The bodyguard's soft knock on the study door pulled Nannan back to reality.
"Young Master, your guests have arrived. They've brought gifts," Chen Shiwei announced.
The boy in white looked up from his book, set it aside gently, and smiled. "Thank you, Shiwei. Would you please ask Wu Ma to bring four cups of tea to the study?"
As he spoke, he rose from his desk and walked toward them.
Shiwei left with the gift boxes in hand.
The boy addressed the three of them: "You shouldn't have gone to such trouble with gifts." He gestured toward the seating area. "Please, come in and sit."
Only then did Nannan notice the arrangement of sofas and a small tea table before his desk—clearly designed for receiving guests.
When he smiled, his eyes sparkled like stars, just as they had yesterday. He was remarkably tall; standing before Uncle Qiang, who was of average height, he was nearly as tall. His white robes suited him even better than yesterday's suit had.
Uncle Qiang didn't step inside. Instead, he spoke with careful formality to the boy in white: "Young Master Yuwen, thank you for saving our young lady yesterday."
His tone was that of addressing someone of considerable standing—not a boy at all.
"Young Master Yuwen?" The boy seemed momentarily taken aback, a flicker of surprise crossing his face.
"Yes, Mr. Chen mentioned your family name yesterday. Or would you prefer we call you Mr. Yuwen?" Uncle Qiang's politeness deepened.
"Oh," the boy said softly, the hint of a smile playing at his lips. "Either is fine."
Why did Brother White look startled just now? Could it be that Yuwen isn't his actual surname?
Nannan had no intention of following Uncle Qiang's lead if he'd gotten it wrong. But then, how should she address him?
This boy is far too beautiful, and his smile is so gentle. And he seems to be good-natured.
She decided a nickname wouldn't offend someone so kind.
With that thought, Nannan stepped forward confidently and said, "Thank you for saving me yesterday, Brother White."
"Brother White?" The boy's lips curved with amusement.
"I'm terribly sorry, Young Master," Auntie Mei interjected quickly. "Our young lady is still quite small. Please don't mind her."
Auntie Mei was always saying Nannan was small. But Nannan had been aware of things since she was three years old—she was practically grown now. Auntie Mei had never managed to stop Nannan from doing what she wanted, so why would Nannan listen to her now?
Ignoring Auntie Mei, Nannan turned to the boy to explain: "You're so fair-skinned, you love wearing white, and you're a big brother—so naturally you're Brother White." She added with a smile, "You look very beautiful in white."
"Is that so?" The boy smiled again, as though genuinely pleased by her compliment.
He's indeed an easygoing person. Brother White it is, then.
The boy turned to address all three of them: "Please don't stand. Come in and sit. There's no need to thank me—I simply happened to pass by yesterday. It was nothing." Then, looking at Nannan: "And you were very brave yesterday. You didn't cry at all."
Nannan was delighted that Brother White had noticed her courage. She loved being praised for bravery. Though she did worry he might think her foolish for falling into the river in the first place.
No, I must be both clever and brave in Brother White's eyes.
"It was only because that awful Xiao He pushed me," Nannan said quickly. "I'm always brave. I never cry."
She noticed Brother White smile warmly at this, as if approving. He likes me, she thought happily. I like this kind, beautiful older brother. I will come play with him.
After Nannan settled onto the sofa beside Auntie Mei and Uncle Qiang, the boy in white sat across from them.
A middle-aged housekeeper brought in four cups of tea and set them on the table with deference. "Young Master, your tea is ready. Is there anything else you need?"
The boy gestured to Uncle Qiang and Auntie Mei. "Please, have some tea." Then he turned to Nannan: "Would you like some pastries? Or perhaps a beverage?"
"Brother White, do you have chocolate cake? I absolutely love chocolate cake," Nannan said without hesitation.
Nannan noticed the housekeeper's expression shift to surprise when she heard Nannan call the boy "Brother White," followed by a glance in Nannan's direction. When their eyes met, the woman's face arranged itself into something like an ingratiating smile.
Is there something wrong with the name? Why is she looking at me that way?
But the boy in white seemed to have already accepted his new name. He spoke calmly to the housekeeper: "Wu Ma, please bring some chocolate cake for Miss Chu."
"Yes, Young Master," Wu Ma replied softly, then left.
As Nannan's gaze followed Wu Ma out, she became distracted by the artificial lake visible through the windows. She turned to the boy. "Brother White, is that lake outside connected to the river beyond?"
"Yes, you're very observant. How did you notice?"
Nannan nodded, pleased by his compliment. "So there must be fish in the lake too?"
If Brother White would let her come fishing here, she'd have every reason to visit this kind, beautiful older brother as often as she wanted.
"I haven't paid much attention, but perhaps. Do you like fishing?" The boy studied her intently, as if trying to understand her intention.
"That's why I fell in yesterday—I was trying to catch some fish in the river. My mother used to take me fishing all the time." Nannan's expression grew wistful.
Surely Brother White understood what she was hoping for?
"Are you planning to fish in our lake?"
He'd guessed exactly right.
"Yes! You're so clever—you figured it out right away. So can I come?" Nannan stood up excitedly, delighted by his perceptiveness and eager to ask her question.
"That wouldn't be appropriate," Auntie Mei said quickly, pulling Nannan back into her embrace. "Nannan, you mustn't trouble Young Master Yuwen."
"But I want to! And Brother White already said yes!" Nannan turned to face Auntie Mei and stamped her foot in protest.
The good-natured Brother White seemed amused by her resistance. He laughed and said, "It's no trouble at all. I'm entirely at Miss Chu's service—anytime."
"Then it's settled, Brother White," Nannan announced happily, and turned to give Auntie Mei a triumphant look.
On the drive home, Nannan heard Auntie Mei speaking softly to Uncle Qiang in the front seat.
"Ah Qiang, there's something unsettling about that family. Never mind the peculiar house—when I went to their bathroom, I ran into Wu Ma. I asked her about their young master. She said he's always been withdrawn and quiet, rarely receives guests, and certainly has never entertained young girls. It's strange that he didn't mind Nannan giving him a nickname and actually agreed to let her fish in their house. I think he was simply in a good mood today. We shouldn't let Nannan go back. Who knows? He might ignore her next time, and we can't have our Nannan feeling hurt."
Uncle Qiang answered calmly, "Mei, it's best not to speculate about the masters' affairs."
"But we can't just let Nannan run wild either. We should ask the mistress what she thinks."
Uncle Qiang didn't respond.
In the back seat, Nannan worried silently. What does "in a good mood" mean? If Brother White really is cold to little girls as Wu Ma said, will he ignore me tomorrow?
Before Nannan could change out of her princess dress back home, Xiaoyan came to visit her.
Upon hearing that Nannan had seen the new neighbors, Xiaoyan lowered her voice conspiratorially. "Oh, that family! My father says they're very mysterious—probably foreigners. That compound has been empty until recently."
"You're so well-informed! Do you know anything else?" Nannan's interest was piqued. She encouraged Xiaoyan eagerly.
Xiaoyan was pleased by the attention. "That's all I know so far, but I'll tell you anything else I find out."
Then she asked curiously, " What do they look like?"
"I only saw the older brother who saved me. He's quite handsome. I didn't see any adults. Uncle Qiang said their family name is Yuwen, but I don't think that's right. Do you know what their real surname is?"
Xiaoyan expressed her envy at Nannan meeting such a handsome boy, then promised, "I'll find out what their real name is for you."
That night, just as Nannan was drifting off to sleep, she seemed to hear voices in the living room.
Mother must be calling.
She scrambled out of bed and rushed to the living room, where she found Auntie Mei standing by the telephone, her hand still on the receiver.
"Auntie Mei, was that Mother? I want to talk to her!" Nannan said urgently.
Auntie Mei turned to her. "Your mother has already hung up."
"What did she say?"
"Your mother said you may visit Young Master Yuwen's home."
Nannan detected disappointment in Auntie Mei's tone, but she paid it no mind. Mother approved—that's all that matters.
The next morning, after breakfast, Nannan changed into her favorite blue cotton T-shirt and white shorts, put on the white sun hat Auntie Mei had prepared, and set off.
As Uncle Qiang pulled up to the gate of Yuwen Manor's outer courtyard, Nannan noticed a luxury car bearing a distinctive double-M logo parked in a space outside the outer wall. Several people sat inside.
When Nannan and Auntie Mei got out to ring the bell, Nannan glanced into the car. She caught sight of a girl in the back seat nearest to them—dressed like a Barbie doll, and perhaps eight years old. The girl had delicate, beautiful features. As Nannan looked at that girl, she realized that girl was looking at her as well, eyes full of curiosity.
Who are these people? Why don't they just go inside?
After Auntie Mei rang the bell, Chen Shiwei came to open the gate. Seeing him emerge, Uncle Qiang waved and drove away. As Nannan followed Shiwei through the gate, though she didn't turn around, she could feel the Barbie doll girl's gaze like pinpricks against her back.
Once inside, Nannan looked up at Shiwei. "Who were in that car?"
Auntie Mei quickly took hold of Nannan's arm, gesturing for her not to ask. Shiwei merely smiled faintly and said nothing.
Could that have been one of those little girls that Wu Ma said Brother White ignores? But that girl was so beautiful.
No wonder Auntie Mei loved dressing Nannan up—even Nannan had to admit that girl's clothes were pretty. Nannan felt a small pang of regret at her own simple outfit, suddenly aware of how plain she must look in comparison. But if that girl was so beautiful, why didn't she go inside?
When Auntie Mei led Nannan to the study door, she found Brother White exactly where he'd been the day before—quietly reading. This time his robes were a different style, though still white.
"We're here, Brother White," Nannan called out softly from the doorway, her heart quietly anxious.
Will he really ignore me like Wu Ma said?
The boy looked up from his book at the sound of Nannan's cheerful voice, and his face lit with a smile.
"Miss Chu arrives! Come in and sit. Have you had breakfast? Would you like Wu Ma to bring something for you?" He gestured them inside, speaking with evident warmth.
Nannan saw no trace of the coldness Auntie Mei had worried about.
Auntie Mei's concerns were unnecessary.
She continued from the doorway with confidence: "We've eaten. And you can just call me Nannan. Can I go fish now?"
"Of course, Nannan," the boy replied readily, his smile warm. "Would you like me to come with you?"
He stood as he spoke.
Brother White is dressed too finely for fishing. I shouldn't drag him along. I can come back to play with him after.
"No, I can manage," Nannan answered confidently.
"As you wish, Nannan." He turned to Shiwei. "Shiwei, please take Miss Chu fishing."
The spot Shiwei chose was perfectly safe—a pavilion by the corridor overlooking the lake. With the fishing net Auntie Mei had brought—the one her mother had used last year—and Auntie Mei's help setting it up, Nannan was amazed at how quickly her bucket filled with fish.
After putting the catch in a water bucket, Nannan grew restless. She turned to Auntie Mei. "I'm going to check on what Brother White is doing." Then she skipped back to his study door.
She found him reading again.
"Brother White, may I come in?" she asked politely from the doorway.
The boy looked up and smiled. "Back from fishing already?" He pointed to the sofa. "Of course. You're always welcome."
Nannan walked in and settled onto the sofa. She noticed chocolate cake was already waiting on the tea table.
"The cake is for you," Brother White said, as if reading her thoughts.
Now that she was here, Nannan forgot about cake. She remembered the girl at the gate—the Barbie doll—and, with Auntie Mei safely out of earshot, she seized the chance to ask what had been bothering her.
"Brother White, I saw a beautiful girl at your gate just now. I asked Shiwei about her, but he wouldn't say. Who was she?"
"Oh, they got to the wrong place," Brother White said lightly, then quickly changed the topic: "Did you find fishing interesting?"
How could they get into the inner courtyard if they got the wrong address?
Nannan didn't believe it. But clearly Brother White didn't want to discuss it, and she couldn't force him. So she let it go and returned to the fishing topic.
"It was boring, actually. I caught a whole bucket in no time. Not fun at all."
"Perhaps because it was too easy? You felt no real challenge?"
Brother White can read minds!
Nannan's eyes widened. "Exactly! When it's too easy, it's not fun."
Brother White laughed at her expression. "Then how about I play a more challenging game with you?"
"What game?"
"Shall we play chess?"
"Chess? I've never played. How do you play?" Nannan's excitement returned at the prospect of a new game.
This is better than fishing—I can come visit Brother White every day, and without getting sunburned.
When Nannan left Brother White's home that afternoon, she noticed the car that had been parked at the gate was gone.