When was the last time Lin Shu showered with his sister Lin Yiyi?

Back when they were too young to bathe alone, their mother would wash them together—one child or two made no difference.

Once Lin Shu could bathe himself, he’d help Yiyi on days their mom was busy. Or during Lunar New Year visits to their rural hometown, where the lack of a water heater meant boiling a single bucket of hot water for them to share.

The final time was probably when Lin Shu was in sixth grade. That day, their parents had a vicious fight. Yiyi, too scared to shower alone, clung to him. Though he’d already grasped the concept of gender differences, protecting his sister won out. That was also when he truly understood the gap between boys and girls.

Now, facing his sister’s suggestion, the devil in his heart stirred restlessly. His desire surged. *I can’t take advantage of my trusting sister anymore.*

“This isn’t appropriate. We’re not kids anymore,” Lin Shu said, wiping water from his face.

“But I wasted so much hot water just now. There won’t be any left for you later.”

Their old water heater took half an hour to reheat after each use—a frequent trigger for their parents’ arguments, yet never replaced even after the divorce.

“I’ll take a cold shower. You finish up.”

Lin Shu flung open the bathroom door and dashed out, dripping wet, leaving a trail of water droplets behind.

“Then promise you’ll never shower with your *sworn sister* either.”

“That’s even more impossible.”

*Was I too hasty? No matter. There’s always tomorrow.*

Lin Shu dried his hair, stripped off his soaked jersey, and started furiously doing push-ups and lifting dumbbells to clear his mind. Sweat slicked his bare torso. Amidst the exertion, he heard his sister call out.

Peeking through the cracked bathroom door, Yiyi’s small face emerged, her long hair wrapped in a towel. Billowing white steam framed her like a misty halo.

“Brother, can you grab my spare dress and underwear? I rushed in and forgot to prepare them.”

“Oh, right—I forgot too. Which dress?”

“The long floral-print one.”

Having unpacked her suitcase together earlier, fetching her underwear felt natural. He even meticulously matched the bra and panties set. His only thought: *Her bra cups are surprisingly large—easily big enough to fit my fist.*

Lin Shu waited outside the bathroom as Yiyi changed.

Her damp hair spilled loosely down her back, radiating warmth. The belted floral dress accentuated her slender waist, its full chest straining the fabric. The flowing material draped elegantly, concealing curves without revealing skin.

Her feet slipped into Lin Shu’s oversized slippers, each step making a soft *slap-slap* against the floor.

“Your turn to shower.”

Lin Shu finished quickly. Afterward, he found Yiyi leaning against the window, phone pressed to her ear—reporting their safe arrival to their mom and grandma. The rain outside had stopped.

“I got carsick, but didn’t throw up.”

“Yeah, it rained here too. Is it storming back home?”

“Brother says he’ll take me out for something delicious later.”

She turned, flashing Lin Shu a sweet smile.

Gently gathering her half-damp hair, Lin Shu smoothed the strands in his palm. He loved playing with his sister’s hair—nurturing her without crossing into creepiness.

“Got it. I’ll take care of myself. Brother’s here too. Don’t worry.”

Yiyi hung up.

“Why not dry your hair? You brought a hairdryer. Don’t catch a chill.”

Lin Shu dreaded nothing more than her falling ill before exams—unaware she’d only come along as an afterthought.

“I was waiting for you to dry it. I’m too lazy… Is that too spoiled of me?”

She leaned her head back against his chest, looking up.

“You should’ve said so earlier. I’d have showered after you. This isn’t spoiled at all—you can be even more spoiled with me.”

“You said that yourself.”

Yiyi kicked off the slippers, climbed onto the bed, and sat cross-legged with her back to him.

Lin Shu dug a tiny foldable hairdryer from her suitcase. Its weak, single-setting warmth hummed against Yiyi’s hair.

She sighed contentedly, chin resting on her knees, cheeks flushed. Her body swayed lazily, radiating pure comfort.

The familiar scent of home clung to her—she’d used their family’s shampoo and body wash.

Once her hair was dry, Yiyi flopped face-down onto the bed and fell asleep instantly.

Lin Shu poked her cheek. “Hey. Dinner time. Didn’t you want me to treat you?”

“Don’t wanna move… but I’m starving.”

She’d barely eaten lunch, fearing motion sickness would make her vomit everything.

“Mmmph.”

Yiyi sat up, stretching widely. Her sharp eyes caught a golden strand on the pillow. “This isn’t my hair. That *sworn sister’s*?”

“Yes.”

*How did I miss Liang Caiyi shedding hair?*

“She stayed at our house… and even slept in your bed? You two seem close—not at all like you ‘hate’ her. What’s really going on?”

Yiyi pouted, displeasure flickering in her eyes.

Lin Shu scratched his cheek awkwardly. “Well… for future family harmony, we made a deal. If she attends school properly, I’ll keep it from Auntie Liang.”

“Deals again? You’ve been making so many with girls lately. Did you forget our promise?”

“Of course not! That one’s almost fulfilled.”

“And when she slept in your bed… where were you? Did you sleep together?”

“Sort of. But we had blankets between us—no skin contact. I didn’t tell you because…”

*Trying to preserve my ‘perfect brother’ image backfired. Now I’ve got proof against myself.*

Yiyi rolled her eyes. “Why so nervous? I’m not mad. I’m just your sister—not some jealous girlfriend checking for cheaters. You can keep secrets. It’s normal.”

*Don’t push him away. Never let him hate me.* She wasn’t a petty girlfriend. She’d be the irreplaceable sister by his side—no one could take her place.

“Really not angry?”

*You totally are.*

“Maybe a little. You only care about sleeping with your *fake* sister, ignoring your real one. I just worry you’re being scammed and counting the money for them.”

“Impossible. Liang Caiyi’s dumber than me.”

*Su Nuan and Gu Chuchu’s motives baffle me, but Liang Caiyi? She’s an open book.*

“Brother, who gets scammed most easily? People who think they’re too smart.” Yiyi turned fully toward him. “Do whatever you want—but let me help you. We’re the closest siblings in the world. So… what do you *really* think of Liang Caiyi?”

“At first, I saw her as just a delinquent. But after getting to know her… she’s not as bad as I thought. She has redeeming qualities. Just needs guidance. I don’t want our future home full of chaos and shouting matches. Even if we rent outside, we’ll still visit. I want her to become a good kid.”

“No thoughts of… *marrying within the family*? You’re not blood-related, right?”

Lin Shu flicked her forehead. “What nonsense. Let’s eat. It’s already dark.”

“Okay.” Yiyi rubbed her forehead, distracted.

*He doesn’t want to marry her. Good news… and bad news.*