Chapter 45: It's a Misunderstanding

"I believe Big Brother would definitely be willing!" Yue Xi declared firmly. "Though I have no concrete evidence, I just have this feeling that Big Brother is capable of it."

"Then are we willing to give our lives for Big Brother?"

Yue Chang's immediate question left Yue Xi momentarily stunned.

Yue Xi stammered, "I... w-would... of course..."

"Not willing," Yue Chang finished her sentence, sighing softly. "Xixi, we've only known Big Brother for a little over ten days. How could we be willing to give our lives for him! If you really are, then you must have bumped your head."

Yue Xi was speechless.

"Don't rush things, okay?" Yue Chang smiled softly, lifting her right hand to tap her cheek. "There's a saying, 'Distance reveals a horse's strength; time reveals a person's heart.' Let's wait a bit more, alright?"

"Alright, alright!" Yue Xi hung her head low. "I'll listen to you, okay!"

"You should listen to me indeed." Yue Chang chuckled softly. "Because I'm the older sister!"

"Pfft…"

After dinner, Li Nianlong fetched two sets of fishing gear from the storage room. One was a standard float rod, while the other was a sea rod that could cast baits far out.

The sea rod belonged to Li Nianlong, while the ordinary one belonged to Uncle Guan. In the past, Li Nianlong had asked Uncle Guan why he didn't buy a sea rod. The artificial lake was vast enough that larger fish mostly gathered far from the shore. A sea rod could easily reel them in, whereas catching fish with an ordinary rod from the shore was much more challenging. Even if successful, they would likely only catch smaller fish, which, according to the villa area's regulations, had to be released back into the water.

Uncle Guan's response at that time left a lasting impression on Li Nianlong: "What I fish for is not fish, but life itself."

"Life is like the fish in the water. When born, it's a fragile little creature, always at risk of danger, much like newborn fry that are constantly under the threat of being eaten.

As infants grow into children and start learning survival skills, they inevitably fall prey to deception due to lack of experience, just like those half-grown fish that naively bite onto hooks. The lucky ones get released, but the unlucky ones end up on the dinner table.

When children mature into adults, they bear the responsibilities of marriage, raising children, and supporting their families. The workplace is treacherous, rife with malicious competition. Without caution, one's future is bleak. This is similar to how a big fish sees the bait – knowing it's a trap but biting anyway to satisfy its hunger. Smart fish nibble cautiously, turning danger into nothing, while the less clever ones get hooked and meet their doom.

After struggling in youth, those who succeed stand out in middle age, while those who fail blend into the crowd. The giant fish is the standout success, while the ordinary fish either end up as human food or the giant fish's meal. Although the giant fish lords over all, their numbers are scarce.

Young Master, do you wish to lord over all or fade into the crowd?"

Li Nianlong still remembered his reply: "Of course, to lord over all!"

Uncle Guan had merely smiled then and uttered words that Li Nianlong still pondered deeply: "It's not lonely to blend into the crowd, but it's cold at the top. Blending into the crowd may also be a form of happiness."

These words resonated with what Uncle Guan told him on his deathbed: "The Long family is powerful; do not seek revenge. In the future, marry and have children..."

Uncle Guan, did you truly want me to blend into the crowd?

He gave the sea rod to Yue Xi and the fishing rod to Yue Chang, believing it suited their personalities well: lively Yue Xi casting the sea rod while serene Yue Chang sat calmly fishing.

Both sisters were pleased with the arrangement.

"Big Brother, you really know me so well. This sea rod is so cool! Tomorrow, I'll be the star by the lake." The sea rod was bought years ago during Li Nianlong's trip to Australia with Li Ying and Uncle Guan. It was professional equipment for sea fishing and had cost over six thousand Australian dollars, equivalent to more than 30,000 RMB. Its sleek design captivated Yue Xi.

"This fishing rod is beautiful too!" Yue Xi stroked the rod adorned with ink-painted fish, equally delighted. "So traditional and elegant, I love it."

Li Nianlong smiled gently. "Glad you like it."

"Big Brother, that's not the right thing to say." Yue Xi immediately wagged her finger, imparting wisdom. "You should put your hands in your pockets and say coolly, 'If you like it, it's yours.' That way, you can win our favor, and who knows, maybe one day you'll win the heart of a beauty."

"Oh."

"... " Yue Xi grumbled angrily, "Is that ignoring me?"

"Oh."

"I'll fight you, Big Brother!" Yue Xi dropped the sea rod and pounced on Li Nianlong, tackling him onto the sofa. She opened her little mouth, revealing her cute fangs, and playfully nipped at Li Nianlong's neck.

Clatter—

A cup fell to the ground, making a crisp sound. Fortunately, it was made of plastic and didn't break, but the noise drew Li Nianlong and Yue Xi's attention to Nalan Ruyue, who stood at the kitchen entrance, freshly done with washing the dishes, staring at them in surprise.

"What's wrong?" The pair, noticing her odd reaction, asked in unison.

Beside them, Yue Chang covered her face with both hands. "So indecent, so violent. How embarrassing."

Nalan Ruyue pointed at the duo, her eyes flashing with a tinge of bitterness. She pressed her lips together and gestured, indicating that such actions were inappropriate and should be done where others couldn't see.

Yuexi didn't understand, so she turned to look at Li Nianlong, who froze for a moment before realizing the position he and Yuexi were in.

Li Nianlong was lying on the sofa, legs bent, while Yuexi straddled his abdomen, hands pressing against his chest. The posture was undeniably suggestive.

"You misunderstand," Li Nianlong hurriedly sat up, causing Yuexi to yelp. Instinctively, she hugged Li Nianlong's neck, extending her legs to tightly clasp around his waist...

This development only exacerbated the situation. Nalan Ruyue's gaze soured further, and Li Nianlong sensed the difficulty in explaining himself. "Ruyue, you really misunderstand. Xi Xi wanted to playfully bite me, not what you're thinking."

After his explanation, Li Nianlong suddenly paused: Why am I in such a hurry to explain?

"That's right!" Yue Chang, afraid that Nalan Ruyue would misunderstand, added in her soft voice, "Xi Xi was just upset with Big Brother again, which is why she pounced to bite him. Don't think too much of it, Sister Ruyue. There's nothing going on between them."

"What do you mean nothing?" Yuexi took offense, arms tightly wrapped around Li Nianlong's neck and legs still locked around his waist. "Can't you see I've already... given myself to Big Brother? From now on, Big Brother is my exclusive item, this agreement takes effect immediately and is protected by laws and regulations... Ouch!"

Yuexi clutched her head, tears streaming down. "It hurts!"

"Serves you right!" Li Nianlong retracted his fist, scolding, "A young lady shouldn't speak so crudely. Who's your exclusive item? I went easy on you."

"But I really like Big Brother!" Yuexi sounded a bit aggrieved yet spoke earnestly, "I don't have a brother and never knew what it felt like to have one. Many girls at school talk about how wonderful it is to have a brother, how much they care for them. I've always wanted a brother, and Big Brother gives me that feeling. I truly like it."

Hearing this, warmth filled Li Nianlong's eyes as he stroked Yuexi's head. "Does it still hurt?"

"It doesn't hurt anymore, meow…" Yuexi nestled in Li Nianlong's arms, snuggling comfortably against his neck.

Observing this, Nalan Ruyue inwardly sighed in relief. She bent to pick up the plastic cup, smiling as she approached.

Setting the cup on the coffee table, Nalan Ruyue raised her hand to gently pat Yuexi's head, as one would pet a cat or dog.

Feeling Nalan Ruyue's gentle touch, Yuexi opened her eyes and turned to look at her.

Nalan Ruyue smiled faintly and signed, which Li Nianlong translated aloud, "If you'd allow it, I can be your sister too."

"That won't do," Yue Chang interjected before Yuexi could respond, sounding soft and pitiful. "Sister Ruyue, are you trying to take my little sister away from me?"

"..."

A hint of apology flashed in Nalan Ruyue's eyes as she smiled and signed again.