Sunday, November 22

Raindrops slid down the window sill, one by one, pattering crisply against the awning. Such a rainy day was truly cozy. The alarm clock showed 7:10 AM. In ten minutes, it would ring automatically, waking Qinmu from her warm bed.

"Ding ding ding~~~~" The alarm clock faithfully did its job—it was simply its duty.

"Ugh, so loud!" Qinmu slammed the snooze button. She slightly opened her eyes, seeing her bedroom ceiling. What time was it? When had she fallen asleep?

Qinmu rubbed her eyes clean. Now she could see her surroundings clearly. She was in her own room. The wardrobe, baseball cap, and coats hanging on the rack—everything felt familiar. She couldn’t quite recall what had happened yesterday.

"Sleep well?" Qingyu knocked on the door, smiling at Qinmu.

"Oh, sis, not bad. I should get up." Qinmu started to climb out of bed toward the clothes on the rack.

"Let me. Stay under the covers—don’t catch a cold." Qingyu handed her the coat and sweater, then studied her carefully. Was it the dim light last night, or pure affection? She just wanted to look at this brother who’d suddenly become her sister. Though the form had changed, the face remained the same. Was it cute, or endearing?

"Sis, what’s wrong?" Qinmu met Qingyu’s gaze, which hadn’t left her face.

"Oh… nothing. Later, I’ll take you to a nearby restaurant for breakfast. What do you want?" Qingyu snapped out of it, quickly changing the subject to avoid awkwardness.

"Hmm. Then shengjian bao." Qinmu wasn’t picky; she usually made her own breakfast.

"Okay, hurry up and dress." Qingyu’s eyes swept the room. Everything was still decorated like a boy’s. She instantly planned a makeover. Keeping a girl in such a masculine space felt unfair.

Qinmu pulled on the men’s coat, but Qingyu stopped her. "Girls can’t wear this! People will think you’re a cross-dresser." She dashed to HuiXiang’s room, returning with an identical pink fleece coat. "Wear this."

"Pink? It’s too flashy. I’m not used to it. Black’s better." Qinmu tried the men’s coat again.

Qingyu wouldn’t relent. "Qinmu, stop. Listen to your sister. Pink looks great on you."

"But…" Qinmu hesitated. She still couldn’t accept such colors—it felt like being a pervert, causing mental stress.

"No buts. Be good. Sister’s taste is never wrong." Qingyu coaxed.

"Hmm, still uncomfortable. Black is neutral—it’s trendy. No one will mistake me." Qinmu argued, hoping to convince her.

"Big problem! You’re a girl now. If I let you, you might become a cross-dresser. I can’t ruin my sister." Qingyu cared about every detail; she couldn’t tolerate inappropriate clothes.

…Qinmu facepalmed, speechless.

"Be good, wear it." Qingyu personally helped her dress. One sleeve went on, but Qinmu refused the other.

Qingyu panicked. "Good sister, it’s fine. Wear it, and I’ll buy you lots of pretty clothes."

This didn’t work—Qinmu wasn’t into pretty clothes. She even longed for boys’ wear; it felt cool and handsome.

"No." Qinmu stayed stubborn.

"Then… Qinmu, think: you’re a girl now. Don’t you want to be pretty, to shine?" Qingyu persisted.

"But it feels weird. I won’t wear it." Qinmu wouldn’t budge. Qingyu sighed, sitting on the bed with a pitiful look. "Just fulfill your sister’s wish? Please."

"...Fine. I’ll wear it." Qinmu gave in, though still reluctant.

"Good! Sister knows you’ll look great." Qingyu perked up, finally winning.

Reluctantly, Qinmu wore the full outfit Qingyu chose—coat, pants, shoes. A tactical victory.

"Happy now?" Qinmu grumbled.

"Mm, my sister is so obedient. Let’s go eat something delicious~"

--- Nearby Restaurant

The restaurant wasn’t crowded. Maybe the rain kept people home, or breakfast at home was cheaper.

Qingyu found a quiet spot and browsed the menu. Qinmu, unfamiliar with such places, quietly watched her sister.

"Is this good? Looks like soup dumplings. Appetizing."

"...Then that." Qinmu whispered.

"Why so nervous? Order what you like. I’m your real sister—I won’t eat you. What are you afraid of?" Qingyu didn’t understand her caution.

"It’s not…" Qinmu glanced around nervously. By the window, she feared being spotted by acquaintances. It was close to home.

"Relax. I have a proper job. Breakfast won’t break the bank. Order freely." Qingyu considered herself a senior white-collar worker. In River City, this expense meant little.

"Dad’s company?" Qinmu had heard Qingyu worked at their father’s firm but hadn’t seen him in years after living with her mom.

"No, it’s a startup with classmates. Doing well. I’m just a regular department manager…" Qingyu explained. Her salary was upper-middle class.

"Oh. How’s Dad now?"

"Still in Australia. I came back early to build my career here—and more importantly, to see my dear sisters." Qingyu gently stroked Qinmu’s cheek, warm and soft. "Little one, it’s so good to see you again."

"Really?" Qinmu didn’t resist, looking up with big, doubtful eyes.

"Of course. Having sisters like you is enviable. I’m grateful to heaven. Whatever I gave up was worth it." Qingyu smiled faintly.

"Gave up? I don’t understand." Qinmu didn’t know what she’d sacrificed.

"You’ll understand later." Qingyu kept secrets. She wanted to shield her sisters from reality’s harshness.