The first time had finally passed, but his sister would definitely need the bathroom again—and next time might be an abyss-level difficulty bowel movement.

Qi Yan’s weary heart, aching arms, and stiff back couldn’t endure such embarrassing torment over and over.

His sister’s wheelchair was a lightweight folding model for outings, lacking a commode function. Otherwise, the siblings wouldn’t have struggled so awkwardly earlier.

Installing a toilet in the rental wasn’t practical. Unauthorized renovations were out of the question, and even with Aunt Chunxiang’s approval, the cost would be steep. A simple commode chair seemed the most sensible solution.

He wasn’t sure if DongSui Town even sold such niche items. Online shopping would have to do—for now, they’d just have to endure.

Qi Yan unlocked his phone, but it rang first. The caller ID read: *Dr. Su Xueqing*.

His contacts were sparse: a few high school troublemaker friends, his newspaper editor, comic editor Xiao Lan, Aunt Chunxiang, and now this newly saved contact—his sister’s attending physician.

"Hello? Dr. Su?" Qi Yan asked stiffly.

"Yes, it’s me. Sorry to bother you. I was worried about Miss Qi Ran’s condition."

"N-not at all."

"How is she?"

"Stable. No adverse reactions. Her mood…" He glanced at his sister, still burrowed under her pillow. "Not exactly cheerful, but not low either."

"Neutral is acceptable for now. Living arrangements must be challenging, especially for a patient like her."

"I just survived a hellish trial… I forgot to buy a commode chair. This place only has squat toilets. I was careless—rushing her out of the hospital without proper planning. What a irresponsible brother."

"Not at all. You’re *too* responsible. You pulled her from that hospital cage against all odds. I’ve seen families argue over medical bills in wards, let alone proper care."

"Haha… really?" Qi Yan scratched his head awkwardly.

*My life now revolves entirely around my sister. Without her, I’d have no direction at all…*

"So… did you get the commode chair yet?"

"Not yet. Planning to order online. Probably can’t find one locally, and I’ve no time to wander. This town’s quaint, but it’s still the countryside."

"How about this? I know a medical supply dealer. I’ll have her ship one overnight. Online orders take days here—you’ll have it by tomorrow evening."

"Isn’t that overkill? It’s just a chair."

"A patient’s comfort is never trivial. Give me your address. I’ll arrange it now."

Qi Yan hesitated, then recited the address from Aunt Chunxiang. Refusing help out of pride while his sister suffered would only prove what a useless brother he was.

"DongSui Town? I’ve heard it’s lovely—scenic, low pollution. Good for recovery."

"You know this place?" Qi Yan asked, surprised.

"Heard of it. A friend teaches there. Once Qi Ran recovers, tell me—I’ll ask her to assist with re-enrollment. Honestly, stop rejecting help so stubbornly. That attitude won’t survive modern society. I should head home now. Take care."

"Wait! I’ll transfer payment for the—"

*Beep… beep… beep…*

Qi Yan sighed. "Dr. Su’s as unpredictable as her sister. Is this how rich kids operate?"

He didn’t dislike kindness—he’d just seen only malice since his parents’ accident. The few genuine acts he’d received were traded for his time and body.

In just one day in DongSui Town, he’d accepted too much: Aunt Chunxiang, the masked girl, Uncle Lin… Why show such generosity to someone with nothing to offer? *Must be because of Father*, he decided. It was the only logical explanation.

Qi Yan slapped his cheeks, shaking off the gloom. Back at the stove, the rice cooker hissed white steam—almost done.

The hissing faded. Steam vanished.

"Time to see my masterpiece!" Qi Yan lifted the lid hopefully.

Plump white grains glistened… but were hard on top, soft underneath. Undercooked. *Wrong water ratio?*

He could force it down, but his sister’s fragile stomach couldn’t handle half-cooked rice. One upset stomach would undo all progress.

"Xiao Ran, the rice failed. How about noodles tonight? I’ve got some plain yangchun noodles—you haven’t had those in ages, right?"

A small head emerged from the pillow. Qi Ran held up her notebook:

**[I want to eat Gege’s noodles.]**

Qi Yan’s spirits soared. The gloom vanished. "Oho! This time, I *won’t* fail!"

*(He absolutely wasn’t excited by any… double meaning in her words.)*

Noodles were his specialty. No rich broth, but neither sibling was picky—unlike *certain people* who refused garlic yet crunched ice cream in winter.

He boiled water, minced garlic, heated oil in the wok until it sizzled, then tossed in the garlic.

Aroma flooded the kitchen. Mouths watered. Stomachs growled.

Qi Yan fumbled—the garlic browned before he poured in the boiling water.

He added noodles, lean pork slices, then cracked in two eggs. Finally, he tossed in washed bok choy—briefly blanched to keep it sweet and nutritious.

Their tastes aligned perfectly. Whatever he liked, she loved.

He turned off the heat. Noodles and toppings filled two bowls, each crowned with an egg and sprinkled with scallions. It looked better than restaurant fare.

This was one dish he’d mastered tutoring that troublesome student late-night after late-night.

"Dinner’s ready, Xiao Ran."

The earlier shyness had faded. Their heartbeats no longer threatened to leap from their throats at a glance.

Qi Ran opened her arms. Qi Yan lifted her effortlessly.

Three steps from bed to table. He settled her gently onto the stool.

Steaming bowls sat between them. Qi Yan propped his chin on his hand, watching his sister’s profile, waiting for that *delicious* expression—but her chopsticks stayed still.

"Trouble using them? Should I feed you? Or… don’t you like it?"

Qi Ran shook her head twice, then wrote:

**[Eat together. Gege eats too.]**

In this cramped rental, for the first time in two years, brother and sister lifted chopsticks together—sharing noodles from the same pot.

Under the flickering yellow light, their shadows merged on the wall. Inseparable.