Lin Shu got home just before eight. After grabbing street snacks, he’d walked Su Nuan back—him jogging, her cycling—calling it post-dinner exercise.
The house was pitch-dark and lifeless. No sense of home at all. He had no idea what his dad was busy with lately, but it barely mattered. Without Mom and his sister, this place felt hollow.
He showered, did laundry, then collapsed onto his bed. Scrolling comics, novels, and videos on his phone, shifting positions—he was drained both mentally and physically. Studying voluntarily? Impossible. Unless exams were breathing down his neck.
Just past nine, his sister’s call finally woke him from near-sleep.
“Did I wake you, Gege?” Lin Yiyi’s voice was soft.
“Nah. Just bored myself to sleep.”
Lin Shu rarely called her. He texted; she’d reply when she could. She didn’t carry her phone to school—afraid it’d get confiscated. Even if returned after finals, who knew its condition? Plus, she’d keep checking for his messages.
Mom knew about the phone. She’d turned a blind eye—as long as Yiyi’s grades didn’t slip. If Lin Shu ever dragged her scores down? Forget daily calls. He’d be barred from seeing her entirely. Until they could live together, this patience was non-negotiable.
“Did you break up with your fake girlfriend yet?” Yiyi cut straight to the chase.
That jolted Lin Shu fully awake. He rolled over. “Break up? It’s not like we’re actually dating.”
“So what did you two do today?”
Yiyi lay on her stomach, kicking her legs, pen and notebook ready. She scribbled at key phrases.
“You’re such an idiot, Gege. Signing contracts with her? You’ll be counting money for the villain who sold you!”
“It’s harmless. ‘No flirting’ benefits me too. Just a mutual agreement.”
*It clearly means ‘don’t like anyone but me’! Why’s he so clueless?!*
“And that underclassman still hasn’t given up? Are you *that* popular at school?”
“They just use me as a convenient shield.”
*Gege, not just anyone can be a shield! But why’s this fake girlfriend going through such trouble? Why not make it real? Afraid he’d reject her? Suspicious.*
From his descriptions, she was a wealthy heiress. But even busy parents wouldn’t let a high schooler live alone. Something felt off.
“Are you practicing dates with her tomorrow?”
“She mentioned studying. Probably just a casual suggestion. Besides, I’ve got team training and a scrimmage tomorrow afternoon.”
“You work hard.”
“Mindless labor’s easy.”
“If she invites you out to ‘study’ tomorrow…”
*Pretending off-campus is clearly ulterior. She has feelings for him. But if I warn him, I’d play into her hands. His grades improving is good, right?*
They’d live together through high school, university, even after he married.
“Just agree. You’re using each other anyway. You’ve already become a player because of them—might as well get your money’s worth.”
*Only two rivals? Easier. Let them balance each other out. Two rivals clash, Yiyi wins.*
“Studying on weekends…” Lin Shu’s motivation flatlined. This life was too disciplined, too healthy. He’d only pushed himself hard once—in junior year, for his sister. Without their promise, who knew how far he’d have fallen?
“Gege, besides eating, sleeping, and talking to you, I only study. Mom won’t let me help with chores or the shop. She even ties my shoelaces before I leave. Like if I ace exams, nothing else matters. I’m turning into a useless study-bot.”
“Mom can be extreme sometimes.”
After the divorce, Yiyi became Mom’s emotional anchor. She biked her to school daily unless busy, then enlisted Auntie. No wasted commute time—more sleep, slower meals.
Their next move relied on deceiving Mom. Yiyi claimed she’d board at school, but they’d actually rent near campus. If she’d asked to rent alone, Mom might’ve moved back to chaperone. But she’d invested heavily in her countryside guesthouse—unprofitable so far. She preferred the fresh air; her city cough had vanished here.
Lin Shu would enroll Yiyi himself. That trust, earned by getting into No.1 High, proved he was a responsible brother. Auntie was listed as the school contact—a perfect cover. Now, what bribe would keep her silent?
“Yiyi, you must have tons of suitors at school?” Lin Shu blurted. After talking about his fake love life, he wondered about hers. Mom forbade dating. Would college change that?
“Ugh. Confessions spike at finals, Valentine’s, Christmas. Valentine’s is *ours*, Gege. How dare they ruin it?”
“How do you reject them?”
“Love letters go straight to trash. If they block my path, I say I have a boyfriend. When they doubt me? I show our printed photo.”
“But you don’t bring your phone!”
“I carry a printed copy. They give up. No one here knows you’re my brother.”
*During hometown walks, her classmates only greeted her. She never introduced me… was it for this reason too?*
“Gege’s my natural shield. The best one. When I enter No.1 High, I’ll repay you—be *your* shield. That fake girlfriend won’t stand a chance.”
“Mm.”
Something felt off, but Lin Shu couldn’t pinpoint it.
“I hear Mom’s footsteps! Gotta go. Goodnight, Gege.” Yiyi hissed.
“Night.”
*What if I’d made Yiyi my fake girlfriend instead of becoming a creepy brother-lover? Would things be different?*
But even Su Nuan—a heavyweight fake girlfriend—hadn’t deterred Gu Chu Chu. An out-of-town sister probably wouldn’t help.
Lin Shu’s phone buzzed. Su Nuan’s message:
*“Study together tomorrow at the city library? Near your place and the gym. Your English has too many gaps. Monthly exams start right after May Day break.”*
Just like Yiyi predicted. She’d actually invited him.
*Ugh. My perfect weekend… wasted. But I promised Yiyi.*
*“What time? I can’t wake up early.”*
*At least save my lazy mornings.*
*“After lunch? Meet at twelve?”*
Su Nuan had prepped heavily. She’d expected him to dodge. *He must be falling for my charm. Step by step, into my trap.* She’d carefully crafted that message—maintaining their fake-couple act.
*“No meal together?”*
*“Even I can’t shamelessly mooch meals daily, okay?”*
*“I can only study till two. Training after.”*
*Training was a godsend.*
*“If you focus half that time, it’ll be enough.”*
*That’s… low standards?*
