Chapter 24: Cold Chicken Soup

Feng Xiyao lingered at Meng Zhi’s place until four in the afternoon, only leaving after he finally shooed her out.

But not before she shamelessly dragged him to buy two milk teas and stroll around a bit, parting reluctantly at a crossroad.

At the intersection, she looked at Meng Zhi, hesitating before blurting, “Are you aiming for X University?”

“Yeah. Why?”

“Isn’t Chen Xinya going for it too?”

“You can’t stop her from trying.” Meng Zhi sighed. “What’s the issue?”

“Nothing… just a bit jealous.” Feng Xiyao pouted, fidgeting with her fingers. “I won’t take the exam till next year. Even if I get into X University, she’ll have a whole year with you as classmates.”

“Just classmates. I don’t have any other thoughts about her.”

“Really?” Her eyes flickered.

He thought for a moment, adding, “Or you.”

“You didn’t have to say that! So harsh!”

“Really, I don’t.”

She glared, dejected, then took a few steps forward before spinning back to hug him tightly.

“Thank you.”

“Even without our parents’ connection,” she said softly, “I’m lucky to have a brother like you.”

“These past days, being spoiled as your sister, I’ve been so happy.”

Meng Zhi looked away. “I just wanted to get rid of you faster.”

“That makes me happy too.”

Her smile revealed small dimples, her eyes bright and lovely. “After the exam, can I still hang out with you?”

“…If I’ve got time.”

“It’s a deal, then. One last thing—can I make a tiny, selfish request?”

Meng Zhi braced himself, sensing trouble. “Don’t ask for anything crazy. I might not agree.”

“It’s simple.”

Her fair cheeks flushed, eyes sparkling with anticipation and nerves. “Can you… kiss me? Cheek or forehead, either’s fine.”

Knew it.

He sighed, about to refuse, when she added quickly, “Not that kind of kiss! Just a brother-sister thing, a quick peck, that’s all.”

What kind of brother-sister kiss is that?

Do siblings even do this?

Her expectant eyes fluttered like a puppy wagging its tail. Hesitating, Meng Zhi gently lifted her bangs.

The moment his lips brushed her forehead, her breath hitched.

“…There,” he said, exasperated. “Don’t push it. Go home already.”

Blushing, she nodded, murmuring a soft “mm.”

This time, she didn’t cling. She hailed a cab and left.

In the taxi, she touched her forehead, a goofy smile spreading as she zoned out.

Brother Meng Zhi, my Meng Zhi… hehe.

Watching her disappear, Meng Zhi let out a long breath.

Finally gone.

Truthfully, being with her felt like slipping back to their old days in that rented apartment.

So much was the same. Her willfulness, her clinginess, her love for teasing.

But he’d changed.

He no longer needed to lose himself in their sticky, all-consuming romance.

Even now, with her around, he wasn’t thinking about her much—just worrying if he’d accidentally revealed his reborn identity.

He didn’t mind this dynamic. If he saw her not as a lover but as a mischievous little sister, he was fine keeping things like this.

Maybe he even enjoyed this half-family bond.

After all, in all his loops, he’d never experienced real family.

*

The hottest days of summer marked the final countdown to the exam.

They were also Meng Zhi’s quietest days.

School was out, everyone either studying or fussing over those who were.

No one bothered him. He could finally sleep in, living leisurely.

While others crammed or prepped mentally, Meng Zhi spent nights at an internet café, grinding CS, LoL, and the newly launched Valorant.

Messages from parents, teachers, Chen Xinya, Feng Xiyao, even Lin Yuhan came occasionally, but he brushed them off with “I’m studying, phone’s off.”

Good times flew by.

He’d just hit Radiant in Valorant when the day before the exam arrived.

“Yawn~”

At six p.m., Meng Zhi left the café, grabbing stir-fried noodles and milk tea as he headed home.

Though he knew the exam answers by heart, it was still the college entrance exam. No all-nighters at the café tonight. He’d sleep well and recharge.

But as he climbed the stairs, he spotted a sneaky figure at his door, trying to unlock it.

“…Chen Xinya, are you sneaking into my place again?”

Startled, she spun around, flustered. “No, really, I wasn’t…”

“I saw you. Still gonna deny it?”

“I swear…”

She looked terrified of being misunderstood, blinking rapidly, on the verge of tears.

Meng Zhi eyed the pot in her hands, pausing. “What’s that?”

“Chicken soup I made.”

Her eyes were red-rimmed, voice soft. “I simmered it for hours, thought you could have it tonight and tomorrow morning… I knocked forever, but you didn’t answer. I texted, no reply, so I waited.”

“But after waiting so long, still no sign of you. I got scared something happened, so—” She bit her lip, looking pitiful. “Sorry.”

“Something happened? What, like I studied to death?” Meng Zhi laughed, exasperated.

She blinked.

…You actually thought that?

Sighing, he unlocked the door, asking casually, “How long did you wait?”

“…Five hours,” she mumbled timidly.

His hand froze on the key.

“I made the soup at noon and came straight here. But you weren’t home…”

Clutching the pot, she murmured, “I wanted you to drink it hot.”

“So I held it close, trying to keep it warm longer.”

“…But it still cooled.” Her eyes dropped, dull and lifeless.

She’d waited for nothing.