The Price of a New Phone

After settling the bill with a mobile payment, I suddenly remembered Ling Chen didn’t own a phone.

In modern society, a mobile phone was an absolute necessity for daily life.

Raising my Blossom phone, I asked, “Ling Chen, do you need to buy a phone?”

Ling Chen seemed rather uninterested in my suggestion. “You decide, Sister. What if buying me a phone means you can’t top up your games, and then you start to dislike me?”

“Am I really that kind of person?”

“Of course.” Ling Chen shrugged. “Then, may I ask you a question, Sister?”

“What is it?”

“Sister, who do you think is more important: me or your waifu?”

Did he even need to ask such a question?

My younger brother was, of course, more important!

Ling Chen wore a playful expression, patiently awaiting my answer.

…

He seemed to have already anticipated that, after much deliberation, I would swallow the words I was about to say.

I simply couldn’t voice it.

Although my younger brother was incredibly important, my waifu was a matter of faith!

Family and faith were often at odds!

Just as Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son Isaac to God, asking my brother to make a small sacrifice for the sake of my faith shouldn’t be too much to ask…

“Sister, look, you even hesitate on such a simple question. How about I rephrase it?”

My indecisiveness left Ling Chen somewhat amused and exasperated.

“If your goddess and your mother fell into the water, who would you save first?”

I blurted out, “I don’t have a mom…”

Hearing my response, Ling Chen covered his face. “Mom would kill you if she heard that.”

Realizing what I had said, I was dumbfounded. That’s not right. Why do I lose my mind whenever a goddess is mentioned?

Ling Chen sighed. “Because Sister, you’re a hopeless simp!”

As a humble simp, I felt deeply wounded.

I suddenly felt like a cold-blooded monster, always doing things that pained loved ones and pleased enemies.

“I’m sorry.” My desire to top up my games was replaced by guilt. “I’ll take you to buy a phone right now. Which brand do you like?”

“I’ll use whatever Sister uses.”

Ling Chen wore a knowing smile, as if something good had happened. However, I didn’t delve deeper, for a surge of determination burned within me.

As a true otaku, how could I not introduce electronic products with profound knowledge?

But Ling Chen is already omniscient and omnipotent. Does he even need my introduction?

“Sister, could you tell me which phone brands are good?”

See? Ling Chen was eagerly waiting for my introduction!

Full of confidence, I began my special lecture, transforming into a phone store guide as I eloquently spoke, from the history of electronic product development to individual electronic components:

“The brand I use is Blossom. Speaking of Blossom, one must mention our nation’s conscientious enterprise…”

The mobile phone industry has experienced explosive growth in recent years, with its enormous market drawing many companies from other sectors to venture into phone manufacturing.

Today, it is the Warring States period of the phone market, with an endless array of brands, each with its own merits. For instance, a certain ‘nail’ phone, capable of slicing fruit, was a passion project from a tech giant, imbued with a true artisan spirit.

However, the most renowned brands currently are two giants: Blossom and Pear.

Pear has always been wealthy and powerful, boasting a wide user base and a technological foundation that once led the industry. It is a venerable, large-scale tech company.

Blossom, once a Chinese telecommunications company, rose rapidly, seizing a significant market share. It is hailed as the beacon of hope for domestic products and ushered in a new era.

Yet, as a rational consumer, I never buy into sentiment or public opinion. I only consider cost-effectiveness and practicality.

When I was a ‘Pear fan,’ I was often mocked by those who used domestic phones. So, whenever someone snidely asked me why I hadn’t switched phones yet, I would simply reply:

“Because I’m stupid.”

“Because I’m pretentious.”

“Because I’m unpatriotic.”

“Because I have more money than sense.”

“Because I’m easily brainwashed by advertisements.”

“Because I think even Pear’s crap smells good.”

“Because I’m a pervert and I like using things that are not cost-effective.”

“Because I’m an idiot who likes to prove myself with superficial things.”

As it turned out, those who stood on moral high ground couldn’t withstand my ‘Seven Injuries Fist’ and invariably retreated in defeat.

However, my recent switch to Blossom wasn’t due to a sudden patriotic awakening to support domestic products. I have always been patriotic, but not in that manner.

If a company uses patriotism as a shield for poor quality, doesn’t that become an impediment to the nation? It not only defrauds consumers but also offers little help to the country.

The reason I bought Blossom was actually quite simple: Pear and Android game data aren’t cross-compatible. For a hardcore otaku like me, the cost of topping up two accounts was simply too high.

Thus, I joined the ‘It Smells So Good’ army.

“How about it?”

I picked out a new model Blossom phone for Ling Chen at the specialist store. Although it was a bit expensive, it was still within my acceptable range. It was merely a matter of buying a few less 648-yuan premium currency packs; no big deal.

Anyway, with my terrible gacha luck, spending 648 yuan would only lead to another sunken ship.

Let me make it clear, I only did this because I doted on Ling Chen!

It definitely wasn’t because Ling Chen would bring me more small fortunes in the future, so I was deliberately trying to win him over!

Ling Chen, playing with his new phone, seemed a little dissatisfied. He looked up, pointed at my phone, and said:

“I want your model, Sister.”

“My model?” I shook my head. “When I bought it, I didn’t have much of a budget, so I just settled for a mid-to-low-end phone like the N404. You should still get a better phone. Since you’re my younger brother, I’d feel bad if I didn’t buy you something decent.”

Ling Chen waved his hand, indicating he didn’t care about the phone’s quality.

“As long as it works, that’s fine. I don’t need to consider performance; as long as I can call and contact Sister, I’ll be satisfied.”

“But…”

“How about Sister buys a new phone for herself, and I use Sister’s old phone?”

That’s not a bad idea. I actually do want to change my phone.

But, but, if I do that, wouldn’t I become a terrible sister who exploits her brother?

“You are my biological sister, aren’t you?”

I gazed absently at Ling Chen, my inexpensive younger brother. I suddenly realized that what connected us wasn’t just kinship, blood, the system, or anything else.

I liked him simply because he was my younger brother, and simultaneously, another me.

Humans are, and always will be, inherently selfish animals.

Economists hundreds of years ago made it clear; in ancient Chinese terms, this is ‘if a man is not for himself, heaven and earth will destroy him.’

Yet, I wanted to give something to Ling Chen. This impulse even drove away my selfish genes.

He was so much like my former self. Before I completely fell into the abyss of being a shut-in, I used to be like the morning sun, a vibrant youth. Until later, when that incident happened…

Ling Chen was a good child. He shouldn’t have to experience humanity’s malice.

Although I didn’t know when he would return to me, I hoped he could truly enjoy his time as a human. Whatever worries and difficulties he faced, I could help him bear them, keeping him as far away as possible from filth and darkness.

This was not only my love for him but also compensation for my own past.

“I’m getting this new P251 phone. Ling Chen, what color do you like?”

“I’ll use the same blue Sister uses.”

Ling Chen’s delicate face broke into shallow dimples, reminiscent of vibrant sunflowers basking in the sun.

“Sister bought me something for the first time. I’m so happy.”

Are you some kind of sister-con who adores his sister? What’s there to be so happy about?

Unconsciously, the corners of my mouth curved slightly upward.

Having a younger brother is truly wonderful. Now, when I can’t do something alone, someone can help.

I need to find a way to drag him into the mobile game pit; that way, someone can grind games for me!

Ling Chen gave a wry smile. “I knew this would happen.”

“Hmph hmph, with great power comes great responsibility! Your phone’s specs are better than mine, so help me grind some games.”

Under my pitiful gaze, Ling Chen nodded and agreed:

“After all, if a stingy sister pays for my phone, how can I not pay a price? Alas, capitalism is just like that: carrots and sticks.”

“I’m not a capitalist who uses child labor!”