The three of them snorted in unison; none of them had expected to meet Emily Carter under such circumstances. William Carter and Andrew Carter had long regarded Ryan Cooper as their future brother-in-law, and Samuel Carter even called Ryan Cooper "brother-in-law" both in public and in private. It was already an open secret that Ryan Cooper was the future son-in-law of the The Carter Family, but the reality before their eyes was hard for them to accept.

“Brother Baitian, I, I…”

Emily Carter looked even more embarrassed, not knowing what to say.

In this moment, Ryan Cooper's heart felt shattered. Was this really the girl who once loved him so deeply? Was this the girl he himself had loved so deeply? Was this the girl who, two years ago, had repeatedly urged him to wait for her return? Was this the girl who, since childhood, had always said, “Brother Baitian, when I grow up, I want to marry you”?

Ryan Cooper could hear the sound of his own heart breaking, and all those memories from the past surged up in an instant, each scene playing out before his eyes.

A delicate little girl followed behind a young boy, her voice sweet and innocent: “Brother Baitian, slow down, I can’t keep up with you.”

“Brother Baitian, carry me on your back.” The little girl climbed onto the boy’s back, laughing sweetly.

“Brother Baitian, when I grow up, I want to marry you.” The little girl’s tone was firm, her expression adorable.

In the blink of an eye, the little girl became a radiant young lady. The girl hid behind the boy, reaching out to cover his eyes, “Guess who I am?”

The girl took out a handkerchief and carefully wiped the boy’s sweat, saying in a soft voice, “Brother Baitian, don’t fight with them, come play with me.”

The girl snuggled up to the boy’s shoulder, “Brother Baitian, when I grow up, I want to marry you.”

Suddenly, the scene changed again. The radiant young lady had become a beautiful woman, her stunning features full of charm. She was still wiping sweat for a young man, but this young man was not him. Her graceful figure sat intimately beside another young man.

Ryan Cooper's eyes grew moist.

“Ah…”

He let out a cry and ran quickly toward the small town. He heard Emily Carter calling after him, “Brother Baitian,” telling him to stop. He didn’t dare stop; he was afraid Emily Carter would see the tears in his eyes, afraid she would hear the sound of his heart breaking.

Chapter Five: Unforgettable First Love

The The Carter Brothers turned and chased after Ryan Cooper, but after a few steps, Andrew Carter stopped. If all Three Brothers left like this, it would be too embarrassing for their sister, especially since there was still an “outsider” present.

When Andrew Carter arrived at the The Cooper Family, Henry Carter and Samuel Carter were already pacing outside Ryan Cooper’s room, and Ryan Cooper’s mother, Olivia Brooks, happened to be walking toward the courtyard.

Olivia Brooks was nearly forty, graceful in her demeanor, and the years had left little trace on her beautiful face. “Why are you Three Brothers so flustered? Did Baitian get into big trouble again? It’s a pity his father isn’t home, or he’d give him a good scolding.”

Samuel Carter said, “Auntie, it’s not like that. My sister has come back.”

Olivia Brooks’s beautiful eyes lit up; she had long regarded Emily Carter as the future daughter-in-law of the The Cooper Family. “Really, Yue’er is back? Are you here to get Baitian? Baitian, why aren’t you opening the door? Yue’er is back, aren’t you going to see her?”

From inside, Ryan Cooper replied, “I’m not going. I want to be alone for a while.”

William Carter and Samuel Carter both breathed a sigh of relief, finally reassured that he was all right inside. Just now, they had been afraid he might do something foolish.

Andrew Carter said, “Auntie, we have something we’d like to talk to you about.”

Olivia Brooks also sensed something was wrong. “You three, come with me to the main hall.”

The four of them went to the main hall, and only then did Samuel Carter stammer, “Auntie, just now, just now my brother-in-law saw my sister…”

Olivia Brooks finally understood what had happened, and her brows furrowed slightly. No wonder her son had reacted this way; she knew Ryan Cooper’s character well. No matter how big the problem, he usually didn’t care, but this matter had touched his heart.

“You three grew up playing with Baitian, so I think you know his character even better than I do. On the surface, he seems wild and unruly, always acting nonchalant and indifferent to everything. But once he takes something seriously, sigh… this child is actually very fragile when it comes to feelings.”

Henry Carter said, “We know what he’s like. This happened so suddenly. Mingyue went too far. We’ll talk to her when we get back.”

Andrew Carter also said, “Auntie, don’t worry. We’ll persuade Mingyue when we get home.”

Samuel Carter said, “Other than Baitian brother-in-law, I won’t accept anyone else.”

Olivia Brooks gave a wry smile. “Silly child, matters of the heart can’t be forced, especially a girl’s feelings. You’ll never understand. Sigh! Just let things take their course.”

The little princess of the The Carter Family, Emily Carter, had returned, which should have been a joyous occasion. But she had come back with an exceptionally handsome young man, and the elders of the The Carter Family could easily see the relationship between the two from their eyes. What should have been a lively atmosphere ended awkwardly and abruptly.

Just after dinner, the Three Brothers of the The Carter Family ran over to the The Cooper Family.

Ryan Cooper’s father, Eric Cooper, had already returned home, and when the Three arrived, he was drinking tea.