Sister complex

Qi Shuo took Qing Ran, his movements unconsciously becoming gentle, but his gaze towards Shen Ci remained icy cold, filled with warning, scrutiny, and a chilling sense that "this is not over."

He held his sister tightly, shielding her from the night wind with his broad body. Without glancing at Shen Ci again, he turned and strode towards the exit of the amusement park, his back exuding a low-pressure aura that said "keep away."

Tan Huaiyu glanced apologetically at Shen Ci, her lips moved as if she wanted to say something, but in the end she just nodded hastily and quickly jogged to catch up with Qi Shuo, trying to soothe him in a low voice as she walked: "A-Shuo, walk slowly, don't bump Ranran... Calm down, calm down..."

Shen Ci stood alone, watching the three of them quickly walk away and disappear into the dazzling yet cold lights and night of the amusement park.

The evening breeze, carrying the lingering cheerful music and a touch of coolness from the amusement park, ruffled the stray hairs on his forehead and stirred up a turmoil in his heart.

He raised his hand, his fingertips gently touching the side of his cheek where Qingran's soft lips had just brushed against it. There seemed to be a lingering, subtle warmth and tingling sensation there.

He closed his eyes, trying to dispel the inappropriate flutter in his heart, but his mind kept replaying the girl's face as she slept peacefully in his arms, and the fleeting touch of their bodies.

It was an accident, a dependency, or a childish, unconscious act.

He kept repeating this to himself.

But the unruly heart inside his chest was still pounding wildly, reminding him of the reality and...loss of control of that moment.

Shen Ci stood there for a long time, until the night wind blew away the last trace of warmth and sweet fragrance that belonged to Qing Ran, before he slowly exhaled a breath of cool white air, bent down and picked up his trench coat that had been covering Qing Ran and had now slipped to the ground.

He patted off non-existent dust, draped it over his arm, glanced one last time in the direction Qi Shuo and the others had left, turned around, and alone, with slightly slow steps, blended into the crowd of people leaving the amusement park and the neon lights.

On the other side, Yucaiyuan.

The entire journey was silent, the atmosphere so tense it felt like you could wring water out of it. Qi Shuo carried Qing Ran, practically charging home. He opened the door, entered the house, his movements laced with suppressed anger.

Qi Shuo carefully placed the still-sleeping Qing Ran on the bed in the master bedroom, covered her with a blanket, and stood by the bed. Looking at his little sister's face, which was sleeping soundly and even smacking her lips, the anger in his heart and an inexplicable feeling of being coveted by someone else surged up again.

He closed his eyes tightly, turned around and walked out of the bedroom, gently closing the door behind him.

In the living room, Tan Huaiyu was pouring water. Seeing him come out, she handed him a glass. Qi Shuo took it, tilted his head back, and drank it all in one gulp. The icy liquid slid down his throat, but it couldn't extinguish the fire in his heart.

"A-Shuo," Tan Huaiyu said softly, "Don't overthink it, Ranran must have fallen asleep and accidentally... Teacher Shen..."

"I know." Qi Shuo interrupted him, his voice deep. He knew, of course, that Qing Ran hadn't done it on purpose, and that Shen Ci most likely hadn't done anything inappropriate either.

Knowing it was true, the impact of witnessing that scene, and the intense protective instinct and territorial feeling he felt as an older brother being violated, were undeniably real and irritating. "I just... don't like that kid."

Especially Shen Ci's stunned expression at that moment! Although he quickly recovered, Qi Shuo noticed it! It was definitely not just simple surprise or embarrassment! The more Qi Shuo thought about it, the angrier he became.

Tan Huaiyu sighed, walked over, grasped his clenched fist, pried open his fingers one by one, and intertwined theirs. "I know you're worried about Ranran. But Teacher Shen is indeed very good to Ranran and very careful about boundaries. Today was just an accident."

He paused, looked up at him, his eyes filled with a reassuring yet slightly helpless smile, "Besides, you can't keep Ranran tied to your belt forever. She enjoys spending time with Teacher Shen, and Teacher Shen can help her, which is a good thing."

Qi Shuo's tense jawline twitched slightly. He didn't speak, but he gripped Tan Huaiyu's hand tightly, as if drawing strength from it. He knew Tan Huaiyu was right, but reason and emotion were fiercely torn apart.

"How are you sleeping tonight?" Tan Huaiyu changed the subject, glancing at the closed bedroom door. Yucaiyuan is a one-bedroom apartment, just right for the two of them. Qingran occasionally stays with Sister Jin. Right now, Qingran is sleeping in the master bedroom…

“She sleeps in the bed.” Qi Shuo said without hesitation. Qing Ran would occasionally wake up at night and needed someone to be by her side.

“Then you…” Tan Huaiyu looked at him.

"I'll sleep on the floor," Qi Shuo said, already taking out spare bedding from the closet and starting to lay it out on the floor next to the bedroom bed. His movements were swift and decisive, carrying a hint of venting his emotions.

Looking at his "defending the territory" stance, Tan Huaiyu shook his head helplessly and turned to tidy up the sofa bed. It seemed he would have to sleep outside tonight.

This was the first time the two hadn't shared a bed since Qi Shuo returned home after recovering from his injury. Tan Huaiyu lay on the sofa bed and turned over. The sofa bed wasn't hard, but he felt something was off. The space beside him was empty; there was no familiar warmth, no reassuring steady heartbeat and breathing, and no arm that would unconsciously wrap around him when he fell asleep.

He was actually... a little unaccustomed to it.

In the darkness, Tan Huaiyu stared at the blurry light and shadow on the ceiling, and could vaguely hear the soft sounds of Qi Shuo tucking Qing Ran in, as well as the rustling of the makeshift bed on the floor as he lay down.

The slightly amused and helpless feeling she had because of Qi Shuo's jealousy was slowly replaced by a deeper longing and... a sense of unease.

It turns out that, without realizing it, he had become so dependent on Qi Shuo's embrace, on the warmth and security of that close contact.

He sighed softly, burying his face in the pillow, where a trace of Qi Shuo's scent seemed to linger. Sleepiness wouldn't come.

The next morning.

His biological clock woke Qi Shuo up just as dawn was breaking. He got up quietly, looked at Qing Ran who was still sleeping soundly in bed, tucked her in, and then left the bedroom and closed the door.

In the living room, Tan Huaiyu was still asleep on the sofa, his brows slightly furrowed, seemingly not sleeping soundly. Qi Shuo's gaze lingered on his face for a moment, his eyes, which had been cold and hard all night, softened slightly. He went over, gently pulled up the thin blanket that had slipped down, and covered Tan Huaiyu's shoulders. His fingertips brushed across Tan Huaiyu's slightly furrowed brow, lingering for a moment, before turning and heading to the kitchen to begin preparing breakfast.

The porridge was simmering in the pot, and the aroma of fried eggs filled the air. Qi Shuo was chopping vegetables when he suddenly heard a rustling sound coming from the bedroom, followed by light footsteps.

He turned around and saw Qingran rubbing her eyes, walking barefoot out of the bedroom, her hair a little messy from sleep, and her little face still sleepy.

"Brother..." Qingran called softly, walked to the kitchen door, leaned on the door frame, tilted her little face up, and asked sleepily, "What time is it?"

Qi Shuo glanced at the clock on the wall: "It's nine o'clock."

"Nine o'clock?!" Qingran's eyes widened instantly, her sleepiness vanishing completely, replaced by obvious anxiety on her face. She exclaimed "Ah!" and turned to run towards the bedroom, almost tripping over her own slippers in her haste.

Qi Shuo frowned, put down the knife in his hand, and followed.

Qingran rushed into the bedroom and hurriedly began to change her clothes. She pulled off her pajamas and grabbed the pale yellow sweater and pants she had worn yesterday from the closet, putting them on in such a rushed and even clumsy manner.

"Where are you going? Why are you in such a hurry?" Qi Shuo leaned against the door frame and asked in a deep voice, already having a bad feeling.

Qingran was struggling with the collar of her sweater when she heard this. She paused, lowered her eyelashes guiltily, and dared not look at Qi Shuo. She said in a soft, muffled voice, "Go...go to school."

Qi Shuo's heart sank, his voice devoid of emotion: "What are you going to school for? It's Saturday today."

"I...I..." Qingran panicked even more, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes, her head drooping lower and lower, her voice growing softer and softer, almost like a mosquito's hum, "Find...find Brother Chen..."

In the kitchen, the porridge pot was bubbling away, and the aroma of fried eggs still lingered.

But at this moment, Qi Shuo felt an unnamed fire mixed with a sour, stifling feeling shooting straight up from the soles of his feet to the top of his head.

He stared at the younger sister in front of him, who was dressed disheveled and eager to find "Brother Chen" so early in the morning, took a deep breath, and slowly exhaled.

Very good, excellent.

The score from last night's "accidental kiss" hasn't been settled yet, and now this happens first thing this morning?

Qi Shuo stared blankly at Qing Ran, then slowly spoke, each word seemingly squeezed out from between his teeth, carrying a calm that seemed to precede a storm:

"Why are you looking for him?"

She clutched the hem of her dress, her fingers unconsciously twisting together. Her face was slightly pale, and she dared not look into Qi Shuo's deep, all-seeing eyes. She stammered, her voice barely audible, "I...I've already made plans with Brother Shen..."

"What did you agree on?" Qi Shuo stepped forward, his tall figure casting an invisible pressure over the bewildered girl.

He didn't yell, or even raise his voice, but the undercurrent beneath his calm tone made Qingran even more flustered.

“Tell me…tell me about today…” Qingran’s eyes were red with anxiety. She was not good at lying, and even less good at hiding anything under Qi Shuo’s serious gaze. “Today…Brother Shen taught me…a new…origami…” The last few words were almost squeezed out of her throat. After she finished speaking, she lowered her head deeply, like a little prisoner waiting for sentencing.

Origami.

Qi Shuo's temple twitched almost imperceptibly. Very well, so eager to learn origami this early in the morning that he didn't even bother to put on his shoes properly?

What kind of bewitching potion did Shen Ci give his sister?

Countless speculations and resentments surged in Qi Shuo's heart, making the already oppressive atmosphere around him even heavier. He stared at Qing Ran's fluffy hair, looking at her guilty, aggrieved, and somewhat stubborn little face. A bittersweet feeling of "a daughter growing up and leaving home" and a sense of crisis that "his precious darling was being coveted" intertwined, almost breaking through the cage of reason.

But he still remembered that this was his sister, who was simple-minded and he couldn't really scare her.

Qi Shuo closed his eyes briefly, then opened them again, barely managing to suppress his surging anger, but his voice remained harsh: "Go wash up and have breakfast first."

Qingran looked up abruptly, somewhat incredulous that her brother had "let her go" so easily. Her large eyes were still moist as she timidly asked, "Then...then Brother Chen..."

"Let's talk after breakfast." Qi Shuo interrupted her, turned around and walked back to the kitchen. The spatula collided with the edge of the pot, making a sound slightly louder than usual, revealing his unsettled mood.

Qingran stood there, glanced at her brother's obviously displeased back, then at the sun that had already risen high outside the window, and thought of her promise to Brother Shen. Her little mouth pursed, and in the end, she slowly moved to the bathroom to wash up.

The atmosphere at the breakfast table was unusually somber.

The white porridge was steaming hot, the fried egg was golden brown, and the side dishes were refreshing, but no one seemed to taste anything. Qingran held a spoon and sipped her porridge slowly, occasionally stealing glances at Qi Shuo, whose expression was still not good, before quickly lowering her head again, like a frightened little quail.

Tan Huaiyu sat beside her, glancing at this and that, and sighed silently to himself. He picked up a small dish of food for Qingran, trying to ease the atmosphere: "Ranran, eat more. Your brother Chen will be worried if he knew you're not eating breakfast properly because you're learning origami."

Mentioning Shen Ci caused Qi Shuo to pause in his porridge-drinking motion, lift his eyelids, and give Tan Huaiyu a dismissive glance. His eyes clearly asked: Whose side are you on?

Tan Huaiyu touched his nose, lowered his head to drink his porridge, and pretended that he hadn't said anything.

Qingran's eyes lit up for a moment at Tan Huaiyu's words, and she whispered, "Brother Chen said that eating on time is good for your health."

Qi Shuo's fingers tightened slightly as he gripped the spoon.

Very good, you remember Teacher Shen's quotes quite well.

A tedious breakfast finally came to an end. Qingran offered to help clear the dishes, then stood anxiously in the middle of the living room, glancing at the clock on the wall and stealing glances at Qi Shuo, looking restless.

Qi Shuo sat on the sofa, holding his phone, his fingers swiping across the screen, but his gaze wasn't focused. He knew, of course, what Qing Ran was waiting for. He was waiting for the right opportunity to ask her clearly.

Finally, after Qingran looked at the clock for the nth time and started unconsciously tugging at the hem of her sweater, Qi Shuo put down his phone and looked up at her.

"Come here." The voice was unreadable.

Qingran stiffened slightly, but still slowly moved over and stood an arm's length away from Qi Shuo, looking down and playing with her fingers.

"Did you have fun at the amusement park yesterday?" Qi Shuo began, his voice calm yet carrying an undeniable power.

"Happy." Qingran answered softly, her mind immediately conjuring up images of carousels, bumper cars, pirate ships, and her brother Shen's gentle smile and encouraging eyes. The corners of her mouth couldn't help but curl up slightly, but she quickly suppressed it, realizing that her brother probably didn't really want to hear this.

"Hmm." Qi Shuo responded, his gaze fixed on her face, not missing any subtle changes in her expression. "Is Teacher Shen... good to you?"

"Okay!" This time, Qingran answered quickly, almost without thinking, and nodded vigorously, as if to emphasize how good Brother Chen was. "Brother Chen is very good. He takes me to play, buys me candy, and teaches me... origami." At the end, her voice lowered again, and she secretly glanced at Qi Shuo's expression.

"How so?" Qi Shuo continued to ask, his tone as calm as if he were discussing the weather.

"It's...it's just good." Qingran's vocabulary was limited, and she didn't know how to describe it in detail. She was so anxious that her face turned a little red. "He...he stayed with me, didn't think I was stupid, listened to me, folded little frogs for me, and..." She suddenly remembered the warm and dry hand that covered hers on the pirate ship yesterday evening, and the reassuring temperature. Her face inexplicably warmed up, and her voice became even softer, "...and he protected me."

Protect.

These two words, like fine needles, gently pricked Qi Shuo. Protecting his sister was originally his responsibility as her older brother. But now, it seemed that someone else was doing the same thing, even... doing it more meticulously, and winning his sister's heart even more.

Qi Shuo remained silent for a moment, and the air in the living room seemed to freeze. Qing Ran was so nervous that she dared not breathe, and Tan Huaiyu, who was tidying up in the dining room, also moved quietly, listening intently to what was happening here.

“Yesterday evening,” Qi Shuo finally spoke again, his voice a few decibels lower than before, his gaze sharpening as he fixed intently on Qing Ran, “what happened on the bench?”

Here it comes! Tan Huaiyu's heart skipped a beat, and he thought to himself, "Here comes the important part."

Qingran was taken aback by the question and blinked blankly: "The bench?" She tried hard to recall, but all she could remember was a warm embrace, a pleasant scent, and the comforting darkness. "I... I was asleep, I don't know." She was telling the truth; she really had no recollection of that kiss.

"Really?" Qi Shuo stared into her eyes, not missing the slightest hint of evasion. "Then did you... do anything to Teacher Shen?"

"What can I do?" Qingran was even more confused. What could she possibly do while her daughter was asleep? Could it be...?

"Did I...drool?" She suddenly realized this possibility, and her face turned bright red. She was both ashamed and anxious. "I'm sorry, brother! I didn't mean to! I was asleep and didn't know! Are Brother Shen's clothes...dirty?" She thought that she had slept badly and dirtied Shen Ci's clothes, which made her brother angry.

Seeing his younger sister completely missing the point and on the verge of tears, Qi Shuo choked. All his questions and jealousy felt like punching cotton.

He could tell that Qingran genuinely didn't remember and was truly worried about something as trivial as "drooling."

This left him with an unvented rage, which only made him feel worse. He couldn't very well ask directly, "Did you kiss Shen Ci's cheek?" Judging from Qing Ran's reaction, asking would be pointless and might even frighten her or make her have inappropriate thoughts.

Qi Shuo took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled, feeling an even greater tightness in his chest. He waved his hand, his tone weary and tinged with an inexplicable irritation: "It's nothing. Go change your shoes. Aren't you going to find your brother Chen to learn origami?"

The situation took an unexpected turn, and Qingran could hardly believe her ears. Her eyes lit up instantly, all her previous tension and grievances vanishing, and she looked at Qi Shuo with delight: "Brother, you're letting me go?"

"Hmm." Qi Shuo hummed a single syllable through his nose, his expression still unpleasant, but he didn't stop him anymore. "Have your brother Yu take you. Remember, you must be home before dark. Also," he paused, emphasizing his words, "if anything happens, call me or your brother Yu immediately."

"Yes! I know! Thank you, brother!" Qingran was so happy she almost jumped up. Afraid that her brother would change his mind, she quickly ran to the entrance to change her shoes, her movements were so nimble that she was completely different from before.

Tan Huaiyu walked over, patted Qi Shuo's tense shoulder, and said in a low voice, "I'll go see her off, and while I'm at it... check on the situation."

Qi Shuo didn't speak, but nodded with a straight face, staring intently out the window, lost in thought.