How many times in my dreams had I heard him call my name this way?
Just like when we were young, I would run while he gave chase angrily, shouting my name.
Or after school, he would loiter at the gate, welcoming me with open arms and calling my name gently.
Or when I failed my exams in high school and brought my paper home, clasping my palms and begging him to fake my parents' signatures. He would call out my name in disappointment.
Or the countless nights when he would sneak into my room and caress my face when I was sleeping. I'd open my eyes a crack to hear him whisper my name.
Xiachun…
Xiachun…
That voice was like a tempest, a raging storm in my mind.
There were also countless nights when the going got tough, and the recollection of his voice felt like a silver needle that pierced and hurt my eardrums.
I'd warned myself time and again not to cry so easily no matter what, but the memory of his gentle voice would inevitably make my eyes sting.
I lowered my head in utter defeat. Taking advantage of the dark, I allowed my tears to fall onto the concrete floor at my feet. I secretly clenched my palms together so that my voice would not tremble.
"Uh huh…"
"Xiachun…"
"Uh huh."
"Xiachun…"
Maybe it had been too long since he'd called my name that he kept repeating it. It sounded restrained.
I gritted my teeth and forced a smile. "Brother, I heard you! How many times do you have to call out to me?"
I didn't dare look up, so I couldn't see his expression.
I only heard him saying in his deep and muted voice, "Stand there, don't move."
With that, I heard his footsteps as he strode towards me.
I subconsciously retreated until my back was against the wall and I had nowhere to retreat to. Then, a pair of lanky legs entered my sight. I clenched my fists, and felt the blood in my body rush into my head. My back instantly stiffened.
"Look up, let me take a good look at you."
"Brother, I'm tired. I want to rest early…"
"Xiachun…"
"It's your wedding tomorrow. Don't you need to rest early?"
"Xiachun."
Suddenly he reached out and drew me tightly to himself.
He said, "Xiachun, there's something I wish to say to you. It's eight years late and I don't know if you still want to hear it."
Then suddenly, a vision of Dongyu's eight-year-old face appeared before my eyes. He stood in front of me, waving with a smile. "Come here, Xiachun!" he said mysteriously. "I have a secret to tell you!"
Curious, I walked over, stood on tiptoe, and leaned over his shoulder.
He cupped his hand over my ear, his warm breath brushing against the tip of my ear. When he was whispering, the corners of his mouth curled up into a beautiful smile. It was pure and cute.
"Little Sister is my favorite person!"
I snapped out of that memory and smiled. And just like during my younger days, I stood on my tiptoes and placed my hand gently on his shoulder, bringing my ear closer to his lips.
He cupped his palm covered my ear and whispered, "Yin Xiachun, I love you."
I was stunned. Dongyu's childish yet grown-up voice echoed in my ear.
I turned to look at him through the tears in my eyes, I suddenly started to laugh. I looked at him and made every effort to smile, but my eyes were stinging, and then my vision blurred.
If this has been in my youth, I would have probably been overjoyed to hear it!
It would have been the sweetest thing and I would have smiled blissfully as I embraced him.
However, at this point, I was no longer that same ignorant young girl.
