A bit of warm breath caused Fang Xuan's heart to beat faster and faster.
She was too close.
Close enough that he could see the water droplets hanging from her eyelashes, close enough that he could smell the scent of rainwater on her...
And a hint of... a faint fragrance.
Fang Xuan felt his heart racing and his mouth going dry, leaving him with no choice but to hurriedly look away.
"The medicine..."
Ning Xian looked at him, her gaze cool, but a hint of a smile was hidden deep within her eyes. "Call me Sister."
Fang Xuan's throat moved before he finally spoke.
"...Sister, the medicine is ready."
After saying those words, he felt like he really wasn't acting like himself.
That was definitely not something he would normally say.
So embarrassing...
Wait, wait, he suddenly remembered... Wasn't she his cousin?
That meant...!
He quickly pushed her away a little.
Ning Xian didn't get angry when he pushed her away.
"Be good, and Sister will give you a reward..."
A reward? What kind of reward?
Strange images flashed through Fang Xuan's mind.
He quickly shook his head, throwing those thoughts out.
Fang Xuan, what are you thinking? She's your cousin...
He struggled for a long time before managing to squeeze out a single sentence.
"That's not right..."
Seeing him like this, the corners of Ning Xian's mouth curled up slightly again.
Her junior brother... still seemed a bit too young.
I'll raise him a bit more first.
She stopped teasing him and turned toward Fang Xuan's bedroom.
"Don't overthink what just happened. I used to hug you all the time when we were little. A little kiss is perfectly normal."
Fang Xuan froze again.
A little kiss is normal? Is it... really?
I... I guess so...
He didn't know why, but he just believed her.
Perhaps his brain had been muddled by the kiss.
He stood there dazed for a good while.
Then he finally remembered... his instant noodles.
He walked into the kitchen. The water had long since boiled, and the cup of instant noodles was still sitting on the counter with the seasoning packets unopened.
He checked the time again.
Six-thirty. He was going to be late for evening self-study.
Forget it, I won't eat.
He took a deep breath, trying his best to calm his heart.
Then he walked to the bedroom door.
Ning Xian was standing in the room, looking at the posters on the wall.
Fang Xuan didn't dare look at her, only stammering out, "Sister... I'm going to evening self-study."
With that, he turned and left, though the tips of his ears were already beet red...
...
Ning Xian remained silent, simply watching his retreating back.
Living alone all this time... must have been very difficult, right?
Has he lived like this for so many years...?
When she first arrived in this world, she discovered that all her spiritual energy was useless.
Or rather, there was no such thing as spiritual energy in this world.
She was now exactly like a mortal.
The last time she tried to steal something to eat, she was almost caught by the constables here. Luckily, she ran fast.
But the people here were very wasteful; even scavenging through trash left her feeling very, very full...
...
Withdrawing her gaze, she looked around the small room.
A bed, a desk, and a wardrobe.
It was as simple as could be.
An old cup sat on the desk, holding a few pens.
There were no photos, no traces of family, just as he had said.
So...
How can I make my junior brother remember... that he is himself?
She didn't know, but she had plenty of time.
...
Evening self-study.
Fang Xuan sat in the classroom, staring at the exam paper in front of him, unable to read a single word.
His mind was filled with the scenes from earlier.
The soaked white dress, the pale shoulders.
And that kiss.
Soft, cool, and tasting of rainwater.
...What am I thinking?!
He quickly shook his head.
His desk mate glanced at him.
"Fang Xuan, why is your face so red? Do you have a fever?"
Fang Xuan quickly shook his head.
"No, no."
His desk mate looked at him suspiciously.
"Then why have you been staring at that paper for half an hour?"
Fang Xuan froze and looked down at the test.
It was completely blank.
It's over, it's over. Have I really gone mad...?
...
Evening self-study ended.
Fang Xuan stood at his door and took several deep breaths before gathering the courage to push it open.
The lights were still on inside.
As soon as he walked in, Ning Xian poked her small head out from the kitchen.
For some reason, she also looked a bit flustered.
She was wearing his loose white short-sleeved t-shirt, and the neckline was a bit wide.
They were about the same height, so it fit her just right.
But...
That t-shirt couldn't hide her figure at all.
Fang Xuan quickly looked away again.
He also noticed a layer of black soot on her nose.
And... the smell of smoke was wafting from the kitchen?!
Fang Xuan: "...?!"
...Did the kitchen actually catch fire?
This cousin of his... didn't seem to know how to cook at all...
He looked back at Ning Xian.
Ning Xian kept a straight face. Although she felt embarrassed inside, she tried her best to maintain her cool demeanor.
However, the bit of soot on her nose made her look somewhat... cute.
Fang Xuan spoke up. "Sister, it's..."
He wanted to say "it's okay."
But Ning Xian gritted her teeth and simply put on a serious face.
"Don't you dare lecture your sister."
As long as she didn't admit fault, it wasn't her mistake. After all, some of the mechanical creations here were just too difficult to use.
Fang Xuan was stunned for a moment, then nodded.
"Oh... okay... okay..."
Then he slightly turned his head, hurriedly shifting his gaze away.
The floor... is so white...
No, those are her legs...
No, no, I didn't see anything!
Seeing his shy appearance, Ning Xian's throat subconsciously moved as well.
Such a well-behaved junior brother... I really want to...
No, no, he's still too young. I have to raise him first...
She withdrew her gaze and turned back to the kitchen. "I'll clean it up."
Fang Xuan looked at her back.
The t-shirt was a bit big, and the collar had slipped to one side, exposing half of her shoulder.
He quickly looked away again.
Fang Xuan, calm down... She's your cousin!
Even if... even if...
He quickly took a deep breath. "Sister, let me do it."
Ning Xian turned back to look at him.
Fang Xuan walked over, took the rag from her hand, and began cleaning up the kitchen that had almost been burned down.
Ning Xian stood to the side and watched him.
A small back, diligent movements.
There's no rush... to go back.
The corners of her mouth curled up slightly...
When I start training a junior brother like this... I wonder if he'll cry for a long time...
Mm, such an obedient junior brother. I wonder what I should reward him with later...
Rate on N.U.
