Lin Shu fell asleep quickly—within three minutes, his soft snores filled the room. Lin Yiyi hugged her pillow, burrowing under the covers. She wriggled slowly beneath the blanket until only her face peeked out, placing her pillow right beside Lin Shu’s.

*When will she finally outgrow these little habits?*

Yiyi didn’t find her brother’s snores annoying. Maybe she was used to them. Or maybe that steady rhythm simply wrapped her in warmth—a quiet promise he was near.

Her fingers traced his cheek, finding his nose and lips. *It’s a bit late, but… better erase any traces left by other girls.*

Waking up to her brother’s sleeping face was pure bliss.

After all, Lin Shu had spent nearly the whole day on a bus yesterday. Though he didn’t get carsick, exhaustion dragged him deep into sleep until dawn. When he opened his eyes, Yiyi’s peaceful face greeted him—just as he’d expected.

Curled against him like a kitten, her long hair spilled over her shoulders and back like petals scattered by a celestial maiden. Strands tickled his skin. One leg draped heavily across his waist; the other slipped between his knees. And pressed against his chest—that heavy softness. Her nightgown strap had slid down her arm, revealing a glimpse of snow-white curve. No bra strap in sight. *No wonder it feels softer than usual. Not my imagination.*

People might call Yiyi a restless sleeper—she never stole blankets or kicked him in the face. But she’d migrate from headboard to footboard overnight, clinging like an octopus. *Probably from years of hiding in the dark, trembling together when Mom and Dad’s shouting woke them. She’d wait until silence fell before whispering, “I need the bathroom,” and he’d walk her down the hall.*

Lin Shu froze. If she woke now… *awkward*. Morning wood didn’t help. He dared not move, checking his phone: 6:30 AM. Plenty of time.

The first exam—Chinese—started at 8:20. They could enter the hall at 8:00. *Let her sleep. She needs the rest.*

He brushed stray hairs from her forehead. Her temperature felt normal. Watching her tranquil face, his own eyelids grew heavy.

Yiyi’s eyes fluttered open, meeting his gaze.

“Morning, big brother.”

*Woke up too cozy in his arms… missed seeing his sleepy face. But at least he got to see mine.*

“Time to get up. Brush your teeth.”

Lin Shu gently untangled himself and slipped out of bed. He grabbed his uniform and headed to the bathroom.

Yiyi changed from last night’s floral dress into sporty tracksuit.

“I only wear dresses when we go out shopping or playing. Exams call for ‘good student’ mode—less likely to draw the proctors’ attention.”

“You *are* a good student.”

“Is Dad back?” Yiyi whispered, hunching like a thief. Snoring echoed from the room, and shoes lay by the front door.

Lin Shu nodded. “He’ll sleep till noon, then head straight to the shop. Won’t wake up halfway. Breakfast is just oatmeal, milk, and bread…”

*Too plain for just me. Unacceptable for her.*

“Let’s eat at school.”

“Okay.”

He double-checked her exam permits and stationery before they left. Side by side, they walked under the morning sun, weaving through bustling streets.

“Haven’t seen you ride your bike these past days,” Yiyi pouted, stressing the word *“sister.”* “Two girls have sat on your bike’s front bar already. One was your ‘sister’… but not me.”

“I’ll weld a rear seat on today. After your exam.”

*City traffic laws banned bike passengers anyway—especially on the front bar. Getting caught meant a lecture. Short trips at night were one thing. This route? Too many red lights.*

“Then I claim the first ride on the backseat.”

“Sure, sure,” Lin Shu chuckled fondly. “Didn’t I carry you all the time when we were kids?”

*He’d learned on Auntie’s bike. Few falls while learning—but after mastering it? He’d swerved to avoid pedestrians and plunged into roadside fields, caked in mud. Yiyi could ride too, just not as smoothly. He’d treated his bike like a toy, zooming around daily. Leaving her behind meant complaints. Carrying her meant slow, careful rides—no tricks.*

“Hehe. Childhood rides don’t count. And it wasn’t *this* bike.”

Saturday morning buzzed with breakfast stalls outside the school. Parents escorted exam-takers everywhere.

Then Lin Shu spotted two familiar figures by the gate. *Didn’t they say they’d meet us here?* He checked his phone—last message was last night’s “goodnight.”

“Is that them, brother?”

“Yeah.”

“Lucky guy.”

“Spare me,” Lin Shu groaned.

Yiyi bought two regional breakfast sets uncommon back home and handed them to Lin Shu. She hooked her arm through his and marched toward Su Nuan and Gu Chuchu.

“Senior Su Nuan, Chuchu—nice to meet you. I’m Lin Yiyi, Shu-ge’s sister.”

“Nice to meet you too. I’m Su Nuan, your brother’s girlfriend. Please take care of me.”

Yiyi shook both their hands—but kept her arm looped tightly around Lin Shu’s, a silent declaration. They released hands quickly. Yiyi immediately draped both arms over Lin Shu’s elbow again.

Gu Chuchu’s eyes locked onto the curves beneath Yiyi’s loose tracksuit. Speechless. *Size mattered, even hidden.*

“Yiyi… are we really the same age?”

“Same grade. Maybe a year apart? I was born on Lunar New Year’s Day. You?”

“December. Seriously—what do you *eat* to develop like this?”

“Ask my brother. He’s my personal trainer.” Yiyi winked.

“Senior! Make me bigger too! Even one centimeter!” Gu Chuchu grabbed Lin Shu’s other arm, shaking it desperately.

*How deeply insecure are you?*