To avoid getting caught in the rain halfway, Lin Yiyi tucked a folding umbrella into her crossbody bag.

"Dinner at the snack street near campus," Lin Shu suggested. "More tasty options, better prices. There’s also a print shop for your admission ticket. We’ll stroll through the school grounds so you can get familiar, and check bulletin boards for rental ads."

Finding a place before moving out on May Day felt nearly impossible.

"Whatever Brother says," Lin Yiyi replied obediently.

Su Nuan and Gu Chuchu had just finished school. The group chat lit up again—Gu Chuchu’s last message had asked if Lin Shu reached his grandma’s.

"Made it to the city, Yiyi?"

"Just arrived. Heading to dinner with Brother now."

Lin Yiyi looped her arm through Lin Shu’s, texting with her head bent.

"Wish I could join, but I’m stuck home tonight. See you tomorrow! Need me to guide you? Your exam hall’s in my building—I know it like my palm."

"Thanks, but Brother will take me. Don’t trouble yourself."

"I could show you both around. Senpai isn’t as familiar with the junior high section."

"Then I’ll gladly accept."

"Your underclassman’s awfully eager," Lin Yiyi murmured.

"Annoying?"

"Not at all. She’s just... like a puppy wagging its tail for treats. Unlike Senior Su Nuan—so distant in the group chat."

"She’s burdened by something. Can’t lower her guard with juniors. I’ll ask if she wants dinner. She probably hasn’t eaten yet."

Su Nuan’s messages today were all weekend homework—Lin Shu’s head throbbed just seeing them.

"I won’t intrude on your sibling time. Enjoy it. And a tip: never invite two girls to one meal. No wonder you’ve been single so long."

"Did Senior Su Nuan say she’s coming?" Lin Yiyi looked up.

"She refused. Also warned me not to invite two girls to one meal."

Lin Shu just wanted the girls to meet. Weren’t they already eating breakfast together daily? Though it did exhaust him.

"Normally that’d be rude. But I’m your sister. That’s different."

*One’s using me to get closer to Brother. The other’s pretending to ‘generously’ step aside. Clever girls.*

Lin Shu knew every stall on this street. After ordering, Lin Yiyi snapped food photos for the group chat. Su Nuan finally replied:

"I’ve eaten here with your brother."

"Thanks for testing it for us, Senior!"

"No problem. He paid for my mistakes anyway. Good thing he eats anything."

"Brother!" Lin Yiyi puffed her cheeks. "That’s unsanitary!"

"Hate wasting food."

"But you’ve done kissing drills with her. Sharing saliva’s no different from sharing leftovers."

"I sneak veggies I hate into Brother’s bowl too."

"Senpai ate half my bun once!" Gu Chuchu typed fiercely. *What are they even competing over?*

Lin Yiyi set down her chopsticks halfway through.

"Not hungry?"

This stall was vetted by Lin Shu and Su Nuan.

"My stomach’s empty, but... no appetite."

"Car sickness lingering?"

"Finish it, Brother. Don’t waste it."

She dumped her leftovers into his bowl. *Is she competing with Su Nuan?*

Lin Shu ate it all—relieved she didn’t ask, "Taste better now?"

Bulletin boards near campus were plastered with rental ads, but whole apartments were too pricey. His dad offered to cover costs, but with a mortgage and new family expenses... Lin Shu couldn’t burden him more.

"A kitchen and bathroom would be perfect. Just one room—we can share a bed."

"At least two beds."

*Sleeping together long-term? My willpower won’t hold.*

"If a two-bed room costs 700 yuan monthly and a one-bed is 600," Lin Yiyi calculated, ticking off fingers, "we’d save thousands over three years. Landlords discount long leases. Every yuan counts—rent, utilities, property fees..."

The print shop owner knew nothing available now, but promised alerts after Gaokao when leases opened up.

Friday evening campus buzzed. Basketball courts were packed. Only the junior high building stood dark; a few lights glowed in the senior year blocks—overachievers studying.

"This is your exam hall tomorrow. Room’s TBD."

"Can I see your classroom too?"

"Nothing special there."

He led her in. Five girls studied inside, including vice-class monitor Chen Xiaohong. Whispers followed them—Lin Shu’s "player" reputation preceded him. Explaining "she’s my sister" felt like protesting too much.

*My reputation’s already ruined anyway.*

"This is my seat."

Lin Yiyi sat, squinting at the board. "Can’t see a thing."

"Nearsighted?"

"A little." She cupped a tiny fist over her eyes.

"Get glasses soon."

"Ew. I hate glasses. Do you like girls who wear them?" She peered up from the desk.

"Depends on the girl."

"Then I’ll check my prescription later. It’s not urgent yet."

She flipped open his textbook, landing on a dog-eared page filled with Su Nuan’s notes.

"Not your handwriting."

She checked the cover—Lin Shu’s name stared back.

"Su Nuan’s notes."

*Did she sit in my seat all day?*

"Senior Su Nuan’s notes... That contract’s paying off."

Lin Yiyi’s respect for Su Nuan’s tactics rose a notch. She snapped the book shut and hugged Lin Shu’s arm.

On the dark playground, she pointed to a shadowed corner. "Is that your secret kissing-drill spot?"

"Wanna see?"

She nodded eagerly. Lin Shu unlocked the creaking gate. Darkness swallowed them.

"So dark, Brother..."

Lin Yiyi wrapped her arms around his waist, burying her face in his shirt.

"Let me get my phone light—"

"Just like this. For a little while."

*In the dark, I can be bolder. No wonder he chose this place.*

"The dust smell... reminds me of hide-and-seek back home. We hid in rice bins, cabinets, under beds."

"Faintly remember. Counting against that cracked pillar. Mom scolded us for playing alone, then for dirty clothes."

"I remember clearly. I was terrible but loved playing. Always gave you away. Then we’d team up as ghosts—other kids called us cheaters."

"And I always found you first. Or you found me. They’d refuse to play... but still joined us every New Year."

Lin Shu smiled at the memory.

"Now we’re grown. No more hide-and-seek. Home’s falling apart anyway. I’m satisfied. Let’s go home, Brother."

"Hungry now? Grab something on the way back? Or you’ll starve at midnight."

"Okay."

They browsed snacks and rental ads. Not a drop of rain fell.

"Told you. Umbrella was pointless."

"If I hadn’t brought it, it would’ve rained. My umbrella kept it away."

Inside, Lin Yiyi slipped into slippers and carried her flats to her room. Lin Shu had washed their rain-soaked clothes. Time to hang them on his bedroom’s window bars.

"Shall we each hang our own?" *Avoid awkwardness.*

"Too slow. And I can’t reach the rod—we don’t have a clothes hook."

She stretched onto tiptoes, barely brushing the rod. "You hang, I’ll hand you clothes. Sibling teamwork!" She flexed a bony arm.

Their tangled laundry filled the basket. Only underwear was bagged separately. With Yiyi passing items, Lin Shu hung shirts and pants quickly—until the real test came.

He forced calm as her damp fingers brushed his while handing over a hanger. *Why does this feel different under her gaze?*

"Done!"

Lin Yiyi flopped onto the bed, scrolling rental listings on her phone. Perfect places were too far; nearby ones too expensive. Broker fees were unacceptable.

Su Nuan messaged tomorrow’s plan: study with Lin Shu after Yiyi’s exam. Gu Chuchu volunteered to clean the sports storage loft.

"Not reviewing? Exams start tomorrow."

"Last-minute cramming won’t help. First High’s talent-track questions are brutal—math and science lean toward Olympiad level. I’m just here to try my luck. The school nominated me anyway. No harm in attempting."

"Then why did you bring so many study materials?"

"If I don’t bring them, I feel anxious. When I want to look at them, they’re not there. But if I bring them, at least I can comfort myself."

Lin Shu understood this feeling. For example, before exams, besides stationery, he’d also bring a textbook or review notebook. He’d flip through it before the test, then stuff it into his backpack under the blackboard once the exam started. After finishing, he’d check the answers right away. Oh no, it’s ruined.

"If nothing else, let’s go to bed early. The school’s still a bit far, so we can’t wake up too late."

After brushing their teeth and washing their feet, Lin Shu wisely sent his sister to change into her nightgown first. He didn’t want his carefree sister to forget he was there and act too casually.

Wearing a strap nightgown, Lin Yiyi sat on the edge of the bed, swinging her legs. Water stains still dotted her feet. Her nightgown had a simple black print of a lounging panda and bamboo. When it got cold, she’d wear her favorite fluffy panda hooded pajamas.

The thin fabric revealed patches of fair skin. Lin Yiyi couldn’t help but sneeze loudly, startling Lin Shu.

"Did you catch a cold? Is anything wrong?"

Lin Shu wanted to check her forehead with his hand, but his palms were wet. So he pressed his own forehead against hers instead.

So close. Brother’s face was so near. She couldn’t hold back.

Shy, Lin Yiyi quickly burrowed under the covers, pulling the quilt to hide half her blushing face. "It’s nothing," she mumbled. "My nose was just itchy."

"Good that nothing’s wrong. If you feel unwell, you must say so. Exams are secondary—health comes first. I’ll turn off the light now."

"Good night, brother. Finally, I can say this face to face, not through the phone."

"Mm, good night."

As always, Lin Yiyi slept at the head of the bed, Lin Shu at the foot. Just like before, it was a familiar scene in this room.