"I'm not your sister!"

Su Shui stared at the hysterical Su Qing, still unable to believe his ears.

"Xiao Qing, stop it—don't joke around! How could you not be my sister?"

"Nothing's impossible! If you can marry Lin Ning, why not this?"

Su Qing's eyes were red-rimmed as she gripped Su Shui's shirt tightly.

"Tell me—if I'd never been your sister from the start, would you marry me?"

"Hmm..." Su Shui gazed at Su Qing, so close he could feel her breath, imagining a life together where she wasn't his sister.

"I think... I probably would," Su Shui earnestly blurted out that forbidden thought.

Slowly, Su Qing released her grip, covered her mouth, and silently wept.

Su Shui gently held her; big tears soaked through his chest.

After a moment of embrace, Su Qing softly pushed him away, wiping her tears.

But the tears flowed endlessly, sliding down her cheeks no matter how she wiped.

"Xiao Qing..."

"I'm fine!" She shoved Su Shui away, forcing a bright smile through her tears. "This is enough. I haven't lost!"

She stepped back slowly, lightly brushing Su Shui's cheek.

"You... be happy with her..."

Su Shui reached out to grab Su Qing as she drifted away.

"It's over. Really. This is enough!"

She turned and ran, never looking back this time.

...

...

Su Shui stood frozen like a lost soul.

"Kid, go after her!" An old man kicked him awake.

He scrambled forward, stumbling countless times, chasing that fading figure.

Memories of life with Su Qing flooded his mind—her smiles, her tears, their shared joys and sorrows.

"Damn it! What's wrong with a man liking multiple people? I want them all!"

...

...

Su Qing ran aimlessly, her heart hollow as if something vital was missing.

Neon lights flashed around her; laughter filled the air.

Tears blurred her vision under the streetlights, faintly forming Su Shui's face—the person she'd relied on since childhood.

"I'm such a fool. I said it was over!" she growled inwardly, scolding her weak self.

"I said it..." She slowed, leaning against a wall. "But I can't let go. I can't forget!"

Sliding down the wall, she sat on the ground, gazing at the pitch-black, cloud-choked sky.

...

...

"Well, if it isn't our little heroine!"

The thug Su Qing had beaten up for drunken troublemaking surrounded her with his gang.

She just sat there, glancing up at him once before looking away.

"What, gone dumb? You were tough when you punched me!" the thug sneered, pointing at her.

"Boss!" A man with a bandaged head and plaster on his face sidled up. "She and some guy wrecked my ticket scam and got me arrested again!"

"Meddlesome brat! Time I teach you a lesson for your folks!"

As he spoke, the thug grabbed a bat, swinging it at Su Qing.

In a flash, a brick flew through the air.

*Smack!*

It slammed straight into the thug's head.

"Get the hell away from my sister!"

Su Shui charged out, filthy and wild-eyed, standing protectively before Su Qing.

"Ge!"

"Holy crap!" The thug yanked the brick off his face. "You're dead, punk!"

"You're the one who's dead!" Su Shui glared, brick in hand. "Try touching her and see!"

The gang flinched back a step. Furious at his own fear, the thug roared, "We outnumber them! Show them real cruelty!"

He waved his arm; his crew surged forward with a *whoosh*.

"You're actually coming?!"

Panicked, Su Shui scooped up Su Qing, darted through a gap, and sprinted away.

In his arms, Su Qing watched him grit his teeth and run desperately—and laughed.

"Why run? You were so fierce just now~"

"Fierce? Useless! I don't wanna die!"

Su Shui ran for his life, the gang hot on his heels.

They zigzagged through alleys until Su Shui, exhausted, spotted an empty dumpster. He gritted his teeth, jumped in with Su Qing.

"Where'd they go?!"

"Dunno!"

"Idiots! Find them!"

Huddled inside, they listened quietly until the voices faded.

Only then did they crawl out cautiously.

"How'd you find me~?" Su Qing whispered, feeling the warmth of his chest, deliberately avoiding his gaze.

"I chased you all the way here! You run like a maniac—I'm dead tired!" Su Shui complained, rubbing his sore legs.

"I'm going back to school tomorrow," Su Qing murmured, her voice trembling.

"What? Why?! Staying home isn't good enough?"

Su Shui jumped up, grabbing her shoulders.

"I told you, I'm alrea—"

Before she could finish, Su Shui yanked her head toward him and kissed her fiercely.

Su Qing's eyes widened in shock.

"To hell with it!" She stopped overthinking and kissed back.

They locked in a passionate embrace in the quiet alley, finally parting with flushed faces.

"W-what was that~?" Su Qing whispered like a mosquito, too shy to look up.

"I like you~"

Su Shui crouched before her, grinning but serious.

"But I can't interfere with you two..."

"No interference! None at all!" Su Shui shook his head wildly.

"Still... let's stop here."

"Stop what?!" Su Shui pinched her cheek hard. "We're not blood-related, right~?"

"No. Grandpa found me!"

"Perfect. Saves me leg surgery~" Su Shui sighed in relief. "Just stay home, okay~?"

"But you and her..."

Seeing her hesitation, Su Shui steeled himself.

"Actually... we're divorced."

"Awesome!" Su Qing nearly jumped for joy.

"What's wrong with you?!" Su Shui glared, almost crying.

"Nothing. I'll live at home and take care of you~"

Su Qing pounded her chest confidently. Su Shui eyed her utterly flat chest and instantly regretted it.

"Maybe... you should go back to school~"

"Dream on. The war's just begun!"

...

...

...

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