Chapter Five: The Girl Next Door Blossoms into Womanhood

Liu Fan felt a warm rush in his heart as he heard the anxious voice of the young girl outside the door, an affection both gentle and indulgent. A few moments later, a girl entered the room—her face was delicately oval, with willow-shaped brows, phoenix eyes, and cherry lips. Her features were exquisitely refined, her hair tied into two long braids.

“Mom, has Brother Xiao Fan come back yet?” Liu Yuting, upon entering, found only Lin Guifang and a handsome young man who seemed at once unfamiliar and strangely familiar. Her mood dimmed, and she hurriedly addressed Lin Guifang. Liu Fan, watching Yuting’s distress, felt an overwhelming urge to take her into his arms, but with Lin Guifang present, he restrained himself. Instead, he stepped forward, placed his right hand teasingly on her shoulder, and said, "What’s this, little girl? It’s only been a month or so, and you don’t recognize your brother? Ah, do you know how much that wounds my heart?" He even feigned a deeply hurt expression.

“Ah! You—you’re Brother Xiao Fan?” Liu Yuting stared in astonishment at the handsome young man with his hand on her shoulder. She couldn’t reconcile this image with her memory of Brother Xiao Fan. Yet, his natural, familiar gesture was something only Brother Xiao Fan could manage, the result of years growing up together. For a long moment, she gazed wide-eyed at him, unable to believe what she saw, then glanced at her mother for reassurance.

“Yes, he’s your Brother Xiao Fan,” Lin Guifang confirmed kindly as she watched her daughter’s shock and confusion upon seeing the changed Liu Fan.

“Wuwu… Brother Xiao Fan, is it really you? I missed you so much. Where have you been this past month? You didn’t even leave me a word. I thought you didn’t want me anymore. Do you know how worried Mom and I were?” With her mother’s confirmation, Liu Yuting could no longer hold back her longing. She threw herself into Liu Fan’s arms and wept, her tears washing away the month of torment and waiting.

In truth, Liu Fan had always occupied a special place in Liu Yuting’s heart. Since childhood, whenever anyone bullied her, Liu Fan would stand up for her, getting into countless fights—often ending up the worse for wear himself. But what mattered was not the outcome, but the protective presence he provided. In her young heart, the first seeds of affection had taken root. Now, after more than a month apart, that feeling burst forth. Yet with Liu Fan’s emotional obliviousness, he was utterly at a loss—watching Yuting cry in his arms, wanting to comfort her but not knowing what to say, wishing to hold her tighter and pat her back, but constrained by Lin Guifang’s presence. Helpless, he could only cast a pleading look at his godmother.

“All right now, Yuting, you’re a grown girl. Still crying—aren’t you ashamed? Sit down and talk,” Lin Guifang said, sensing Liu Fan’s embarrassment and gently extricating him from the situation. Hearing her mother’s words, Yuting realized she was still in Liu Fan’s arms. Her fair cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and she didn’t dare meet his eyes. Reluctantly, she released him—her gaze betraying her unwillingness to let go. Liu Fan, meanwhile, was unavoidably stirred by the soft fullness pressed against his chest, and when she stepped away, a wave of loss swept over him.

“Mom—I wasn’t crying, I’m just happy Brother Xiao Fan is back, that’s all!” Yuting pouted, trying to cover her embarrassment. Lin Guifang, experienced as she was, could see her daughter’s feelings for Liu Fan even if Yuting herself hadn’t yet recognized them. After all, she was still a naive young girl, unfamiliar with love. As for Lin Guifang, she was more than happy with the prospect—after all, she had watched Liu Fan grow up and knew his character well. Now, with him so outstanding, she could only smile in approval.

“By the way, Godmother, what time is it now?” Liu Fan, seeking to change the subject, asked Lin Guifang.

“Oh my, it’s nearly noon already! You two must be hungry. I’ll go make lunch right away.” Without waiting for a response, she bustled out of the room.

Watching Lin Guifang hurry off, Liu Fan could only look helplessly at Yuting, who shot him a glare in return. He had never encountered such a situation before—his emotional intelligence was abysmal. He failed to understand that Lin Guifang was giving them a chance to be alone together. Yuting, on the other hand, guessed at her mother’s intentions, and her heart began to race, her cheeks flushing again.

“So, little one, what’s today’s date?” Liu Fan, noting the awkward silence between them, spoke up. He was genuinely curious—he knew from Lin Guifang’s comments that he’d been gone for over a month, but didn’t know the exact date. He still had to go to university in Shanghai.

“It’s August 25th, 2012. Brother Xiao Fan, are you sure you don’t have a fever? How could you not know what day it is?” she said, reaching out to feel his forehead.

“Uh... haha, I’ve just been working so much lately, I lost track of time. You know how busy things get at work—so, heh!” Seeing her adorable concern, several lines of exasperation appeared on Liu Fan’s forehead. “I am, after all, a mighty immortal—how could I catch a cold? Such slander!” Of course, he kept such thoughts to himself.

“Is that so?” Yuting eyed him with suspicion, not quite believing his evasive explanation.

“Yes, yes! Don’t you trust your Brother Xiao Fan?” Liu Fan put on a serious face, but inside he felt a little guilty. This girl’s gaze was sharp as a blade.

“Oh.” Despite her doubts, Yuting remembered all the kindness Liu Fan had shown her over the years and decided not to press further. Instead, she asked about his college plans: “Brother Xiao Fan, you’ll be leaving for university in a week. Have you got your tuition ready? Is it enough? If not, Mom and I can help. Don’t try to shoulder it all yourself.”

“Don’t worry. Who do you think your Brother Xiao Fan is? A little money isn’t a problem. But what about you? You’ll be starting your senior year soon—how’s your studying going? Will you be able to get into a top university?” Liu Fan was deeply moved by her concern. He knew his godmother was an unemployed worker and their income was meager. Over the years, she had often helped him with school expenses. He didn’t want Yuting worrying about him any longer, so he shifted the focus to her studies. Besides, with his current immortal powers, earning some money was hardly a challenge—though he would never use illegal means. If other cultivators learned that a dignified immortal had to resort to crime to make a living, it would be a disgrace beyond words.

“Brother Xiao Fan, don’t underestimate me! If you can get into Fudan University, so can I. Then we’ll be schoolmates again.” Yuting spoke with confidence, though inwardly she thought, “If I can get into Fudan, I’ll be with Brother Xiao Fan every day.” In fact, she had always been among the top three students in her grade—a testament to her abilities.

“Haha—I just wanted to hear your resolve. You sound confident!” Liu Fan was delighted. Yet, with his low emotional intelligence, he failed to catch the hidden meaning behind her words, oblivious as ever.

“This blockhead is infuriating! Doesn’t he realize I’m a girl?” Yuting muttered under her breath, exasperated by Liu Fan’s oblivious happiness. She knew he was clueless in matters of the heart—smart in everything except emotions, where he was utterly hopeless.

Though her voice was barely audible, it was impossible for Liu Fan, an immortal, not to hear. Hearing her muttering, he began to wonder, “What’s with this girl today? Could it be—could it be she really likes me? But... she’s my little sister! I’ve always thought of her as my own sibling. How can I have such thoughts? Liu Fan, you’re a disgrace!” His mind was thrown into turmoil.

“Brother Xiao Fan—Brother Xiao Fan—” Yuting called, noticing him lost in thought. When he didn’t respond after several tries, she tugged at his sleeve, her tone impatient. “Brother Xiao Fan, what are you thinking about, so absorbed? I’ve called you so many times!”

“Uh! Oh, nothing, nothing at all. Ah, it’s getting late. I’ll go check if Godmother’s finished cooking.” Seeing her displeased look, Liu Fan seized the chance to escape. He knew all too well that crossing this girl never ended well—a lesson learned through many painful experiences. At school, Yuting may have seemed gentle and ladylike, but get her angry and she’d become a fierce tigress. Even as an immortal, Liu Fan felt powerless against her.

But before he could slip away, Yuting’s angry voice rang out: “Brother Xiao Fan, just where do you think you’re going?” She followed up with a merciless pinch.

“Ow—!” Liu Fan let out a pitiful wail. With his immortal cultivation, such an attack was barely a tickle, but he feigned pain nonetheless. Otherwise, he’d have even more trouble to deal with.