Chapter Eleven: The Everyday Life of a Sister-Obsessed Brother

The blazing summer sun was already high in the sky, even though it was just past dawn. Luo Chen had managed to get up early for once; thankfully, he hadn’t forgotten that he was now back in high school. Otherwise, after years of lazy university mornings, he likely wouldn’t have been able to drag himself out of bed at such an early hour.

“Where’s Tianyi?”

Luo Chen glanced around the living room. Normally, she would have been up by now. Could she have left without waiting for her brother? With a hint of doubt, Luo Chen walked over to Luo Tianyi’s bedroom door. He checked the time—there wasn’t much left—then knocked.

Tap, tap, tap.

“Not in?” Luo Chen found it odd. He pushed open the door.

“At the very least, be a little cautious. She doesn’t even lock her door.” In such a big house, with just a boy and a girl living together, this kind of cohabitation without any wariness at all… If the other person turned out to be a beast, what about a midnight attack, some kind of captivity—well, Luo Chen assured himself that such thoughts had never crossed his mind.

The room was dim, and Luo Tianyi was curled up in her thin white nightdress, hugging a stuffed bear as tall as herself. The blanket had long since been kicked off somewhere, and her delicate body lay exposed, revealing stretches of fair skin, as if it never occurred to her that there was a boy her age—her own brother—at home.

“Time to get up, Tianyi, or you really will be late,” Luo Chen said helplessly. He pulled the fallen blanket over her exposed skin and gently shook his soundly sleeping sister.

“Hmm? No, I’m so tired…” Luo Tianyi opened her sleepy eyes, glanced at Luo Chen, responded lazily, and closed her eyes again, intending to sleep a little longer.

“Should I just call in sick?” Luo Chen hesitated, feeling somewhat sorry as he looked at his dozing sister. Well, he didn’t feel like going either.

No, that wouldn’t do. If you let yourself slack off for a while, it’s so much harder to get back on track. Luo Chen knew this well. After a moment’s thought, he picked up the drowsy Luo Tianyi and set her on the edge of the bed. She swayed weakly, then promptly lay back down.

“How exhausted is she, really?” Luo Chen looked helplessly at his delicate, doll-like sister, who let him move her about as he pleased, and in the end, couldn’t bring himself to use any harsher methods to wake her.

Just as Luo Chen took out his phone, ready to call in sick, a small hand grabbed his wrist. Then her other hand gripped his arm, and, using both hands, she pulled herself upright.

Luo Chen could only laugh as he watched his yawning sister sit up. If he weren’t so resolute, what if she pulled him down? Would the two of them end up sleeping until noon?

Maybe that wouldn’t be so bad?

The thought flickered across Luo Chen’s mind before he quickly pushed it aside. Why had he been having these impure thoughts lately? Was it some remnant impulse left in this body?

“What’s wrong, Tianyi? You look so tired. Didn’t you sleep well last night?” Luo Chen asked, puzzled, watching her yawn. By all rights, she should’ve slept well.

“It’s all because last night—” Luo Tianyi, still groggy, almost blurted it out, but managed to stop herself, glaring at Luo Chen in embarrassment. What, was she supposed to admit she’d been watching those crazy, hilarious videos all night and simply couldn’t stop, and that she’d barely gotten any sleep at all?

No way. It wasn’t her fault; the videos were just too funny. She’d been laughing all night, unable to sleep.

Yes, it was the videos’ fault. She wouldn’t take the blame.

“Alright, alright, it’s all my fault. I’ll take the blame,” Luo Chen sighed, watching his pouting sister glare at him as if her inability to get up was all his doing. The prettier the girl, the less you could reason with her—especially when she was your sister.

Even if there was no fault, he’d have to invent one and take responsibility. That was just what an older brother did.

“Hehe!” Luo Tianyi giggled, kissed Luo Chen on the cheek as a reward, then stretched out her arms, waiting expectantly.

“Uh, what’s this?” Luo Chen looked at her in confusion, but when her face darkened, he finally understood.

“Alright, alright.” Luo Chen opened the wardrobe, picked out the outfit that looked best to him, and helped Tianyi put it on. After all, it wasn’t really a punishment for him; he’d just consider it his penalty for whatever he’d supposedly done wrong.

Though, for the life of him, Luo Chen couldn’t remember what he’d done to deserve it.

Helping her dress involved inevitable moments of closeness, and more than once he fumbled with a button or got things wrong. But Luo Tianyi didn’t seem to mind, watching his awkward attempts with a smile.

“How is it? Does it look okay?” Girls’ clothes really were troublesome, Luo Chen thought, glancing at the clock and hoping they’d still make it to school on time.

“Mm, does Luo Chen like it?” Luo Tianyi spun in front of the large mirror, pleased with her reflection.

The girl wore a light blue long dress; her long hair cascaded down on either side, and a large bow was tied at her back. Black stockings adorned her ankles, making her look like a dreamlike figure from a fairy tale.

“I like it. You look wonderful.”

Luo Chen wouldn’t dare be careless with a question like this. Otherwise, they’d never make it to school; he’d probably spend the entire morning watching her play dress-up, with no excuse to refuse.

“Are you talking about me, or the clothes?” Luo Tianyi turned, hands behind her back, leaning in to stare him down.

“The dress is lovely, but you’re even prettier,” Luo Chen replied, ruffling her head. He’d intended to say she looked better than the dress, but thought better of it. Besides, it was the truth; he could say it without hesitation.

There really was no other right answer. If you praised the person, it might sound like you were criticizing her taste in clothes. If you praised the clothes, well, Luo Chen valued his life. Besides, was this really something a sister should ask her brother?

“Hmph, I don’t believe you,” she said, but the happiness in her eyes and the smile on her lips told Luo Chen he’d answered exactly right.

But his sister’s love for blue was a little extreme. There were many styles in her wardrobe, but most were some shade of pale blue. Was blue her spirit color?

“Alright, Tianyi, if we don’t leave now we’ll really be late.” Luo Chen looked at the clock hanging in the room. It was just past 7:50.

Fortunately, there weren’t any early morning study sessions here, or they’d have been late for sure.

“What? It’s that late already? Luo Chen, why didn’t you wake me earlier?” Tianyi protested, glaring at him yet again.

“This one’s really not my fault—alright, it’s my fault. But Tianyi, didn’t you set an alarm?”

Crushed by her accusation, Luo Chen could only ask helplessly.

“Alarm? Isn’t that what big brothers are for?” The girl tilted her head, looking at Luo Chen with innocent confusion.

At that moment, Luo Chen felt as though his entire life had been shrouded in darkness.