Chapter 6: Brother's Confession

Jiang Hao suppressed his anger and spoke in a low voice, "The live-fire exercise just ended, and I have a summary meeting to attend tomorrow. I need to write a report tonight." After speaking, he quickly made his way upstairs.

"Nonsense! Why would there be a summary meeting on a weekend? Every time the topic of blind dates comes up, you run away. Get down here!" *Cough, cough, cough...*

Jiang Zhizhong slowly sat down, holding his chest in pain. A bullet was lodged in his chest, a souvenir from a mission on the border where he was shot by an enemy spy. He had defended the peace of the country with his life, and that bullet was the highest honor of his military career, as well as the end of his military career.

Now, forced to retire early, he knew his time was limited. His only remaining wish was to see Jiang Hao settle down and serve the country wholeheartedly. However, Jiang Hao always seemed to find fault with the carefully selected girls.

Lin Caiyin comforted her husband, "Don't worry, I will find a chance to talk to our son about this."

---

If Qiao Xinwei had known that Jing Shang would return today, she would have preferred to go to Jiang Hao's appointment.

Unfortunately, it was too late.

*Ding dong.* The doorbell rang.

"I'm coming." Qiao Xinwei wiped her hands and hurried to open the door. There stood Jing Shang with two large suitcases and two backpacks.

Jing Shang was dressed very casually, wearing a white tank top with a blue and white knitted cardigan, and loose-fitting jeans. There was a hint of fatigue in his eyes, and his hair was much shorter than before, making him look younger and more handsome.

"Brother, are you... moving?"

"Yeah, moving back," he said as he walked into the house with his luggage. "Don't just stand there, help me bring in the suitcases."

"Oh, okay."

Three months ago, Jing Shang had a big argument with his father, Jing Zhi, and then he moved out. Xinwei hadn't seen Jing Shang for a long time, so his sudden return surprised her. She could guess the reason for the father and son's argument, but she didn't dare to confirm her suspicions.

"Mom, I'm back." Jing Shang put down his luggage in his room and quickly came out again. "Mom, do you need any help?" He rolled up his sleeves and was about to wash the celery on the cutting board.

"Put it down, you just got back. Sit down and rest for a while. I'll take care of it."

"I'll help you."

"No need, go do your own thing. Your father will be back from fishing soon."

Xinwei shooed Jing Shang out. He had always been very filial and respectful to his parents, even though his mother was a stepmother. He was known as a good son and a good man by everyone in the neighborhood and at work.

His birth mother had passed away when he was just learning to walk, and Jing Zhi had raised him as both a father and a mother. After he turned eighteen, Jing Zhi remarried, and Xinwei, his stepmother, was gentle and virtuous. Jing Shang quickly accepted and adapted to this new family.

Jing Shang went into the bathroom and saw Xinwei sweating profusely. Worried, he took the mop from her, "Let me finish this for you."

"No need... Ouch." Xinwei had exerted too much force, and the mop handle hit her forehead and eyebrow. It hurt, and she gritted her teeth.

Jing Shang reached out and gently held the back of her head with one hand, while using his palm to massage her forehead. "You don't need to be so nervous. It's okay... Don't move."

Being so close to Jing Shang made Xinwei even more nervous. "Brother, it's really okay."

"What do you mean it's okay? It's swollen." Jing Shang's concern was evident, and his level of anxiety far exceeded that of a typical sibling.

Nervously, Xinwei pushed his hand away and stepped back, maintaining a safe distance from Jing Shang. "Brother, I'm really fine."

A pained expression flashed across Jing Shang's concerned face. After three months away from home, he had also calmed down for three months. He had thought it through and knew what he truly wanted.

"Xinwei, there's something I've been holding in my heart for a long time. I've waited for so many years, and finally, I have this opportunity to tell you that I don't want to be your brother anymore. I want to marry you and take care of you."

Confessing requires courage, and sometimes a bit of impulsiveness. Jing Shang blurted out his confession, and Qiao Xinwei couldn't stop him in time.

"Brother, what are you talking about? We are siblings, this is impossible."

"I consulted a lawyer friend, and relationships like ours can get married. Although Dad strongly opposes it, as long as we work together, we can definitely persuade him."

At this moment, Xiang Ling stood at the door in a daze. She also heard Jing Shang's words, frowned, and said, "Don't do something so absurd. Jing Shang, don't be so stubborn. In my heart, you are my own son. If you are with Xinwei, our family will fall apart... Xinwei?" She looked at her daughter with a puzzled look.

Qiao Xinwei was stunned and confused, her mind in a mess. Indeed, her worst fears had come true. She shook her head and assured her mother, "Mom, I absolutely won't. Brother is just a brother to me."

"Xinwei..." Jing Shang was deeply hurt.

"Brother, don't be like this. I never said anything to make you think otherwise," Qiao Xinwei said firmly, "I already have someone I'm dating, we met through a blind date. Although we haven't defined our relationship, we both understand each other."