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Shen Nian instantly pulled up an elderly meme expression.

"Am I a very, very bad cat?" .JPG

"Do you really think I’m the kind of person who’d stay overnight at Xia Yanchun’s place?"

Hearing this, Shen Yue lazily sat up from the couch, unwrapping her takeout as she replied,

"I’m just saying. You two are so close—it wouldn’t be a big deal if you didn’t come back, right?"

Shen Yue smirked suggestively. "Oh? So staying over means something’s gonna happen? Wow, little bro’s grown up, huh? Guess it’s that age where you start looking for a girlfriend."

"Stop talking nonsense, or you’ll lose both your money and your dinner."

"Ugh, I really don’t get you two." Shen Yue snapped her disposable chopsticks apart and sighed. "How did you kids end up like this? You used to be glued together all the time."

"What’s the point of bringing up the past?"

Shen Yue giggled, covering her mouth. "True, no point at all. Now hurry up and go mooch off someone’s dinner before you starve to death."

What kind of bratty older sister is this? Absolutely shameless!

The more Shen Nian thought about it, the angrier he got. He swiped his pig-like claws into her takeout and snatched the last two meat rolls, stuffing them into his mouth.

"I swear I’ll hit you!"

Shen Yue transformed into a raging pepper—who could understand the despair of losing the only two meat rolls in the box?

But Shen Nian had already bolted, the front door slamming shut behind him. The living room fell silent except for the TV, as if the earlier chaos had never happened.

Xia Yanchun had just finished blow-drying her hair and was curled up on her bed scrolling through her phone when she heard a knock at the door. She peeked out like a cautious kitten, quickly slipping on her bra before padding over in her slippers to check through the peephole.

A girl living alone had to be careful. She’d only open the door for someone she knew well.

But even if it was Shen Nian—someone she was very familiar with—she still had to stay on guard.

So she only cracked the door open a sliver, eyeing him up and down.

Shen Nian’s hair was still damp from his shower, and the faint scent of body wash clung to him. As much as she hated to admit it, Xia Yanchun couldn’t ignore the undeniable youthful energy radiating off him.

"What do you want?"

"My sister’s trying to beat me up, and she stole my food. Can I crash here for some instant noodles?"

"Shen Yue would actually get physical with you?"

"She used to beat me stupid when we were kids. ‘Get physical’ is an understatement."

Shen Nian’s life had always been a tightrope walk, with two women he could never quite handle.

First, his older sister Shen Yue—seven years his junior, unbeatable in a fight, and impossible to out-argue. She’d boss him around all day doing chores, then pay him off with two packs of spicy sticks.

Second, his arch-nemesis Xia Yanchun—an absolute heavyweight. Back when they played house as kids, she’d always insist on being the mom, forcing some tragic heartthrob to play the dad while also doubling as the son and the family pet husky.

As for who that tragic heartthrob was, Shen Nian would only say: curiosity killed the cat. Some things were better left unknown. Zip it, buddy.

"Too bad she didn’t finish the job."

"Wishing death on me? Don’t sleep too soundly tonight."

Xia Yanchun sighed softly and stepped aside to let him in.

In her eyes, Shen Nian was never a guest, so there was no need for formalities. Once he was inside, she retreated back to her room to keep scrolling.

Shen Nian moved with practiced ease, grabbing a bowl from the kitchen and boiling water.

One pack of instant noodles was enough to take the edge off his hunger. He’d planned to head straight home to study, but Xia Yanchun’s bedroom door was slightly ajar. Without a second thought, he strolled right in like he owned the place.

Tomorrow was the weekend, and if Xia Yanchun had no plans, she might not even bother wearing a bra at home. Right now, she was just in loose shorts. She glanced at Shen Nian but said nothing, silently pulling her blanket over her thighs, leaving only her pale feet exposed.

"Wow, just waltzing in without even asking. Real smooth."

"Not just walking in—I’m sitting down too." Shen Nian plopped into her desk chair like a king holding court.

"It’s almost eight. Shouldn’t you be heading back? What’s the plan?"

Remembering Shen Yue’s words, Shen Nian blurted out, "What if I don’t go back tonight? Would you bite me?"

"Did you fight with your sister?"

"No. When I said I was coming here to mooch food, she asked if I was coming home at all." Shen Nian was nothing if not honest.

Xia Yanchun’s pink toes curled slightly, an odd discomfort flickering through her. If Shen Nian had just shamelessly declared he was crashing here, she might’ve rolled her eyes and moved on. But coming from Shen Yue, the implications were… harder to ignore.

Unsure how to respond, she turned onto her side, facing away as she muttered, "I won’t bite you. Sleep on the couch."

"Dream on. I’m the wind—you can’t hold me down."

"Freak."

"Lunatic."

Their bickering was routine by now. A comfortable silence settled between them, the room quiet except for the hum of the AC. The breeze from the vent ruffled Shen Nian’s hair—dry now, though he hadn’t noticed when it happened.

The atmosphere was peaceful. Xia Yanchun focused on her phone, while Shen Nian focused on…

Xia Yanchun’s feet.

A shameless act of peeping, but Shen Nian saw no harm in it. He could look at her feet if he wanted. And if Xia Yanchun ever asked, he’d gladly show off his own size 43 stompers.

A fair exchange—no background checks required.

As if sensing his gaze, Xia Yanchun turned back toward him, though her eyes stayed glued to her screen.

If Shen Nian wanted to loiter in her room, so be it. She didn’t mind.

Playing with her hair, lingering where he wasn’t invited—these were the little indulgences she allowed only him.

Shen Nian quickly lost interest. Though her pale feet were admittedly cute, staring too long felt risky now that she was facing him, her legs curled up and out of sight.

Spotting two "Five-Three" workbooks on the desk, Shen Nian flipped through them—math and physics, mostly filled out but with plenty of red circles marking mistakes on the tougher problems.

"Bringing homework home? Such a model student."

"Huh?"

"Your room’s comfy. Decision made: I’m studying here tonight."

The girl looked up, surprised. For once, Shen Nian wasn’t here to mess around—he actually planned to hit the books at her desk.

"Ambition’s good. I support it. But is my room really the right place for this grind, Shen Nian?"

"Your room’s nicer."

"What’s the difference? It’s just sitting at a desk doing problems either way."

"There is one."

Shen Nian propped his chin on his hand, watching Xia Yanchun curled up on the bed. "You’re here. It smells nice, and I can chat with you. My room’s just me alone, suffering in silence. It’s torture."

Total silence wasn’t ideal for focus. Libraries worked because they were quiet but not dead—just enough background noise. Some people even needed headphones.

Same reason study halls beat classrooms. Too noisy in class, but study halls had just the right murmur of teachers around.

"‘Smells nice’? Sniffing around a girl’s room? You’re such a creep."

"Come on, your whole room smells like this. Should I just stop breathing and die here? Haunt you on my seventh day?"

"I’ll hire a Taoist priest to trap your ghost in a septic tank."

"Alright, alright, you win."

By 11 PM, Xia Yanchun was fighting off sleep, letting out a tiny yawn.

"Tired?"

"Mhm."

"Pathetic. I’m wide awake."

Shen Nian’s stamina was top-tier—he wasn’t sleepy, just a little sluggish.

The weekend routine of a high school student is pretty much the same—gaming, resting, a monotonous back-and-forth. Only Shen Nian stands out, adding studying to the mix, making it a three-point cycle.

When your mind is drained, no amount of energy can fend off the weariness from doing the same thing over and over.

"I'm heading back now. Go to bed early. Goodnight, baby."

"Oh..."

"You don’t believe I’ll actually exercise, do you? Fine, I’ll bring you breakfast at 7 tomorrow. Better not sleep in."

"..."

He didn’t linger in Xia Yanchun’s room any longer. On his way out, he turned off the living room light, leaving the apartment in silence.

Xia Yanchun hugged a small plush toy and quietly closed her eyes in bed.

Midnight. Still awake.

She sniffed her shoulder but didn’t catch any noticeable fragrance—just a faint grapefruit scent from her hair.

12:30 AM. Still awake.

Who—who are you calling "baby"?!

Her eyelids felt heavy, her face warm.

How is this hitting me only now?

Yan Xi reminds you: Due to Tomato’s request for 3 million+ daily visits overwhelming the server, we now recommend switching to other major sources.