Another two years have passed.
It was the eve of Yina Yin's sixteenth birthday.
The entire Yin Family was buzzing with excitement.
Yina Yin was so excited she couldn't sit still, grabbing Cecilia Gu's hand and asking nonstop, "Mom, Mom! Will my brother and Miles Gu really come back?"
Cecilia Gu, a bit exasperated by Yina's questioning, replied, "Yes, yes, yes, I've already contacted them. They said they're leaving today, so don't worry—they'll definitely make it for your sixteenth birthday!"
Yina Yin's eyes sparkled as she clenched her fists and muttered to herself, "I have to beat my brother and Miles Gu!"
Cecilia Gu couldn't help but tease her, "Nina, you might want to give up! Ethan and Miles have accomplished so much in the past five years, you can't even compare."
Yina Yin protested, "Mom! Why do you have so little faith in me?"
Cecilia answered seriously, "It's not that I don't have faith! Do you know how tall your brother and Miles are now?"
"How tall?" Yina Yin retorted, unconvinced. "Five years ago, my brother was only one seventy-eight!"
"Exactly! You said it yourself, that was five years ago!" Cecilia Gu laughed. "I just got the latest stats from Captain Hans. Ethan is now 190 centimeters tall, and Miles Gu is 192. Plus, one is an arms dealer and the other is a top hacker."
Yina Yin's mouth dropped open in shock!
Well, she lost!
She was only 175 centimeters tall!
Yina Yin, feeling defeated, hugged Cecilia Gu. "Mom... When will I ever catch up to my brother?"
Cecilia Gu, slightly annoyed, patted her on the shoulder. "You're a girl—why are you trying to compete with your brother? By the way, Miles Gu keeps asking about you. Even before you were born, he already sent a betrothal gift."
For once, Yina Yin's cheeks turned red, finally looking like a real girl. "Mom! What are you talking about? I'm only sixteen!"
"Let me tell you something else," Cecilia said seriously. "After Ethan and Miles come back, they'll be studying for their doctorates at Saint Diana Academy. Plus, they'll be teaching practical courses in the high school division... In other words, they might end up teaching your class!"
"What?!" Yina Yin instantly straightened up. "Does that mean my brother is going to torture me in class?"
Cecilia Gu just nodded and smiled.
"No way..." Yina Yin wailed, "I take back what I said—I don't want to compete with my brother anymore!"
Cecilia Gu answered seriously, "Hmm, it might be too late... Word is, Ethan and Miles are already planning a special training routine for you on their way home."
"Ahhh..." Yina Yin screamed, then dashed off at full speed.
She'd rather bully the other kids at school than get tormented by her brother and Miles!
But then again, with them being so impressive now, wouldn't she look even worse just standing next to them?
Still, deep down, she couldn't help but look forward to their return.
Five years had passed.
Time really flew by.
She was only eleven when her brothers left.
And now, she was already this tall.
Yina Yin walked along, lost in her own thoughts.
Suddenly, she bumped right into someone.
"Nina, what are you daydreaming about? Your ears are so red! Who's the lucky guy you're thinking of?" A familiar voice teased from above.
Yina Yin looked up and saw Lucas Mu.
Yina snapped back to reality and punched him lightly. "Get out of here, stop teasing me! What are you doing here?"
"I'm here to help!" Lucas Mu was fifteen and a half this year, half a year younger than Yina. He'd grown fast and was almost 180 centimeters tall now.
Lucas had inherited some of Jiro Hirayama's dramatic flair. He pinched Yina's cheek, "You say you're not thinking about anyone, but look at you! You're blushing! Wow, Nina, this is rare! I can't believe you actually blush!"
Yina rolled up her sleeves, ready to fight, but Lucas quickly waved his hands. "My bad, my bad, I take it back! By the way..."
Lucas looked around, searching for someone, then asked, "I heard Ethan and Miles are coming back? When are they arriving?"
"They're not back yet. Why are you so excited?" Yina looked up at him. "Are you that eager to see them?"
"Of course!" Lucas Mu replied seriously. "My mom told me, Ethan and Miles are amazing. When they come back, they'll be doing doctoral studies and teaching our high school classes! Nina, didn't you say you're unbeatable at Saint Diana Academy? Well, your real challengers are coming!"
Yina Yin replied with mock annoyance, "Oh, come on, you just had to bring that up! I've never beaten my brother, not even once! And don't even mention Miles—his marksmanship is freakishly good."
"Yeah, Miles has always been that awesome, and the best part is he's so low-key!" Lucas Mu said with envy. "I wonder what Miles looks like now! Earl Phil is so handsome—maybe Miles is just as good-looking?"
Yina's ears suddenly felt hot for no reason.
Five years ago, when Miles was about to leave, he found her alone and said one thing.
He said, "You were chosen to be my wife a long time ago. In this life, you can't run away."
She protested, "Why? Why do I have to be your wife?"
He replied, "Then what would it take for you to agree to be my wife?"
She said, "Only if your marksmanship is better than mine!"
His red eyes locked onto her. With a swift motion, he drew his gun left-handed, didn't even look, listened for the sound, and fired. Fifty meters away, a flying bird dropped instantly!
He smiled calmly and said, "Is it good enough now?"
At that moment, she was absolutely stunned!
Every time Yina thought of that scene, her ears would get hot all over again.
Because back then, he really was so handsome!
She just wondered what he'd be like after five years.
Lucas Mu stared at Yina's ears. "Nina, are you sick or something? Why are your ears so red?"
"Oh, shut up!" Yina Yin slapped Lucas's hand away. "I just ran earlier, I'm tired!"
After saying that, Yina turned and walked off.
Lucas Mu stood there, completely confused, muttering to himself, "What's up with Nina today? She's acting so weird."
On the day before her birthday, Ethan Yin and Miles Gu were finally coming home.
The news had come early—they were expected to arrive home by eleven in the morning.
From early morning, Yina Yin was acting strange, fidgety and restless. Cecilia Gu and Charles Yin just watched and smiled, saying nothing.
This year, Cherry Miller officially returned from her studies and became Yina's personal assistant, handling everything with utmost care.
"Miss, which dress do you want to wear today?" Cherry Miller pushed a rack of clothes over and asked Yina.
"Huh? Uh..." Yina stammered, "You tell me—which one do you think is best?"
Cherry Miller looked at Yina as if she'd seen a ghost.
Miss Yina was really different today!
Why was she so nervous?
She'd never been this anxious about a birthday before!
Could it be...
Cherry Miller quickly put the pieces together and started to understand.
"Miss, are you worried the young masters won't like it?" Cherry smiled. "Don't worry, you look great in anything!"
"But my brothers are even better-looking!" Yina said, flopping onto the sofa. "Cherry, do you think Ethan and Miles will leave again after coming back this time?"
"No way," Cherry said, picking out an outfit and handing it to Yina. "Mr. Yin and Mrs. Yin said they're back for good this time—to inherit the family business. As heirs, they can't just run off anymore."
"So that means my brother and Miles are both staying?" Yina's eyes sparkled, but she hesitated to say more.
Cherry nodded. "That's right. Now stop worrying and go change. We're heading to the airport soon to pick up the young masters! Mr. Yin and Mrs. Yin are all ready—just waiting for you!"
Yina finally took the outfit and went to the dressing room to change.
After Yina changed, Cherry had her sit down and started fixing her hair.
"Cherry, are you going to high school with me too?" Yina looked up and asked.
"Of course," Cherry replied. "Even though I've already finished my college courses overseas, I'm your assistant, so I have to stick by your side! That's why I'll redo high school and college here in China."