Chapter 24: The Brother Loves the Sister

Yu Chen felt he had suffered the greatest humiliation of his life. He hurriedly looked at Wei Yabai, but she, busy teasing Yi Yi and eating her meal, paid him no attention at all. Yu Chen then shifted his gaze to Gu Yan, who also kept his head down, favoring Yu Sheng obviously.

"Fine, you're all bullying me," Yu Chen grumbled.

After Gu Yan finished dinner with Yi Yi, the little girl lay down on Yu Sheng's sofa and soon fell asleep. With no other option, Gu Yan had to carry her home.

"Pfft..." Yu Sheng couldn't hold back her laughter.

"What's so funny?" Gu Yan turned his head.

"Nothing, it's just... you seem like a 'dad-mom' somehow."

Yu Chen, standing behind Yu Sheng, overheard and laughed as well.

Gu Yan sighed and quietly whispered in Yu Sheng's ear, "So you don't have to worry too much from now on."

"......"

"Do you need my help? It's not convenient for you to carry Yi Yi," Yu Sheng offered.

"Alright, just help me turn on the stairway light."

When Gu Yan laid Yi Yi on his bed, she woke up and, seeing Gu Yan about to close the door, immediately burst into tears.

"Brother... don't leave!"

Hearing this, Gu Yan quickly came back, picked her up from the bed, and soothed her, "Yi Yi, don't cry, brother isn't leaving, brother isn't leaving."

"Now that she's awake, I'd like to give her a bath. Can you help me?" Gu Yan asked Yu Sheng.

"Of course."

Gu Yan, comforting Yi Yi, carried her to the bathroom, saying, "Yi Yi, be good. Let sister help you with your bath."

"Yi Yi's good, sister will give you a bath."

Why does it feel like we're the parents? Gu Yan mused.

After putting Yi Yi in the bathroom, Gu Yan went to find some of his own clothes and handed them to Yu Sheng, "Her mom didn't leave any of her clothes for me, so let her wear this for now. I'll buy her new ones tomorrow."

After handing over the clothes, Gu Yan finally had a moment to rest. Since afternoon, Yi Yi had been clinging to him, not letting him catch his breath.

He had barely sat down on the sofa when his eyes closed involuntarily.

In a haze, he felt someone patting his face. Opening his eyes, he saw two faces, one big and one small, staring at him. Yi Yi was smacking him with her chubby little hand, and Yu Sheng was using Yi Yi’s hand to poke him.

Seeing him awake, Yu Sheng hurriedly stood up. "Um, I finished bathing her and saw you asleep, so... Well, I'll go home now. If you need help tomorrow, just call me."

Gu Yan grabbed Yu Sheng’s wrist. "Wait!"

Yi Yi, nibbling her finger, watched her brother pull sister’s hand, and she also grabbed Yu Sheng’s hand.

Yu Sheng was charmed by Yi Yi’s cuteness and squatted down. "Little Yi Yi, why are you holding sister's hand?"

"Brother won't let sister leave. Can sister sleep with me?"

Gu Yan secretly gave Yi Yi a thumbs up. He swore he’d never taught her this.

Yu Sheng thought for a moment. "Yi Yi, are you afraid to sleep alone?"

"Daddy says boys and girls shouldn’t sleep together. Brother is a boy, so I can't sleep with him. But brother’s home is very dark, and I'm scared to sleep alone."

"Alright, then you’ll sleep with sister, okay? Do you want to go to sister’s house?"

No, Yi Yi, I disagree.

"No, I don’t want to go to sister’s house. I want to stay with brother. If I leave, brother will be alone. Sister, stay!"

Yi Yi instantly put on her best act, hugging Yu Sheng's neck and refusing to let her leave. Yu Sheng was overwhelmed by the cuteness.

"Um, maybe you shouldn't go tonight. You see, I can't take care of her alone," Gu Yan said.

"Alright, I'll go upstairs and tell my mom."

"No need to bring any bedding, the one you brought last time is still here."

When Yu Sheng agreed, Gu Yan’s voice trembled with excitement.

Yu Sheng nodded, "Yi Yi, sister will go upstairs to let her mom know she’s safe. Sister will be right back."

"Okay, but sister has to keep her word. Let's pinky swear." Yi Yi extended her short, chubby pinky finger.

Yu Sheng swore with her, and only then did the little one relax. As Yu Sheng left, Yi Yi looked at Gu Yan, "Brother likes sister. I like sister too."

Gu Yan gave her a big thumbs up and patted her head, "Yi Yi is clever. Tomorrow, you should ask sister to take you shopping for clothes, okay?"

The little one nodded.

Yu Sheng hurriedly washed up at home, then came downstairs in her pajamas—the same ones Gu Yan had seen the first time.

"You should sleep in my room. The bed is softer. If you mind, I can change the bedding for you," Gu Yan rambled, "But the other comforter was used by Song He."

Yu Sheng shook her head. "No need, I don't mind."

Gu Yan stood at the door, wanting to say something more, but nothing came to mind. Yi Yi yawned. "Well, good night then!"

"Mm, good night." Yu Sheng closed the door.

Yi Yi lay obediently beside Yu Sheng, likely tired, and soon her breathing became even.

Yu Sheng looked at the face that faintly resembled Gu Yan, curved her lips into a smile, and kissed her gently. "Good night, Yi Yi."

In the morning, Yu Sheng felt something soft on her face. Opening her eyes, she saw Yi Yi’s little hand on her cheek.

Yu Sheng turned her head, waking Yi Yi with the movement. "Sister!" Yi Yi burrowed into her arms.

"Yi Yi, you’re awake? Did you sleep well?"

Yi Yi nodded sleepily, then seemed to remember something and lifted her head. "Sister, will you take me shopping for clothes today?"

Of course, whatever you want, sister will do.

"Of course. If you’re good, sister will go with you."

Just then, Yu Sheng heard some rustling outside the door. She opened it and found Gu Yan.

"Yu Sheng, morning!" Gu Yan had already tidied up and was making breakfast for Yu Sheng and Yi Yi.

Yu Sheng was surprised. "You... I thought you couldn't cook?"

Gu Yan was frying eggs in the kitchen. "You can always learn. You’re here, so I have to make breakfast for my guest."

As he spoke, a burnt smell wafted through the air. Yu Sheng went to the table and saw Gu Yan’s so-called breakfast.

A plate of charred food.

"Hey, not that, not that. You eat this." Seeing Yu Sheng's glance, Gu Yan quickly pushed the burnt dish aside and brought out a plate of eggs that were at least edible.

"What about that one?" Yu Sheng pointed to the blackened food behind him.

"That... that's mine. You eat this."

Yi Yi crawled out of bed. "Brother!"

She called out as she pounced on Gu Yan’s leg.

Why is this little one so clingy?

Yu Sheng smiled, taking the plate of eggs from Gu Yan. "You shouldn't eat that. Let me make you another egg."

"Ah? Okay." Hearing Yu Sheng would make him breakfast, Gu Yan obediently threw away the plate and, like Yi Yi, sat quietly at the table. Yi Yi drank milk, while Gu Yan watched Yu Sheng.

"You two are so alike," Yu Sheng remarked to Gu Yan.

"Hmm? How so?" Gu Yan propped his face in his hand, watching Yu Sheng.

Yu Sheng didn't answer, finishing the last bite of egg and standing up. "You look alike. Alright, I'll make breakfast for you. What do you have at home?"

"I just bought some eggs, bread, and milk. That's it," Gu Yan scratched his head.

"Alright, I’ll fry an egg for you, but I’ll warn you, it won’t be great. Just a little better than yours," Yu Sheng called from the kitchen door.

Gu Yan leaned against the doorframe, watching Yu Sheng’s busy figure with contentment. "That’s fine."

As long as it’s made by you, I’ll love it.

Gu Yan watched Yu Sheng intently, as if trying to make up for the ten years he missed. He knew they’d have plenty of time together in this life; he silently vowed they would always be together.

This scene was something Gu Yan never had in his last life. This time, he would hold it tightly in his hands.

"Here, for you!" Lost in thought, Gu Yan was startled as Yu Sheng handed him the egg.

"Thank you." Gu Yan took the egg; this thank you was not just for the egg, but for her, for the luck of meeting her again.

"Sister, Yi Yi wants one too!"

Yi Yi had no idea why her brother was so enchanted by the fried egg. Was it tastier than her mom's?

"Alright, sister will fry one for you too."

Gu Yan held the plate of eggs as if it were a priceless treasure, making Yi Yi curious. Thankfully, Yu Sheng didn’t see his posture.

Gu Yan carefully placed the egg on the table and sat down to savor it.

"Brother, is it good?"

Gu Yan nodded. "Sister’s cooking is the best."

"Is it better than mom’s?"

"I don’t know, I’ve never tasted your mom’s cooking."

Just then, Yu Sheng finished frying Yi Yi’s egg and brought it over.

Yi Yi hurried to take a bite.

Hmm? It’s ordinary. Why does brother’s egg seem so delicious? Is sister’s egg for brother tastier than mine? Yi Yi wondered, watching Gu Yan.

She was about to ask for a swap, but saw Gu Yan finish the last bite.

"Sister, do you like brother too?"

The sudden question made Gu Yan choke. "Cough, cough, cough."

After he recovered, Gu Yan looked at Yu Sheng, but she had her back turned and he couldn't see her expression.

Yu Sheng didn’t answer, took off her apron, and headed for the door. "I’m going home now. When it’s time to shop for clothes, just call me."

She slipped out before Gu Yan could get up to see her off.

Gu Yan watched her retreating figure, feeling a bit lost.

Looking at Yi Yi’s round eyes, Gu Yan patted her head. "Your mom sending you here was the only right thing she’s ever done."

Yi Yi tilted her head, not understanding.

"Eat quickly while it’s hot. This afternoon, brother and sister will take you shopping for clothes."

Yu Sheng fled from Gu Yan’s house, grateful he hadn’t chased after her—otherwise, he would have seen her tomato-red face.

Thinking of Yi Yi’s question, Yu Sheng touched her own cheeks.

Did she like Gu Yan?

She did, but she didn't dare. This was a kind of feeling Yu Sheng wanted to keep in her heart, afraid of shattering it like last time. Even now, the memory hurt.

Yu Sheng covered her face, trying to cool it down before returning home. Otherwise, if Yu Chen saw her, he’d tease her to death, thinking she’d done something at Gu Yan’s house.

She quietly opened her front door, hoping the family was still asleep on Saturday morning. But as soon as she entered, she saw those familiar shoes.

"Sheng Sheng, where did you go? Out early for exercise?"