"Wake up, little sleepyhead!" A boy with short, messy black hair looked at the girl sleeping soundly in bed, his tone playful but scolding.

Her long black hair spilled across the pillows, messy yet effortlessly alluring. A faint blush colored her delicate face. Her skin glowed like polished jade in the morning sun. Her cute, cherry-like lips parted slightly with each breath, utterly captivating. She wore a pink pajama set, now slightly disheveled.

"Mmm, just five more minutes," the girl mumbled sleepily.

"Still sleeping? Don't you know what time it is? You said 'just a moment' earlier, and now again. At this rate, you'll be late for school!" the boy sighed in exasperation.

"Okay, just the last five minutes," she said before drifting off again.

"Alright, the last five minutes," he sighed, then left the room to make breakfast.

After preparing breakfast, the boy returned to her room without knocking—the door wasn't locked anyway. He found her still sleeping soundly. He leaned close and whispered softly, "Yuchi, time for breakfast."

Hearing this, the sleepy girl slowly opened her eyes to see a face inches away. She wasn't startled or flustered; she was used to it.

"Bro, help me," Nian Yuchi said lazily, not wanting to move.

"Alright, alright, get up," the boy said, lifting her in a princess carry. She wrapped her arms around his neck, letting him carry her.

He took her to wash up, brushed her hair, and got her ready before bringing her to the living room. On the table, a fragrant breakfast waited—clearly made by him.

He sat her down and took his seat beside her. "Eat up. Have plenty. We need to go to school after."

"Bro, you eat too!" she said curiously.

"I'm fine. You eat first. I'll make your lunchbox," he smiled warmly.

"Oh! You're the best, Bro," she grinned.

"Heh, silly girl. If I don't take care of you, who will?" His gaze held infinite tenderness. She was his only family, his sole reliance. Who else would he care for?

"Hehe, lots of people are nice to me!" she teased playfully.

"They're just after you," Nian Xifeng said knowingly.

"Ehehe! But they're so annoying! Like leeches, impossible to shake off," she complained, pouting at him.

"Just ignore them," he said, understanding her frustration. With her cuteness, it was hard not to attract attention.

"I do ignore them!" she huffed, still annoyed at the thought of those pests.

"Want to teach them a lesson?" he asked, resting his chin on his hands, a mischievous grin on his face.

At their school, fighting was permitted—as long as no one died. Broken bones were acceptable. Teachers and even the principal encouraged it: settle disputes with fists. Win, and all's well; lose, and you just accept it. You could call for backup, but if you still got beaten, that was truly embarrassing.

Nian Yuchi was a student at Tianqin Academy, crowned the school flower by most. Many pursued her, hoping to win her favor. But she was cold to everyone—except girls. She hated boys; just seeing them annoyed her. The only one she didn't mind was her brother, Nian Xifeng, sitting across from her now.

They had lost their parents young. Since childhood, she had depended on him. He protected her, comforted her when she was sad. He was the only one who truly understood her. As she grew up, Nian Xifeng took on a caretaker role, working hard to support her education. She didn't know how to repay him, so she stayed by his side. Though he never asked for anything, she could see the hidden sorrow in his heart.

"Nah, if I teach them a lesson, they might cling even tighter. Just thinking about it gives me chills," Nian Yuchi shuddered, getting goosebumps.

"Haha! Those guys are really something," Nian Xifeng smiled, watching her disgusted expression.

"Huh? Bro, you're teasing me again! I'm ignoring you, hmph!" Nian Yuchi turned her head away, pouting with her cute pink lips.

"Hehe, no, no!" Nian Xifeng chuckled, unfazed. He knew she'd get over it soon. Years of companionship had made them deeply understand each other. A single glance conveyed everything.

"Hmph, I don't believe you!" she said, lifting her chin higher.

Nian Xifeng walked over, sat beside her, wrapped an arm around her, and pulled her close. Whispering in her ear, "Want to put on a show?"

"Huh? What show?" Nian Yuchi looked at his close face with a confused expression. But she showed no blush; her face remained calm. She was used to this face—the one that had given her countless warmth.

"Like, I pretend to be your boyfriend. Show them, make them give up!" Nian Xifeng grinned mischievously.

Hearing this, Nian Yuchi's face slowly flushed red. She never expected her brother to say such a thing. Boyfriend? She hadn't thought about that. Right now, she just wanted to stay by his side as his sister.

"Is... is that okay?" she worried. What if they targeted her brother? She didn't want to burden him more. She had caused him enough trouble already. She wanted to take care of him now.

"Why not? Do you want them clinging to you forever? That'll only encourage them. Besides, I don't want my cute sister stalked by those creeps. Better to eliminate that threat early," Nian Xifeng said calmly, gazing into her almond-shaped eyes.

"It's just... more trouble for you, Bro," her voice grew softer from his embrace.

"What trouble? You're my sister. Who else should I worry about? Besides, you've given me plenty to worry about already," he said with a teasing smile.

"I... hmph, bad brother!" Nian Yuchi blushed furiously, embarrassed. But he was right. Over the years, he had solved countless problems for her.

"Alright, it's settled. Eat up! Or we'll be late!" Nian Xifeng released her and returned to his seat, picking up his chopsticks.

"Okay!" Nian Yuchi agreed, deciding to eat first.

As they ate, Nian Xifeng said, "I'll come to your school at noon. Meet me outside, my dear sister!" He couldn't resist teasing her.

"O-okay!" Nian Yuchi felt her face heat up again.

"I'm done," she said after wiping her mouth, standing up to clear the dishes.

"I'll handle it. Hurry to school. You woke up late today. Waste more time, and you'll definitely be late!" he interrupted, urging her to leave.

"Alright..." Nian Yuchi checked the time, hesitated, but chose to go. She wanted to help with chores, but he never let her. Not wanting to worry him, she obeyed.

"Good. Be careful on the way," he reminded her. Though their home was close to school, he always said this—to remind her to stay safe.

"Got it! Bye!" Nian Yuchi waved goodbye.

Their school trained students with superpowers, so no homework or books were needed. They went light.

"Okay," Nian Xifeng stood at the door, smiling as he watched her leave until she disappeared.

"Alright, time to get ready. I need to pick her up at school," he said to himself, starting to clear the dishes.