Lin Ran and Xu Zhi lay under the covers, gazing at each other in the dim glow of the bedside lamp.
Nothing separated them—they’d shared a bed before. Xu Zhi loved sleeping beside him; it brought her inexplicable comfort. She stared into his eyes like a sulking cat.
“I’m changing into my nightgown,” she murmured, sitting up. Lin Ran tugged her waist. “What’s wrong? Uncomfortable sleeping in that?”
“Nope. This nightgown’s sheer. Let’s see… if you can handle it.”
“…”
Lin Ran released her. Xu Zhi grabbed her black nightgown from the bedside. As she slipped off her slip dress, Lin Ran caught the smooth curve of her bare back. Her fingers unhooked her bra behind her—Lin Ran watched it fall, then saw her pull on the nightgown.
She placed the white lace-trimmed bra openly on the bed. Seeing Lin Ran’s slightly dazed expression, Xu Zhi slid back under the covers. “What? Girls don’t sleep in bras, you know.”
“Great. Now I’ll never sleep.”
“Then don’t.”
Lin Ran shut his eyes with a sigh. Xu Zhi snuggled close, nuzzling him gently. Still not satisfied, she rolled over and pinned him down, her full weight pressing against him, their eyes locked.
“Hmm?” She feigned calm.
“Sleep. Sleep. Sleep.” Lin Ran flicked her earlobe. Xu Zhi instantly stilled.
“Fine. But hold me while I sleep.”
Lin Ran wrapped his arms around her. Xu Zhi nestled closer, whispering “Goodnight” before closing her eyes.
……………………………………
Next morning.
Lin Ran woke to the clatter of pans in the kitchen. Xu Zhi still slept deeply—restless in her sleep, she’d always end up clinging tightly to him. He gently lifted her leg off his waist. Xu Zhi murmured in her sleep as he slipped out.
Xu Mo was stir-frying rice.
“Mom went grocery shopping. She wants you to stay for lunch.”
Xu Mo wore a black cartoon T-shirt—Squirtle printed on the chest—and loose shorts hugging her thighs. She turned, her eyes holding a trace of resentment.
“Sure. I’m free today,” Lin Ran nodded, missing the flicker in her gaze. Xu Mo plated the fried rice and handed it to him.
“You and my sister… what exactly is your relationship?”
“Good friends.”
“Friends who share a bed?” Her voice dripped with faint disdain.
The seventeen-year-old stood like a young willow branch, her clear eyes fixed on his.
“It’s not what you think. Xu Zhi said the room’s thin-walled—you’d have heard if anything happened,” Lin Ran replied calmly.
Xu Mo passed him a spoon and led him to the sunlit living room. Curtains wide open, the room smelled of warmth. “Sister’s still asleep?”
“She’s awake. Just lazing around.”
“Hmm.” Xu Mo took a bite. After a pause: “Does she like you?”
“I don’t know.”
“You’re pretending not to know.”
“Sometimes bluntness hurts more than it helps.”
“If you don’t like her, why lead her on? You’re keeping her as a backup.”
“… Kids shouldn’t pry or jump to conclusions.”
“I saw it with my own eyes.” Xu Mo insisted.
“Your eyes are beautiful,” Lin Ran said offhandedly.
“What?” She froze.
“Just sharing a fun thought.”
“Go on.”
“I love you—”
Xu Mo’s head snapped up.
Lin Ran had only just begun. Meeting her disgusted glare, he continued: “I mean—what does ‘I love you’ truly mean once spoken?”
“A confession.” Her tone was flat.
“It means the relationship and feelings hit their peak the moment those words leave your lips. No room to grow… or retreat.”
“So?” She hadn’t grasped it.
“What do *you* think?” Lin Ran smiled.
Xu Mo ate another spoonful. After a while: “Oh.” She kept eating.
Lin Ran’s phone buzzed. A message from Ink Orange Ice:
*Alone right now?*
*Huh? Yeah. Why?*
*Sending a pic.*
Before he could react, the photo arrived.
Ink Orange Ice sat before a mirror, legs spread wide in a close-up shot. One slender hand parted her—
Lin Ran dropped the phone. It bounced and landed at Xu Mo’s feet. She bent to pick it up—then froze, staring at the screen. Her cheeks flushed crimson.
She locked the screen and handed it back, eyes red-rimmed but sharp with disgust. “So *this* is why you said things ‘aren’t ready yet’? You’ve got other girls sending you lewd pics.”
Lin Ran went completely numb.
“Pervert!”
He couldn’t speak.
“Disgusting!”
He stayed silent.
“Liar!”
He finally stammered, “It’s… just a friend sending NSFW stuff as a joke. I got startled—that’s why I dropped it.”
Xu Mo stared.
Lin Ran forced himself to meet her gaze.
“You’re lying.” Her nose twitched. She seemed to believe him but huffed anyway, returning to her rice.
“Really.” Lin Ran typed frantically to Ink Orange Ice: *Why send that out of nowhere??*
*’Cause it’s pretty :3*
*…*
Ink Orange Ice had successfully murdered his social life.
Lin Ran looked up—still numb. Xu Mo’s blush hadn’t faded. “You *are* lying.”
“I’m not.”
“Prove it. Show me the chat log.” Her voice was calm.
“…”
He couldn’t. Their chats were… lively.
“I’m telling Sister.” Her nose twitched again.
“If you tell her… she’ll be hurt.”
“Better hurt than tricked by a scumbag like you.” Xu Mo’s tone was firm. Lin Ran sighed. “I’m not tricking her. I’ve been clear with her. We’re just hanging out now. You’re too young to understand.”
“Do I have the right to tell her?”
“Yes.” Lin Ran had no choice.
As he opened his mouth to plead, Xu Zhi appeared in the doorway in her pajamas. “Huh? Tell me what, Xiao Mo?”
Panic seized Lin Ran.
He locked eyes with Xu Mo. She gave a tiny, almost invisible kick under the table, then said casually, “Lin Ran Gege said you snore in your sleep.”
Xu Zhi flared. “I *don’t*! He’s teasing you!” She rushed over, pinching Lin Ran’s ear. “Do I snore?” she whispered fiercely.
“No.”
Satisfied, Xu Zhi huffed off to brush her teeth.
Xu Mo glared at Lin Ran. He met her gaze helplessly.
“You…” She trailed off, turning away. “Forget it. Sister’s on her own. She’s just being dumb.”
“Says the genius here,” Lin Ran chuckled weakly. Watching her profile, he added, “You really think I’m trash?”
“Yep.”
“Fine, fine. Whatever you say.”
“You didn’t even argue. So you admit it.”
“When defense is pointless… what’s the use?” Lin Ran muttered, eating his rice. Xu Mo kicked his shin under the table again.
He ignored it. It didn’t hurt.
After breakfast, Xu Zhi and Xu Mo’s mom returned. Lin Ran sent her to rest, promising to cook lunch. He and Xu Zhi picked a simple dance for her next short video—she’d only had childhood dance lessons, cut short by finances. By noon, her second video was uploaded.
The response was strong. Su Nisheng had given Xu Zhi traffic boosts; now she needed to convert views to followers. The conversion rate looked promising.
Lin Ran cooked lunch. After eating, he left Xu Zhi’s apartment. Xu Mo was heading back to school, so they walked out together. In the elevator, Lin Ran faced her resentful stare.
“Why do kids care so much?”
“Xu Zhi is my sister.”
“Sisters live their own lives. Stop guessing her heart.”
“But you’re trash.”
“Alright, alright. What do you want from me?”
Lin Ran met her eyes, weary.
