The suitcase wheels clattered loudly against the cement road.

"Should we stop by Mom’s shop to tell her?"

"No need. Let’s just wait for the bus at the village entrance. Every minute saved counts."

"Okay."

It was school hours. Many students in uniforms walked past Lin Shu and Lin Yiyi in the opposite direction. Ever since the village became a tourist spot, dragging suitcases around drew no second glances.

Except Lin Yiyi tightened her grip on Lin Shu’s arm.

"Remember—in this village, you’re my boyfriend."

By the time they strolled to the village entrance, the bus had arrived.

Lin Shu stuffed the suitcase into the undercarriage compartment.

Lin Yiyi pulled on a mask. Breathing felt harder, but it blocked the bus’s stench—she was armed to the teeth.

They snagged a window seat near the door for easy exit.

Lin Yiyi’s face twisted the moment she stepped onboard. She looked miserable even before departure.

"Why isn’t the bus moving yet?"

"Waiting for latecomers, probably."

"Sleep. You won’t feel sick if you’re asleep. I’ll wake you when we arrive."

"Mm."

Obediently, she rested her head on Lin Shu’s shoulder, eyes shut tight. The bus crawled through town, stopping constantly to pick up passengers. Sleep wouldn’t come. Every few minutes, she’d peek up at him: "Brother, are we leaving soon?"

"Just a bit longer," he’d murmur each time.

His sister seemed so fragile on the bus—every instinct screamed to protect her.

Only when the bus finally hit the highway did it steady. Lin Yiyi’s breathing evened out, her tense body relaxing slightly.

She woke once mid-journey, staring at his profile. Clenching her tiny fists, she gritted her teeth, picturing their happy future to lull herself back to sleep.

But this time, drowsiness wouldn’t take hold. Her head felt heavy. "Brother… how much farther?"

"About half an hour. We’ll exit the highway soon."

Clear skies had greeted them leaving the village. Now, dark clouds loomed.

"I’ll hold on a little longer."

The final stretch proved the hardest. Relief at nearing their destination loosened her guard. Frequent stops for passengers and red lights worsened her nausea. Dry heaves wracked her body.

Lin Shu watched helplessly, heart aching. He could only rub her back and ready a plastic bag for the worst.

"Should we get off and walk? Rest a bit?" he suggested. They were already in the city—taking a taxi or bus to the hotel later would work.

Lin Yiyi nodded weakly. Lin Shu half-carried her off the bus, her legs trembling. She clung to his waist, nearly all her weight pressing against him.

He glanced back at their seat—nothing left behind.

"Driver! Stop at the next bus shelter!"

Lin Shu dragged his boneless sister down, then retrieved their suitcase.

Lin Yiyi crouched on the pavement, tugging her mask halfway off. One strap still dangled from her ear. Her face was pale, lips parched, teeth chattering.

"Brother… I didn’t throw up this time."

"Amazing. So amazing." He stroked her damp hair, praise flowing freely. He peeled off the two motion sickness patches stuck behind her ears and tossed them into a nearby bin.

Last time they took a long trip to Grandma’s, she’d vomited the entire way. The memory haunted her—she hadn’t traveled far since.

Lin Shu pulled a water bottle from his backpack. He unscrewed the cap and handed it to her. She hadn’t dared drink a sip on the bus.

Lin Yiyi took a small sip, then spat it into the roadside plants. The foul taste in her mouth faded.

"Better?"

She nodded. "Much better. Good thing you’re here."

"You got through it yourself. I just sat with you."

"Just sitting with me is enough."

Lin Yiyi bounced back, looping her arm through his. She truly had recovered.

They walked and chatted. It had been nearly three years since her last visit. She gazed up at the skyscrapers. "Everything’s changed. So many new buildings—I don’t recognize anything."

"Construction never stops. The city center looks similar, but lots of old shops have closed."

"Brother… hotels must be expensive, right?"

"Not really. I checked. The cheapest single room is eighty yuan a night. Even the pricier ones are under two hundred—and they include breakfast."

"We need to save money. Every coin counts. Two nights at a hotel costs a week’s groceries. And hotels aren’t comfortable… Can I stay at your place? It’s closer anyway."

"Of course. It’s your home too. But there’s no spare bed."

"Can’t I sleep in your bed like before? Is that… not allowed?"

She bit her lower lip, eyes shimmering with unshed tears—so pitifully vulnerable. Lin Shu always crumbled at this look.

"It’s… not impossible. Should we tell Dad?"

"Let’s keep it from him. I’m a little scared of Dad…"

(She was scared of him, yes—but the real reason was wanting no one to intrude on her alone time with Brother.)

"He comes home past midnight anyway. He won’t notice if we don’t say anything."

"Brrr…"

Lin Yiyi flinched as raindrops hit her neck. A fine drizzle began, darkening the pavement.

"It’s raining." She held out her palm to catch the drops. "Jinx."

"How’s that my fault? You were the one who said ‘what if it rains’!"

"I brought an umbrella. You made me leave it behind."

"Who could predict this weather?"

The rain suddenly poured. They sprinted to the nearest bus shelter, hair and shirts soaked. The suitcase made running awkward. Luck favored them—a bus heading near home arrived instantly.

They dashed aboard, dripping onto the floor. Not wanting to track water, they stayed put. Lin Shu gripped the nearest pole; Lin Yiyi held his arm, her other hand lightly circling his waist.

Lin Shu always carried a sweat towel. Now it proved useful. He dried her soaked hair, then draped the towel over her shoulders.

"You too…"

Lin Yiyi took the damp towel, wiping his hair and face. It still held a trace of her sweet scent.

After six stops, they neared home. The rain had lessened but hadn’t stopped. They sprinted the last stretch, getting soaked again.

Before Lin Yiyi could take in the familiar apartment, Lin Shu ushered her straight into the bathroom.

"Shower first. You have exams tomorrow—can’t risk a cold. Mom would kill me. I’m tough. I’ll be fine."

"Mm."

She reached out but didn’t grab his sleeve to stop him.

(She longed to shower together but had no excuse. Pushing too hard would backfire.)

Lin Shu changed into a tracksuit in his room, towel-drying his hair. His phone rang—Dad.

"Son, back from your mom’s yet?"

"Just dropped Yiyi at her hotel. Got caught in the rain. About to shower."

"At home?"

"Yeah. Home."

"I’m coming back. Urgent matter to discuss—in person."

"Can’t it wait for a call?"

"No. Critical. Wait for me. I’m on my way."

Lin Shu bolted to the entryway. He stuffed Yiyi’s shoes into a closet, shoved the suitcase into his room, then pounded on the bathroom door: "Yiyi! Emergency! Dad’s coming back. Says it’s urgent—he needs to talk face-to-face!"

(Could it be about Aunt Liang and Liang Caiyi?)

The bathroom door cracked open. Lin Yiyi peeked out, half-undressed. She’d wrapped Lin Shu’s face towel around her chest like a makeshift cover.

"Hurry inside, Brother."

"Huh?"

Stunned, Lin Shu was yanked in. The door snapped shut behind him.

In that split second, he glimpsed her tightly pressed, pale thighs. He slammed his eyes shut, turning away—only to crack his head against the door. Stars exploded behind his eyelids.

"This feels… wrong."

"How else will you explain the bathroom light to Dad? ‘I was about to shower’ won’t work if he needs the toilet."

Lin Yiyi shut down that argument neatly. Hiding together was safer.

"Damn—my shoes are still by the door!"

"I hid them."

"You’re awfully practiced at hiding girls. Not your first time sneaking someone home?"

"Uh…"

(He’d brought Liang Caiyi home openly before.)

"What could be so urgent?"

"Probably Aunt Liang and Caiyi. Nothing else would make Dad this frantic."

"Oh. Your fake delinquent sister."

*Thud-thud-thud—*

Heavy footsteps pounded up the stairs. Dad was sprinting home.

"Xiao Shu! Showering?"

"Yeah."

Lin Yiyi helpfully turned on the showerhead. Water roared.

"Caiyi visited yesterday, right?"

"Yeah. She wanted tutoring."

(He couldn’t say she came to sleep over.)

Lin Yiyi suddenly hugged him from behind, her chest pressing against his back. Her fingers dug into his waist—angry he’d hidden this from her yesterday.

(Guilty as charged.)

"She told her mom our place is near her school. And it’s spacious. She wants to move in."

"But it’s tiny!"

(That troublemaker Caiyi just wanted to sleep in.)

"Exactly what I said."

"Did Dad agree?"

"Son, can you tell a woman you’re inadequate? Her lease ends next month. She’s moving in over the May Day holiday. Staying until her new place is ready."

(He’d puffed out his chest and said yes. Dad’s pride was legendary—even during fights with Mom, he’d never apologize first.)

"I could sleep on a couch in the living room, but Aunt Liang might feel bad…"

Lin Shu had a better idea. Yiyi’s warmth against his back sparked it.

"Dad, remember I mentioned moving near campus next semester for morning workouts? I’ll move early. I can tell Aunt Liang it’s for studying—not because I don’t want them here."

Lin Yiyi flashed a thumbs-up behind his back.

"Good son. You sacrifice so much for this family. Rent’s on me—no arguing."

"Just want you happy, Dad."

"Bring Yiyi to the shop tomorrow for lunch. Meet Aunt Liang and Caiyi. Haven’t seen her in ages—she must be all grown up. If she’s busy, we’ll reschedule."

"Okay. I’ll ask her. Gotta shower now."

"I’m heading back to the shop. This weight’s off my chest—I couldn’t focus all afternoon. Need to hire cleaners tomorrow. This place is unlivable."

"Let Aunt Liang handle it after moving in. Caiyi’s seen our mess. Aunt Liang knows. Cleaning together feels more like family."

"Brilliant! My clever son."

"*Whew…*"

Lin Shu exhaled shakily as Dad’s footsteps faded. He slumped against the door. Terrifying.

Why hide like thieves in their own home? With his own sister?

But… this gave him the perfect excuse to move out. Should he thank Liang Caiyi for the assist?

"Take your time showering, Yiyi. I’ll be outside."

"Brother… shower with me."

Lin Yiyi raised the shower head high, completely soaking Lin Shu's hair and jersey. Now he had no choice but to take a shower.