Before lunch, helping Auntie Liang and Liang Caiyi clean the shop would probably become the new normal.

Today, Caiyi wore her Experimental Middle School uniform: a crisp white shirt under a petite blazer. A floral hair clip pinned above her forehead held back stray strands, while her golden hair cascaded freely over her shoulders and back. A hairband rested loosely on her wrist—clearly, she’d refused to tie it up.

Beneath her grey pleated skirt, black knee-high socks disappeared into polished brown loafers.

"You went to school today?"

"Mhm. Mom yanked me out of bed at dawn, dragged my half-asleep self to the car. Changed into this uniform en route, fixed my hair, wiped my face with wet wipes. By the time I reached the classroom? Third period had already started. First, the discipline master scolded me in his office—demanded I dye my hair back. Then my homeroom teacher lectured me."

Experimental Middle School was known for its relaxed rules. At stricter schools, girls had to wear bob cuts. But Caiyi’s bold golden hair was too conspicuous. Most students stuck to subtle shades like mocha brown or black tea—colors easy to claim were "natural."

"Mom even threatened to shave my head if I didn’t recolor it. Might as well just kill me."

"Is there a real reason you *have* to dye it? Do you like being blonde?"

Artistic types often stood out, but Caiyi was only in middle school.

"Liking blonde hair is the smallest part. If I don’t dye it, shop customers treat me like a kid. They dismiss everything I say as jokes—even Mom does. I’m *serious*." Caiyi twisted a golden lock around her finger, teeth gritted.

*So it’s like a little girl stealing her mom’s heels and makeup? That won’t make anyone see you as an adult. You’ve got this backwards from the start.* Lin Shu kept the thought to himself. Auntie Liang must’ve said the same. Caiyi just wouldn’t listen.

"Oh right—your jacket. I washed it."

Caiyi pulled Lin Shu’s jacket from her backpack. He took it, sniffing. Beneath the lemon-scented detergent lingered a trace of her perfume.

"Don’t sniff it, you creep!"

"Just checking if it stinks."

"Of course it doesn’t! I washed it."

"Together?"

"In your dreams. Yours went in the washing machine. Alone."

"What a waste of water and detergent."

At the dinner table, Lin Shu told Auntie Liang he couldn’t return for supper. Training would run late, and rushing back would make him miss evening study hall. He’d eat near school with classmates.

Caiyi leaned sideways, hand shielding her mouth as she whispered in Lin Shu’s ear: "Don’t think I don’t know you’re having dinner with your girlfriend."

"Our kids get along so well—they’re even sharing secrets now!" Dad chuckled, utterly missing the point.

"Peers understand each other. From now on, Xiao Shu will keep Caiyi in line. She never listens to me."

*Auntie Liang’s overestimating me.*

"Fine! Let Lin Shu manage me. Better than Mom’s nagging."

*Why’d you agree?!*

"Lin Shu? You’ll call him *Brother* Xiao Shu. Show some respect."

"He’s only a year older! Why ‘brother’?"

"One year makes him worlds more mature. Does *my* son need constant apologies to teachers? I don’t oppose your music—but prioritize your studies—"

Auntie Liang’s familiar lecture began. Caiyi stared at her rice bowl, silent. Under the table, her foot stomped on Lin Shu’s. *Not my fault.*

"I’m full."

Caiyi slammed her bowl down after wolfing her meal, stormed out to cool off.

"I’m done too. Where do I take the dishes?" Lin Shu gathered his bowl.

"I’ll handle it later. Go study."

Lin Shu headed toward Dad’s office to nap on the fold-out bed. Just outside the shop, Caiyi called out:

"Took you long enough. Pig."

"I eat slowly. And Auntie Liang’s cooking is delicious."

*Dad’s stomach is hers. Mom’s cooking? Not so much.*

"About Mom saying you should ‘manage’ me—"

"I didn’t take it seriously. Relax."

"No—I mean *pretend* to manage me. But don’t actually control me. I’ll do what I want."

"You want us to lie to Auntie Liang?"

"Exactly. No skin off your nose. And I won’t get yelled at."

"Refused." Lin Shu didn’t hesitate. He was already faking a relationship with Su Nuan under pressure—but this? Zero benefit.

"Why not? Mom trusts you. She believes *you*. When *I* talk? I get scolded."

"Lying to Auntie Liang gains me nothing. It’d ruin her trust in me. All downside."

He’d spent years being the "no-trouble" son to keep his promise about living with his sister. One misstep with Caiyi would shatter that.

"What do you *want*? I’ll consider reasonable requests."

"Define ‘unreasonable.’ Where’s the line?"

"Y-you know… *bad* things…" Caiyi’s face flushed. She stared at the ground, fingers trembling like restless waves.

"Don’t speak in riddles. Be clear."

"No… *ero* stuff!"

"I’m already taken. Why would I need that from you? Guess we’ve got no deal. Your offer’s unacceptable."

He’d never planned to agree—just wanted to wipe that arrogance off her face.

"Stingy pervert! I hope you and your girlfriend break up soon!"

"Thanks for the blessing."

Lin Shu waved without turning. *It’s fake anyway. If we ‘break up,’ it just means we don’t need the act anymore. That’s a win.*

"Just you wait—I’ll find your weakness."

Caiyi stomped her foot, glaring at his retreating back. *Then you’ll have no choice but to cooperate.*