Lin Shu and Su Nuan had just ordered street food when Auntie Liang called, inviting them to dinner at her shop.

"Auntie Liang, I’m eating out with a classmate today. We’ll definitely have dinner together tomorrow."

"Next time, let me know first if you won’t be home for meals."

"Got it."

While Lin Shu was on the call, Su Nuan stood beside him, covering her mouth to hide a giggle.

"Got scolded?"

"Not really. I’m just worried my dad’s fiancée might get the wrong idea—that I’m against the marriage because I avoid eating with them."

The street stall only had folding tables and plastic stools, all occupied during dinner rush. They took their takeaway to their usual bubble tea spot, ordering milk green tea and plain green tea while chatting over food.

"Finished your weekend homework?"

"Not a single word. Planning to do it tomorrow night at school," Lin Shu declared proudly, tilting his head up. "Otherwise, I’d have nothing to do during evening study hall but mess around."

Su Nuan rolled her eyes. "Is that something to brag about? Tomorrow—actually, never mind. You should rest tomorrow. You’ve got training and classes every day. We’ll tackle homework together tomorrow night."

"You haven’t finished either?" Lin Shu asked, shocked.

"I saved it to keep you company. Touched?"

"So touched I’m almost crying."

Lin Shu dramatically dabbed at his eyes.

"Lin Xiaoshu, what made you start playing basketball?"

"Hmm... I think it was a gift from my dad. Can’t remember if it was for my birthday or because I aced a test. His skills were terrible though—he’d just brute-force dunks and broke our neighborhood hoop. I thought it was cool and wanted to copy him."

Back then, his family had still been happy. His little sister had been just a baby in a stroller.

"And then?"

"That’s it. Dad got busy with work, so I played alone. Just me and kids from the compound or school. Later, someone even swapped my ball, and I never got it back."

"You didn’t know who took it? Wasn’t that ball precious?"

"Actually, the other kid’s ball was pricier and had better grip. Dad bought mine from a stationery store near my elementary school—total cheapo. At first, I didn’t even want to return it. But I felt bad, so I waited at the court for days. He never showed. Mom told me later he’d moved away."

"You didn’t catch his name?"

"I was just a kid! We always ran into each other at the court. Who knew he’d vanish overnight? All I remember is he wore a cap to look cool. I bought one too, but I never pulled off his vibe."

"Do you still have that ball?"

"Yeah. Hanging on my wall. After all these years, it might still work if I pump it up."

"Guess you really lucked out. Got a better ball, a full stomach, *and* your life story. Time to head home."

"I’ll walk you back."

"Getting proactive. Want a reward?"

"No need. We’re just using each other. Who knows when this arrangement ends anyway."

"Probably not anytime soon. But it’s given me peace of mind. Next step: making Gu Chuchu give up."

Walking Su Nuan home after school, sharing bus rides and dinners, then seeing her off—it no longer felt awkward. Habit was terrifying.

Maybe because they were fake dating, they didn’t tiptoe around each other’s feelings. With anyone else as Su Nuan’s boyfriend, the pressure would be crushing—always walking on eggshells, terrified of getting dumped.

After watching Su Nuan swipe her card to enter her upscale apartment complex, Lin Shu took the bus back to retrieve his bike. Passing Auntie Liang’s shop, curiosity pulled him inside. They’d be family soon. Understanding her world felt necessary.

Dim lights spun lazily on the ceiling, scattering colorful dots across floors, walls, and faces. Four or five tables held diners sipping drinks, scrolling phones. A band tuned instruments on stage.

Auntie Liang—Liang Caiyi—handed out drinks behind the bar. Between orders, she’d gaze longingly at the spotlighted stage.

It wasn’t yet 9 p.m., the main show’s start time. Only small warm-up bands played for the sparse crowd.

Sensing eyes on her, Liang Caiyi glanced toward the entrance. Lin Shu spun away instantly, hoping she hadn’t spotted him. But his Nanyun No.1 High jersey—especially the glaring back print—was unmistakable.

Liang Caiyi adjusted the sports jacket tied around her waist. *Not bad*, she thought. *Keeps me covered, gives off a spicy vibe.*

After his nightly routine, Lin Shu waited for his sister’s call. She’d ring earlier tonight—it was the weekend.

"Brother, are you tired today?"

"Not at all."

"Then let’s chat longer. Remember you’re picking me up next Friday for the city exam?"

"Of course. I’ve got the leave slip ready and cleared it with my teacher."

The subject-specialized student exam started at 8 a.m. next Saturday. Lin Yiyi needed to arrive by 7:30 a.m. She got carsick easily—two and a half hours on winding roads left her pale and vomiting. Someone had to accompany her.

Weekends were peak season for their family’s guesthouse. Mom couldn’t leave. Auntie was lazy. The duty fell to Lin Shu.

He could skip morning classes, pick Yiyi up, and rush back for afternoon lessons—but exhaustion would make focusing impossible. Better to book her a hotel and steal some rest himself.

"Yiyi, I need to tell you something important."

"Are you getting married?"

"No—*Dad* is. It’s sudden, but he’s remarrying."

"Oh! That’s good. He must live so carelessly alone."

*Clap clap clap—*

Lin Yiyi clapped through the phone.

"You’re right. I support it too. Should we tell Mom?"

"Nah. Adults handle their own stuff. We kids shouldn’t meddle."

"True."

"One more thing... His fiancée has a kid too."

"A sister?"

"No—a little sister. About your age. She dyes her hair, skips class, obsesses over music. Total rebel. A real handful. I feel like she hates me already."

"Are you *sure* you didn’t do something to annoy her?"

"We’d never even spoken before today! The moment we did, she blew up like a firecracker."

"Tell me exactly what happened. I’ll analyze it for you."

Lin Shu hesitated. He’d told Su Nuan about seeing Liang Caiyi’s back without shame—he didn’t care what *she* thought of him. But to Yiyi, he was still the upright, reliable big brother.

"Well, I..."

Relief washed over him when Yiyi didn’t tease him about Liang Caiyi’s bare back like Su Nuan had. He didn’t want his sister thinking he was a creep.

"You butted in too much, Brother."

"I just wanted to get acquainted since we’ll be seeing each other all the time."

"I don’t think she hates *you*. She was just in a mood. And you sounded like a lecturing adult. Of course she snapped."

"Maybe I overthought it."

"If you talked to her like a peer—showed empathy—it’d go better."

"Hard to empathize when she acts like that."

"Don’t you like her type? Prefer your fake girlfriend or that underclassman?"

"Compared to them? The underclassman’s better. Good grades. Less trouble. At least she’s easier on the eyes than Liang Caiyi."

"What about me? I get good grades too. I’m well-behaved." Lin Yiyi twirled a strand of hair around her finger.

"Why are you quiet? Don’t you like me?"

"You’re my sister."

"So? Is it weird to like your sister?"

"Totally normal! I mean... as family." Lin Shu didn’t notice how flustered he sounded.

"I like you too, Brother. What did you and your fake girlfriend do today?"

"Studied in the library. Then she waited while I played a basketball scrimmage. We had dinner after."

"Just like real couples."

"We’re practicing to make the act convincing."

"Just don’t get lost in the act."

"Don’t worry. I know my limits."

*She keeps reminding me it’s fake. Making ‘fake girlfriend’ habits feel natural—ruining my plan to blur the lines.*

The underclassman and fake girlfriend balanced each other. But this stepsister... Her intense dislike—or sudden interest—was suspicious. Normal strangers wouldn’t care about a brother they’d just met. Either extreme meant she knew him.

If something made her stop hating him, all that built-up dislike might flip into liking. The more she hated him now, the more she’d like him later.

But she was just a stepsister. He had a real sister. No threat. (Unless she were an older sister—that’d be dangerous.)

Ever since he got a fake girlfriend, girls kept appearing around him. Probably more than just three. He’d be living with Yiyi in a few months—yet nothing was simple.

*Next week, I’ll meet this fake girlfriend.*

Hugging her panda plushie, its round head pressed against her chest, she snapped a selfie and sent it to him. Another daily ritual.

*Time to turn my brother into a brotherhood-loving weirdo.*