A New Beginning

Meixiu returned to the villa one evening, the weight of the divorce papers in her bag. The process had been finalized, leaving her free but with a whirlwind of emotions swirling inside her.

Jiayi was in the kitchen, preparing tea, when Meixiu walked in.

"It's done," Meixiu said quietly, setting the bag on the counter.

Jiayi looked up, her expression softening. "How do you feel?"

Meixiu shrugged, trying to smile. "Relieved, I guess. But also… lost."

Jiayi came around the counter and pulled her sister into a hug. "It's okay to feel that way. This is a big change, but you're not alone. We're here for you."

Meixiu nodded, her voice trembling. "Thanks, Jiayi. I don't know what I'd do without you."

That night, as they all sat in the living room, Meixiu hesitantly brought up the subject of her living arrangements.

"I know I should probably move out," she began, twisting her fingers nervously. "But I don't think I'm ready to be on my own yet."

Jiayi placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "You don't have to go anywhere, Meixiu. This is your home too."

Lianyi nodded, her voice soft. "We'd miss you if you left. Stay as long as you need."

Ye Chen, sitting across from them, smiled warmly. "I think it's a good idea. You're going through a lot, and having family around can help."

Meixiu looked at all of them, her eyes misting with gratitude. "Thank you. It means so much to me."

With Meixiu staying, the dynamics in the villa began to shift. Meixiu, Jiayi, and Lianyi each found themselves spending more time with Ye Chen, creating moments of both connection and tension.

One morning, Jiayi and Ye Chen were in the study, going over some documents for one of her projects. Jiayi couldn't help but notice how focused he was, his brows furrowed in concentration.

"You're really good at this," Jiayi remarked, handing him another report.

Ye Chen smiled. "I just follow your lead. You make things easy to understand."

Jiayi chuckled softly. "Flattery will get you everywhere."

As they worked, Jiayi found herself stealing glances at him, her thoughts straying.

He's not just kind and dependable—he's also incredibly thoughtful. No wonder Meixiu fell for him.

But the thought left a bittersweet ache in her chest.

Meanwhile, Lianyi continued to find solace in her garden, but her time with Ye Chen became more meaningful. One evening, as they worked together to replant a bed of lilies, she found herself opening up to him.

"Thank you for helping me with this," Lianyi said, brushing dirt off her hands.

"It's my pleasure," Ye Chen replied, his smile easy. "I actually enjoy this."

She looked at him, her gaze lingering. "You always make time for everyone, Ye Chen. It's one of the things I admire about you."

He paused, meeting her eyes. "That means a lot, Lianyi. You're an amazing person too. Don't forget that."

Her heart fluttered at his words, but she quickly looked away, focusing on the flowers.

Why does he have to be so perfect?

Meixiu, now feeling freer than she had in years, found herself gravitating toward Ye Chen even more. They spent countless evenings talking on the balcony, their conversations growing deeper with each passing day.

"Do you ever regret staying here?" she asked him one night, her voice soft.

"Not for a second," Ye Chen replied. "Being here has given me a sense of family I didn't know I needed."

Meixiu smiled, her heart warming. "I feel the same way. And I'm so grateful for you, Ye Chen. You've been my anchor through everything."

He reached out, gently squeezing her hand. "You're stronger than you think, Meixiu. But I'll always be here for you."

Her cheeks flushed, and she quickly looked away, though her smile didn't fade.

The close quarters and emotional connections began to create moments of unspoken tension among the sisters.

One afternoon, as Jiayi and Meixiu prepared lunch together, Jiayi broke the silence.

"You and Ye Chen seem really close these days," she remarked casually.

Meixiu hesitated, then nodded. "We've been spending a lot of time together. He's been so supportive."

Jiayi's knife paused mid-chop, but she quickly resumed. "He's a good man."

"He is," Meixiu agreed, sensing the undertone in Jiayi's voice. "I'm lucky to have him in my life."

Jiayi's smile was tight. "We all are."

Lianyi, ever the peacemaker, noticed the subtle shifts between her sisters. One evening, as she watered her plants, she sighed to herself.

"They both care about him," she murmured. "But how can this end without someone getting hurt?"

Her own feelings for Ye Chen remained unspoken, tucked away like a secret she wasn't ready to share.

Ye Chen, though kind and oblivious to much of the tension, began to sense the growing complexity of the relationships around him.

One evening, Jiayi approached him in the living room, a glass of wine in her hand.

"You've become an important part of this family, Ye Chen," she said, her voice low.

He smiled. "Thank you, Jiayi. That means a lot."

She hesitated, then placed a hand on his shoulder. "Just remember, sometimes being kind to everyone can make things… complicated."

Her words lingered in his mind long after she left, leaving him to wonder what she truly meant.