Spring had finally banished winter’s snow and wind. Tender green shoots pushed through the damp earth, unfurling fresh buds. A vibrant green canopy spread across the sky as countless lives stirred awake, beginning the cycle anew.

Su Yu crouched beside the path on the hill behind the elementary school. He leaned down, peering at a black-and-white kitten hiding in the withered yellow grass. Gently peeling open a sausage wrapper, he waved it before the kitten, trying to lure it closer.

But the kitten only watched him warily from the grass. It smelled the sausage, yet a stray that had survived the whole winter wouldn’t recklessly accept a stranger’s offering. Its thin body pressed flat to the ground, a low growl rumbling in its throat, radiating quiet hostility.

Su Yu sighed with a hint of disappointment. He’d been feeding the strays hidden around campus. Their homelessness stirred a quiet kinship in him—as if they belonged to the same lonely kind, and helping felt only right.

Before winter break, he’d used his allowance to buy cat food for an orange tabby. Big Orange had grown fond of him. But after spring semester began, Su Yu never saw Big Orange again.

He knew the winter had been cruel. Big Orange likely hadn’t found shelter in time. Guilt twisted inside him—he should’ve thought ahead. Because of that oversight, Big Orange had…

“Little Yu, what are you up to?”

A gentle voice came from behind, followed by a warm embrace and the soft press of curves against his back. Su Yu’s face flushed crimson, the blush creeping from his ears down his slender neck.

He turned to see Gu Zhi holding him. His porcelain-like skin burned bright red. He squirmed slightly, voice low. “Sister… didn’t you say you wouldn’t hug me anymore? I’m in fifth grade. I’m not a little kid.”

“Oh? Did I?” Gu Zhi pressed her cheek into the tender hollow of his neck, breathing in his clean scent. Her warm breath tickled his skin as she dismissed his protest. “Must be my age… my memory’s failing me.”

“Sister! Someone might see!”

Flustered, Su Yu’s face burned hotter. He sensed their closeness bordered on too much, yet feared upsetting her. So he endured it, heart pounding.

Gu Zhi gave him warmth he couldn’t bear to lose. She was always kind… even if her affection sometimes overwhelmed him—leaving the scent of orange blossoms on his clothes, earning him teasing from He Muqing about smelling like perfume, calling him a sissy.

“Alright, no more teasing. What were you doing?”

Gu Zhi released him and crouched beside him, her gaze falling on the kitten.

“Meow~”

The kitten lifted its head. Amber eyes reflected Gu Zhi’s face; hostility melted away. After a hesitant pause, it crept slowly from the grass. Su Yu’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Gu Zhi smiled and beckoned. The kitten quickened its steps, rubbing against her feet, purring under her gentle strokes.

“Sister… how?”

“Hehe. I’ve fed it before. Maybe it remembers me.”

She placed a small box of cat food on the ground. The kitten buried its face in it, clearly starving.

“But it’s too obedient…” Su Yu murmured. Before Gu Zhi, the kitten was utterly docile—wildness vanished, head bowed.

“Think Sister’s impressive?” Gu Zhi’s slender fingers, delicate as carved jade with nails painted vivid crimson, smoothed the kitten’s fur. Her hand trailed up its thin spine, fingers closing gently around its fragile neck. Oblivious, the kitten kept eating. Gu Zhi’s narrow eyes softened to fine lines. She felt the tiny pulse beneath thin skin—the undeveloped bones. Just a slight squeeze…

She lightly licked her dry lips, stained the same fresh red as blood.

“Pain… Little Yu, do you know?” Her voice turned hoarse, the usual warmth gritty with sand—a cold, authoritative rasp. “Only pain makes things unforgettable.”

“Alright. Let’s go back. It’s chilly.”

The ice in her eyes vanished. She turned to Su Yu, smile blooming like a spring garden in full bloom. She took his hand and led him away. Su Yu glanced back twice at the kitten still eating.

*She must be joking,* he thought. *Big Orange would remember me. I never hurt him.*

Adults loved scaring kids. Sister was gentle—she’d never harm an animal.

…

“Grandfather is dead?”

“Yes, Miss. The family head had a sudden heart attack last night. Resuscitation failed.” The gruff voice on the line reported solemnly. “They tried to contain it. Failed. The whole Gu family knows.”

“Hmph… I thought he’d last longer.” Gu Zhi’s face remained still.

“Without him, chaos reigns. You should return.”

Her pale fingers traced the phone screen. Long lashes cast shadows over glacial eyes. “So they couldn’t hide it… But here, I still…”

“No will. Only a letter about your parents’ accident. He left you a choice—and enough to live peacefully, even if you stay.”

Her nail scraped the screen. “Understood. I’ll return to Qingchuan soon.”

She hung up. In the infirmary, Su Yu sat eating lunch. Her dark eyes held no sorrow. No reluctance.

“Your mouth isn’t clean.”

Gu Zhi smiled, wiping a stray grain from his lip with a tissue. “Full?”

“Mmm. Sister’s cooking is delicious.”

“I’m glad, Little Yu.”

She cupped his chin, thumb tracing from nose to eye corner, studying him like a treasured artwork. His dark eyes, bright as gems, held only her reflection.

“What a pity…”

“Sister? What did you say?” Su Yu tilted his head.

“Nothing. I’ve truly enjoyed our time.”

“Me too! You make my lunch, watch movies with me, help with homework… I really like Sister.”

“If you like me so much… if Sister has to leave… would you come with me?”

“Just us two?” Su Yu froze.

“Yes. Only us. Tell no one—not even Muqing. We leave quietly. Trust only each other… until death.”

“No… I can’t.”

Darkness swirled in her eyes like a vortex. The gentle Sister he knew was gone. Fear prickled his skin. He tried to pull back, but she held him tight.

“My home is here. Muqing, Uncle He, Aunt He—they care. I can’t vanish. They’d be heartbroken.”

“Hehe. *Them?* Just roles.” Her laugh was cold. “Tip the scale slightly, and loyalty shatters. But we’re different.”

“I love you more… and will never betray you. So… come with me?”

“Sister, you look scary. Are you upset?”

Terror filled his face. The spring garden in her eyes had withered into a desolate hell, winds tearing dead petals away.

Su Yu wrenched free, breathing hard, heart racing.

“Don’t go! Don’t betray me!”

Gu Zhi reached—her nail accidentally scratched his cheek. Blood seeped, staining her crimson nails deeper red.

She missed his arm. He fled.

Gu Zhi collapsed onto the floor, hair spilling over her face, hiding a bitter, ghostly smile.

Seeing her broken state, pity mixed with fear in Su Yu’s chest. *Was it because I refused?*

He crept closer, clumsily smoothing her hair. “Sister… I’m sorry. Don’t be angry. I just…”

Gu Zhi lifted her head. Bloodshot eyes locked onto his. But he didn’t flinch. He offered a small, shaky smile.

“If something’s wrong… tell Little Yu? Don’t stay angry alone.”

“I’m not angry, Little Yu. Just… troubled.”

The harshness in her eyes melted like snow. Still seated on the cold floor, she patted his head.

“Sister might need to leave for a while.”

“Then… will you come back, Sister?”

"Of course I will. I'll be back in a week," Gu Zhi said with a smile, spinning a lie. She'd once believed she'd truly found what she longed for—but it was nothing more than a fleeting dream. They were supposed to never lie to each other. Now… it no longer mattered.

"A week isn't too long," Su Yu murmured, relief softening his voice. Naively, he added, "I'll wait for you to come back, big sister."

"Good. Can big sister hug you one more time?"

Su Yu opened his slender arms and nodded. "Sure."

"Thank you."

Gu Zhi pulled the frail boy into her embrace. Her smile froze for a heartbeat… then vanished.

Her hand slid slowly up his spine, stopping at his slender neck. Sharp nails grazed his pale skin, sending a faint, ticklish shiver through him. Warm, moist breath brushed his flushed earlobe—a subtle tremor of excitement humming beneath.

Bonds—friendship, family, love… all fragile. Mere constraints society stamps onto the mind. Not what she sought.

She'd been too naive, chasing a love that likely never existed. Just a futile search for a reason to live.

But no longer. She had her reason now: hatred. It would fuel her return to Qingchuan… and her revenge.

"Big sister, you're tickling me," he whispered.

"Shh… be good. It'll be over soon. Very soon."

His body hadn't even begun to change—his Adam's apple barely a bump. So weak. Of course… only fit to be a pet. And pets must never betray their masters.

A sickly flush bloomed on Gu Zhi's cheeks. She suddenly recalled that plump orange cat someone had fed. Its fat should've carried it through winter. Pity. It ate her food… yet still longed for others. Such a shame. Truly.

How to punish him…

Choke the breath from his throat? Or slice the artery with her nails and watch him bleed out? So hard to choose.

Her nails traced the bluish veins on his snow-pale neck, settling beside a pulsing artery. One small cut. Warm blood would spray. Her nails weren't sharp enough—good. The suffering would linger. Helpless. Watching life drain away.

Time stretched. The sharp edge hovered… unmoving.

Gu Zhi stilled. His clear, innocent eyes flashed in her mind—unshakable. Like light piercing deep darkness. Suddenly, hatred faltered. But betrayal… was unforgivable. Why did this ache? Her mood soured further.

A breath later—her nails dug in. Droplets of blood traced his arm, staining the clean floor.

…

Seasons turned. Su Yu graduated elementary school, stepping into middle school. During fifth grade, his frail frame shot up like bamboo after spring rain, soon towering over his classmates.

No longer the boy who hid behind his childhood friend. No one dared hurl vulgar insults his way anymore.

Yet joy never came. His sister—the beautiful woman with a perpetual smile—had vanished from his life, melting like early spring snow.

The one-week promise became forever. He often missed that brief thaw after winter, but time wore the memory thin. Until even her face blurred.

He only vaguely recalled a kind sister. A mole at the corner of her eye. A smile so gentle. Then… gone.

Just like the wound she left on his cheek before leaving—it would fade too. Leaving not even a scar behind.