Chapter 24: A Sister’s Mischief and a Brother’s Hunger

“Ruyan, how about we grab a couple of drinks after work to unwind?”

“I appreciate the offer, but I’ll have to take a rain check. My brother’s been hospitalized, and I really need to go see him. After all, I’m the only family he has.”

“Oh, I see. In that case, alright. I’ll be sure to invite you again when the opportunity arises.”

Having politely declined her colleague’s invitation to unwind, Liu Ruyan left work and headed straight for the hospital.

Nearly eight hours had passed, and she was anxious, wondering if Liu Xingluo had regained consciousness yet.

Should he be awake, she was determined to get a thorough explanation for how he’d managed to push his body to such an extreme.

To reduce himself to a state of complete exhaustion, collapsing on the spot in less than two hours, was utterly baffling; Liu Ruyan racked her brain, yet still couldn’t fathom how it was even possible.

****

“A little more to the left, oh, too far, just a tiny bit back. Yes, yes, right there. Ah, oh ho ho, that’s the spot, pure bliss.”

As Liu Ruyan pushed open the door, this was the sight that greeted her.

Liu Xingluo lay shirtless on the bed, face down, wearing an expression of utter contentment.

The reason for his blissful expression, of course, was an insistent itch being scratched.

While he was lying there, his back had suddenly begun to itch, and the sensation had grown increasingly intense.

Since Liu Xingluo’s strength had yet to fully return, he had been forced to rely on Shen Yunfei to help him scratch the maddening itch on his back.

Ordinarily, there would have been nothing unusual about asking someone for help when one’s body was incapacitated.

However, a mischievous idea suddenly sparked in Liu Ruyan’s mind.

Raising a finger to silence Shen Yunfei, she then gestured for him to slowly withdraw, indicating that she would take his place.

With a sly grin, she then delivered a sharp, deliberate pinch to the exact spot Shen Yunfei had been diligently scratching.

“Ah! Ow, ow, ow! Brother Yunfei, what in the world are you doing, suddenly pinching me— Sis?! You’re off work? You must be exhausted, coming straight to the hospital after your shift.”

Having been unexpectedly pinched, Liu Xingluo’s first instinct was to lash out in annoyance.

Yet, the instant his gaze landed on Liu Ruyan, his expression shifted entirely.

This was his older sister, after all, and he wouldn’t dare direct his anger at her.

It was the innate fear of an older sister, ingrained deep within a younger brother’s very DNA.

“So you’re quite enjoying yourself, aren’t you? On my way here, I was actually quite worried about what I’d do if you hadn’t woken up yet.

Seeing you not only awake but thoroughly enjoying yourself, I feel like I’ve been made a complete fool.”

“No, no, no, how could that possibly be? How could you ever be a clown, Sis? If you were a clown, then the entire universe would simply be a massive circus.”

Sensing a hint of irritation in Liu Ruyan’s tone, Liu Xingluo swiftly moved to appease her.

Though he had no idea what had actually sparked his sister’s displeasure.

All he’d done was ask Shen Yunfei to scratch an itch for him.

“Still as smooth-tongued as ever, I see. Yunfei, I truly appreciate you taking the trouble to look after my brother.”

“Not at all. It was no trouble; little brother Xingluo didn’t ask anything difficult of me.

Besides, I accepted your payment, and it’s only right to deliver on a promise once compensation has been received.

Now that you’ve arrived, I’ll head back to my sister’s side.

If I don’t check on her regularly, there’s no telling where she might suddenly vanish to.

If only Youchu could be half as calm as little brother Xingluo, I wouldn’t have to worry quite so much.”

The ease with which he’d cared for Liu Xingluo today only highlighted the immense trouble his own sister usually caused him.

While he hadn’t perceived it this way before, the events of today had brought this realization into sharp focus.

Still, no matter how much trouble she was, Shen Youchu remained his sister.

As her older brother, he couldn’t possibly abandon her or neglect her well-being.

“Oh, no, no, my own brother isn’t exactly ‘worry-free’ either.

It’s just that his current inability to move has forced him into temporary quietude. When it comes to being boisterous, if he claims to be second in the entire universe, no one would dare challenge him for first.”

“Hey, Sis! I’m still lying right here, you know. Could you at least wait until I’m not present to badmouth me?

I can hear every single word you’re saying about me, loud and clear.

And honestly, hearing you talk about me like that truly hurts my feelings, you know.”

To be badmouthed by his own sister in front of an outsider was certainly not pleasant.

Anyone in his position would find it difficult to stomach.

“Oh, my apologies then. But everything I said just now was the absolute truth, you know.”

“Even if it’s the truth, you shouldn’t just casually blurt it out to an outsider.”

“What does it matter? He’s been taking care of you all day, hasn’t he?

You even know each other’s names by now; surely your relationship has moved beyond that of mere strangers?”

“No. Our relationship hasn’t progressed to that extent yet; we’re still very much in the ‘outsider’ phase.”

Watching the siblings suddenly begin to bicker openly in front of him, Shen Yunfei couldn’t help but feel a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

They truly were a pair of siblings with an exceptionally close bond.

“Well then, if there’s nothing else, I’ll be taking my leave. I still need to go check on my sister.”

He, however, didn’t have the luxury of time to watch their sibling squabble; he absolutely had to return to Shen Youchu.

“Oh. In that case, please go quickly. Thank you again for all your trouble today.

Oh, and by the way, if you happen to be free later, would you like to grab a meal together? My brother might still need to trouble you for a few more days, after all.”

After all, Liu Ruyan couldn’t simply take indefinite leave from work just because Liu Xingluo was hospitalized.

Hospitalization costs a significant amount, and if she were to take extended leave, their household would be left without a source of income.

Thus, she had no choice but to rely on Shen Yunfei. Conveniently, his rapport with Liu Xingluo was quite good, and he had proven to be a diligent caretaker.

“I’m afraid I won’t be free later; I’m due for duty at the military base very soon.”

“Oh? The military? Are you part of the armed forces?”

“That’s correct. I’m a member of the unit tasked with battling mutated beasts.”

Shen Yunfei had never once mentioned what his profession was.

It was only now that Liu Ruyan realized he was engaged in such perilous work.

“I see. In that case, we’ll postpone it. I’ll invite you to dinner another day when you’re free.

Thank you so much for all your trouble today; I, his older sister, will take over from here.”

Having seen Shen Yunfei off, Liu Ruyan turned back to face her brother, who was still lying prone on the bed.

“Still need me to scratch that itch for you, Xiao Luo?”

“No, no, no. If it’s you, Sis, then absolutely not.”

“What exactly do you mean by that? Are you implying that my scratching isn’t as comfortable as someone else’s, or what?

In that case, allow your sister to demonstrate her exquisite technique!”

With that declaration, Liu Ruyan made her move.

However, the spot she chose to target was not his back, but the highly sensitive side of his waist!

The consequences of being tickled there were, of course, self-evident.

“Hahaha, Sis, haha, stop it, hahahaha, stop, hahahaha!”

After a bout of playful torment, Liu Ruyan finally released her hold, giving Liu Xingluo a reprieve.

She still had important questions for Liu Xingluo, and if she kept tickling him, he wouldn’t be able to answer them.

“Xiao Luo, are you hungry? What would you like to eat? Sis will go buy something for you.”

“Augaman Chicken Cutlet! Not only are their chicken cutlets delicious, but their grilled meats and sausages are excellent too.”

Without a moment’s hesitation, Liu Xingluo immediately opted for the chicken cutlet.

He had been starving all day and had been craving something substantial for hours.

Had he not been reluctant to inconvenience Shen Yunfei, a person he had only recently met, he would have asked him to fetch him food much earlier.

“You can’t just eat these, can you? These are merely snacks; you still need to have a proper main meal.”

“In that case, just get me a bowl of porridge. Given my current condition, I can’t really manage anything else.”

If he could, Liu Xingluo would have preferred fried rice.

However, with his body still immobilized, fried rice would likely prove difficult to swallow. It was far more sensible to opt for porridge, a food that could be consumed easily without chewing.

“Alright. Porridge, chicken cutlet, and grilled meat, correct? I’ve got it. I’ll go get them for you right away.”

“Okay, thank you so much, Sis. I’ll definitely repay this kindness someday.”

“Oh, stop it. We’re siblings; there’s no need for such formalities.

Just wait patiently here for me. And don’t you dare move around recklessly; if you fall off that bed, I won’t be responsible.”

“Mm-hmm, I understand.”

Even without Liu Ruyan’s warning, Liu Xingluo wouldn’t have attempted such a thing. After all, if he were to actually fall off the bed, it would undoubtedly be Liu Ruyan who’d have to hoist him back onto it.