The next morning, sunlight spilled through the thin curtains, painting soft golden stripes across the little apartment. Lin Qing Yun woke early, as always. She padded into the kitchen, moving quietly so her sister could sleep a little longer.
By the time Si Yao wandered out, rubbing her eyes and dragging her blanket like a child, the table was already set with steaming congee, pickled vegetables, and freshly fried dough sticks.
"Jie, you're spoiling me," she mumbled, sinking into the chair.
Qing Yun laughed. "You think I don't know how hard you've been pushing yourself? For once, let me spoil you."
Si Yao bit into the dough stick, chewing happily. "When I win the international competition, I'll spoil you back. Buy you a whole villa and fill it with red bean desserts every day."
Qing Yun almost choked on her congee, laughing. "Then I'll hold you to that promise."
Day Out Together
That afternoon, they decided to go out. The cicadas were quieter now, replaced by the sound of summer crickets. The streets bustled with life—vendors selling ice-cold drinks, children flying paper kites, couples strolling hand in hand.
Si Yao tugged her sister toward a bookstore. "Let's buy something together. You always choose boring academic books. This time, let me pick."
Inside, she dragged Qing Yun through the shelves, finally pulling out a brightly colored children's storybook. "This one. Because you've always been the big sister reading me bedtime stories. I want you to have one more."
Qing Yun turned the book in her hands, her throat tightening. She remembered those nights vividly—Si Yao small and curled under the blanket, eyes wide with worry after another fight between their mother and stepfather. Qing Yun would dim the lights, sit by her bed, and read until Si Yao's breathing softened into sleep.
Back then, she hadn't had the luxury of fairy tales herself. But if reading them could chase away her sister's fear, then she would read every story in the world.
Flashback
The memory bled into another. Si Yao's birth.
Qing Yun had been just a child herself, but when she saw the tiny baby with pink cheeks and soft cries, something in her heart had swelled. "Finally," she had thought, "we're a real family now."
She had believed that with this child, her mother would stop fighting, that her stepfather would stay.
But life had never been so kind.
She remembered one evening—her mother throwing a vase, her stepfather shouting back, doors slamming. Qing Yun had pulled little Si Yao against her chest, pressing her hands firmly over her ears, whispering, "Don't listen. Jie is here. Just look at me."
The baby had blinked up at her with teary eyes, then smiled as if trusting her completely.
That was the moment Qing Yun knew: this little sister was her responsibility.
Present Again
Back in the bookstore, Qing Yun touched Si Yao's hair. "Thank you, Yao Yao. I'll keep this book forever."
Si Yao grinned. "And I'll keep my villa promise too."
They left the store laughing, carrying their little bag of treasures.
Evening on the Balcony
That evening, after dinner, the two sisters sat on the small balcony of their apartment. The night breeze carried faint hints of autumn, cool and refreshing.
Si Yao leaned on the railing, gazing at the city lights. "Jie… do you ever feel tired?"
Qing Yun glanced at her. "Of what?"
"Of always carrying everything. The debt, the work, the future. You never cry, you never complain. It's like… you've been forced to be the sun all the time."
Qing Yun was quiet for a moment. Then she smiled faintly. "Maybe that's why people call me Sunny. But you know, even the sun sets. That's why I have you—to rise brighter than I ever did."
Si Yao blinked, eyes misting slightly. She turned quickly, hugging Qing Yun from the side, her voice muffled against her shoulder.
"Jie, I'll study hard, I'll win everything, I'll go to the best university. I'll make sure your sacrifices aren't wasted. I'll give you the life you deserve."
Qing Yun hugged her back, heart aching yet swelling with pride. "Silly girl. You don't owe me anything. I just want you to be happy."
A Quiet Promise
Later that night, when Si Yao had drifted to sleep, Qing Yun sat at the edge of her bed, brushing stray strands of hair from her sister's forehead.
Her eyes softened, but her heart whispered words she didn't dare speak aloud:
"This week feels like gold, Yao Yao. And I will guard it with everything I have… because I don't know how many more golden weeks we'll be given."
The night deepened, cradling the two sisters in its gentle silence.