After shopping and having dinner, Pei Xi arrived home quite late.

The house was very quiet; the living room was completely dark, with no lights on.

I wonder if Pei Zhi is home.

Pei Xi went upstairs and passed Pei Zhi's door, only then noticing a sliver of light shining through the crack in the door.

She walked over and gently knocked on the door.

"elder brother?"

After waiting for two seconds, there was no response from inside. She pressed her ear against the door and listened for a few seconds, but still couldn't hear a sound.

I pressed the doorknob and turned it; the door wasn't locked, and it was opened so easily.

Pei Zhi was sitting at his desk, with earphones in both ears, his back straight, engrossed in writing something.

A warm yellow light shone on his head, casting a shadow on the table.

Pei Xi went in and lightly tapped the table with his knuckles.

Pei Zhi paused, then noticed her. "When did you get back?"

"Just got back."

Pei Xi leaned against the table and glanced down at what he was writing.

It is a physics exam paper.

She picked up the exam paper and looked at it from top to bottom. "So diligent?"

"The exams are coming up soon, didn't you know?" Pei Zhi took the test paper back from her hand, leaned back in his chair, stretched lazily, and raised an eyebrow. "How can we seniors be compared to you juniors?"

Pei Xi gave a soft "Ah," his expression neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

Pei Zhi has always been a diligent student. He didn't start studying hard only after entering his senior year of high school. He would study seriously for several days before almost every exam.

The scratch paper on the table was covered with dense writing. Pei Xi tidied it up as she did so, asking Pei Zhi as she did so, "Have you eaten?"

"No." Pei Zhi shook his head and reached out to rub his stomach.

Pei Xi frowned. "Li Ma didn't come today?"

"She had something to do today and took the day off."

Pei Xi nodded. "Then I won't bother you anymore. You can continue writing. I'll go cook you some instant noodles."

"Need not!"

Pei Zhi sat up straight instantly and hurriedly grabbed her clothes.

Pei Xi paused.

"Pei Xi, brother, you don't need to."

Pei Zhi looked at her, and his previous nonchalant expression vanished instantly. His tone even became somewhat harsh, carrying a kind of assertiveness that was inconsistent with his usual personality.

"Brother." She called Pei Zhi, her tone soft and gentle, carrying a subtle sense of comfort.

She looked into Pei Zhi's eyes, grasped his wrist which was holding hers, and whispered, "I've grown up now."

“No need.” Pei Zhishen sighed, released his grip on her clothes, looked away, and softened his tone. “I’ve already ordered food, but it hasn’t arrived yet.”

Pei Xi looked at him, her lips moved, her long, feather-like eyelashes trembled twice, but she still didn't open her mouth.

When she was twelve years old, she accidentally knocked over the pot while cooking porridge for Pei Zhi, who was sick.

A large burn scar appeared on my arm, almost a bloody mess.

Although it has healed for a long time, and Pei Ruoyun has found many famous doctors to repair it over the years, now only a faint mark remains. But Pei Xi knows that Pei Zhi has never gotten over that hurdle in his heart.

He has developed a psychological trauma related to her entering the kitchen, almost like he has PTSD.

Her words just now carried a hint of probing, and as it turned out, Pei Zhi still reacted strongly when she mentioned going to the kitchen.

Pei Xi took a deep breath, his eyes flickering slightly.

What did you buy today?

Pei Zhi reverted to his previous lazy and nonchalant demeanor, and asked her with a smile.

Pei Xi held up the bag he was carrying. "I bought exercise books."

She took a book out of the bag and handed it to Pei Zhi, saying, "Here you go."

Pei Zhi reached out and took it, raising one eyebrow and smiling, "Did you buy this especially for me?"

"Try it when you have free time. This should suit you quite well." Pei Xi paused for a moment. "It was recommended by a... top student."

Pei Zhi casually flipped through a couple of pages, snorted lightly upon hearing this, and asked without looking up, "What academic genius? Is he better at studying than your brother?"

Pei Xi squeezed the corner of the table. "...Just do it."

Pei Zhi paused, seemingly noticing something, then suddenly looked up, frowning as he stared at her.

"...What's wrong?" Pei Xi blinked, suddenly feeling a little guilty.

Pei Zhi narrowed his eyes slightly. "Pei Xi, confess honestly."

"...What?"

He tapped the paper with his fingertip. "Did the sales assistant fool you? This is all competition-level material; it's not even on the exam, okay?"

Pei Xi breathed a sigh of relief and said confidently, "That's what the experts do. How can you improve if you don't do something challenging?"

Pei Zhi raised an eyebrow upon hearing this.

Then he slammed the book shut, weighed it in his palm, and said, "What you say makes sense. Considering your sincerity, I'll accept it."

Pei Xi chuckled, "Thank you for giving me this face, brother."

Pei Zhi suddenly stood up, his tall figure looming over her. He reached out and ruffled her hair, grinning mischievously, "You're welcome."

"I'm going to take a shower. My phone is on the table. Answer it for me if it calls later."

"Um."

Pei Xi nodded in agreement, and Pei Zhi had already entered the bathroom, where the sound of running water immediately came from inside.

She sat in her seat playing on her phone, and the class group chat, which had been quiet all holiday, suddenly became lively, filled with requests for homework.

"@LYM Li Yiming, have you finished your homework? Hurry up and send it to the group!"

"@LYM Li Daxue Committee Member, I'm in urgent need of help!"

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