"Perch! Perch! Perch! Perch…"
In the middle of the mall, Oliver looked like a man possessed. He frantically pushed a shopping cart, muttering "sea bass" over and over again while darting toward the seafood section. Behind him, Qianhua jogged along, struggling to keep up.
"Brother, slow down! Qianhua can't keep up with you!"
Out of breath and gripping the wall for support, Qianhua finally called for a break. Seeing her condition, Oliver came to a halt.
"It's okay, Qianhua. If it's too much, you can sit in the cart, and I'll push you the rest of the way!"
"No way! I'm in the second grade of junior high! That would be way too embarrassing!"
Qianhua's face flushed pink as she firmly refused the offer. Still panting, she walked up and grabbed the cart handle.
"Why are you in such a hurry? The fish isn't going anywhere!"
She placed one hand on her waist and scolded Oliver with a look of mild frustration.
"What if your sweet sister collapses from exhaustion? Who's going to cook for her then? Besides, do you even know where the seafood is in this mall?"
"Uhh…"
Oliver was speechless, scratching the back of his head awkwardly. Qianhua puffed out her cheeks in frustration.
"Hmph! I've been calling you 'brother' all day and asked you to go shopping with me countless times. You always refused. Now look at you—completely clueless!"
"You mean…"
Oliver lowered his head in guilt before quickly putting on a pleading smile.
"Well… Sister Qianhua, please be magnanimous and forgive me this time! Just take me to the fish section first…"
"Nope."
Qianhua turned her head away stubbornly.
"If I go, I'll go at the very end!"
"Chikaa…"
Oliver clung to Qianhua's arm, almost ready to kneel.
"It's my fault! I should've thought about your feelings first, but… but…!"
He took a deep breath, his face filled with dread.
"But it might be too late! Someone else could've already bought the sea bass!!"
"Is it really that serious? Do you really want to eat fish that badly? Didn't you just have some two days ago?"
Qianhua tilted her head in confusion, puzzled by Oliver's strange obsession.
"Besides, even if the sea bass is sold out, there are still plenty of other fish—carp, mandarin fish, even black fish! Black fish is amazing whether in hot pot or soup~"
"But I just want sea bass today, wooo…"
The temptation of growing taller was far too strong. At that moment, Oliver didn't care about his image or pride.
Qianhua could only shake her head helplessly.
"Ai… I really can't win with you…"
"Really? Yay!"
Oliver jumped up with joy, clapping like an excited child. Seeing him act so animated over fish was amusing. It was the first time she had seen her brother this eager for something. It felt oddly refreshing.
But… why sea bass?
Qianhua couldn't understand. Most boys were into video games or model kits—not fish.
Still, she spoke up: "But! The seafood section is on the fourth floor. We're in the home appliance section on the second. Don't forget—we came to buy a pressure cooker today. Let's get the pot first, then go upstairs."
Oliver was about to object, but Qianhua quickly pinched his arm.
"Don't forget—Mom left all the money with me!"
"…Fine."
With those words, Oliver had no choice but to follow her.
That was how things worked in Oliver's household.
Their father, a well-known gourmet, was often flying around the world for food reviews or to help restaurants improve their dishes. Wherever he went, he took their mother along.
That meant most of the time, the two siblings were left to manage on their own.
Technically, they weren't lacking in money, but when it came to handling expenses, Qianhua was the one in charge. She was more frugal and responsible, so the household funds were transferred to her account, and she took care of everything.
---
In the kitchenware section…
"Hmm… This pot is nice… but the one next to it is bigger…"
Qianhua inspected each pressure cooker carefully, comparing their specifications, while Oliver stood beside her, nervously rubbing his hands.
"Um… fish…"
"Don't worry. I'll go after I finish choosing the pot."
"…Okay."
He nodded reluctantly.
"But I think this color is cuter…"
Qianhua picked up another pot to check the details.
---
In the furniture section…
"Wow! This chair is adorable! I've been saying the chair in my room is wobbly. Maybe I should just buy this one today?"
"Qianhua… um, the fish…"
"Relax, we'll go after I check the chairs."
"…Alright…"
---
In the snack section on the third floor…
"Ah! My favorite apple candy is on sale! Should I grab some to take home? But candy makes me fat…"
"Um… Miss Qianhua… fish…"
"Chill. We'll go soon. I just want to weigh some candy first."
"…Okay then…"
---
In the accessories store…
"Hey look at this! A little duck hair clip that lights up when you clap! Wouldn't it be fun to wear this out at night? Want me to get one for you too?"
"Qianhua-sama… Are you really…?"
"Don't be so tense. I just want to look around a bit more…"
"Qianhua-sama! Great Qianhua Daimyojin!!"
Oliver suddenly dropped to his knees and hugged her thigh.
"It's almost 8:30! If we don't go now, someone will buy the sea bass—THE sea bass!!"
"Ugh…"
Finally realizing she might've gone too far, Qianhua blushed in embarrassment and put the trinket back.
"Okay, okay. Let's go now. Just get up from the floor, will you?"
"Really?!"
Oliver jumped up as if he'd been rescued from a burning building. Together, the siblings headed toward the escalator, with Oliver nearly skipping in joy.
As soon as they reached the fourth floor, they were greeted by the sharp scent of seafood. Qianhua cringed at the smell, while Oliver went full throttle, checking every fish stall he could see.
"Perch… perch… perch…"
He inspected several stalls. They all had sea bass. Every. Single. One.
But none of them stood out.
"Which one is it? I can't buy them all…"
Oliver grew anxious. He recalled Sayuri's words: "You'll recognize it at a glance when the time comes."
But even after staring at fish after fish, nothing stood out.
Then suddenly, as he turned a corner and passed another stall, his eyes fell on a strange sight.
There, on a cutting board in a quiet corner of the store, sat an abnormally plump sea bass—propped against the back of a kitchen knife.
It almost looked like it was sitting upright.
Even stranger, its fin was standing straight up, holding a tiny disposable fan from the mall and fanning itself nonchalantly.
Then, as if sensing Oliver's presence, the fish turned its head and locked eyes with him.
"Hey! You made it!"
Oliver's eyes widened in disbelief.
Did the fish just… talk?
He pinched himself hard.
"…???"
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