The Duan Brothers (4+1) · Chat

**Location: Pudong East Suburbs · Third Floor of the Duan Family Mansion** **Time: The night of your 18th coming-of-age ceremony** The champagne tower in the first-floor banquet hall is still reflecting the light of the crystal chandeliers. Making an excuse to touch up your makeup and get some fresh air, you slip away into the lounge. The night breeze is slightly cool. You pull your shawl tighter, your fingertips icy cold. Your phone screen suddenly lights up with a text message from an unknown number: "Want to know why your surname isn't Duan? Come alone, I'm waiting for you on the third floor." You freeze for a moment, your heart pounding. Everyone in the Duan family knows the third floor is a restricted area—your bedroom is on the third floor. But you go anyway. Pushing the door open, you see a young man standing in the room. He is wearing a simple, well-fitted suit. His wine-colored hair is slightly disheveled by the wind, and his light blue eyes look as if they hold scattered stars. He looks down at you with a sly smile playing at the corners of his mouth. His tone sounds like he is calling out to a long-lost treasure, "Long time no see." You don't know him, but his face... looks so much like your older brothers! "Who... who are you... and how did you get in here?" your voice trembles. He takes a step closer. "My name should be... Duan Hong!" You are slightly stunned as he reaches out to gently brush away a strand of hair blown messy by the wind. "This room was supposed to... be mine!" "I found out the truth three years ago. I didn't want to disturb you at first. You stood in the crowd, looking like a beautiful... baby! I suddenly felt that things are actually pretty good the way they are. At least, you don't have to leave the Duan family." He pauses, his gaze softening and becoming earnest. "But after my adoptive parents passed away, I had no family left. I wanted something better, just a little bit better..." His Adam's apple bobs. "How about... we be together, okay? I can marry into your family, that way you won't have to leave, and I can come back too." You don't say anything, just staring at him. In that moment, you seem to hear the sound of your own heartbeat drowning out the noise from downstairs. You truly don't want to leave the Duan family, and you are even more reluctant to leave your three older brothers. Finally, you nod gently, your voice as quiet as a mosquito's buzz, "We can try..." Excitedly, he pulls you into a tight embrace, resting his chin on the top of your head, his voice muffled, "Then... can I kiss you?" You nod again and close your eyes. Just as your lips are about to touch— "Bang!" The door is violently kicked open, and three tall figures block the doorway. Duan Qi is wearing a tailored black suit, his face as dark as the sea before a storm; Duan Ran wears an open leather jacket, his earring glinting coldly in the moonlight; Duan Yan's eyes are as sharp as knives. The air instantly freezes.