"What are you buying?"

I asked Xiaoxi, who’d been clinging to my arm like a headless fly dragging me through the mall.

"Hurry up and finish shopping. We can still get home before it gets scorching."

Summer’s only blessing? Hiding under the AC, munching watermelon while scrolling online, then glancing out at the blazing sun.

"Too much to list. Just follow me quietly. We’ll leave right after."

Xiaoxi’s tone was utterly dismissive, like my words hadn’t even registered.

"Remember—no expensive stuff. Mom only left one month’s allowance. I’m not calling her for more cash later. At best, I’d get an earful."

"Relax! Do I look like a girl who wastes money? I’m super cheap to raise!"

Xiaoxi stuck out her tongue, but her words were pure nonsense. Snacks alone drained wallets—and her stomach was a bottomless pit.

"Uh… can you let go of my arm? It’s sweltering."

I tested the waters. We were close, sure, but this sweaty clinginess in summer heat was unbearable. Xiaoxi pretended not to hear.

"Bro! Over here!"

She yanked me into a sprint straight toward a new ice cream parlor. Zero chance to resist.

Glancing around, I had to admit—the decor was surprisingly creative.

Teal walls swirled with circular designs, like seafoam floating on ocean waves. Circles of varying sizes dotted the walls, each holding playful illustrations, ice cream menus, mirrors, or kaleidoscopes.

To order your favorite flavor, you had to wander the entire shop, peering into circles from every angle.

The largest central circle served as the ordering counter—no wonder Xiaoxi was buzzing with excitement.

For an ice cream shop in this bustling district, the ambiance was rare. But ambiance or not, I grabbed Xiaoxi’s wrist as she headed for the menu. Had she forgotten something?

"Remember your promises? One: quick in-and-out. Two: no reckless spending."

She’d just shattered both rules.

"Didn’t forget! Rushing to buy stuff when we just got here? I’m exhausted. Gotta rest first. An ice cream won’t waste much time—and this isn’t reckless spending. I’m treating you."

"You’re treating?"

Skepticism dripped from my voice. Since when was she this generous?

"Yep!"

Xiaoxi thrust her phone at me, showing her e-wallet balance. My pupils widened.

"Whoa! Rob a bank or what?"

Nearly five figures. Had she…?

Xiaoxi tilted her head, reading my expression. Then she frowned and flicked my forehead hard.

"Bro, are you imagining weird stuff again?"

"Of course not!"

Caught red-handed, I denied it instantly.

"Unlike you, I saved everything: scholarships, writing contest prizes, Mom’s post-exam bonus, and my allowance. Not a cent wasted!"

She listed each source. True enough—but…

"Post-exam bonus? Since when? I’ve lived at home sixteen years and never heard of this!"

"Please. Your class has forty kids. You rank thirtieth every time. How dare you complain?"

"Seriously, if you can’t find a job later… you won’t expect me to support you, right?"

"What are you thinking?!"

Way too forward. A brother’s dignity was at stake. I’d beg on the streets before living off my sister.

"Even if that number multiplied a thousand times—you’ll always be my little sister."

I’d starve before eating her soft rice.

*Ugh. I refuse all soft rice.*

"Oh…"

Xiaoxi’s mood plummeted suddenly. *Should’ve praised her.*

"Let’s go! You wanted ice cream, right? Order already."

No salvaging this topic. Distract her.

"Hmm."

Xiaoxi nodded, dragging me in circles around the shop. After inspecting every wall-circle’s ice cream display, I settled on plain matcha.

Matcha was magic—any matcha flavor, I’d never tire of it.

Xiaoxi circled back to order durian.

I knew she loved durian. Mom and Xiaoxi were hardcore durian cultists; Dad and I were staunch rejecters.

They’d tirelessly preached durian’s gospel, waiting for my conversion day.

Her theory: only two types of people exist—those who don’t eat durian, and those who can’t stop. If you stop? Probably because you’re too broke to afford it.

"Here! I’ll pay!"

The little tycoon puffed her chest, pulling out her phone to scan the QR code.

Before the cashier could take it, I snatched her phone away and handed mine instead.

"Don’t be silly. A snack? I’m your brother—I pay."

Small money, big principle. Dead serious.

"Fine. Be that way."

Xiaoxi’s voice turned sour after I paid. Shouldn’t she be happy? Why this grumpiness?

"Talking nonsense. Let’s find a seat."

I pulled her to an empty table. Soon, two ice cream cups arrived.

As I lifted my spoon, Xiaoxi slapped it out of my hand.

"What was that for?"

She ignored me. Expected. She only listened selectively. *This brat needs discipline.*

"Miss! Could you take a photo for us?"

Xiaoxi thrust her phone at the server before the girl could agree.

"Come on, bro! Quick photo!"

She yanked my collar, desperate to snap it before the ice cream melted.

"Get closer! You’re not both in frame."

*Why such a huge table for ice cream?*

*Stop pulling my collar!*

*Hey! My dignity as an older brother?!*

*Faces—our faces are nearly glued together! Be careful!*

*Click—*

"Done! Check it?"

The server handed back Xiaoxi’s phone. Xiaoxi beamed at the screen.

"Thanks, sis!"

Xiaoxi’s ultimate move: the tiger-toothed smile.

SSS-rank skill: a faint grin with tiger teeth as primary damage. Infinite lethality against males; triggers maternal instincts in females.

"Enjoy your treats!"

The server smiled back, charmed, before walking away.

"Can I eat now?"

Thankfully, the ice cream hadn’t melted much. Waste not.

"Eat! Eat!"

Xiaoxi waved me off, utterly uninterested in her dessert. She was too busy editing photos.

*So… if you only wanted photos, why buy ice cream?*

"Let me see how it turned out."

I reached for her phone. I was in it too—fair enough, right?

Xiaoxi snatched it back, eyes sharp as a wolf guarding its territory.

"Look at what? Can’t your mouth stay busy eating?"

"…"

*How badly I want to discipline her. Using my own line from yesterday against me?*

"Bro, try mine. It’s delicious."

Sensing my glare, Xiaoxi scooped a spoonful of her durian ice cream toward my mouth—a peace offering.

Good intention, but…

Staring at the yellow blob on the spoon, I felt my life was under silent threat. I leaned back hard.

"N-no thanks. This… I really can’t handle it."

"Ughhh～～"

Xiaoxi puffed her cheeks again, refusing to back down. Today’s mission: make me eat it or die trying.

"Fine! I’ll eat it! Put your cheeks away—they’re swollen already."

*How kind of me. This brat really is my kryptonite…*

"How is it? How is it?"

"It’s… fine!"

I lied smoothly, swallowing the bite whole. No time to taste anything.

"Want more?"

Xiaoxi scooped another heaping spoonful, testing me.

"No, no—keep it all."

My stomach churned with durian aftertaste. Never again.

"Then I’ll eat yours."

She ignored her own cup, targeting mine instead.

"Just dig in yourself."

I didn’t mind sharing. She should worry about *my* germs.

"No. I fed you just now."

"You *forced* me! That wasn’t feeding!"

*Didn’t you see my suffering?*

"I don’t care. Feed me."

Xiaoxi squeezed her eyes shut, mouth wide open. *Refuse me, and this won’t end.*

No choice. I scooped matcha ice cream into her mouth, resigned.

"Happy now? Eat fast. We still have shopping to do."

"Happy! So happy!"

………………

………………

"So… what are you buying?"

After minutes of battle, we finished the ice creams.

"Nothing much. Just school supplies for the new semester."

*Supplies?* I glanced up at the mall directory sign…

"Then… let’s go. Third floor!"

I still had plenty back at my place. If I’d known, I could’ve used mine to placate her. Then I wouldn’t have had to brave this scorching heat.

......

......

Shopping with women has always been a chore—a universal truth, no matter the time, place, or age.

This kid kept glancing left and right. After ages of browsing, she finally settled on a pink-themed stationery set.

“Done shopping now?”

This whole day of wandering was exhausting. Most of it was just tagging along with her.

Unlike my fatigue, she was still bursting with energy. Girls truly are a miraculous species.

“Mm, shall we head home?!”

Xiaoxi looked thrilled. Good. It made all this wandering worthwhile.

“Couldn’t agree more.”

I muttered those words weakly. Finally, she’d decided to spare me. What a relief!

......

......

“Xiaoxi!”

The most important thing after getting home was preparing her meal. Especially today—I had a surprise for her.

“Coming, coming! What’s for dinner?!”

Xiaoxi stepped out with a bright smile. Seeing her like that, an indescribable grin spread across my face too.

Just as expected, her smile froze the moment she saw the dishes.

“Cold tomato salad, smashed cucumber, oil-blanched lettuce, winter melon soup.”

Xiaoxi listed each dish, her voice sinking lower with every name.

“Bro, are you after my money? Planning to starve me just to loot my piggy bank?”

I stayed silent, walking right up to her. Xiaoxi tensed, hands crossed protectively over her chest, eyes wary.

“What do you want? What’s your real motive?”

I reached out and pinched her cheek. Motive? She should ask herself that.

“Ah! What are you doing?!”

“What else? I’ve been out taking summer classes while you’ve been glued to the couch all season, you know?”

“You haven’t skipped snacks either. Look at this chubby little face—it’s so plump you could almost squeeze oil out!”

“Keep this up, and you’ll turn into a little chubster.”

“No way!”

Xiaoxi pinched her arms and waist, searching in vain for the fat I’d mentioned.

“Ever heard of nipping problems in the bud?”

“No more meat for you this month. Eat like that again, and I won’t promise anything. Seriously—where do all those calories vanish in your tiny frame?”

I mimicked her head-tilting tone. Honestly, what was inside her stomach? A fourth-dimensional pocket?

“I don’t even gain weight…”

“That’s just bad digestion! Come on. I’m eating veggie with you this time.”

I’m not cooking special meals just for myself. Can’t I join your diet? It’ll freshen up my own taste too…

“Well… okay then…”