A rare, blissfully uneventful Sunday—perfect for lazing at home—was ruined by lunch plans with Auntie Liang. It’d be rude to wait for her call right before the meal.

Lin Shu left early to see if she needed help. If not, he’d train until lunchtime.

Though a "Closed" sign hung on Music Oxygen Bar’s door, it stood wide open.

Inside, a sharp alcohol scent hit him.

Auntie Liang, apron tied, mopped the floor. Dark circles shadowed her eyes; she kept yawning.

Lin Shu turned to flee—the last person he wanted to see—but Auntie Liang called out.

"Shu! Almost done cleaning. Then I’ll start lunch." She scrubbed a table, bent over.

"Need help with heavy stuff?" Lin Shu pushed up his sleeves.

"Just flip the plastic chairs onto the clean tables. Makes mopping easier. Wipe them if they’re dirty."

"Got it."

He hadn’t stacked chairs like this since elementary school cleanup duty.

Silence filled the bar, broken only by the creak of shifting furniture.

Auntie Liang straightened, rubbing her lower back. "Lunch soon. Any requests?"

"Fried pork cutlets!" Liang Caiyi perked up instantly, waving a hand.

"I eat anything," Lin Shu said.

*He’d been picky as a kid too—until his dad scared him straight.*

"Caiyi, learn from your brother. Grow up already."

Caiyi rested her chin on her hands gripping the mop handle, rolling her eyes at Lin Shu.

*Auntie Liang, stop stirring trouble.* Lin Shu finally understood why she disliked him.

After Auntie Liang left for the kitchen, the empty bar felt stiff and awkward. Yesterday’s argument still hung in the air.

Lin Shu placed the last chair on a table and clapped his hands. "No cleaner hired?"

"The cleaner comes on scheduled days. Only after big events—or when famous singers perform and leave mountains of trash. You don’t know how hard it is to make ends meet."

"What about the staff?"

"Afternoon-to-night shifts are part-timers—college kids. They sweep, clear tables, wipe counters. But they shouldn’t arrive to last night’s mess. Pay’s low; extra work breeds complaints. Night staff? They just want to collapse after closing."

"You really love this place."

"Of course! I grew up here. I’ll protect it."

"Struggling? Auntie Liang’s got it handled. Focus on school to ease her worries."

"You wouldn’t get it. Check our reviews: same old bands, tired songs, weak drinks. New bars are killing ‘non-alcoholic’ spots like ours."

"Worst part? Our lead singer—the veteran—wants to quit. She’s married, had a kid. Dreams of teaching music. Doesn’t want her child shamed for ‘a mom who works in a bar.’ Try explaining *that* difference to outsiders."

"So you want to replace her? Be the new star?"

"Problem?"

*Her skills aren’t ready. She should train at a music academy first.* But lecturing would backfire. Remembering his sister’s advice, Lin Shu nodded firmly. "Go for it."

"You don’t believe me."

Caiyi dashed to the counter, grabbed a red electric guitar from its case, and sprinted onstage. She plugged in—crackling static filled the air.

She tested the strings with a pick, then played. No singing, just soft humming along to the rhythm.

When she finished, Lin Shu clapped. "I don’t know music well, but that sounded great."

"I’m fine solo. Bands? Disaster."

"Lack of practice together?"

"Obviously! My old partner’s locked at home studying for exams. Others are lazy. No passion. We used to rehearse every weekend morning—empty bar, free gear. Perfect spot."

"It’s just a hobby for them. Fun. Or a way to flirt."

"Even if I’m alone, I won’t quit. One day, this place will be packed."

After her bold declaration, Caiyi quietly packed her guitar and slunk offstage.

"Your jacket. I’ll wash it—smells like smoke and booze."

"Take your time."

"That girl yesterday… your girlfriend?"

"Uh… kinda."

"Hmph. Don’t think I won’t report you two slacking off on studies."

*After all this talking, I thought we’d at least be neutral.*

What would reporting even do? Tattle to their parents? His laid-back dad wouldn’t care, and Auntie Liang wouldn’t lecture now.

Lin Shu’s view of Caiyi softened slightly—she wasn’t just a brat—but he still couldn’t accept her throwing away her future. Changing her mind seemed impossible.

"Caiyi, help serve! Shu, call your dad for lunch!" Auntie Liang called from the kitchen.

"Okay!" they chorused.

Dad arrived from his real estate office just as dishes hit the table.

Dad and Auntie Liang sat together; Lin Shu was stuck beside Caiyi, who handled the rice cooker.

Finally, a proper family meal. Their new home was secured—now came paperwork and renovations. Dad moved fast.

Talk turned to decor and materials. Auntie Liang suggested visiting the new place after lunch to pick rooms.

*Any room’s fine for sleeping,* Lin Shu thought. *But for Dad’s happiness, I’ll play along.*

The bare, high-rise apartment had four rooms—plenty for them. Dad even reserved one for his sister.

"Yiyi can stay weekends when she studies in the city."

"You have a sister?"

"Yeah. Way better behaved than you." Lin Shu couldn’t resist bragging.

"Tch." Caiyi clicked her tongue.

Afternoon sun streamed through floor-to-ceiling windows, painting the distant park green.

Caiyi chose the room farthest from the master bedroom—*guilty conscience*.

They rushed to pick tiles and furniture. Lin Shu felt trapped on this shopping trip.

Dad got called back to his gym for a client, leaving Lin Shu alone with Auntie Liang and Caiyi.

Physically easy, mentally exhausting. New family, few shared interests. Mostly Auntie Liang’s questions, Lin Shu’s answers.

*With my sister, I’d enjoy this all day.*

Caiyi clung to Auntie Liang’s arm, laughing like yesterday’s fight never happened. *Maybe that’s just how they are.*

They bought nothing except cheap trinkets and hair clips from a dollar store.

Back at Music Oxygen Bar by evening, the kitchen was closed for service. Auntie Liang ordered them signature fried rice and tea before rushing off.

Lin Shu ate his first meal to live music—a weirdly cool experience.

He left to change into his school uniform for evening study hall.

The moment he stepped out, shouting erupted behind him.

"I’m NOT going to school study hall!"

Caiyi stormed off.

*Such a handful.* Her flashy style wouldn’t get her bullied—but teachers would definitely drag her to the office for scolding. *That’s* probably why she hated school.