ethan really didn’t want his brother anymore?

How could that be?

She wasn’t sure about human nature.

Should she keep him? Or not?

Would it be more trouble than it’s worth?

Maybe she should just send him to someone who could afford him. But could she really not afford it? It wasn’t that much more—more chopsticks, more bowls.

Stop! What does this have to do with you, Vivian? Stop worrying about things that aren’t your responsibility!

Vivian took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down.

Three days. She’d give Ethan three days.

If he didn’t come back for his brother in three days…

She’d go to the welfare center and find an adoption agency for Noah.

—————————————

By 10:30 p.m., Vivian had finished her last delivery. She was physically and mentally drained as she fumbled for her keys to unlock the door.

As she walked up the stairs, her mind wandered. Was Noah still at home? Had his brother come to pick him up? Or was Ethan still here, and the two brothers were just waiting for her to come back, planning to stay and never leave? Vivian wondered as she pushed open the door.

The sound of quick footsteps echoed.

Noah appeared at the door.

“Sis, you’re finally back! I missed you so much!”

Vivian stepped inside, kicking off her shoes. “Has your brother come to see you?”

“…No.” Noah’s expression darkened. This was exactly what Vivian had expected.

Human nature—ha, who can really predict it? Ethan, who had just been playing the affectionate brother minutes ago, had suddenly abandoned his helpless brother without a second thought.

Vivian clicked her tongue and frowned, lost in thought. She turned back to Noah. “You haven’t eaten yet, have you?”

“No, not yet.” Noah paused, his small face turning red as he rubbed his stomach. “My stomach’s growling？”

Vivian gestured toward the coffee table. “There’s money on the table. How come you didn’t buy yourself something to eat?”

“You told me not to go out...” Noah replied, his tone matter-of-fact. “Oh, I took a nap.”

A nap? Vivian couldn’t help but smile at the childlike response.

She handed him a steaming bowl of shrimp dumplings. “Here. Eat.”

“Is this for me to eat?” Noah asked, looking surprised.

“Nope, it’s for cleaning the toilet,” Vivian replied, teasing.

Noah caught the joke and quickly sat down, eagerly digging in. Vivian grabbed a bottle of water and sat at the table, watching as he ate in large, messy bites.

Kids are always so messy when they eat. When he was at the Blackwood house, he wasn’t like this—there were always servants chasing after him with a spoon. But look at him now—skinny and pale. Vivian couldn’t help but think of how much Mrs. Blackwood would have been heartbroken if she could see him now.

“Eat slowly, no one’s going to take your food,” she said.

Noah paused for a moment and let out a satisfied burp. “My stomach feels so warm.” He looked much better now. Vivian reached over and touched his forehead.

No fever. She pulled her hand back and asked, “Did you cover yourself with a blanket when you took your nap?”

“Yes, I did. It got a little cold, so I covered up.”

Of course, it was almost winter.

“Good job,” she said. “If you feel cold, go to my room and turn on the heater.”

“Turning on the heater wastes electricity!” Noah shook his head. “It’s fine. I’ll just wear more clothes when I sleep.”

“I said turn it on! Stop arguing!” Vivian snapped, slamming her hand on the table.

Noah flinched, shrinking his head back. After a moment, he hesitantly asked, “Did... did you eat dinner yet?”

“What?” Vivian asked, confused.

Noah pushed a paper bowl toward her, smiling sweetly.

“I saved half a bowl for you,” he said.

Vivian paused for a second, then, feeling slightly embarrassed, replied, “I’m not eating.” She turned and headed toward the bedroom. “Clean up the table and go to bed.”

Noah sat quietly for a while, lost in thought, before finishing the rest of the food in silence.

The warm light from the bedroom and the gentle hum of the heater spilled into the hallway, casting an almost otherworldly glow, a man-made sanctuary. He carefully pushed open the door and walked inside.

Two more days.