Chapter 68: An Elder Brother

So it was Shen Youlin.
“What are you eating for? Haven’t you ever had anything good at home? Don’t embarrass yourself here!”
She scolded Chen Yuyi in a low voice, then quickly turned and disappeared, afraid someone would notice she knew him.
Chen Yuyi felt helpless; if it were anyone else, they’d already be lying on the ground. But with this little girl, beating her would be inappropriate, and he didn’t have the heart to scold her either. In the end, he simply shrugged and decided not to bother.
The little rabbit saw the big lobster fall to the floor and immediately looked disappointed, secretly cursing Shen Youlin as a wicked girl.
But she didn’t intend to give up. She rose, ready to pick up the lobster.
Chen Yuyi stopped her. “Little rabbit, let me take you over to eat. Pick whatever you like.”
The little rabbit looked timidly at her mother.
Her mother quickly interjected, “Forget it, young man. Little rabbit, you shouldn’t eat either. We’ll just wait here quietly.”
She’d seen Chen Yuyi face so much trouble just to get some food; she dared not imagine what would happen if they went over themselves.
“It’s fine, just some unruly children,” he said, pulling the little rabbit up, preparing to walk to the table.
“Mr. Chen!” came Sister Yun’s voice. “So you’re here! I’ve been waiting at the door for ages, couldn’t find you, and searched everywhere inside.”
She smiled gracefully, dressed in a black evening gown, her figure full and alluring. However, when she saw the little rabbit and her mother, her brows furrowed slightly.
The little rabbit blinked her eyes at Sister Yun and couldn’t help but praise, “Sister, you’re so beautiful!”
Sister Yun smiled, saw Chen Yuyi holding the little rabbit’s hand, and asked, “Mr. Chen, who is this little girl?”
She glanced at the little rabbit’s mother, secretly guessing their connection to Mr. Chen.
“Friends,” Chen Yuyi said lightly, pulling the little rabbit toward the table.
The little rabbit’s mother smiled awkwardly at Sister Yun and followed.
Upon hearing “friends,” Sister Yun’s face showed a brief surprise before she smiled knowingly.
She quickly caught up with Chen Yuyi and took the little rabbit’s other hand. “Little one, do you want something to eat? Let me take you.”
She warmly took the little rabbit from Chen Yuyi and smiled sweetly at him.
Chen Yuyi said nothing; since this woman wanted to show off, he let her.
The little rabbit’s mother looked uneasily at Chen Yuyi—not because she didn’t trust him with her daughter, but because she began to realize he might not be the same kind as them.
“It’s fine. If you’re hungry, just eat whatever you like. No one dares say anything,” Chen Yuyi reassured her with a calm glance.

Yet the little rabbit’s mother remained cautious until the little rabbit came over, took her hand, and said, “Mom, I know you’re hungry too. Let’s eat together.”
Then she smiled sweetly at Chen Yuyi, “Big brother, thank you. This big sister must be your girlfriend, right? She’s so kind and beautiful.”
Her mother quickly scolded, “Little rabbit, don’t talk nonsense. If you want to eat, let’s go. Don’t bother big brother and the others.”
She pulled the little rabbit away to pick food, but throughout, she never took anything herself, only glanced at Chen Yuyi’s side from time to time.
“This little one is really adorable. Mr. Chen, when did you have such a cute friend?” Sister Yun was especially delighted by the little rabbit’s words, especially, “This big sister must be your girlfriend”—it made her beam.
If she could truly become Mr. Chen’s girlfriend—no, that was unrealistic—but if she could, like this mother and daughter, have Chen call her a friend, that would be wonderful. So she praised the little rabbit.
“We just met,” Chen Yuyi said indifferently.
Sister Yun’s mouth dropped open.
At this moment, a refined young man approached.
“Qi Yun, who’s this?” He seemed familiar with Sister Yun, and his eyes showed a hint of vigilance when he looked at Chen Yuyi.
But seeing Chen Yuyi’s plain attire—and remembering the mother and daughter with him—he thought nothing of it, assuming he was just one of the sponsored guests.
Sister Yun smiled slightly, “He is Mr. Chen.”
“Oh.” The young man responded indifferently, thinking Sister Yun was simply getting to know the impoverished guests, and looked at her admiringly, believing her to be very compassionate.
Sister Yun didn’t introduce Chen Yuyi further. “Young Master Huo, when will the auction start?”
The young man was Huo Jiahao, the eldest son of Huo Songxian, owner of the estate.
Huo Jiahao smiled, “Once Old Master Luo arrives, we can begin.”
He referred to Luo Songxing, a renowned master of traditional medicine in the region, now ninety years old, but still energetic and occasionally attending charity events.
Sister Yun smiled, glanced at Chen Yuyi, and said, “Please wait a moment, Mr. Chen.”
Huo Jiahao noticed Sister Yun’s respectful tone toward Chen Yuyi and was a bit puzzled, glancing at him again. But he still saw Chen Yuyi as ordinary and remained outwardly calm.
Chen Yuyi nodded slightly, glanced at the little rabbit, and realized he was a bit hungry himself.
“No problem, I’ll go get something to eat first,” he said, heading straight to the mother and daughter.
Sister Yun wanted to follow but was stopped by Huo Jiahao.
“Qi Yun, who is that person?” He couldn’t help but ask.
“I told you, Mr. Chen,” Sister Yun replied, watching Chen Yuyi with the mother and daughter, and decided not to disturb them.

“Young Master Huo, will Old Master Luo really bring a millennium herb today?”
Huo Jiahao had wanted to ask exactly which Mr. Chen, but seeing Sister Yun’s casual tone, he thought it was nothing important—just someone she’d spoken to out of kindness—and let it go.
“Of course, Old Master Luo told my father himself. With his reputation, he won’t break his word. Qi Yun, let’s go over—my father wants to speak with you.”
Sister Yun nodded toward Chen Yuyi’s side; since he’d arrived, she hadn’t greeted Old Master Huo yet.
She had some ties with the Huo family, which was why she was close to Huo Jiahao; otherwise, with her temperament, ordinary young men couldn’t approach her.
Huo Jiahao noticed her gaze lingering on Chen Yuyi and raised an eyebrow, though he showed no sign.
Chen Yuyi helped the little rabbit pick out many things, and did the same for her mother, since she was too shy to do it herself.
Since Sister Yun’s appearance, the little rabbit’s mother felt inexplicably nervous around Chen Yuyi.
“By the way, my name is Chen Yuyi. Remember it from now on,” he said to the mother and daughter with a smile.
The little rabbit, her mouth greasy, laughed happily, “Then can I call you Brother Yu, or Brother Yi?”
Chen Yuyi patted her head and smiled, “Of course, call me whatever you like.”
“Then I’ll call you Brother Yi. I like the word ‘Yi’! Because the little rabbit is often alone!”
Her pale face suddenly flushed, and she snuggled into Chen Yuyi’s embrace.
It gave him a feeling of closeness, and he gently stroked her head.
The little rabbit’s mother wanted to pull her daughter back; she felt the young man before her might be wealthy or influential. But seeing her daughter so happy with him, she couldn’t bear to do so.
“Mr. Chen, thank you for today,” she said, learning from Sister Yun to address him as “Mr. Chen.”
Chen Yuyi frowned slightly. “No need to call me ‘Mr.’—just use my name. By the way, how should I address you?”
The little rabbit’s mother smiled shyly, “Sorry, I haven’t mentioned it yet. My name is Yuan Xiang.”
“Alright, I’ve remembered your name. Eat something now,” Chen Yuyi noticed Yuan Xiang holding food without eating and couldn’t help urging her.
Yuan Xiang didn’t know why, but his light words carried an irresistible power, prompting her to eat at once.