Qin An gently stroked Qin Chan’s dark, silky hair and said, “Xiao Chan, take good care of your sister. Don’t bully her, okay?”

Qin Chan looked like a contented kitten for a moment, but then put on a serious face. “Magical Girl Xiao Chan guarantees she’ll take excellent care of her sister! I won’t fight over the remote or candy. But Brother, you must buy me the Magical Girl cards.”

“Alright, I know.”

Qin An could never refuse her requests. If she asked for the stars or the moon, he might just fetch them for her.

Qin Yage blushed deeply and, just as Qin An was about to leave, managed to say, “Brother, the weather forecast says it’ll rain today. Remember to take an umbrella.”

She immediately hugged her Hello Kitty pillow, hid in the sofa, and rolled around. Blushing over something like this was probably a world first for her.

Qin An smiled slightly, picked up the large black umbrella by the shoe rack, and headed out.

Qin An was heading to his part-time job at a bookstore. Since eighth grade, unstable income from Qin Yuqing’s unstable career had pushed him to work.

He’d eventually found this store. The owner was a bald uncle—a property owner living comfortably off rent. He’d opened the bookstore simply to get people reading more. It felt like a tiny library, with few buying books. The job was relaxed, though the salary was just token.

But Qin An loved it. He’d brew hot coffee, read classics when calm, or flip through manga and light novels when stressed. Sometimes a kid shouted for comics; sometimes a student grabbed study guides. That was about it.

His shift ran from 7 PM to 11 PM. Once Qin An took over, the bald uncle would sneak home to his wife and daughter. Qin An was used to this.

The bald uncle slung an arm over Qin An’s shoulder and grinned. “Qin-kun, I’m leaving the night to you.”

“Yes, Manager.”

He gently placed the umbrella by the door and sat quietly at the counter without disturbing anyone. Two girls inside were still whispering.

“This manga looks great. I love the art style.”

“I know her. She debuted two years ago. With that amazing art, she skyrocketed to fame right away. This one and this one are hers too.”

“She’s working on two series at once? Amazing!”

“No, she just starts series and never finishes. She’s usually bi-weekly, sometimes monthly. Rumor says she’s tall and gorgeous. Everyone calls her the Queen of Delays!”

“Starting and delaying are bad habits! I just hope she doesn’t abandon this one.”

“Mhm. I hope she finishes ‘Climbing onto Brother’s Bed’ soon. The brother and sister are so heartwarming.”

The girls had bought all the artist’s tankobon volumes—they must really adore her. Qin An casually glanced at the cover name: Qin Zi. Her work.

Drip-drip—

The weather forecast was rarely right, but this time it was. Outside, a light rain began to patter.

A middle-aged woman sighed annoyedly, “Ugh, rain again? My clothes’ll get soaked. Such a hassle!”

An office worker shrugged. “I’ll just get drenched. Shower when I’m home.”

A naughty kid reading manga wrapped his head in his jacket and dashed into the rain.

After the rain started, the lively bookstore fell silent. No customers remained, but Qin An held his post.

At 11 PM sharp, Qin An turned off the lights and locked up. Outside, the rain fell leisurely—a steady drizzle that wouldn’t stop all night.

Qin An walked alone through the rainy night under his black umbrella, his dim shadow stretching long on the wet ground.

Under a streetlight, a shivering figure huddled against the wall. She wore Shenchuan Middle School’s uniform, clutching a cardboard box.

Qin An approached under his umbrella, shoes squelching on the pavement. The girl looked up, eyes swollen, face wet—tears or rain, it was hard to tell. Only when she recognized Qin An did she force a pitiful smile.

“Meow~”

Inside the box lay a black cat with emerald-green eyes. Wrapped in Qin An’s sweater, it shivered uncontrollably from the cold, motionless.

“Sorry for getting your sweater dirty!”