[I write this diary because of the mistake I made in the past…][It all began in a vast field of flowers… where I first met him…]
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"Brother Su Yan! Brother Su Yan!"
A young boy with sun-kissed skin came running across the endless sea of flowers, his small figure cutting through waves of swaying petals. His voice rang bright and clear beneath the open sky.
At the center of that boundless field sat a man.
His long hair flowed loosely behind him like a quiet river, strands of it glimmering softly under the sunlight. His movements were gentle, refined—every motion carrying an effortless elegance, as though he belonged more to the wind and flowers than to the mortal world.
Hearing the call, the man turned.
"Brother Su Yan!"
The boy finally reached him, slightly out of breath but grinning widely. He lifted a woven basket toward him with both hands.
"My older brother cooked extra again and told me to bring this to you!"
Su Yan let out a soft laugh as he rose gracefully to his feet. Taking the basket, his slender fingers brushed lightly against the handle.
"It seems your brother cooks 'extra' every single day," he said with a faint, teasing smile. "Perhaps you should remind him to make only what's needed."
The boy shook his head firmly.
"No! He does it on purpose," he insisted, puffing his cheeks slightly. "He wants to share food with you… he's just too shy to give it to you himself."
By the end of his sentence, the boy let out a small, exasperated sigh, clearly frustrated by his brother's awkwardness.
Su Yan's lips curved into a gentle smile, his gaze softening.
"It sounds like he can do anything," he said quietly. "Farming, building… even hunting."
The boy immediately brightened, his chest swelling with pride.
"Of course my brother can do everything!"
He paused for a moment, then looked up again, his eyes gleaming with mischief.
"So… when will Big Brother Su Yan accept my brother's proposal?"
For a brief moment, Su Yan fell silent.
"Ah… that…" he began, his voice softer now, almost hesitant. "I'm not ready yet. There are still many things I wish to do."
The boy pouted, clearly dissatisfied.
"You can still do those things after getting married."
Su Yan laughed softly, reaching out to gently pat the boy's head.
"Yan Rui… tell Yan Zhiyu thank you for the food."
Yan Rui looked into Su Yan's eyes for a moment, as if trying to read something deeper within them, before finally nodding.
"Ah—before that," Su Yan added, as if suddenly remembering, "please tell Yan Zhiyu that his clothes will be finished this afternoon. I'll come by later to deliver them."
Yan Rui's face lit up instantly.
"I'll tell Brother Zhiyu!"
After bidding farewell, Yan Rui turned and ran back the way he came, his steps light, his heart even lighter.
Eventually, he arrived at a modest wooden house.
A small garden lay in front, enclosed by a simple fence. Though humble, the place felt warm—alive with quiet comfort.
He pushed the door open and stepped inside.
"Brother Zhiyu, I'm back~"
A man quickly rose from his chair, his expression a mix of nervousness and anticipation.
"You delivered the food? What did he say?" Zhiyu asked, his voice carrying a hint of hope he tried—and failed—to hide.
Yan Rui let out a dramatic sigh.
"It looks like Brother Zhiyu needs to try harder."
He patted Zhiyu's arm as if offering consolation.
Zhiyu's shoulders slumped slightly.
If he had the ears of a dog, they would have drooped pitifully by now.
"But don't worry!" Yan Rui quickly added, trying to lift his spirits. "Compared to the other alphas, you're definitely better. Big Brother Su Yan reacts very positively toward you!"
Then, as if remembering something important—
"Oh! Big Brother Su Yan will come visit this afternoon to deliver your clothes."
Zhiyu froze.
"He's coming… this afternoon?"
Panic immediately set in.
"Oh no—I need to tidy the house!"
His usually steady demeanor crumbled into flustered urgency.
Yan Rui smacked his back.
"Relax! I'm here—I'll help you clean. But honestly… I still don't understand how your clothes got torn like that just from hunting."
Zhiyu scratched his cheek awkwardly.
"Well… I had to fight a wild boar. Its tusks tore my clothes."
Yan Rui sighed again.
"When Big Brother Su Yan saw it few days ago, he looked really shocked… and worried you were hurt."
A faint blush crept across Zhiyu's face.
Despite his large, bear-like build, his heart was soft—almost fragile. Sometimes, Yan Rui even worried his brother was too trusting for his own good.
Zhiyu rubbed the back of his head, embarrassed.
"Alright… I'll head to the field now. Please watch the house, Rui."
He gently patted Yan Rui's head.
"Don't worry, Brother Zhiyu. I'll take good care of it."
Before leaving, Zhiyu glanced back once more.
"I… I'll come back early."
His face flushed deeper as he hurried out, as though fleeing from his own embarrassment.
Yan Rui let out a long sigh.
"Honestly… Brother Yan Zhiyu…"
But then he smiled.
"Well, time to clean."
He picked up a cloth and began wiping surfaces.
Truthfully, the house wasn't messy at all—Zhiyu was simply overthinking again. Still, if it helped calm his brother, Yan Rui didn't mind putting in extra effort.
By afternoon, the sunlight had softened into a warm orange glow.
Yan Rui sat by the doorway, quietly watching the village.
Farmers returned with their oxen, merchants packed up their goods, and children ran through the streets, their laughter echoing in the fading light.
Then, from afar, he saw him.
Su Yan walked toward the house, carrying neatly folded clothes in his arms.
Villagers greeted him warmly as he passed—many held affection for him. His gentle nature and striking beauty drew admiration from all. Many alphas had proposed to him before, yet he had declined each one with quiet grace.
Still, he always smiled.
And then, he saw Yan Rui waiting at the door.
"Ah, Yan Rui—you've been waiting?"
Yan Rui stood up quickly, smiling.
"Yes, I was waiting for you, Big Brother Su Yan."
Su Yan handed him the clothes.
"These are Zhiyu's. I also made a few new ones for him."
Yan Rui accepted them eagerly.
"Thank you! Please come inside—I'll prepare some warm tea while we wait for Brother Zhiyu."
"Ah… there's no need to trouble yourself, I was only—"
Before he could finish, Yan Rui had already pulled him inside.
"Just for a while! I have to repay your kindness for sewing my brother's clothes."
In the end, Su Yan gave in.
Inside, Yan Rui prepared warm tea, then sat beside him, chatting excitedly about his day.
Su Yan listened with a soft smile, his eyes filled with quiet warmth.
The two brothers were well-known in the village.
Orphaned at a young age, they relied only on each other to survive. Zhiyu hunted in the forest and often shared his catches, while Yan Rui spent his days helping the elderly and anyone in need.
As they spoke, the door suddenly opened.
Zhiyu stood there, a deer slung over his shoulder.
The moment he saw Su Yan, he froze.
"I—I didn't realize you were already here…"
Despite his efforts to return early and compose himself, he now stood covered in blood.
Su Yan rose immediately, concern flashing across his face.
"Are you alright?"
He stepped closer.
"I'm fine! I meant to come back earlier, but… now you've seen me like this…" Zhiyu scratched his cheek awkwardly.
"It's alright. Sit down first," Su Yan said gently.
"Ah—no, I'll wash up and prepare dinner first—"
Zhiyu quickly tried to escape toward the back, clearly flustered.
"Wait, you just returned from—"
Before Su Yan could finish, Yan Rui tugged his sleeve.
"It's fine. Big Brother Su Yan, you should stay and have dinner with us."
Once again, Yan Rui insisted.
And once again—Su Yan relented.
That evening, Zhiyu prepared a warm venison soup.
Alongside it were simple dry bread and steaming tea.
They sat together at one table.
Outside, the moon climbed higher into the night sky.
Inside, candlelight flickered softly, filling the small home with warmth.
Zhiyu hesitated, gripping his bowl slightly tighter.
"Su Yan… I…"
He paused, as if struggling with his words.
"Be careful when you go into the forest," he finally said, his tone turning serious. "I know you like sitting in the flower field near the forest, but…"
His brows furrowed.
"Earlier today, I found strange tracks."
He lifted his gaze.
"They weren't human."
A brief silence followed.
"And they weren't from any animal I've ever seen either."