Chapter 29: No One Knows a Brother Better Than a Sister

Exams ended at 11:30, around Chen Qiao’s usual dismissal time, so he didn’t linger, heading straight to the intersection to wait for his sister.

“No little beauty walking with you today?” Ye Qing Lan teased.

Chen Fei Fei spotted him and asked, “How’d you do?”

“Great,” he said confidently, feeling on top of the world.

“Be humble. What if you bombed?” She flicked his forehead.

“Fine… pretty good.”

“That’s more like it.”

“Tch, the ugly face of a top student,” Ye Qing Lan sighed, shaking her head.

At lunch, Chen Qiao ate distractedly, mulling over how to ask for pocket money.
He’d never asked outright before, and his adult mindset made it harder.

Results came Monday; a good score might earn him some cash as a reward.

But he needed to hit the internet café to check if his novel passed review and schedule chapter updates.
The new book phase was critical—not just for new book list bonuses and exposure, but for securing a contract, which decided a novel’s fate and potential.

Leaving it unchecked for days after approval was a death sentence—sunk without a trace.
Best move?
Delete, rename, and start fresh, but that’d waste more days.

He could probably owe the café owner a few sessions, given their rapport, but burning that goodwill felt wrong.
Better saved for something meaningful.

While he hesitated, everyone finished eating.

Time to borrow from his sister—he’d done it before, no shame in acting cute.

On the sofa, watching Dongxi Anime Club, he slid closer, shoulders bumping.
Hesitantly, he said, “Sis… I need a favor.”

“Stumbling over words? Wanna borrow money?” she said, reading him.

“Know your brother too well,” he said, thumb up, relieved she cut to the chase.

She poked his cheek, laughing.
“I know you.
Twice at the café this week, buying snacks, and it’s Friday—bet you spent your last dime.”

“Yup, blew my last 50 cents on a writing board.
Broke.”

He showed his empty pockets.

“No way.
You haven’t paid back last time.
More money, you’ll just hit the café.
If Mom and Dad find out I funded your internet, we’re both toast—no more allowance.”

“I won’t snitch, you won’t either.
They won’t know.
Even if caught, I’d take the fall, never rat you out.”

“Still no.
Your net addiction’s too much.”

“I’m not gaming at the café.
I’m posting my novel online or emailing publishers for fees.
Need a computer.
Don’t believe me?
Come with me and see.”

“No way I’m going to that smoky dump.”

“Sis, please,” he begged, shaking her arm, playing cute shamelessly.
“Otherwise, when Tian Zhen and Zheng Yan ask me to hang, I’ll look lame.”

You don’t want your brother friendless, right?

“Thought those two were good kids.
Sigh…” she said.

Who led who astray was debatable.

“When I get my fees, I’ll pay you back, buy you gifts—snacks, a phone, pretty dresses.”

He knew she was saving for a phone for high school, waiting for prices to drop to get a better one, lasting years.

“Who needs your gifts?
Just don’t stress Mom and Dad,” she said, scraping his nose, skeptical he’d earn anything.

“Sis, lend me the money, and I’ll do anything,” he said, massaging her stiff shoulders, humbling himself.

“Anything?
You’ll obey?”

Was she actually into this?

“Absolutely.”

Before, she’d have pushed him to study hard, but with the sister plan tied to his grades, she hesitated—unsure if she feared a sibling stealing parental love or something else.

Stopping him from the café, knowing he’d borrow for it, felt like forcing a lie.

“Then…” She closed her eyes, enjoying the shoulder rub, recalling last night’s hair-drying.
Washing and drying hair nightly was a hassle, but she couldn’t bear cutting it.

“Dry my hair every day?”

She regretted it instantly—every day felt too long, vague, unrealistic.
A day or two seemed too short, a bad deal.

“Deal!” he answered fast, thrilled.
He’d worried daily offers seemed too eager; she’d handed him the chance.

“Here, ten yuan.
Last time this month.
Finals are coming—focus, or no one can save you if you flop.”

“Yay, love you, Sis!” he said sincerely.

From rubbing her shoulders, he hugged her from behind, arms around her neck, hanging onto her back.

Gotta hug now—less chance when older.

“Love me when you need cash, huh?” she pouted.

“Always love you, just more with money.”

“Honest, at least.”

On exam day, going to school early was pointless, but he stuck to leaving with his sister.

Afternoon was just English, one hour, then dismissal.

Normally, Fridays had two classes, starting at 1:45, letting boarders head home early, avoiding trouble.

With one sixth-grade English teacher, Wang Yi Lin proctored their class; a PE teacher took the other.

Wearing a small mic, she read listening questions.
She’d made the paper, tweaking online questions—swapping wrong multiple-choice options or rephrasing sentences.

No downloadable audio meant using the recorder, but its quality was poor, so she read herself, though her pronunciation wasn’t perfect, costing some top students listening points.

She was keen on Chen Qiao, her English rep, curious about his performance—and their little deal.

She paced near him often, making Lin Na nervous, blanking out, underperforming, though her normal wasn’t great either.