“Wake up! Wake up~"

Su Shui gently shook Su Qing’s shoulder, helplessly watching his sister lying in bed like a sleeping beauty.

“Where did my perfect little sister go—the one who used to cook breakfast for me every morning?!”

A week had passed since Su Qing moved in. The once-diligent sister who rose early to cook had turned into a lazy bug who wouldn’t budge without being spoon-fed.

“Get up already!”

“Mmm~"

Su Qing wriggled on the bed like a worm, refusing to rise.

“Get up now, or don’t blame me!” Su Shui threatened. She simply rolled over and let out a fart right at him.

*Pfft~*

Smacking her lips, Su Qing drifted back to sleep.

“You little brat!” Su Shui’s face darkened. “Then don’t blame me for being ruthless!”

He yanked the blanket high into the air.

“Ouch!”

Su Qing tumbled onto the floor, blinking around in confusion.

Spotting her strawberry-print underwear, Su Shui clapped a hand over his eyes—but his fingers parted instinctively, his gaze darting through the cracks.

“Pervert!”

*Slap!*

Su Qing slapped his cheek and kicked him away.

...

...

At the table, Su Qing ate her plain congee in silence.

“Xiao Qing, I really didn’t mean it~" Su Shui rubbed the red mark on his cheek. “Blame my hand—it’s got a mind of its own!”

“So… shall we detach this disobedient hand from your body?”

Su Qing toyed with the fruit knife. Su Shui snatched it away.

“Careful, Xiao Qing~"

Pretending diligence, he peeled an apple and handed it to her.

“By the way, where’s Sister Ning today?” Su Qing nibbled the apple, eyeing the empty chair beside Su Shui.

“She pulled another overtime shift~" Su Shui pouted. “Didn’t sleep till past two~"

“But you sleep in separate rooms! How’d you know her bedtime?”

Su Qing’s logic always zigzagged somewhere Su Shui never intended.

“I saw her when I got up last night!”

“*Got up*? Bro, take care of yourself! You’re still young—”

“Shoo, shoo!” Su Shui ruffled her hair. “What nonsense, little girl!”

Just then, Lin Ning stumbled out of the bedroom, rubbing her eyes.

“I’m starving~" she mumbled, plopping beside Su Shui.

Without a word, Su Shui scooped cooled congee and fed her.

“Ugh, why stay up so late? The company won’t collapse without you!” he grumbled, though his eyes softened at her dark circles.

“Nap after breakfast?”

“Nope~" Lin Ning blinked sleepily. “Meeting soon~"

“Alright~"

Helpless, Su Shui resolved to cook her something special for dinner.

“Bro, I’m off!” Su Qing, long used to morning lovey-dovey displays, snatched the apple and dashed out. “Gonna be late!”

“No rush—I’ll drive you~"

Su Shui wiped his mouth, grabbed Lin Ning’s coat. “Hurry up. I’ll drop you both.”

“Okay~"

...

...

“Don’t sleep in class!” Su Shui waved as Su Qing vanished into the classroom.

“She’s gone?” Lin Ning sat cross-legged in the minivan’s passenger seat, touching up her makeup.

“Yep. Let’s go~"

“Drive steady—I’m doing eyeliner~"

“Then sleep earlier! You’re always half-dead at dawn.”

“The company needs me~ It’ll ease up soon~"

*Screech~*

Su Shui slammed the brakes. Lin Ning’s lipstick smudged a crimson streak across her cheek.

“What?!” She shot him a glare, then mourned her ruined makeup.

“Something’s by the roadside~"

He stepped out and returned cradling a tiny bundle.

“What is it?” Lin Ning wiped her face, peering curiously.

“Here—hold it gently~"

Su Shui placed the shivering scrap into her palms.

“Is this… a cat?”

A skeletal kitten curled tightly, sparse fur clinging to its frame, eyes still sealed shut.

“Someone abandoned it,” Su Shui murmured, tapping its head softly.

“How do you know?”

“Check its paw.”

Lin Ning turned it over. One front paw was missing—not torn, but smoothly rounded, as if never formed.

“Oh… so pitiful~" She stroked its back, eyes softening.

“Let’s keep it!” She balled a tiny fist and nudged Su Shui’s cheek playfully.

“Knew you’d say that~" Su Shui drove leisurely, occasionally poking the kitten. “You head to work. I’ll take it to the vet.”

He waved and drove off.

...

...

Inside the clinic, wails of cats and dogs made Su Shui flinch—like stepping into a slaughterhouse.

“Doctor, here for a check-up~" He handed over the kitten. The vet took it urgently.

“This needs immediate attention!”

...

...

Results came: healthy aside from the paw, just weak.

Armed with a vet-recommended haul—cat bed, formula, litter—Su Shui drained his secret savings.

Glancing at the kitten napping peacefully in the passenger seat, he sighed at his empty wallet.

*Your little sweetheart is calling~ Your…*

“Hey, dear? What’s up?”

“Is the kitten okay?”

“You called… just for the cat?” Su Shui shot a jealous glance at the tiny sleeper.

“Duh! Who else—my big silly~?"

“Hmph! Cat’s fine. Bye!”

He hung up with tsundere flair—then instantly regretted it.

“Will she be mad…? Should I call back?”

He redialed quietly.

In her office, Lin Ning stared at the disconnected call.

“This guy… jealous of a cat~" She smiled. “I’ll be extra sweet tonight~"

She dialed back before her meeting.

*“Hello, the number you have dialed is currently in use. Please try again later. Sorry…”*