“S-So cute!”
Gu Wen had just slipped into house slippers when a blonde Little Loli bloomed into view like a sunlit flower. Her feet drifted toward the girl like a moth to a candle; as a girl, she just couldn’t resist cute things.
“I know I’m cute. You don’t have to say it. And could you not come any closer?” The golden-haired girl’s bell-clear voice turned sharp. Her willow brows drew tight like a bowstring, clear annoyance flickering at finding Gu Wen in her home.
“Gu Wen, don’t go over. Let’s get dinner started first.” Lu Ke dropped the groceries in the kitchen, caught Gu Wen’s hand, and steadied her like an anchor catching a kite.
“Ah… sorry. I’ll go wash the vegetables.” A small slump tugged at Gu Wen’s shoulders; she dipped her head like a dewdrop-laden bud and wandered into the kitchen.
“Xue’er…”
“Big Bro, over here! I’ve got something to say!” Xiao Qianxue’s pout puffed like a cherry in spring, adorable and prickly. Lu Ke barely had time to take in the sight before she turned on her heel and slipped into her room like a breeze.
“Why’d you bring her back? Are you two so close you can just bring girls home alone?” She plopped on the edge of the bed like a sulking cat, hugged a bear pillow to her chest, and let her red-gold eyes hide under her fringe like sunset behind reeds.
“Uh, Xue’er, didn’t you get my text?” Lu Ke fumbled, a little lost; it was his first time seeing his sister this riled.
“What text?” The Little Loli snatched up the phone from the bedside. A lone unread message glowed on the screen like a cold moon—time-stamped an hour ago. She skimmed it, then set the phone down with slow, cooling fingers.
“Sorry, Big Bro. I thought you… brought another girl home without telling me…” Without noticing, Xiao Qianxue had melted completely into the role of Lu Ke’s little sister. A blush climbed her cheeks like dawn tinting clouds.
“It’s fine. I’m just curious why you reacted so strongly.” Seeing the bristling kitten smooth its fur, Lu Ke grinned and drew her into his arms. She barely twitched before finding herself held. “Jealous?”
He breathed in the milk-sweet trace of her body wash, threaded with her own jasmine warmth, her small, soft body like a bundle of cotton.
“As if!” Her golden fur puffed again in his arms. “Why would I care if my idiot brother has a girlfriend? You dummy! Big Bro, you big dummy!”
“Relax, Xue’er. In my heart, you’ll always be number one.” Lu Ke set the golden-haired girl down and stood, the promise firm as a stamped seal.
“Hmph.” Candy-sweet warmth fizzed in her chest, but the tsundere mask stayed cool as frost. After that, Lu Ke skimmed through what had happened lately. Xiao Qianxue listened and nodded, understanding shining like a quiet lantern. “If you’ve got a plan, then go all out!”
“I don’t need you to tell me that.” Lu Ke coughed, a shade embarrassed, then ruffled the golden crown on her head like petting a tame cub.
They stepped out. Just then, Gu Wen came out of the kitchen. She almost bit her lip to stop herself from staring at the walking bundle of cute.
“Sorry, Sister Gu Wen. I was a bit impulsive just now.” The golden-haired girl pinched the sides of her nightdress and set her left foot back, dipping a tiny curtsey like a blossom bowing to rain.
“It’s fine. I didn’t take it to heart.” Gu Wen smiled, warm as a lamp. “So… should I still call you Xiao Yan?”
Pfft—Lu Ke burst into a laugh.
Wham. Xiao Qianxue’s brows pinched. Without even looking back, she swung a fist like a hammer dropping.
“Ah!” Lu Ke yelped and toppled, out cold on the floor like a felled tree. She knew her strength like a reinsman; it wouldn’t do more than switch off his lights.
“Um… will Lu Ke be okay?” Gu Wen stiffened at the sight of the collapsed body.
“Don’t worry. More importantly, let’s finish dinner.” The golden-haired girl took an apron from the rack, tied it over pajamas, and sent washed vegetables into the wok. Oil flashed like liquid gold; the sizzle rose like summer rain.
“You can cook?” Gu Wen stared, stunned, as the Little Loli’s hands flew like swallows. With her boosted stamina, even the wok felt light as a cloud in her grip.
“Mhm. I have to take care of this brother. Cooking’s an essential skill.” She plated the dish with a clean glide. “Here, take this out.”
“Oh, okay!” Gu Wen took the plate with both hands. Her mind rippled: a girl this cute should’ve grown up like a pampered princess in her parents’ gentle harbor—so how did she learn all this? And with Lu Ke and this too-adorable golden-haired girl… they couldn’t be real siblings, right? Maybe not even cousins. Maybe no blood tie at all. Questions bubbled up like fish under ice.
“Sis Gu Wen, why are you still standing here? Go.” Xiao Qianxue glanced back. Inwardly she tilted her head: refined face, but is she a complete airhead?
“Sorry, little sister.” Gu Wen blinked back to herself and hurried to the table.
“Ugh…” Lu Ke finally dragged himself up off the floor, breath sawing like a bellows. His brows kept twitching with the ache. “When did Xue’er get so strong?” The Little Loli who once only wriggled when he hugged her had just floored him with one punch. “Forget it. She’s my sister. Don’t overthink. Go eat.”
A while later, after Xiao Qianxue set the fourth dish on the table, she untied the apron with a soft rustle. “Xue’er, you worked hard today.” Lu Ke came out with three bowls of rice, the pain gone, warmth returning like spring sun.
“It’s nothing. Just one more dish than usual. Also, you playing dead on the floor was against the rules.” The golden threads on her chest slipped forward; she tucked them behind an ear like stowing sunlight, then glanced at Gu Wen across from her.
“Sis Gu Wen, you can call me Xue’er.” She flashed a sweet smile, then dove into battle with food like a tiny warrior charging a feast.
“Xue’er… what a lovely name.”
“Of course. Look whose sister she is.” Lu Ke straightened his chest, pride bright as a banner.
“Huh. I don’t remember Big Bro’s skin being this thick.”
“My skin’s only thick in this department.”
“You two get along so well.” Watching them bicker and eat, Gu Wen felt her heart ripple like a pond in wind. “Xue’er, why does one of your eyes look red?” Up close, that flawless face held one bright golden iris, while the other glowed a bewitching blood-red, like twin gems set in snow.
“Ask Bro. I’m eating.”
