Chapter 491: Chapter 492: Treading Carefully
"Indeed, he used to dote on me the most, but these days, I’ve been nagging him to take his medicine, and it has annoyed him. Now, when he sees me, he couldn’t be more disgusted!"
Dai Hanmi’s self-deprecating words truly made Yun Jinnian laugh out loud.
Seeing Yun Jinnian laugh brightened Dai Hanmi’s mood, and she tightened her grip on Yun Jinnian’s little hand, "You should laugh more often. Your laugh sounds so pleasant, and it makes you all the brighter!"
Yun Jinnian looked at Dai Hanmi in astonishment, "Sister Hanmi..."
"Jinnian, you’re younger than me, yet you’ve borne more hardships. I’ve always felt extra sympathy for you compared to the other young ladies. But all I can offer is a fleeting smile. To truly be happy, you must rely on yourself. Apart from yourself, no one else can help you!"
Yun Jinnian seemed gentle and elegant, unblemished by the dust of the world.
Yet her eyes were filled with a chill that spoke of her profound understanding of life’s warmth and coldness, and an awareness of worldly vicissitudes that penetrated to her very bones.
Upon hearing this, Yun Jinnian nodded slightly, "Thank you, Sister Hanmi. I know what to do!"
"Yes!" Dai Hanmi nodded and looked toward Dai Hanbo not far away, amused but then exclaimed in surprise, "Ah, Hanbo, why are you at home? Are you planning to go out or to greet Grandmother?"
"I..."
Dai Hanbo, who was usually eloquent and articulate, found his heart pounding in the presence of the woman he admired.
And when Dai Hanmi teased him, he instantly became tongue-tied.
Yun Jinnian, watching, couldn’t help but smile as she bowed to Dai Hanbo, "Greetings, Third Young Master!"
"No need for such formalities, no need!" After saying that, Dai Hanbo quickly bowed back to Yun Jinnian in return.
His face even redder.
Dai Hanmi laughed heartily, her laughter both sharp and sweet.
"Jinnian, calling him Third Young Master is too formal. Since you call me Sister Hanmi and he is my biological brother, you might as well call him Third Brother just like I do!"
Yun Jinnian felt that Dai Hanmi’s suggestion was polite, and so she bowed again to Dai Hanbo, "Third Brother!"
"Ah, good, no need for such formalities!"
Dai Hanbo was adorably flustered.
Dai Hanmi’s happiness grew as she teased, "Third Brother, since you’ve got another good sister, shouldn’t you make a gesture?"
"Indeed, indeed!"
Dai Hanbo spoke with immense joy in his heart. He had learned carving in his early years and had become quite skillful. After he met Yun Jinnian, he wanted to give her something, so he found a good piece of jade and carved a jade pendant with a fish playing among the lotus. He had been worrying about how to give it to Yun Jinnian.
What a perfect opportunity.
He hurriedly took out a pouch from his chest, opened it up, and presented the jade pendant to Yun Jinnian, "..."
"Third Brother, call her Sister Jinnian!" Dai Hanmi prompted.
With such a clumsy brother, she felt exasperated.
Upon hearing this, Dai Hanbo stuttered out, "Sister Jinnian!"
His voice was as soft as a mosquito’s buzz.
Yun Jinnian smiled and reached out to accept the gift. She intended to give something to Dai Hanbo in return but realized everything she had was more suited for girls, not fitting for him, "I owe you a favor today, Third Brother. Next time we meet, I will definitely prepare a generous gift for you!"
"Ah, good, very good!!" Dai Hanbo beamed with laughter.
Delighted by the prospect of seeing her again, his heart blossomed with joy.
Dai Hanmi couldn’t stand it any longer and took the lead, pulling Yun Jinnian away, "My Third Brother is really foolish!"
Yun Jinnian started to chuckle, "I think he’s pretty good!"
Gentle and generous, enduring his sister’s teasing without retort, cherishing and guarding her dearly.
He was not like those sanctimoniously rigid cousins from the Yun Family.
"Hehe, you’re the only one who thinks he’s good. Oh, by the way, Third Brother has gotten hold of several rare volumes, so precious that even when our Second Brother asked for them, he wouldn’t give them up—he only agreed to lend them. Let’s sneak into his study later, when we manage to get him away, and borrow them without him knowing. What do you say?"