With these words, it seemed to have some effect. Shi Xinxin choked back a sob, then hesitantly lifted her face, and coquettishly pouted, "If I become ugly, will you, my older brother, dislike me?"
Her eyes, clear as autumn water, were now red-rimmed. A faint blush dusted her small, high-bridged nose. Her lips, like plump cherries, looked delicate and full, and her skin was as smooth and fair as fresh snow, flawless and pure.
This fool, she was truly ridiculously foolish! If this appearance of hers could be called "ugly," then the world would surely have no beautiful women left.
Yue Ran smiled and flicked Shi Xinxin on the forehead. The flick was neither too hard nor too soft, just the right force, making a clear "dong" sound.
"Even if you turned into the ugliest monster in the world, I, your newly appointed brother, would absolutely not dare to dislike you," he said loudly.
Hearing his words, Shi Xinxin instantly broke into a joyous, sweet smile.
In the past few days, his complexion hadn't been good, his cheeks and lips showing a slightly sickly paleness.
But in these short few minutes, his complexion had gradually improved! Although there was still some distance from that of a healthy person, a healthy, faint flush of color had appeared on Yue Ran's face. This was a sign of recovery.
Shi Xinxin captured all these details. Although she said nothing, her heart rejoiced.
My brother, you must get well soon! The film crew is waiting for you to return, everyone is waiting for you, and I am waiting for you too.
Just then, the door of the ward, which had been tightly closed, was suddenly knocked upon. At the same time, a clear and pleasant female voice sounded from outside the door.
"Mr. Yue, are you resting? It's time to take your temperature! I'm coming in."
As soon as she spoke, before Shi Xinxin and Yue Ran could both compose themselves, the ward door was pushed open.
What met the young nurse's eyes was a young man and woman by the bedside, their demeanor intimate—
The girl, weeping profusely, was collapsed in the arms of the boy wearing a hospital gown, and the boy gazed at her with doting affection. Their behavior was as intimate as it could be, as ambiguous as it could be!
It was hard not to misinterpret this scene. Moreover, the young man and woman before them were none other than the popular artists Yue Ran and Shi Xinxin!
In fact, before Yue Ran was admitted to the hospital, the nurses here had already learned about the subtle relationship between Yue Ran and Shi Xinxin through various media outlets and the internet.
Although they gossiped about the two of them when they had nothing else to do.
However, there was no concrete evidence to prove that the two were dating, and they had never publicly admitted it to the media. Therefore, these rumors ultimately remained just unreliable, baseless gossip.
When the nurse took in the scene before her, she felt her glasses were about to fall off.
She rubbed her eyes, then pinched her thigh. After confirming she wasn't mistaken, the nurse exclaimed, "Oh my god, you, you're really together? The entertainment news was right!"
Seeing her reaction, Shi Xinxin couldn't help but let out a chuckle.
She glanced at the nurse, then turned her gaze to Yue Ran, and in a slightly tearful voice, she smiled and said, "Brother, this nurse taking care of you is so strange. What she's saying has me completely bewildered."
Hearing Shi Xinxin's words, the nurse looked even more dumbfounded. She pointed at Yue Ran, then at Shi Xinxin, and stammered for a long time, unable to say a word.
What? She called him brother? They weren't lovers, but siblings?
This was too strange! Entertainment news had never reported that these two were siblings! What was going on now? The nurse was utterly confused.
Yue Ran glanced at the stunned nurse and, finding it both amusing and exasperating, explained, "In a few days, you'll see reports about Xin Xin and me on the entertainment news headlines. Heh, but this time, you'll likely be disappointed. We're not together, but have become siblings. Siblings who can never be replaced by anyone else. Actually, this is a good thing!"
As he finished speaking, Yue Ran turned to look at Shi Xinxin, and she happened to be looking at him as well. They smiled at each other in unspoken agreement.
This was a new "understanding" they had established between them.
Just as he had told the nurse, their relationship could never be replaced by anyone else. Therefore, even if there was no love between them, even if fate kept them apart in this life, even if they were just brother and sister.
This "understanding" would accompany them both throughout their lives, never decaying, never fading, and always renewing.
Five days later, Yue Ran's illness had largely recovered, so he went to complete the discharge procedures. On the afternoon of his discharge, he held a press conference.
When reporters and media personnel, carrying cameras, excitedly arrived at the press conference, they saw a scene that utterly astonished them.
Yue Ran, radiant and energetic, stood tall on the podium.
He was wearing a crisp, well-tailored black suit. His sharp, chiseled features were glowing and full, his eyes bright and spirited, completely shedding his previous weary and disheveled appearance. Beside him stood a tall, slender girl in a plain white dress.
The girl had two deep, distinct dimples. When she smiled, her eyes curved, and not just her eyes; her nose and mouth were exquisitely sculpted.
This was Shi Xinxin, Yue Ran's rumored girlfriend!
The media reporters immediately descended into chaos, swarming forward to interview the two. Everyone assumed they were finally going to announce their relationship as a couple!
The reporters began bombarding the two with questions, "Hello, Mr. Yue, are you and Miss Shi Xinxin attending this press conference together to announce your relationship as a couple?"
"How long have you two been together?"
Yue Ran looked at the throng of reporters, picked up the microphone with certainty and confidence.
He smiled and said unhurriedly, "Hello everyone. My early discharge is thanks to the care and help of my sister, Shi Xinxin. In the days to come, my sister and I will redouble our efforts and fully devote ourselves to our acting careers, striving to bring even better works to everyone."
He then handed the microphone to Shi Xinxin. She smiled at the reporters and said, "I hope the viewers at home will continue to support my brother Yue Ran and me! Thank you."
"Siblings?" The various reporters exchanged glances, finding it hard to believe.
Despite their disbelief, they could only slowly begin to accept this "explanation." After all, the two parties involved had stated they were siblings, and the previous rumors and gossip about them being a couple were naturally dispelled.