This is your home.

Sister Li brewed tea for us, and as we sat on the sofa, our conversation resumed. I asked, "Sister Li, could you tell us about your current situation?"

She replied, "I remember when I was seven, on my way home from school, a human trafficker snatched me. They took me to a strange city, and after wandering from place to place, I was finally sold to a family in Lake City—my present foster parents."

I said, "Lake City is close to Eastern City, and not far from the capital, right?"

She nodded. "Yes, I go back almost every week. Both my foster parents are retired professors. They were wronged in the past and their youth wasted, so they never had children. They were exonerated late in life, and that's when they bought me from the traffickers. They treated me as their own child, cherished me, and raised me with care."

I asked, "How are your foster parents now?"

Sister Li grew somewhat melancholy. "My foster father passed away several years ago. My foster mother is now in her eighties, but she's still healthy. We have a housekeeper to look after her. I invited her to live with me in the capital, but after staying for a while, she wasn't used to it. She prefers the small town life in Lake City—growing flowers, keeping fish, and so on."

Unable to hold back, I said, "Sister Li, may I ask a personal question?" She replied, "Ah Feng, I regard you as my own younger brother. I know you care about me, so ask whatever you want. I don’t mind."

I asked, "Sister Li, how old are you now?"

She gave a bitter smile. "I was taken by the traffickers at seven, and it’s been almost thirty years since. By age, I’m now thirty-seven."

I said, "Sister, Granny Li’s daughter has been missing for nearly thirty years as well. Though Granny Li’s mind isn’t quite right, she remembers the date her daughter disappeared clearly."

Suddenly, I exclaimed with joy, "That’s right! When Granny Li was ill, she mentioned you, saying you have a childhood burn scar on your right arm. Can you check?"

It was winter, and Sister Li wore thick clothes, so I couldn’t see whether she had a scar on her arm.

As soon as I mentioned it, Sister Li hugged me with excitement, her voice choked with emotion. "Ah Feng, say no more. I’ve had a scar on my right arm since childhood!"

At this point, it was certain Sister Li was Granny Li’s missing daughter. I couldn’t help but embrace her, choking up, "Sister, you really are my sister."

Sister Li and I hugged each other, overcome with emotion for a long time. Though we weren't related by blood, Granny Li had raised me, and she was dearer to me than my own mother. Sister Li was Granny Li's daughter, so she was my sister too. Seeing our genuine feelings, Jin Yulian was moved to tears as well, and after some time, our hearts finally settled.

I gazed at Sister Li’s beautiful features and couldn’t help but ask, "Sister, do you have a boyfriend now?"

She replied with a hint of sorrow, "I’m not young anymore, but unfortunately I don’t have a boyfriend. The reason is simple: ordinary men don’t interest me, and those with good prospects aren’t interested in me."

I understood. Sister Li was the secretary to the chairman, and many people assumed secretaries had ambiguous relationships with their bosses. Most employees wouldn’t dare date the boss’s secretary for fear of offending the boss or being made a fool of. In such circumstances, it’s difficult for a secretary to find a suitable boyfriend.

Seeing me silent, Sister Li gave a wry smile. "Ah Feng, do you think the same?"

I replied, a bit embarrassed, "Sister, everyone has the right to choose how they live. What others think doesn’t matter."

Sister Li sighed, "Honestly, people wouldn’t believe it, but my boss, Du Guoqiang, is my foster mother’s student. He treats me like a real sister and looks after me. There’s nothing improper between us. He’s tried several times to hire new secretaries, but found them unsatisfactory, so kept me on. This time, he’s hired two new secretaries; if they prove capable, I’ll be transferred to a branch office. If possible, Du plans to set up a new branch in Mingzhou, and I might be put in charge."

I laughed. "Sister, if you’re transferred to Mingzhou, that would be wonderful."

Jin Yulian was delighted as well. "If Sister Li comes to manage the branch in Mingzhou, it’ll be much easier for my company to export products."

Sister Li smiled. "If Du can finally do without me, I’ll definitely come to Mingzhou. I might even settle here and bring my foster mother to live with me."

We chatted for quite a while. Noticing it was late, Sister Li said, "We should get some rest. Tomorrow I need to go to the office. Little brother, Yulian, you two go sightseeing on your own. The day after tomorrow, I’ll drive you both to Mingzhou."

Jin Yulian and I nodded. "Alright, we’ll follow your arrangements."

Sister Li looked at us, smiling, "Tonight, do you two prefer one room or two?"

Jin Yulian blushed shyly. "Sister Li, I’d rather sleep with you! I want to chat with you a bit more."

Sister Li looked at me, her eyes twinkling. "Xiao Feng, do you have any objections?"

I grinned, "I’ll go along with whatever you decide."

Sister Li couldn’t help laughing and scolding, "Ah Feng, you’re so practical! You’re just shy."

I laughed. "Sister, in the past I often dreamed of Yulian and me getting married before Granny Li. Now Granny Li is gone, but we’ve met you. So in the future, we’ll marry before you, and only then will we celebrate our wedding night."

Sister Li smiled brightly. "Alright! Do as you please."

She led me to a spacious guest room, complete with bathroom and shower. "Little brother, you’ll stay here tonight. Everything you need is inside. You can shower. Do you know how to use everything?"

I replied, "Yes, Sister, I know how."

She gave me a few simple instructions, then took Jin Yulian to her bedroom.

I saw that not only was the room lavishly decorated, but it also had its own unique style.

Having had some wine, I quickly fell asleep as soon as I lay down.

The next morning, Sister Li had to go to work. Before leaving, she handed me the room key. "Little brother, this will be your home from now on. Keep the key."

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