Regarding the match between Su Nuan and Gu Chuchu, Lin Shu naturally needed to consult his sister on how to handle it.

He should’ve asked about her exam first, but their dad and Aunt Liang would surely grill her later. No need to pile on.

“I just took an exam, and you guys made such a huge fuss,” Lin Yiyi rolled her eyes. And Senior Su Nuan—way too good at slipping in opportunities. Special training with Brother? Sneaking kisses already?

Gu Chuchu never intended to win that match. Her real goal was kissing Brother. If she got that, she’d consider it a victory.

Yiyi couldn’t let Chuchu lose too badly. She even needed to help the underdog. With her away, Chuchu was the only one who could keep Su Nuan in check.

Just imagining them kissing Brother made her chest tighten. But if she trained him into a kissing addict… when she was the only one around… would he sneak kisses with *her*?

“Anyway, he’s already kissed them. A little longer won’t hurt. Just don’t cross the line. No… other stuff. And don’t let kissing ruin your studies.”

“No way. Su Nuan’s been pushing me to study nonstop. I haven’t worked this hard since the high school entrance exam.”

“I’ll hold you to that.”

Lin Shu hadn’t biked today. Luckily, weekend buses weren’t too packed—they snagged two empty seats.

Dad called to check their progress.

“We’re almost there.”

After getting off the bus, Yiyi gripped Lin Shu’s hand tightly, hiding behind him as she followed step for step.

“Nervous?”

“A little.”

“Aunt Liang’s actually easy to get along with.”

From afar, they spotted Dad and Aunt Liang waiting outside the shop.

“Here they are!” Aunt Liang hurried forward to greet them.

“Dad, Aunt Liang, good afternoon,” Yiyi greeted politely.

“So you’re Yiyi! Must be starving after that exam?”

“Mhm. Almost four hours straight.”

“How’d it go?” Dad, predictably out of small talk, asked the inevitable.

“Just okay. Super hard questions. I filled every blank though. Mostly here to get a feel for it.”

Inside the shop, Liang Caiyi slumped at a table, boredly tapping her chopsticks against a bowl. Aunt Liang’s warm smile vanished instantly. “Caiyi! Give up your seat!”

“Fine.”

Caiyi glanced at Lin Shu and Yiyi before sliding to the innermost seat. Yiyi nudged Lin Shu into the middle spot, taking the left herself.

Lunch today was far more lavish than usual—clearly prepared specially for Yiyi.

“Look at her. Same age as you. Up at dawn for an entrance exam. And you? Sleep till noon.”

No pain like comparison.

“I was helping at the shop till late last night!”

“Was the shop *really* short-staffed? Or did you just want to watch the show? Always making excuses to skip studying.”

“Let’s eat. No scolding during meals,” Dad cut in smoothly.

Caiyi pursed her lips, silent.

“Sorry you had to see that, Yiyi. This kid’s been spoiled rotten. Only started going to school properly these past few days because Shu’s been keeping her in line. I didn’t know what else to do.”

“My mom nags me during meals too. It’s all for our good.”

“Exactly…”

Aunt Liang and Yiyi quickly bonded, chatting like old friends about family matters.

Caiyi fiddled with her rice bowl, muttering under her breath, “Just sweet-talking.”

Caiyi’s first bowl sat half-eaten while Yiyi nearly finished her second. Aunt Liang beamed brighter. Dad excused himself mid-meal for a customer call, wolfing down his food to leave.

“Yiyi, did you like the food?”

“Delicious! No wonder Brother raves about your cooking. He insisted I try it.”

“Oh, he exaggerates. He’s just used to eating out. Home-cooked meals feel special to him.”

“Caiyi, learn from Yiyi. We shouldn’t aim for Yizhong High. Just getting into *any* high school would be a win.”

“I have old review materials I don’t need anymore. Might help Caiyi. Different schools, same exam. Brother can pass them to her later.”

“You’re too kind. This child gives me gray hairs. Your names both have ‘Yi’—must be fate. When’s your birthday?”

“Lunar New Year’s Day.”

“So you’re older. Caiyi was born in autumn.”

After eating, Yiyi volunteered to clear plates and help in the kitchen. The moment they left, Caiyi scoffed, “Hmph. What a *perfect* little sister.”

“Told you. Way better than you.”

“Acting. All an act.”

“Try acting nicer yourself. Might save you some nagging. Easier for everyone.”

“Never. I won’t give Mom the satisfaction.”

“Did you go to school yesterday?”

“None of your business.”

“Didn’t you *ask* me to manage you?” Lin Shu sighed.

“Of course I went! Two days straight. Can’t quit halfway—that’d waste those two days.”

*Sunk cost fallacy, huh?*

“Was it your idea to suggest living at my place too?”

“Yeah. Closer to school. No more rides with Mom’s endless lectures.”

“But my place is tiny.”

“Bigger than ours. Don’t you want us to move in? Mom’s eager to be a real family. With you keeping an eye on me.”

“Of course I welcome you! Just… small issue. My room only fits one bed. I’ll move out—planned to anyway next semester. This just speeds things up.”

“Don’t make it sound like I’m kicking you out!”

“Seriously, I was moving out regardless. Rent near school. Shorter commute.”

“Your room’s huge. Fits two beds easy.”

“But sharing a room? Aunt Liang won’t allow it.”

*Siblings avoid sharing rooms. And we’re not even related.*

“Who knows? Mom trusts you. She’d probably *prefer* it—more supervision.”

“You don’t mind?”

“We’ve shared a bed before. A room’s nothing.”

Suddenly, Yiyi appeared behind them, looping her arms around Lin Shu’s neck and resting his head against her chest. “I won’t share my brother with you.”

“Who’s stealing your brother? Make sense.”

“You should call me ‘Senior.’ I’m older.”

“Boring.”

“Brother, our little sister’s such a tsundere.”

“You’re the tsundere! Your whole family’s tsundere!”

“But *you’re* family too now,” Yiyi murmured, chin resting atop Lin Shu’s head.