He Is My Younger Brother

Shen Nian straightened up.

The younger Shen Nian also straightened up.

Though shameful and perverse, it was an undeniable fact—Shen Nian had to snap into seriousness immediately.

He sat on the sofa, hands clasped under his chin, lost in contemplation.

Xia Yanchun blinked her almond-shaped eyes, the corners still slightly damp. Just moments ago, this guy had shamelessly tickled her, yet now he was acting all proper.

She poked his thigh with her foot, wrinkling her petite nose. Her cheeks were flushed from their earlier playfulness, looking so tender they might drip juice if bitten.

"Even if you stop now, it’s too late. I’ll remember this. I’m telling your mom you groped me—prepare to die."

"Go ahead, go ahead. If you dare say that, I’ll tell my mom you’re scheming to usurp her position and become my new mom." Shen Nian’s tone was casual yet firm. These kinds of playful fights between them—Xia Yanchun would never have the nerve to actually complain.

Even if she did, it was just harmless teasing. What could anyone do?

His mom would probably scold him half-heartedly, then secretly marvel at how close the two were.

Go ahead and tattle.

If Xia Yanchun dared report him to his mom, he’d march next door and tell Auntie Wen that Xia Yanchun was charging a "friendship fee," threatening to cut ties if he didn’t pay up—and that she’d just kicked him.

Did she think she was the only one who could snitch to parents? Times have changed, Chunbao. This is the era of magical warfare!

Xia Yanchun bit her lower lip, torn between anger and helplessness. Shen Nian had her cornered—what now?

Seeing no advantage in pressing further, she huffed, "I was going to help you clean, but now you can do the chores yourself. I can’t stand people like you."

With that, she trotted off, pausing at the door to shoot Shen Nian one last glare.

Shen Nian exhaled in relief. After sitting for a few minutes, once the stirrings below had fully subsided, he finally dared to stand.

Damn it, Little Haki Nian was getting out of control, failing the test of restraint.

Normally, it wouldn’t matter—but with Xia Yanchun involved, it felt all kinds of wrong.

If she ever saw, she’d mock him for life. No matter how fiercely he argued in future spats, it’d all be pointless.

One mention of this, and he’d lose catastrophically.

Thankfully, disaster was averted.

Wringing out a rag, Shen Nian crouched to wipe the coffee table, though his mind was clearly elsewhere—repeatedly scrubbing the same spot before snapping back to reality.

Damn it, this time, "missing Chun" had turned into outright missing spring.

That wicked girl was lethally soft.

Now she wasn’t just a fragrant, soft idiot—she was a sweet, sticky, honey-glazed cream cake.

By evening, Shen Nian had finished cleaning the living room. Chen Minyue and Shen Shi returned early, cooking together and leaving Shen Nian with nothing to do. He lit mosquito coils and sat outside.

The town’s self-built houses differed from city homes, with spacious front yards for parking before the road. Chen Minyue and Wen Zhining often lounged outside on plastic stools, chatting in the breeze. Back when Shen Nian visited, his mom would drag him out, insisting he socialize instead of holing up in his room.

Really, she just didn’t want him glued to his phone, worried it’d affect his studies.

Now, he came out willingly—partly because gaming had lost its appeal, leaving him with excess time and energy. Better to enjoy the autumn wind.

Next door, Xia Yanchun’s house was packed with cars, including a sleek BMW. Shen Nian didn’t know the model, but BMW screamed luxury—no cheap options in that lineup.

From outside, he could hear the noisy chatter inside. Must be swarming with relatives.

Soon, his uncle arrived. Shen Nian politely helped carry bags.

His cousin, a year older and just starting university, eagerly shared campus tales over dinner, keeping Shen Nian entertained.

Finishing his meal quickly, Shen Nian went back outside. Xia Yanchun was there too, standing with a shorter boy he didn’t recognize.

Stretching lazily, Shen Nian attempted a half-hearted whistle. "Hey, little miss, come sit awhile."

"What kind of ruffian says that? Are we even close?" Xia Yanchun curled her lip.

After reducing her to such a flustered state earlier, how dare he act like nothing happened?

Was this some kind of joke?

Are we even close?

"Tch, suit yourself."

Shen Nian glanced at the boy, dismissing him after a brief look—probably some friend’s kid tagging along with Xia Herui.

"Want a seat?" Shen Nian pulled over another stool, noticing the boy had been standing awkwardly.

Shen Nian was a generous soul.

"Ah, no thanks." The boy shifted uncomfortably, eyeing Shen Nian. Though tall and lean, Shen Nian’s tone felt rough, like a delinquent.

That whistle especially sealed the impression—just like the local troublemakers. Small-town hoodlums were common, and Shen Nian’s vibe matched.

The boy meant no harm. His dad had praised Xia Yanchun’s grades and suggested they chat as peers. He’d come out early to stand with her, hoping to strike up a conversation.

But ten minutes passed with barely any exchange.

Xia Yanchun was glued to her phone. Though she responded politely, an invisible wall remained.

Initially, he’d just wanted to humor his dad.

Yet Xia Yanchun’s beauty shifted his goal—now he genuinely wanted to befriend her.

Getting her QQ would be a win.

Huang Shengqi’s heart raced at the thought.

Shen Nian ignored them, tilting his head skyward. Streaks of red painted the horizon, clouds drifting in the cool breeze—perfect for a photo.

As all men know: they might skip photos at tourist spots, but a stunning sky? Mandatory snap.

Primordial coding activated—time for aesthetic photography.

A potbellied man stepped out of Xia Yanchun’s house, toothpick in mouth, smiling. "What’re you two chatting about for so long?"

"Dad," Huang Shengqi called. "Nothing much."

"Ha! You’re around the same age—should talk more." The man turned to Xia Yanchun. "Hey, Chun, you’re at No. 2 High, right? How’d you do on the monthly exams?"

"I overperformed this time—scored over 700."

"Xia’s daughter, as sharp as ever." The man lit a cigarette.

"Shengqi is at the neighboring No. 1 High School. He just scored 650 on the monthly exam—ah, well, technically he’s like your younger brother. If you two have time, you could grab some bubble tea or hit the bookstore together, maybe expand your social circle. You kids these days are all about that 'friend-collecting' trend, right?"

"Uncle, it takes over twenty minutes to walk from No. 2 High to No. 1. That’s not exactly close."

"Haha, true, true."

Shen Nian shot a sideways glance. Seriously? Now he’s fabricating a little brother out of thin air? An out-of-nowhere sibling, huh?

When’s it my turn to get a random, adorable little sister?

Oh, so it’s just "friend-collecting." For a second, I thought this was a matchmaking setup.

"Shengqi, chat more with your Xia Yanchun here. Young people should have lots of friends—the more, the better."

The man stubbed out his cigarette and returned to the table to keep eating.

Huang Shengqi swallowed hard. The atmosphere was awkward, and he wasn’t sure what to say. His voice came out a little timid. "My dad’s just like that. Don’t mind him. So… do you play games? I’m into Naruto. If you play, I could carry you."

Shen Nian, eavesdropping shamelessly nearby: "…"

Wow. Just wow.

Talking to a girl about that game? Kid’s doomed. His future’s set in stone—Naruto-brainrot. Might as well discuss Three Kingdoms Kill instead.

This is too funny.

"I don’t really play games," Xia Yanchun replied, barely suppressing a laugh. It wasn’t that she was rejecting Huang Shengqi’s attempt—she genuinely didn’t do video games.

Her faintly distant vibe left Huang Shengqi scrambling for words. He was still mentally drafting his next line when some random guy lounging on a stool at the nearby food stall waved over.

"Hey, man, what’s your rank in Naruto? Which ninja do you main?"

"You play Naruto too?"

"Nah."

"…"

Then why even ask?

Huang Shengqi scoffed in disbelief. Who was this guy, butting in like this?

Do we know each other?

Didn’t Xia Yanchun just say she wasn’t close with you? The audacity.

Ignoring Shen Nian, he turned back to Xia Yanchun, trying to pivot to hobbies. Maybe they’d have common ground there.

"So, besides studying, what do you like to do in your free time?"

"I usually go jogging in the park or fishing. If you’re into fishing, you could join me sometime—I’ve got an extra rod. Oh, and I read a lot. Lately, I’ve been brushing up on English. It’s my weak subject; everything else is fine."

Xia Yanchun blinked. Fishing was that popular now?

She’d assumed it was just for middle-aged uncles, but both Shen Nian and this Huang Shengqi were into it.

Why did Huang Shengqi’s interests overlap so much with Shen Nian’s?

Naruto, park jogging, fishing, English cramming, two eyes and a mouth…

Was Shen Nian just Huang Shengqi Lite?

"You…" Xia Yanchun hesitated, then pointed at Shen Nian. "Maybe you two should be friends instead."

Huang Shengqi: ?

I’m trying to befriend you, and you’re redirecting me to another guy?

"Haha, it’s just… your hobbies seem really similar…"

"What hobbies?" Shen Nian bared his teeth. After being ignored earlier, he’d gone back to scrolling on his phone, barely paying attention. Why was the conversation suddenly about him?

Huang Shengqi was utterly lost. "You two know each other?"

Wait, didn’t she say they weren’t close earlier??

"He’s my little brother…" Xia Yanchun grinned.

Shen Nian did not grin.

"Calling me your brother every chance you get—in ten years, it’ll be official. That’s low, Yanchun. Playing the long game."

"It’s true!" Xia Yanchun was ready to dredge up the past. "You used to call me 'jie' all the time—'Chun-jie,' 'Xia-jie.' Remember?"

"Listen, that was then, this is now."

"See? You just called me 'jiemen'—that still has 'jie' in it!"

"Sure, sure. Your family’s gonna need an exorcist at this rate."

Huang Shengqi: ???

Not only do you know each other—you’re this close?