Chapter 12: Not a Couple (Part 2)

In the dead corner between two shelves, Lin Yingyuan crouched quietly.

Before her on the rack sat a pair of couple figurines: two otter plushies locked in an embrace.

She stared at the dolls, silent for a long stretch.

Truth be told, she’d just wanted to try… what it might feel like if they were a couple.

Her brother was an outstanding person—bound to have plenty of girls after him; landing a girlfriend was only a matter of time.

Someday, he’d bring home a beautiful one: smart, kind, gentle as she greeted her with warmth.

And by then, she’d be family, offering a poised smile and words of blessing.

Perhaps seeing Lin Zhiyi chat so happily with a girl today had sparked her first real sense of crisis.

She’d long realized her feelings for Lin Zhiyi went beyond siblings.

But what could she do? From her position, she’d never have the right to confess.

The bond of siblings would only drift further with time.

Eventually, their paths would diverge.

She might stay single forever, clinging to his side—but if he married? Would his spouse tolerate that?

Unlikely.

She’d only wanted a brief, illusory dream— was that so wrong?

But why had they run into one of his school acquaintances?

Bro… won’t get in trouble over this, will he…?

Back in middle school, the fights, the hassles—it was all because of her… all because of her.

“It’s all my fault.”

She lowered her gaze, voice hoarse.

“Yingyuan.”

The girl looked up to see the boy standing before her, slightly out of breath with worry.

“There you are—I looked everywhere; thought you’d gone home.”

Lin Yingyuan fell silent for a moment.

“Sorry, bro—I won’t do that again.”

“What’s there to be sorry for? I’m not mad.

Just… lots of people around; I got a bit embarrassed.

When you pull that stuff at home, I actually find it fun.”

A faint smile ghosted Lin Yingyuan’s lips.

“Really?”

“Really.”

Lin Zhiyi pulled a goofy face on purpose, intoning in a nasal drawl:

“Bear Big, Bear Big—Baldy Strong’s chopping trees again!”

It was a mimicry she’d once done to tease him; now he turned it back on her.

The girl burst out with a “pfft,” her low spirits vanishing.

He smiled, patting the cart.

“Come on—groceries are mostly done; let’s head home.”

Lin Yingyuan sprang up, glancing around to confirm no one nearby, then pitched her voice in a mature lady’s lilt:

“Let’s go, darling~ You’re facing gaokao soon—feeling the pressure?

Mom’ll make something extra yummy, and I’ve got a surprise gift for you.”

What now? The young mother act?

What on earth did she watch all day?

“Spare me…”

“Hahahahaha!”

At checkout, the girl kept stealing glances at Lin Zhiyi’s profile, eyes shimmering, though she said nothing.

His words still echoed faintly in her ears.

“You’re my sister—I’d never get mad at you.”

The girl smiled freely.

She thought: then I’ll be his sister forever—just his sister.

That was the utmost happiness.

Lin Zhiyi and Lin Yingyuan returned home with their haul, setting to prepare dinner.

In their little household now, Lin Zhiyi handled the cooking—and he was the only one who could.

His mother had passed when he was in elementary school, and Dad Lin Chengming was always away on business trips, so he’d had to learn the skill or starve.

A few years back, Lin Yingyuan had tried learning from him, but the results were dismal.

After one earnest attempt, her cooking EXP hadn’t budged—dark sorcery level maxed out at ++.

Felt like material for a light novel: Because I Wanted Free Meals, I Maxed Out Black Magic.

Staring at the pitch-black mystery sludge on the plate, Lin Zhiyi had smacked his forehead with a sigh: better if I handle it from now on.

Lin Yingyuan had stood behind him, fake-sobbing while peeking slyly:

“Wahh, sorry farmer uncle.

And sorry tomatoes, sorry potatoes—you weren’t born to end up like this, wahh—”

The pot: Could I get an apology too?

“Alright, little drama queen,”

Lin Zhiyi had chuckled helplessly.

“I’m fine with it, but what’ll you do when you marry?

Can’t cook a thing—guys’ll pass; you’ll be useless as a wife.”

Lin Yingyuan had wrinkled her nose.

“Wahh, then in my lonely later years, can I crash at yours for meals?”

Lin Zhiyi had softened at that.

“Of course—you can always come over.

No matter where I am later, I’ll give you a key; drop by anytime you miss me.”

“Hehe! You’re the bestest brother everrrr!”

Lin Yingyuan had pumped her little fists, dimples flashing on her cheeks, mumbling something nonsensical under her breath.

Recalling it now brought a warmer smile to Lin Zhiyi’s face.

He tied on an apron; Lin Yingyuan pitched in with what she could—washing veggies, steaming rice.

Soon, the kitchen filled with mouthwatering aromas.

Before long, they sat at the table, savoring a simple yet satisfying meal.

Lin Zhiyi had made two dishes: garlic stir-fried hollow-heart veggie and tomato-braised beef brisket.

The vibrant greens glistened under glossy garlic sauce; ruby tomatoes cradled tender, flavorful beef.

Under the dining room’s warm light, it all radiated nutrition, deliciousness, health.

Afterward, Lin Yingyuan naturally took dish duty.

She slipped off the floral-print cotton apron, tying its thin straps into a bow at her back.

Then, gloving up, she hummed into the kitchen, soon joined by the rush of running water.

Lin Zhiyi had offered to help, but she’d shooed him.

“Do your own chores!”

She’d said.

As she bustled, he sat in the dining room, watching her figure.

His phone buzzed then; checking, it was Cheng Xiran.

Cheng Xiran: Your club app’s approved~

That quick? Submitted this morning—got a fast lane?

The class monitor was surprisingly proactive, messaging now; tomorrow would’ve sufficed.

A Pear: Got it, class monitor—looking forward to your guidance, president.

Cheng Xiran fired back instantly: Hahahahaha

[Sunglasses smirk]

He pictured her serene face; hard to imagine her spamming that many “ha”s.

He shook his head, about to lock the screen and toss the phone aside, when more pinged in rapid fire.

Cheng Xiran: Just peeked at the club apps—dying

Cheng Xiran: Someone’s special skills: “Pro at middle parts for dogs” [laugh cry][laugh cry]—so much talent at our school

Cheng Xiran: Tons wanna join ours—I turned ’em all down

A Pear: Hahaha.

The top bar showed [Typing…], flickering a few times, but no new message followed.

Lin Zhiyi set the phone down, just as Lin Yingyuan bounced out of the kitchen, grinning ear to ear, boasting in a cutesy lilt:

“I got all the pots and bowls sparkling!”

“You’re amazing.”

He smiled.

Later, a WeChat popup: [Big Yellow Dog] requests to add you via class group.

Avatar: a slyly grinning Shiba Inu.

He figured Huang Zhouxu—spot on.

Lin Zhiyi approved; almost instantly, new messages popped.

Big Yellow Dog: Yo, master.

Big Yellow Dog: Here’s my treasured stash—offering it to you, disciple

What the—? He eyed the barrage of forwarded videos, baffling titles and even weirder thumbnails.

Puzzled, he clicked one at random.

“Mambo~~~ Haki-mi haki-mi haki-mi rudo~~~”

This life was over.