Tears Over Meatballs and Sisterly Schemes

Looking at the mature beauty whose chest heaved with anger, Ye Hao touched his nose and said:

“Um, Yao Yao Sis, didn’t you go abroad? How…”

Luo Yao was the big sister who lived next door to Ye Hao when he was little.

In plain terms, she was a tool person—whenever Ye Hao got into trouble, it was this very woman who helped apologize on his behalf.

And back when his parents were still around, the two families had been especially close.

But…

He seemed to have hit a blind spot.

Why did she have a key to his house!?

If it was something she took before leaving, that was years ago!

Six years! My god, no way that made sense.

And the door had been changed in between.

This was a massive blind spot!

“Yeah, yeah, that’s true, but who can blame your sister for worrying about you? You’re just a little kid, sigh…”

Luo Yao let out a deep sigh.

Looking at the strikingly handsome boy before her, she felt a sense of accomplishment, like she’d raised him well—he’d even grown taller than her.

But…

“I’m sorry, sister wasn’t there when you needed me most. Sorry.”

Seeing this neighborly big sister he hadn’t met in six years apologize right off the bat, Ye Hao realized something was off.

Why was she apologizing?

“No, no, no, actually Yao Yao Sis, you don’t need to apologize. What’s done is done—let’s just let it go, hahaha…”

Let it go.

Could it really be let go…?

His father’s death, his mother’s death.

The relatives around him had grown more distant, even starting to shun him.

Maybe that was just human nature.

Anyway, he was doing fine on his own.

And university was just around the corner.

As the saying went, children from poor families mature early.

After seeing and experiencing so much, he’d gradually come to understand some truths—people, in the end, had to rely on themselves.

“It’s fine. See, I’m doing just great, right?”

Looking at the smile on his face that made her heart race, Luo Yao felt a sharp pang in her soft spot, like a blade brutally thrust in.

It hurt, and it was heartbreaking.

“Don’t worry. From now on, leave everything to your sister. No need to shoulder it all alone. After all, the Hao Hao I know is a total crybaby.”

Pulling Ye Hao into her arms, Luo Yao buried his face deep in her soft, fragrant peaks.

He didn’t know how much time passed before the scent of something burning snapped Ye Hao back to reality.

“Yao Yao Sis, are you making dinner?”

“Dinner?”

After a brief daze, her beautiful eyes widened.

“Oh no! Hao Hao, go take a shower first. I’ll go salvage this. By the time you’re done, dinner should be ready!”

Watching Luo Yao, as efficient and decisive as ever, Ye Hao helplessly wiped his forehead.

“Dinner, huh?”

Come to think of it, he’d always handled his own meals before.

From the initial mosaic-like disasters to his current barely edible attempts, who knew what he’d gone through in between.

Yao Yao Sis…

Watching her dive headfirst into the kitchen, Ye Hao smiled and grabbed a clean set of clothes before heading to the bathroom.

At the dinner table.

“Hao Hao, try this one. This is your favorite—meatballs. Pork meatballs, beef meatballs, fish balls, shrimp balls…”

“…”

“Everything Hao Hao likes to eat, your sister still remembers. You love all kinds of meatballs, right~”

As the meatballs piled higher and higher in his bowl, an indescribable sourness welled up in Ye Hao’s heart.

Tears gradually slid down from the corners of his eyes, one by one.

Seeing Ye Hao start crying midway through the meal, Luo Yao panicked, at a loss for what to do.

Was it because she hadn’t made it well?

Or had Hao Hao outgrown meatballs?

“Is… is it that you don’t like it? If you don’t, no need to force yourself. Yao Yao Sis can make something else, I…”

Before Luo Yao could finish, Ye Hao stopped her.

“No, I love it. I just feel… feel so happy. It’s nothing, really…”

He shook his head, wiping the tears from his eyes with the back of his hand.

Then he turned his gaze to the meatballs in his bowl.

F*cking devour!

“Eat slower. If it’s not enough, I can make more.”

Watching Ye Hao relentlessly demolish the meatballs, the corners of Luo Yao’s mouth curved up slightly.

***

“So, you just came back like that?”

“Yep, just like that. Hao Hao’s got the college entrance exam in two months, right? So I brushed off some loose ends and rushed back overnight. Touched, aren’t you?”

Touched, but he didn’t dare move.

Ye Hao felt like this was the most absurd thing he’d encountered yet.

He’d thought Li Mengying’s nonsense was ridiculous enough, but this sister took the cake.

Headache.

As a company manager, she just up and quit to come back?

Holy sh*t, this sister was even more out there!

“By the way, how’s your studying going, Hao Hao?”

“Studying? So-so, I guess.”

Hearing that tone from Ye Hao—so vague.

So-so?

Well, probably not going great.

In a time like this, what should a sister do?

Probably comfort him.

“It’s just hovering around first in the whole school. Snagged a few provincial awards, that’s all. Could’ve gone to the national competition, but I skipped it. Kinda regrettable.”

“What!?”

What did that even mean?

Luo Yao suddenly felt like a dumb student being looked down on by a top scholar.

That was so-so?

Had she fallen out of touch with the world, or what?

“Hey, Yao Yao Sis, pretty so-so, right?”

“This… um…”

So-so?

You’re joking!

That was so-so?

Then didn’t that make your sister a total loser?

“Uh, I think… yeah, this thing is… definitely so-so. So-so, yeah… hahaha…”

No way, had to change the subject.

Couldn’t keep going on this—knowing her brother was a genius was fine, but saying it out loud just slapped her in the face!

“Ahem, not talking scores. So, Hao Hao, any girls you like at school?”

As a fellow female, Luo Yao cared more about her brother’s school life than his grades.

And this was her top concern: had the brother she’d raised been snatched away by someone else?

She’d been gone six years, and considering Ye Hao’s personality before she left, she felt uneasy.

After all, the old Ye Hao had been a downright little pervert.

Cute, sweet-talking…

So worrying!

“Girls I like? Nah, but I’ve turned down a few. Personally, I think studies come first. That kid stuff romance? Take it or leave it.”

Ye Hao couldn’t wrap his head around it.

Girls? Liking them?

How could he like girls!?

Wasn’t studying great!?

He loved studying!

“That’s not what I—

Turned down two more today who were full of hot air. They think they can compete with studying? Joke’s on them. Studying’s so good—why ditch it for romance? Lame.”

Hearing Ye Hao’s words, Luo Yao broke out in a cold sweat.

Why did it feel like the Ye family line was about to die out!?

No drive toward the opposite s*x at all!

That so-called love at first sight, the urge to pounce…

Had Hao Hao… gone gay?

No, no, no—impossible for such a boy.

But… what if he had?

“Hao Hao, what’s your goal right now? Can you tell your sister?”

“Goal? Get into university. That’s it for now—no other goals.”

Ye Hao propped his head, thought for a bit, then said firmly.

Phew.

Luo Yao let out a long breath of relief.

For a second there, she’d thought he was gay.

Turns out, just asexual.

“Very good. No dating before university—that’s my Hao Hao, doing great. Any uni in mind? Sister can help you think it over.”

Since her raised brother hadn’t been stolen by some girl, she’d see it through to the end.

Get through these last two months, then somehow lure him abroad…

Heh heh heh~

“University? I’ve pretty much decided. Was thinking of studying abroad, but since you’re planning to develop back home, Yao Yao Sis, I’ll stay in the country.”

Looking at her brother, Luo Yao had no idea what to say.

No, don’t change your mind!

Studying abroad is great!

Worst case, sister will support you!

“No, no, no—boys can’t just flip their life goals like that. If Hao Hao wants to study abroad, then go for it. It’ll be fine~”

Hearing Luo Yao, Ye Hao buried his head and pondered for a moment.

Yeah!

A man had to be persistent, not a flip-flopper.

He really should stick to his goals.

“True…”

Hearing Ye Hao’s murmur, Luo Yao finally relaxed.

She’d been ready to scheme if he wanted to stay domestic and study here.

But now, no need for her to lift a finger.

After all, the “quitting” talk was fake.

How could she, a company boss, just abandon her business?

She’d only said “manager” to fool Ye Hao a bit.

“Alright then, Yao Sis. Since no one’s home, you’ll have to take my bed tonight. Tomorrow, I’ll clear out a room.”

Ye Hao scratched his head.

No choice now—the other rooms were all storage.

He kept them tidy enough, but having Yao Yao Sis, who’d come all this way, sleep in a junk room…

That wouldn’t do.

“Sleep…”

Luo Yao froze.

Sleep in your bed!?

That… that’s too fast!

And after years apart, sleeping together right away…

“What’s wrong?”

Seeing Luo Yao’s expression turn subtly odd, Ye Hao blinked in confusion.

“I… um, if I sleep in Hao Hao’s bed, then… where will you sleep…”

Too fast—sharing a bed on the first meeting?

At least wait till tomorrow!

Under Luo Yao’s expectant gaze, the fully IQ-maxed, EQ-minned Ye Hao blurted out:

“Then I’ll crash on the sofa. It’s summer anyway—no risk of catching a cold.”

Ye Hao was a bit baffled himself.

Wasn’t it obvious?

If she took his room, he’d take the sofa.

What, was he supposed to sleep on the floor?

This was so random…