Chapter 133: I Fell in Love with My Sister at First Sight

Bo Jinxu’s voice was calm. "These are trifles. Tell Gao Cen about them later."

"Uncle, you are always the best to me."

Shen Yibai leaned against Bo Jinxu’s shoulder, acting like a spoiled child. Bo Jinxu stroked his hair with indulgence. It was strange. His relationship with Bo Wanhua had been extremely toxic for decades, yet he got along remarkably well with Shen Yibai.

Shen Yibai was seven years his junior, only twenty-one this year. By the time he was born, Bo Wanhua had already divorced. Back then, she was like a madwoman, bent on taking revenge against Shen Zishan and Su Yan, completely neglecting her newborn son. She simply dumped Shen Yibai with a nanny at the old family estate. Shen Yibai would cry all day until his voice grew hoarse. Nanny after nanny was hired, yet none could soothe him.

But then, one day, the seven or eight-year-old Bo Jinxu picked up the infant Shen Yibai. The boy, who had been wailing just a moment before, suddenly stopped. He even started to laugh. From that moment on, their fates became deeply intertwined.

Shen Yibai grew up practically glued to Bo Jinxu’s heels. From the age of one to five, he was Bo Jinxu’s little shadow. With so many people at the old estate, he clung only to him. When Shen Yibai was six and Bo Jinxu was thirteen, Bo Wanhua suddenly noticed she had a son who had grown so much, and that he spent his entire day following Bo Jinxu around. Driven into a frenzy, she pulled every string she had to have the old man send him abroad. It wasn't long before she sent Shen Yibai abroad as well.

Although they rarely met after moving overseas, Shen Yibai would always secretly video call him. Their bond remained strong—arguably even stronger than the relationship Shen Yibai had with Bo Wanhua. Bo Wanhua’s desire for control over Shen Yibai was stifling; she was single-mindedly planning for him to inherit the Bo and Shen family businesses. Her harsh discipline had only made Shen Yibai rebellious during his formative years.

Bo Wanhua blamed that rebellion and defiance entirely on Bo Jinxu. To Shen Yibai, Bo Jinxu was more than just an uncle; he was a brother, a father, a mentor, an idol, and his most trusted family member.

Leaving the Hai Shang Ming Yue club, Bo Jinxu offered to drive Shen Yibai home, but was turned down.

"Your custom Maybach—the only one of its kind in the world—would raise too many questions if it were parked in a dilapidated demolition neighborhood," Shen Yibai said. "I’ll just take a taxi back. Goodbye, Uncle."

Watching Shen Yibai walk away with his backpack, waving cheerfully, Bo Jinxu saw the radiant smile on his face, shining like gold under the streetlights. Even he couldn't help but sigh at how good it was to be young. His own youth had been filled with calculations, shadows, schemes, and ruthless tactics. But at least Shen Yibai’s youth had been bright, sunny, happy, and carefree—he could even enjoy the beauty of romance.

Bo Jinxu knew Shen Yibai’s status was special. His future partner could not be chosen based on his own whims. In all likelihood, Bo Wanhua would select a socialite with matching status, wealth, and background for a political marriage. Regardless, Bo Jinxu resolved to support him with everything he had, as long as the girl he loved wasn't the type to hide a dagger behind a smile.

When Shen Yibai returned to Jinxiu Garden, he found that Jiang Ciyou had not yet returned. He waited until nearly dawn, but she still didn't show up. The next morning, Shen Yibai noticed her slippers were still in the exact same spot as the day before. He knew she hadn't come home all night.

Shen Yibai rose early. Yin Ruyun was already busy in the kitchen, preparing to sell breakfast at the school gate. Shen Yibai volunteered to help—carrying supplies, pushing the cart, and eventually even calling out to customers at the school gate. Yin Ruyun felt terribly embarrassed; a tall, handsome international student in the prime of his youth, helping her sell breakfast. But he didn't seem to mind at all, working deftly, openly, and naturally. Because of his remarkably sunny and handsome face, he attracted a crowd. The breakfast that usually took three hours to sell was completely gone in just half an hour.

After helping clean up and pushing the cart home, Yin Ruyun set aside a rice ball for Shen Yibai. As he pushed the cart, he nibbled on the rice ball. Even while doing manual labor, there was a cleanliness and grace about him; his elegant way of eating made passersby turn their heads to look.

"Aunt Yin, what is your relationship with Jiang Ciyou?" Shen Yibai asked after finishing, wiping his mouth with a napkin as he chatted. He was deeply curious about her. She was clearly wealthy, yet lived in a run-down demolition neighborhood like Jinxiu Garden.

Yin Ruyun smiled and answered naturally, "You can just think of me as her aunt."

In truth, Shen Yibai had already guessed as much from fragments of information online. "Aunt Yin, you are her biological mother, aren't you?" The internet was full of rumors that Jiang Ciyou was the "fake heiress" who had been switched at birth.

Yin Ruyun’s gaze flickered, and she let out a helpless sigh. "Yes. But please, don't mention it in front of her. I am already content with things as they are. I didn't raise her for a single day, so I would never dare to expect her to acknowledge me."

To this day, Jiang Ciyou had never called her "Mom," occasionally addressing her as "Aunt." Yet, Yin Ruyun was truly satisfied. Being able to see her often and knowing she was willing to stay in the small house at Jinxiu Garden felt like a gift from heaven.

Shen Yibai nodded. "Does she always live here with you?"

Yin Ruyun shook her head. "She only moved in a few days ago. She has her own place."

Shen Yibai felt a surge of worry. She must have returned to her own home yesterday. Would she ever come back?

"Aunt, I want to ask you one more thing... does she have a boyfriend?"

Yin Ruyun looked at him, slightly surprised, but answered truthfully, "I really don't know. But in all the days she's stayed here, it doesn't seem like it." If she had a boyfriend, she wouldn't come straight home after work; she would go on dates. Or a girl in love would be on the phone, but she had never seen that. The most she did after coming home was water the cucumber, corn, and eggplant seedlings she had planted in the small courtyard.

A smile curled the corners of Shen Yibai’s lips, his expression one of genuine delight. Seeing the boy's look, Yin Ruyun asked with a hint of concern, "Do you... do you like Ciyou?"

Shen Yibai nodded with complete honesty. "When we first met in France, it was love at first sight."