After leaving Jiang Chen’s place, I swung by the supermarket on the way home to grab some ingredients. If Xiaoxi came back tonight and didn’t see any meat on the table, she’d definitely throw a tantrum.

The supermarket was just a five-minute walk from home, yet I still dreaded going. What kind of weirdo was a high school guy carefully picking vegetables in the produce aisle?

When buying meat, first impressions mattered—that was my hard-earned wisdom over the years. Sure, everything on display was decent, but the first cut your eyes landed on always felt like the best. Even if you stubbornly searched for something better, scrutinizing every option, that initial choice would haunt you. No matter what you picked later, it always seemed flawed—either slightly uneven marbling or imperfect texture. In the end, you’d circle back to that first piece. Vegetables were easier. Pre-bagged and tidy, you just needed to check the greens weren’t wilted and the fruits weren’t bruised. Though honestly, that rarely happened.

Back home, I dropped Jiang Chen’s gift bag on the table and tossed my backpack onto the sofa. After clearing the morning’s dishes from the kitchen, I started cooking. Today’s detour to help Jiang Chen had delayed dinner, and just as I fired up the stove, Xiaoxi walked in.

She found me still in the kitchen. “Why’s dinner so late today?”

“Got held up at the student union.”

Xiaoxi pulled out her phone, scrolling absently. “Bro?”

“What?” I kept my eyes on the sizzling pan.

“Didn’t someone promise to tell me *before* going to the student union? I don’t recall getting that memo.”

Her tone had shifted. I recognized that hint of displeasure—she was sulking again. I rushed to explain.

“It was unexpected! I wasn’t even scheduled today. They only called me after school to deliver the sports meet roster. You know how chaotic the union gets before events. Jiang Chen was the one who kept me there! What I meant yesterday was—I’d tell you if they gave me *advance* notice. This was last-minute, I swear I didn’t forget—” My voice trailed off as Xiaoxi’s face darkened completely.

“Sorry,” I cut myself off. Better to surrender before things escalated. Arguing with Xiaoxi was never worth it.

“Fine. I’ll forgive you this time since you got home before me. But next time? You *will* tell me. Don’t make me come home to an empty house. Got it?”

“Yes, yes. Why are you so strict about my curfew anyway?”

“Mom’s not here! Someone’s gotta keep you in line. What if you start hanging out with shady people?”

In our family’s food chain, Mom reigned supreme. Xiaoxi came second. Dad had little say against them, but he could still boss around bottom-feeders like me.

“Understood, my little empress,” I nudged Xiaoxi toward the kitchen door. “Go do your homework. I’ll call you when it’s ready, okay?”

Finally shooing her back to her room, I sighed in relief. Whoever ended up dating this girl would need saintly patience.

As I turned back toward the kitchen, I spotted the gift bag on the table. *Shoot—I forgot about this.* I grabbed it and knocked on Xiaoxi’s door. When she called out, I pushed it open.

Xiaoxi wasn’t studying. She was video-calling Mom. I leaned over her shoulder, waving at the screen.

It was around 1 p.m. in Paris. Mom looked like she was shopping. She’d been gone over two weeks now—just another week before she’d be back.

“Where’s Dad? Not joining your shopping spree?” I asked.

“Please. It’s way more fun with you two. Your father’s glued to his restaurant. I have to *wait* for his free time just to do a simple interview! Might as well pick a less famous chef and wrap this up faster. I miss my little monsters! How’s home?” Mom grumbled.

“Nothing major. Though by the time you return, your ‘Xiaoxi’ might’ve turned into ‘Xiao River’ from all the snacks.” I pinched Xiaoxi’s cheek.

She puffed out her cheeks. “Are you done? Go cook before dinner burns!”

“See? Zero authority,” I complained to Mom on screen.

“This is for you.” I handed Xiaoxi the bag.

“What’s this?” She took it, puzzled.

Before I could answer, Mom chimed in eagerly, “What else? A gift from your brother!”

“Really?” Xiaoxi shot me a skeptical look.

“Not from me. A friend heard I had an adorable little sister and insisted on giving you something.” I pinched her cheek again.

“Boy or girl?” Xiaoxi ignored the gift, staring straight at me.

“Why does that matter? You and Mom keep chatting. I’m going—my stir-fry’s about to char.” I waved goodbye to Mom and ducked out.

After I left, Xiaoxi slowly unwrapped the exquisitely packaged box.

“Such beautiful wrapping! Must be something special! Show me!” Mom had settled at a café, sipping coffee as she watched.

Xiaoxi peeled back the paper layer by layer. Inside lay a necklace.

She lifted it. The chain gleamed pure gold. But the real showstopper was the pendant: a thumb-sized black gemstone carved into a four-leaf clover. A faint, shimmering light coated its surface—so subtle it seemed to sway. Staring at it, the light seeped into her eyes, washing over her mind like a calm tide. Her restless heart stilled.

Suddenly, she remembered where she’d seen it before. That nagging sense of familiarity made sense now.

“Mom, show me the necklace Dad gave you for your birthday last year!” Xiaoxi’s voice tightened.

For Mom’s birthday, Dad—stuck overseas—had sent an expensive necklace. And now, impossibly, she held its twin.

“What’s she want with my necklace?” Mom muttered, but pulled hers out from under her collar. It was identical, except for the gemstone’s color.

“Mom, look at this.” Xiaoxi thrust her necklace toward the camera. “Isn’t it the same as yours?”

Mom squinted. “Hard to tell… but yeah, it looks identical. Mine’s malachite. Yours is black onyx.”

“This was just given to you by your brother’s ‘friend’?” Mom’s expression froze.

“I guess… yeah…” Xiaoxi’s voice was distant, lost in thought.

“Boy or girl?” Mom leaned in, eyes sharp.

“Don’t know…” Xiaoxi’s reply was barely a whisper. She already suspected who’d sent it.

“If it’s a boy, I’m sending it straight back! Anyone trying to court my Xiaoxi—I’ll shoot him dead! And your brother? He’s in trouble too. Selling out his sister now?” Mom’s face flushed with righteous fury.

“Heh. And if it’s a girl?” Xiaoxi asked flatly.

“Then I’ll wrap up your dad’s business ASAP and fly home! A gift like this? She’s clearly buttering up her future sister-in-law! I need to meet her. I thought your brother would stay single forever, glued to his room. What a surprise!” Mom beamed.

Xiaoxi sighed at her mother’s sudden mood shift.

“He’s only a freshman! Aren’t you worried her parents will kill him?”

“Freshman? So what! I’m not some old-fashioned parent. Opportunities like this don’t come twice! If a girl likes him, I *must* meet her. Who knows where it’ll lead? Parental objections? Pfft. I never worry about you—you’ll marry fine. But your brother? Different story.”

If I’d heard that, my face would’ve gone black. No mom insults her own son like that.

“Whatever. I’m hanging up!” Xiaoxi cut the call, her expression shadowed.

“Go ask your brother! If it’s a girl, I’ll drag your dad home by his ears!”

Xiaoxi ended the video. Her fingers tightened around the box, lost in thought.

I plated the stir-fry, set the table, and called out, “Xiaoxi! Dinner’s ready!”

I’d already eaten half my bowl before realizing she hadn’t come out. Setting my chopsticks down, I walked to her room.

“What’re you doing? Food’s getting cold.” I ruffled her hair as she sat staring blankly at her desk.

Xiaoxi shot up so fast I stumbled back.

“What’s wrong?” I was baffled. She’d been fine minutes ago.

She hurled the box at me. “Was that ‘friend’ Xia Tong?”

“Why do you care?”

“Why do I care? So it *was* her! Why would she give me this?”

“Anyone would like you—you’re adorable!” I had no clue why she’d brought up Xia Tong.

“Adorable? Has she even *met* me? Are we close?”

“What’s that supposed to mean? She gave you a gift, and you’re mad? Stop being difficult—come eat!” I reached for her arm.

She slapped my hand away. “Look what she gave me!”

Her words sparked my own confusion. I opened the box. Inside lay a necklace.

“This looks just like Mom’s! Why would she give you this?” Girls didn’t just hand out necklaces—it was weird!

“You *know* it does? And you claim you’re not involved with Xia Tong? If you’re not, why would she give me *this*?” Xiaoxi glared.

“How should I know?” I was just as lost. Xia Tong’s mind was impossible to read.

“Do you know what Mom said?”

“What?”

“If it’s from a boy, she’ll break his legs.” Xiaoxi stated it coldly.

“Whoa! Am I even her real son? That’s brutal! I’d never let a wolf through the door!” I tried to ruffle her hair again.

She dodged back.

“And if it’s from a girl?” she continued, voice flat. “Then she’s trying to win me over.”

“Win you over?” I repeated, making sure I’d heard right.

Xiaoxi fell silent for a few seconds, staring straight at me.

"She likes you!"

Now I finally understood why Xiaoxi had been acting so off. You really are like my own mom—always eager to stir up trouble. I’d just calmed her down not long ago, and here you were fanning the flames again. I was…

"Why bring this up again? I’m not lying! Didn’t I tell you last time? I’m not dating Xia Tong. I only mentioned you casually when I first met her, and she said she’d buy this for you. It’s been over ten days—I just got it from Jiang Chen today. If you hadn’t told me, I wouldn’t even know what’s inside. What other meaning could there be? Suck up to your sister? Like hell!" I cursed.

"Oh yeah, she’s definitely sucking up to your sister!" Xiaoxi sneered at me. "What’ll you do? Thank her tomorrow? Tell her I’m thrilled?"

"Your tone’s weird. I’m not keeping this—you’re too young for it. I’ll return it to Xia Tong tomorrow."

"Little sister my ass!" Xiaoxi shouted.

Ignoring her, I stepped forward and ruffled her hair firmly. "You are my little sister!"

Xiaoxi struggled fiercely. "I’m fifteen! In five years, I could be married!"

I tapped her head. "What are you thinking? At twenty, who’d you marry? You can’t even take care of yourself! And even if you marry, you’ll still be my sister. Come eat—the food’s cold!"

Xiaoxi ignored me, storming out to the dining table without a word. After dinner, she locked herself in her room.

I watched her, helpless. How could Xia Tong be so bad at gifts? If she really wanted to give something, why not a small trinket? This necklace didn’t look right for Xiaoxi at all. Did rich people see this as a tiny thing? I just couldn’t get it.