"Go to sleep, sister." Chen Xinran responded in a low voice, so soft that it was almost inaudible. He reached out and tucked the corner of the quilt for her, his fingertips brushing through her hair, which was as soft as silk.
In the kitchen, morning light streamed in through the window, illuminating the ingredients on the counter. Shen Xinran sat on a small stool, her short black hair slightly raised with a few hairs, looking particularly childish.
He was wearing a dark blue apron with the strings tied in a crooked knot at the back, which made his figure look even smaller.
"The fried eggs should be a little more tender. My sister likes them medium-rare." He muttered to himself, his red eyes focused on the temperature of the oil in the pan.
The butter in the pan melted, making a slight sizzling sound. Shen Xinran expertly cracked the egg, and the egg liquid slid into the pan, instantly turning golden and crispy around the edges.
He shook the pan gently to spread the egg liquid evenly, his movements so skillful that he didn't seem like a child.
"The toast has to be toasted just right, not too hard..." He stood on tiptoe and took out the perfectly toasted bread slices from the oven. The surface was golden and crispy, but the inside was still soft.
Outside the window, a few sparrows landed on the branches of the sycamore tree, chirping. Shen Xinran looked up and saw the sunlight filtering through the gaps in the leaves, casting tiny spots of light on his fair cheeks.
He narrowed his eyes slightly, and his red pupils appeared particularly bright in the light, like two rubies soaked in morning dew.
"Xiao Ran..."
Chen Xiangling's voice came from behind, with the laziness of just waking up. Chen Xinran turned around and saw her sister standing at the kitchen door, her nightgown hanging loosely on her shoulders, her hair disheveled, like a kitten that had just woken up.
"Sister, are you awake?"
He tilted his head, the corners of his mouth slightly raised.
Chen Xiangling rubbed her eyes and her gaze fell on her younger brother - he was wearing an apron and holding a spatula in his hand, and his small figure looked particularly warm in the morning light.
"Xiao Ran...how can you be so cute..."
She couldn't help but mutter under her breath, her cheeks slightly reddening.
Family members, who knows how happy it is to have a brother who prepares breakfast for you as soon as you wake up?
Shen Xinran blinked, and a helpless smile flashed in his red eyes.
"Go wash your hands quickly, breakfast will be ready soon."
Chen Xiangling nodded obediently and turned to wash up. When she came back, the table was already set with fried eggs, toast, hot milk, and a small dish of strawberry jam.
"Xiao Ran, you even prepared jam?"
She looked at him in surprise.
Chen Xinran sat opposite, holding a cup of milk in both hands, her red eyes looking particularly clear in the morning light.
"Well, my sister said she wanted to eat something sweet yesterday."
Chen Xiangling was stunned for a moment, then a warm feeling surged in her heart. She reached out and rubbed her brother's head, her fingertips touching his soft black hair.
"Xiao Ran, you're just like a married woman..."
Shen Xinran's expression froze instantly, and her red pupils widened slightly.
"...Sister, please don't use strange words to describe me."
Chen Xiangling couldn't help laughing and reached out to poke his cheek.
"But they really look alike!"
Chen Xinran sighed, lowered her head and took a bite of toast, but the tips of her ears turned red.
The sun shone on the dining table, and the shadows of the two people overlapped in the morning light.
"Sister." Chen Xinran suddenly spoke, looking straight at her with red eyes.
"Um?"
"I'm going to the police station today to fill in a statement."
Chen Xiangling's smile froze slightly, and her fingers unconsciously clenched the fork.
"We're... gonna be okay, right?"
Shen Xinran looked at her, a hint of determination flashing in his red eyes.
"I'm here."
He reached out and gently placed his hand on the back of hers.
"……Um."
Outside the window, the sparrows flew away and the sycamore tree swayed gently.
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