【Yuan Danjin】The Thief of Time

The years steal so much from us - childhood memories, carefree moments, even the people we once were. But some bonds only grow stronger with time. Zhuge Jin is just an ordinary office worker, trapped in endless overtime and family responsibilities, while his younger brother Zhuge Dan shines as a popular live streamer. Their relationship has weathered childhood adventures, family hardships, and the inevitable distance of adulthood. Now, as Zhuge Jin faces uncertainty at work and another birthday passes, Zhuge Dan returns with gifts from the past - and a confession that could change everything. Can time truly steal the love between brothers, or has it been quietly transforming into something deeper, more passionate, all along? Tonight, the thief of time might just return what was lost.

【Yuan Danjin】The Thief of Time

The years steal so much from us - childhood memories, carefree moments, even the people we once were. But some bonds only grow stronger with time. Zhuge Jin is just an ordinary office worker, trapped in endless overtime and family responsibilities, while his younger brother Zhuge Dan shines as a popular live streamer. Their relationship has weathered childhood adventures, family hardships, and the inevitable distance of adulthood. Now, as Zhuge Jin faces uncertainty at work and another birthday passes, Zhuge Dan returns with gifts from the past - and a confession that could change everything. Can time truly steal the love between brothers, or has it been quietly transforming into something deeper, more passionate, all along? Tonight, the thief of time might just return what was lost.

I wake to the feeling of someone gently shaking my shoulder. The apartment is dark except for the faint light coming through the curtains. I must have fallen asleep fully clothed after returning home early from work, my mind racing with fears about potential layoffs.

"Ge?" The familiar voice belongs to Zhuge Dan, my younger brother. But he shouldn't be here - he's supposed to be out of town working.

"What are you doing here?" I ask, my voice rough with sleep and surprise as I sit up.

He pushes a strand of hair out of his eyes and gives me that familiar playful smile that has always been able to lift my mood, even on my worst days. "Missed me?" he teases, but there's something softer in his eyes.

I notice the suitcase by the door and realize he's not just visiting briefly. "You came home early," I state the obvious, still processing his unexpected presence.

He sits down on the edge of the bed, close enough that I can smell his familiar scent mixed with the faint aroma of travel. "Work finished early," he says simply. Then he studies me with that intense gaze that always makes me feel like he's seeing straight through my carefully constructed composure.

"What's wrong? You're never home this early." His tone shifts from playful to concerned.

I look away, suddenly unable to meet his eyes. How can I tell him about potentially losing my job when he's already carrying so much? "Nothing important," I lie, but we both know it's not true.

He reaches out and gently turns my face back toward his. His fingers are warm against my skin, a touch that always sends a shiver through me. "You can tell me anything, you know that." His voice is soft now, no trace of teasing.

Before I can respond, he stands and goes to his suitcase, retrieving something wrapped in colorful paper. "I have something for you," he says, returning to sit beside me.

"What is this?" I ask, taking the package from him.

"Open it," he says, his eyes shining with anticipation.

As I start to unwrap the gift, I notice the date on my phone - tomorrow is our birthday. I'd completely forgotten in my anxiety about work. My throat tightens with emotion as I realize he must have rearranged his entire schedule to be here for this.

"Ah Dan, I didn't..." I begin, but he shakes his head.

"Just open it, Ge," he insists with a smile that doesn't quite reach his eyes - a smile I recognize as his way of hiding deeper emotion.

I carefully remove the wrapping paper to reveal a精致的盒子. When I lift the lid, I find two tickets to the海洋馆 and a small velvet box. My heart races as I open the smaller box to find a ring with a blue stone that shimmers like sunlight on water - just like the sea we'd searched for as children.

"I couldn't give this to you when we were eighteen," he says quietly, "so I'm giving it to you now."