Cristino: "!"
What were the people he sent to protect Xin'er doing, and why hadn't they reported Rong Jingyang's existence?
He would kill them upon his return!
Du Ruoxin continued to speak.
Before she died, Du Mu, fearing her daughter would be burdened, revealed the identity and background of her biological father, Francis, and her relationship with him.
He had been pursued by enemies and shot in the head, but fortunately, Du Mu saved him.
However, he woke up with amnesia, and Francis had no memory of his identity.
The plot was melodramatic and like a romance novel, but it had truly happened to Du Ruoxin's parents.
The two fell in love and had their crystallization of love – Du Ruoxin.
Later, Francis's original wife, Isabella, found Du Mu, and only then did Du Mu realize she had intruded on someone else's marriage.
Isabella gave her two choices: either death or a life worse than death.
Du Mu did not want to ruin someone else's marriage, be an enemy to anyone, or have her daughter grow up unable to hold her head high. Thus, under Isabella's scheme, she faked her death with Du Ruoxin and left.
But fate was not as kind as she wished; terminal acute kidney failure robbed Du Mu of her desire to accompany her daughter throughout her life.
Fourteen years ago, after Du Ruoxin buried her mother and found the Rothschild family with a suicide note, the first person she met was Isabella.
Because she did not want her deceased mother to be gossiped about, did not want her father Francis's extramarital affair to be made public, and also to save face for her stepmother Isabella, Du Ruoxin suggested:
To adopt her as a foster daughter in Isabella's name.
This way, no one would suspect her background or spread rumors.
Her mother, resting in peace, could be undisturbed.
It was just that Du Ruoxin never expected that because she was an "adopted daughter," Cristino would develop different feelings for her, falling deeper and deeper.
Was this self-inflicted misfortune?
By the time she realized his intentions, it was too late to turn back.
Even if Cristino knew she was his biological sister, he didn't care and was still determined to marry her.
Du Ruoxin found it horrifying.
But the more she resisted, the more extreme he became.
Looking at her biological elder brother, who seemed desperate to make her his exclusive possession, Du Ruoxin no longer pretended to be a naive rabbit. Wiping away her tears, she said coldly, "Brother, you can't keep me."
"I've grown up, no longer the timid little Zoe you carried on your shoulders."
"Instead of us siblings fighting each other, why don't we discuss terms?"
Terms?
Cristino stared at her still bleeding hand, his eyes narrowed, and asked, "What do you want to discuss?"
Du Ruoxin: "Rong Jingyang and I have a one-year agreement. Within a year, he has to make me fall in love with him again. If he can't, he lets go, and I leave."
What if he succeeded?
Would you two be in love for a lifetime?
What about me then?
Du Ruoxin, you are the woman I watched grow up!
Cristino's blue pupils flickered with coldness, "Are you saying you want me to watch you and Rong Jingyang flirt?"
Xin'er, how could you even say that!
Du Ruoxin: ... Is there a problem with her cultivating her relationship with her own husband?
Don't act like she's a heinous sinner who has betrayed him, okay?
Du Ruoxin averted her gaze, "You don't have to watch, or you can go back to Europe."
Cristino: "—"
Du Ruoxin's mouth twitched. No, her elder brother's face was getting darker and darker. This conversation would surely lead nowhere.
She steered the conversation back, "I mean, can't we be enemies if we can't be lovers?"
"Why can't we be siblings?"
"Why can't you protect me and I respect you, like when we were kids?"
"Big Brother, do you really want to see me fight you to the death?"
Cristino: "..."
He closed his eyes silently.
Du Ruoxin was exasperated. Why was her elder brother so unyielding!
Although he didn't want to hear it, she had to say it. Du Ruoxin threatened, "I am Daddy's cherished daughter. Daddy feels guilty towards me and my mother. If I don't agree to marry you, he..."
"I won't force you. Whatever you want, I can satisfy you unconditionally."
Except for Rong Jingyang.
Cristino interrupted.
Du Ruoxin's face lengthened – meaning communication failed, the negotiation broke down?
Outside the window, the cold wind whistled, and a drizzle began to fall.
Just like Du Ruoxin's mood.
"From today onwards, you are no longer my elder brother," she said solemnly.
If persuasion failed, she had to resort to confrontation.
Du Ruoxin was contemplating how to escape her elder brother's entanglement when Cristino suddenly opened his eyes, his icy gaze holding a deep, unfathomable meaning, "Thinking about how to deal with me?"
Uh?
Her thoughts exposed, Du Ruoxin paused but quickly put on a serious expression, "You forced me."
She absolutely could not agree to any romantic development with Cristino.
That—
Would truly make her wish she were dead.
"Let's make a bet, shall we?" Cristino exclaimed softly.
Du Ruoxin dared not respond, as she truly feared her elder brother would play some trick.
"If you win, I'll let go," he paused, "If you lose, you'll stay by my side forever, even if you don't marry me."
Du Ruoxin pondered for a moment, "Tell me more."
Cristino: "I'll give you six months. If you still like Rong Jingyang and still believe he's worth you risking everything, I'll bless you."
Bless?
Could her elder brother genuinely bless her?
But at this moment, she either had to become enemies with her elder brother or accept the bet for the sake of that illusory blessing.
Du Ruoxin's expression turned solemn, "You won't use underhanded tactics? Won't sabotage me in secret?"
She didn't believe her elder brother would hand her over so easily.
"Openly and honorably," Cristino spread his hands.
After all, promises were just words. He could avoid direct confrontation with Rong Jingyang, but others could act.
"..."
Du Ruoxin felt it was a trap and was uneasy.
But after much consideration, this was the only way to maintain a peaceful relationship with her elder brother.
"Okay!"
She agreed.
Du Ruoxin did not want to cause chaos at home, nor did she want to truly become enemies with her elder brother.
"However, the time needs to be extended to one year."
Rong Jingyang's legs were inconvenient. For this year, she would stay by his side and take care of him. If, even then, he still couldn't let go of Ivy, or still cheated...
Then she would turn and leave, without a trace of lingering.
Cristino didn't think much of it and nodded, "Alright."
Having received the answer, Du Ruoxin's tense heart finally relaxed a little. She looked at Trevor, "Stop the car, I need to go to the villa."
Trevor glanced at the rearview mirror.
Cristino said, "I'll get out."
The Rolls-Royce flashed its hazard lights and stopped by the roadside.
Cristino got out of the car, then Grace got into the back seat. Only then did Trevor start the engine and turn the steering wheel.
Watching the car grow further away and disappear into the distance in an instant, a ruthless glint flashed in Cristino's eyes.
In this bet, he would only win, never lose.
Xin'er, I will make you willingly stay by my side, willingly let go of your reservations, and become my wife.