Cui Peak Township had a long history of tea cultivation and tea drinking. The tea was good, but it lacked any brand recognition—not even famous across the city. They grew tea simply because the climate and environment suited it, not much else.

In the past, they’d sold their harvest cheaply to tea buyers who repackaged it under other brands. Families kept only the best leaves to serve guests.

That changed when some college graduates returned home. People like Mom—who’d worked in the city and learned new tricks—started live-streaming sales and opening online stores to sell their own tea. With government support for local specialties, they bundled it with farm goods like chicken eggs and duck eggs. Business was booming.

Auntie poured tea into celadon cups, tea leaves swirling in the water. Grandma rummaged through the storage room, pulling out leftover New Year’s snacks: peanuts, sunflower seeds, candies, and canned goods of uncertain age. Everyone checked expiration dates before eating—Grandma had a habit of hoarding things past their prime.

A bite of sweet pastry melted on the tongue. A sip of tea washed away the cloying sweetness, leaving a gentle aftertaste.

The four of them sat around the table, chatting over tea, utterly relaxed. Only Auntie and Little Sister couldn’t sit still—their feet kicked playfully under the table until finally, Little Sister’s bare foot landed on Lin Shu’s knee.

“You’re sipping tea at noon? So leisurely. While I’m the only one working.” Mom—Liu Qing—pushed open the chicken-proof gate.

“Mom.” Lin Shu turned. She wore a crisp white shirt and black pencil skirt, the polished look of a city woman. She must’ve just finished a morning livestream. She gave a slight nod.

Auntie and Little Sister instantly tucked their feet away, sitting rigidly upright. They were both afraid of Mom. Lin Shu was too—angry Mom was terrifying.

“Mom, have some tea.”

Lin Yiyi offered a steaming cup.

Mom’s gaze settled on Auntie.

“Xiao Qian, why are you so sloppy?”

“No outsiders here. What’s the harm in being comfortable? I’m not even going out.”

“No outsiders, but there’s a man.”

“Xiao Shu’s just a kid.”

“He’s a kid, but you’re an adult. Act like one. Go change.”

Mom tugged Auntie’s pajama collar, covering the exposed bra strap.

“Yes…”

Under Mom’s stare, Auntie obediently left the table.

“Is Dad still in the vegetable patch?”

“Where else? I told him to come back early, but he insisted on finishing his work.” Grandma sighed.

“I’ll call him for lunch.”

“I’ll go.” Lin Shu volunteered. Facing Mom felt heavy with guilt—he hadn’t told her about Dad remarrying. If he did, she’d be furious, making his position even more awkward. If he didn’t, the secret gnawed at him.

“I’ll go with Brother.”

*Barking.*

The sound grew louder, closer.

“No need,” Grandma said. “The dogs mean Grandpa’s home.”

They cleared the tea set onto another table and brought out dishes from the kitchen. First came a large yellow dog, nudging open the gate. Then a black-and-tan dog followed—both local mutts. Auntie had adopted the sisters from a neighbor after quitting her job. Mom had scoffed then: *“Someone who can’t feed herself raising dogs?”*

*“As long as I have a bite, they won’t go hungry.”*

Now, everyone adored them. They’d graduated from table scraps to occasional bone treats. They followed Grandpa everywhere—to the mountains, to the fields.

Auntie returned wearing an anime-print hoodie. It wasn’t much better than her pajamas. Lean and sturdy, Grandpa arrived next, carrying baskets on a shoulder pole.

After washing up, they gathered for lunch. Talk turned to Yiyi’s exam and Lin Shu’s plans.

“Skipping school today won’t hurt your studies? You’re in high school now.”

“No worries. I’m only a freshman. Classmates are sharing notes and assignments. I’ll catch up over the weekend.”

*Thanks to Su Nuan,* Lin Shu thought. Without her help, he’d have had to lie.

“What time’s your bus?”

“The 2 p.m. one. We’ll reach the city around 4:30, check into a hotel near the school, grab dinner, and scout the exam hall. Tomorrow morning, I’ll take Yiyi to locate her classroom.”

Mom nodded. “Yiyi’s in your hands these next few days.”

“Brother, help me pack!”

After lunch, Yiyi naturally grabbed Lin Shu’s hand and pulled him upstairs. Their fingers brushed. Lin Shu glanced nervously at Mom—siblings their age shouldn’t be so physically close.

“Hurry up. Don’t wait till the last minute to realize you’ve forgotten something. So careless.”

Mom’s eyes flicked to Auntie.

Auntie called herself a freelancer. Her writing income covered her simple village life. But her family status hadn’t improved—she ranked below the dogs. At least they weren’t scolded daily.

*Maybe I’m overthinking it,* Lin Shu realized. No one batted an eye at siblings holding hands. Yiyi had always been clingy. They were used to it.

He squeezed Yiyi’s hand back, climbing the creaking wooden stairs.

Mom, Auntie, and Yiyi lived upstairs. Yiyi’s room was the smallest, tucked under the slanted roof. A mosquito-netted bed, a desk, and a wardrobe with a full-length mirror filled the space. An open suitcase lay on the floor, already stuffed.

“Do you need all this just for an exam?”

“Of course! Pajamas, two sets of clothes for two days, study notes, stationery, an umbrella, skincare…”

“Oh! I need to change first. I’m still in uniform.”

Yiyi unzipped her blazer.

“Wait—I’ll turn around—”

Before he finished, she yanked up her black undershirt. The fabric brushed against her chest, revealing a delicate curve of skin.

Lin Shu covered his eyes, turning away. “I’m still here! How many times do I have to say this? You can’t just strip like that!”

She’d always changed without warning.

His peripheral vision caught her reflection in the wardrobe mirror.

Kneeling by the suitcase, her bare thighs pressed together, chest resting on her knees.

“Why does it matter if Brother sees? We’re siblings. We bathed together as kids.”

Yiyi held up outfits, frowning.

“Brother or not, I’m still a man. Especially now that we’ll be living together—we have to be careful.”

“Mm.”

Yiyi’s reply was absent. She’d seen him glance in the mirror. *He doesn’t see me as just a sister.* But this proof wasn’t enough. She needed more.

“What should I wear, Brother?”

“Anything. Just don’t catch a cold. You have an exam tomorrow.”

“No wonder you only have a fake girlfriend. So careless with girls.” Yiyi puffed her cheeks, annoyed.

A familiar ache pierced Lin Shu’s chest.

“I’d wear a cute dress, but I get carsick. I ate a lot at lunch… better wear old clothes I won’t mind ruining if I vomit.”

She pulled out plain tracksuit pants and a top—almost like her uniform. She kept the same undershirt. *Was stripping really necessary?*

Lin Shu removed useless items from her suitcase. Each item sparked debate.

“What if it rains when we get off the bus?”

“We won’t be that unlucky. We’ll take a bus straight to the hotel from the station.”

“If it rains, you’re responsible.”

He finally zipped the overstuffed suitcase, his legs numb from squatting. *How did packing take an hour? I thought it’d be minutes.*

“Time for my motion-sickness patches.”

Yiyi handed him two patches, turning her back.

Lin Shu peeled off the backing, lifted her hair, and pressed the mint-scented patch into the dip behind her ear.

It helped a little. Mostly psychological.

He carried the suitcase downstairs—it was heavier than expected. *Good thing I’m strong.*

*Next time, I’ll buy her a bigger suitcase. Easier than arguing about what to leave behind.*

Only Auntie and Grandma remained. Mom had gone to her shop to relieve the staff for lunch. Grandpa was back in the fields.

The lunch dishes were cleared. Fresh tea and pastries replaced them.

Lin Shu drank one last cup before leaving. Yiyi refused—she’d barely eaten lunch, terrified of vomiting it all up.

“Auntie, Grandma, we’re off.”

“Call when you arrive,” Grandma reminded them.

“Xiao Shu, Yiyi—bring back more of those pastries when you return. We’re almost out.” Auntie waved a half-eaten one.

“Auntie, you’re such a pig. Eating all that without exercising.”

“What did you say?!”

Auntie lunged, trapping Lin Shu’s head against her chest. It smelled faintly sweet… and crumbly. *Pastry crumbs. All over her shirt.*

“Auntie, let go!”

“Who’s the pig?”

“I am.”

“Better.”

Auntie released him, satisfied. “Bring me pastries as compensation.”

“Brother…”

Yiyi frowned, standing on tiptoe to brush crumbs off his face.

“You’re the real pig.”

“Why are you saying that too?”

*Does Auntie have feelings for Brother?*

Yiyi had suspected it before. A fellow instinct.