Slicing Lessons and Serena’s Antics

“Oh my, Lin Yan-chan, you’re actually so amazing!” Serena exclaimed from behind me.

“Emmm… so this is how you slice it?” Chen Si Yi murmured, a hint of understanding dawning in her voice. “I think I’m starting to get it.”

After I had finished slicing the cucumber, both Serena and Chen Si Yi let out exclamations of surprise and admiration.

Though my face remained impassive at their fan-girl-like squeals (which I’d imagined), my heart was already blooming with irrepressible joy.

‘Hahaha, you little brats, now you know how amazing I am, don’t you?’ I thought gleefully. ‘With such masterful and skilled techniques, I reckon even if you practiced for another ten years, you’d only ever be able to gaze upon my back!’

Despite these joyful thoughts, I had to suppress my conceited side. I waved my hand with feigned humility, a smile gracing my lips.

“Haha, it’s really not as exaggerated as you make it out to be,” I said. “Just practice more, and you’ll definitely surpass me in no time!”

“Ah—! Is that true?” The words had barely left my mouth when Chen Si Yi, standing beside me, widened her eyes. A light of pure anticipation shone within them, signaling her genuine resolve to learn how to cook.

‘Well, if my sister is so enthusiastic about learning to cook, then as her older brother, I naturally have to teach her properly,’ I mused.

Determined not to dampen Si Yi’s confidence, I nodded emphatically and patted my chest in assurance.

“Don’t worry, Si Yi,” I declared. “As long as you seriously learn to cook from your brother, I guarantee that within a month, you’ll become a chef just like me!”

With that, I gestured for Chen Si Yi to come closer, then placed the kitchen knife into her hand, ready to begin our one-on-one instructional session.

“Wait, Lin Yan-chan, what about me? What should I do?”

However, just then, Serena’s urgent cry came from behind me, utterly ill-timed. My brows furrowed involuntarily, a look of vexation crossing my face.

‘What on earth… Serena, weren’t you completely uninterested in learning to cook? Why do you have to butt in at such a crucial moment?’ I thought, exasperated.

Though I was highly displeased by Serena’s sudden change of heart, I had, after all, promised to take her on as a disciple. Ignoring her entirely simply wasn’t an option.

Thus, I pointed to another set of kitchen knives and a cutting board hanging on the wall, and looked at her, speaking with profound gravity.

“Ah, Serena,” I began, “I’ve observed that your bones are truly unique, and flashes of brilliance occasionally spark on your forehead. I’m certain you possess an innate talent for cooking, and self-teaching should pose no problem for you whatsoever.”

“Therefore… you should practice slicing vegetables by yourself for now. If you encounter anything you don’t understand, then you can come ask me.”

With that, I turned my head, redirecting my full attention back to my sister.

Then, just as expected, only a few seconds later, Serena’s self-satisfied murmur drifted from behind me.

“Hehe, I knew it,” Serena chirped, a joyful smile gracing her face. “I really am a genius.”

“Alright, alright,” she continued, “since Lin Yan is so captivated by my talent, I suppose I’ll humble myself for a bit.”

“Otherwise, if I were to make Si Yi feel ashamed and lose her confidence in cooking, that would be a grave sin indeed!”

—*Pfft*.

Listening to Serena’s shameless self-praise, I nearly choked on my own saliva.

I was utterly defeated. This Serena was truly a hopeless idiot; she actually took my clearly insincere words seriously?

Watching Serena pick up the spare kitchen knife and raise it above her head with a cold smirk, I was speechless. After silently mourning her intelligence for a second, I completely turned my head, utterly ignoring her.

“Alright, let’s not waste any more time. We’ll start practicing slicing vegetables now, Si Yi.”

I looked up and smiled at my sister, whose expression was one of intense concentration. Then, under her bewildered gaze, I leaned into her, taking her hands firmly in mine.

A faint warmth emanated from her palms, and the curve of Chen Si Yi’s fingers brushed my skin, causing a slight tickle.

Yet, seeing my sister’s pursed lips and an expression tinged with both shyness and confusion, I forced myself to remain calm. I offered a wry smile as I explained.

“Haha, this is just to teach you how to slice vegetables,” I said. “I’ll guide you hand-in-hand, and once you follow my movements, you’ll learn very quickly!”

“Oh, is… is that how it is,” Chen Si Yi responded softly. She stiffly lifted her head, her gaze fixed on the cutting board, avoiding my eyes.

‘Mm-hm, good, this is fine,’ I told myself. ‘Calm down, Lin Yan. It’s just holding your sister’s hand to teach her to slice vegetables; there’s no need to be so nervous.’

Silently, I gave myself a mental boost. Then, my hand once again firmly met Chen Si Yi’s, pressing against her skin as I gently pushed her hand, beginning to move it slowly.

However, just as the blade in my and Chen Si Yi’s hands was about to touch the cucumber, and my heart had almost come to a complete stop, Serena’s wail of despair suddenly erupted from beside us.

“Ahhhhhhh!” Serena’s voice was utterly tragic and mournful. “Ahhhhhhh, Si Yi, help me! I’ve cut my hand! What do I do? Wuwu, so much blood is flowing, it’s so scary! Am I going to die?!”

“……………..”

I silently gazed at Serena’s outstretched index finger. The crimson blood had only formed a tiny, thin trickle. I was instantly rendered speechless.

‘You… you’re really just doing this on purpose to cause trouble, aren’t you!’