"Dare to ride the bike? I want to take you to see the school," Qi Yan asked, patting the slightly chipped blue bicycle.

Every evening after dinner, Qi Yan pushed his sister around nearby streets. They’d covered all the close spots.

He wanted to take her farther—like near the middle school—to help her learn the routes. But pushing her wheelchair wasted too much time. They might not get home before dark.

*With her brother by her side, it should be fine.*

Qi Ran’s fear of vehicles wouldn’t vanish overnight. She had to adapt slowly. For her, anything but a four-wheeled car was manageable.

"The back seat’s a bit hard. I’ll find a soft cushion for you."

*I want to change clothes. My old school uniform.*

Though puzzled by her request, Qi Yan agreed unconditionally. "Okay."

His sister’s clothes from two years ago were all too small, including her uniform.

The once knee-length gray pleated skirt now barely covered her little butt. Paired with black stockings, it created an alluring gap.

Sleeves once too long were now perfect. But the hem was short—a big move would flash her cute belly button.

Qi Yan worried she looked too exposed. He didn’t want other men seeing her like this.

But that thought was selfish. She wasn’t his pet or a caged canary. Her azure sky awaited her flight.

"Ready? I’m off!" Qi Yan gripped the handlebars and turned back.

He saw her sitting ladylike on the back seat. Legs together, a notebook pinned her skirt down. Her small hand shyly clutched his sleeve.

Qi Yan smiled faintly. "Hold tight. Don’t fall. I’ll ride slow. Let’s go!"

He kicked off the rear stand and pedaled forward.

In DongSui Town, only the main street was smooth. Other cement roads were bumpy, littered with pebbles.

Qi Ran dropped her shyness. She hugged Qi Yan’s waist tightly. Every jolt made her body tremble. She gripped harder, her chest pressing firmly against his back.

Two soft mounds gently pressed there—a comforting sign of growth.

Still, she’d once grumbled about them being small. Qi Yan joked that "bearing the weight" might cause shoulder aches when old. She playfully pummeled him for it.

Golden autumn filled osmanthus trees with blossoms. Sweet fragrance drifted everywhere.

DongSui Town’s streets were lined with them. Villagers planted osmanthus near pigsties and coops to mask animal smells and clean the air.

The trees thrived in the warm, humid climate. Their flowers made cakes, tea, wine, and medicine—far more useful than ordinary plants.

Qi Yan stopped at DongSui Public Middle School’s modest gate. He gazed at the stone lions and the plaque’s flowing calligraphy. "This is your new school. It’s nice—rubber tracks, multimedia classrooms. Private schools exist, but tuition is..."

He hadn’t checked, but private fees were high. With her special needs, he hoped she’d blend in without prejudice, making friends.

*I’m fine with whatever.*

Her reply stunned him. She lacked excitement. But humans were social. For his sister, isolated two years, school—untouched by society’s darkness—was the best path back.

"Next place..."

He halted outside the ancient red-roofed Taining Temple. "This enshrines Taoist immortals. Every Lantern Festival, there’s a temple fair. We came as kids—you got lost, scared us half to death. Remember?"

"It’s lively. Opera, lion dances, lanterns. DongSui’s biggest event. Let’s go again! Hold my hand tight this time," Qi Yan laughed.

Qi Ran nodded eagerly, golden stars sparkling in her eyes. Fun and candied haws at the fair clearly tempted her more.

Later, cycling back, they passed Uncle Lin’s shop. He teased them mercilessly.

"Hey, Xiao Yan! Strolling with your girlfriend? So sweet. When’s the wedding? Call me for baby naming—I’m the town’s feng shui master. I’ll pick a lucky name easy!"

Whether boasting or not, Qi Yan knew they didn’t look like a couple. No reason to mistake them for lovers, let alone fiancés.

"Uncle Lin, joking. She’s my sister. I’m not lucky enough for such a cute girlfriend."

As he spoke, a playful punch landed on his back—soft, more pout than anger.