Chapter 1: Let’s stay together like this forever

Opening my tired eyes, a breathtakingly beautiful face filled my entire view.

Sister Yuan gazed at me fondly, holding me in her arms.

She spoke in her usual gentle tone.

“Did you wake up, Xiao You?”

“How did you sleep last night?”

“Not bad. I slept pretty well.”

“It’d be even more comfortable if you didn’t hug me so tightly, Sister Yuan.”

“No way.”

“If I don’t hold you tight, what if you run off?”

“Who runs off from their own bed?”

“I’m fifteen now, almost done with junior high.”

“Sister Yuan, we should…”

‘…keep some distance between us.’

But I didn’t say the second half.

Seeing Sister Yuan’s smile start to fade, the words I was about to say turned into something else.

“Never mind. As long as you’re happy, Sister Yuan.”

Hearing my words, the strange look on her face vanished.

She flashed a cute, sweet smile.

She gently rubbed her head against mine, still holding me.

“I knew it!”

“Xiao You definitely loves being hugged by me while sleeping!”

After nuzzling for a bit, she sat up straight.

She carefully got out of bed.

“I’ll go make breakfast.”

“It’s still early, so you can sleep more if you want.”

With that, she tidied the blanket she’d mussed while getting up.

Then she walked into the kitchen to start cooking.

The morning sun streamed through the window.

Its warm light felt cozy on my skin.

The spot next to me on the bed still carried Sister Yuan’s faint, sweet fragrance.

It lingered in my nose, as gentle as she was.

I turned my head.

I glanced at the photo of us on the desk by the window.

In the photo, Sister Yuan was smiling brightly.

She stood close to a scrawny little me.

Her infectious smile seemed to light up everything.

Yet it hadn’t reached me.

The gloomy little boy in the photo was expressionless.

He showed no interest in being photographed with the girl.

I was only seven when that photo was taken.

It was my first year in this home.

Back then, I was introverted and timid.

Every move I made was cautious, afraid of upsetting Sister Yuan.

But that was just me worrying for nothing.

Sister Yuan never got mad at me.

She was always so gentle, kind, sincere, and open.

Over time, I realized something about her.

She handled everything with remarkable maturity and calm.

Though she sometimes acted childish, she always got things done clearly and efficiently.

Her optimism and outgoing nature rubbed off on me.

Year after year of living together changed me.

My personality started to resemble hers.

I became more enthusiastic, lively, and positive.

I stopped being bound by unnecessary formalities.

I began doing what I wanted and saying what I felt.

After washing my face, I hung the wrung-out towel on the wall.

The aroma of breakfast wafted from the dining table.

“Today’s breakfast has your favorite shaomai, Xiao You.”

“There’s no sugar in the porridge, but I prepared some pickled radish.”

“Sister Yuan, your cooking is as amazing as ever.”

“This porridge is perfectly done. I love it.”

I took a bite of the shaomai and sipped the plain rice porridge.

That’s how I rated it.

“What about the shaomai? Not good?”

“It’s good, but I bet it’s not your cooking.”

“Yours is the best!”

Sister Yuan, standing behind my chair, suddenly wrapped her arms around my neck.

Her flawless, fair face pressed against mine.

She looked absolutely delighted.

“Xiao You, you sure know how to flatter me.”

“You always make me happy.”

“I’ll make it for you next time.”

“Save some room today, though.”

“I’m taking you somewhere tonight for something delicious.”

“Something delicious?”

“What could be better than your home-cooked meals?”

“Let me guess, another unavoidable gathering?”

Sister Yuan never liked eating with others.

She avoided parties and banquets whenever she could.

If she couldn’t, she always brought me along.

“Hey, Xiao You’s pretty good at guessing.”

“It’s our school’s graduation party.”

“I’ve skipped too many of these events before.”

“This one’s hosted by the school, so it’s hard to miss.”

“You’ll come with me, right, Xiao You?”

“You already know I won’t say no.”

“Even if I did, you’d find a way to drag me along.”

“Hehe, then get ready.”

“The party starts at six tonight.”

“During the day, you’ve got other things to do.”

“Other things? Like what?”

Sister Yuan, sitting across from me, smiled lightly.

She reached out and picked a grain of rice from the corner of my mouth.

She popped it into her own mouth.

“A date with me.”

It was a summer as scorching as that year.

The blazing sun roasted everything on the ground.

Cicadas chirped endlessly in the trees.

The concrete road burned under the intense heat.

Sister Yuan wore an elegant black dress.

She held a small parasol.

Yet she seemed full of energy.

She radiated the vibrant charm of a youthful girl.

“Where are we going next, Sister Yuan?”

“It’s so hot out here.”

I carried the shopping bags, my tone slightly grumpy.

The harsh sunlight stung my arms, uncovered by my white short-sleeve shirt.

The heat was almost unbearable.

“Are you hot, Xiao You?”

“Let’s sit inside for a bit.”

“We can’t have you getting sunburned.”

“I’d be heartbroken.”

The tall, graceful figure ahead opened the glass door of a café.

She walked in.

I hurried to follow.

The spacious café had few customers.

The waiter sat idly behind the counter, daydreaming.

The air conditioning blasted cool air.

It was a completely different world from outside.

I placed the shopping bags on a round table near the door.

Then I slumped into a chair.

“You okay?”

“Here, drink some water to cool off.”

“It’s my fault.”

“I didn’t notice you were getting so hot.”

Sister Yuan placed a chilled drink in front of me.

She sat across from me.

Her starry eyes were filled with concern.

“I’m fine, Sister Yuan.”

“It was a bit hot, but I’m revived now.”

“I can handle it.”

“Don’t push yourself.”

“I don’t want our first date to end like this.”

“But your health comes first.”

“If it’s too much, we’ll head back.”

Seeing a trace of regret on Sister Yuan’s face, my thoughts of ending early and going home vanished.

I just wanted to go along with her.

To do what she wanted.

“No need to worry about me.”

“If there’s something you want to do, let’s keep going.”

“But, Sister Yuan, why… a date?”

“Why a date with me?”

“Because I’m trying to win you over.”

“Isn’t it normal to ask someone you like out on a date?”

As she spoke, Sister Yuan stretched out her long legs, clad in black stockings.

They brushed against my calves.

My cheeks flushed instantly.

The blush spread to my ears.

My hands flailed awkwardly.

I stammered, repeating her words.

“L-Like… like me?”

“Sister Yuan, what are you saying?”

“You… like… me?”

Seeing my flustered reaction, Sister Yuan burst out laughing.

“Hahaha, Xiao You, you’re so cute when you’re shy.”

“Why so surprised?”

“If I didn’t like you, why would I bring you home back then?”

“Why would I treat you so well, silly?”

“…Why… bring me home…”

“So the ‘like’ you’re talking about isn’t what I thought, right?”

“You’ll have to find the answer yourself.”

“You’re so smart, Xiao You.”

“I’m sure you’ll figure it out.”

I felt like Sister Yuan was teasing me.

After all that nervousness, her “like” probably wasn’t what I imagined.

Someone as amazing and outstanding as her—how could she like me?

Sister Yuan stopped laughing.

She turned to look out the window.

Her lips parted slightly, biting the straw in her chilled drink.

Her profile was stunning, almost unreal.

Her light purple eyes blinked.

Suddenly, she spoke seriously.

“Xiao You, am I a bit willful?”

“Why say that?”

“Dragging you out for a date in this heat.”

“Always hugging you while sleeping without asking.”

“And so many other things I do without considering your feelings.”

“If you think that’s willful, then I’ll accept your willfulness.”

Sister Yuan turned to face me.

Her expression held a hint of surprise.

She hadn’t expected me to say that.

“You’ve always forgiven my mistakes, haven’t you?”

“No matter what I mess up, you never get mad.”

“And these things you mentioned—I don’t think they’re willful.”

“I… don’t mind when you do them.”

“So that’s how you feel, Xiao You.”

“That puts me at ease.”

“I’m so happy.”

“It feels like you’re the one winning me over.”

“So, wandering around with me like this, are you happy?”

“Yeah, I’m happy.”

“Every day with you is happy, Sister Yuan.”

“Really?”

“I’m happy too.”

“Then let’s stay together like this forever.”

“Mm!”

Right after I said that, I let out a big yawn.

Normally, I’d be napping at this time.

The usual sleepiness hit me.

My eyelids started drooping.

“If you’re sleepy, just sleep.”

“It’s fine to nap here for a bit.”

“I’ll wake you later.”

“Mm, okay.”

“I’ll sleep then.”

As I drifted off, slumped on the table, Sister Yuan spoke in a voice I couldn’t hear.

Words I absolutely wasn’t meant to hear.

‘Do you know how much your sleeping face stirs my heart, Xiao You?’

‘Every night, when you’re so defenseless in my arms, I can’t help but want to do something excessive.’

‘Of course I like you.’

‘My feelings for you are so intense, even I can’t believe it.’

‘If you ever learned how I feel, no matter what choice you make, I would…’