A Dish of Deception

“Phew, you scared me to death, Lin Yan! You absolutely have to help me play a few more games tomorrow!”

As Chen Si Yi slowly averted her gaze, a startled Serena quickly gave me a meaningful look and spoke.

Understanding her meaning, I subtly nodded, indicating that there was no problem.

Only with both rewards and punishments could one ensure their subordinates worked with peace of mind. Playing a few extra games was merely for entertainment.

After all, Serena’s dignified and neither humble nor arrogant demeanor when answering Chen Si Yi’s questions today was indeed worthy of commendation.

After reluctantly drying the water from her hair, my younger sister hurriedly rushed to the kitchen to prepare dinner.

Considering she had been at school all day and just completed a grueling physical test, I had intended to help in the kitchen.

However, before my agile legs, clad in white stockings, could even step inside, Chen Si Yi, now wearing an apron, scooped me back onto the sofa.

“You don’t need to help, Lin Yan. You’re so small right now; what if you get hurt?” Chen Si Yi gently stroked my head, chuckling. “Haven’t you noticed I’m getting better at cooking lately?”

‘Ah, if we’re talking about the burnt smell, then yes, it’s certainly more ‘skilled’ than the previous metallic-tasting greens.’

‘But the taste… it was as unpalatable as ever.’

Gazing at my sister’s pretty face, so close my nose almost touched hers, I still couldn’t bring myself to tell her the truth.

Instead, I reluctantly gave a thumbs-up in approval. “Yes, little sis, your cooking truly has improved by leaps and bounds!”

“Right? Right? I knew it was like that!”

Like an elementary school student praised by their teacher, Chen Si Yi’s cheeks flushed with joy at my deceptive ‘encouragement’, her happiness clearly visible.

“Alright, since Lin Yan said so, I’ll have to make a few more dishes today!”

Chen Si Yi, hands clenched into fists at her chest, murmured to herself.

This startled Serena, who had been resting with her eyes closed on the other end of the sofa, causing her to instantly open her eyes wide, her gaze at me filled with resentment and bewilderment.

‘Praising Si Yi’s cooking? Lin Yan, have you lost your mind?’

Serena’s horrified eyes seemed to confirm this sentiment.

In response, I could only shrug helplessly, signaling that she needn’t worry.

After all, talk aside, Chen Si Yi had just finished her physical test; how could she possibly have the energy to cook several more dishes?

“Hmm… let me think. It seems there’s still half a catty of pork and a few potatoes bought two days ago in the fridge. If we don’t eat them soon, they’ll probably spoil.”

“How about I make a plate of twice-cooked pork and shredded potatoes today? It’ll be good for Lin Yan’s health!”

‘Whoa, whoa, whoa, no way, are you serious?’

‘Everything I said just now was insincere flattery! My dear sister, please don’t believe it!’

‘Besides, your brother here is a robust man, perfectly healthy. Serena, on the other hand, just arrived from the demon realm; she’ll likely suffer from culture shock soon.’

‘If anyone needs a health boost, it’s her!’

My expression tightened, and I was about to speak up and dissuade her.

However, Chen Si Yi, having already decided on the dishes, excitedly clapped her hands, giving me no chance to object.

“Then it’s decided! I’m going to cook now, Lin Yan. You absolutely must eat a lot later, okay?”

‘She even used the word ‘must’? I strongly object to this tyrannical act, completely without my consent!’

“Alright, alright.”

But seeing Chen Si Yi’s brilliant smile, brimming with anticipation, I ultimately lacked the courage to utter the word ‘no’.

‘Never mind, never mind. It’s my sister’s heartfelt gesture, after all, and as her brother, I have no reason to refuse.’

‘No matter how unpalatable the dish, couldn’t I just close my eyes, clench my teeth, and swallow it as protein?!’

****

“Ugh~ *cough cough cough cough*…”

“No, I can’t take it anymore, my stomach is hurting again.” Serena, clutching her abdomen, wore a pained expression. “Si Yi, I’m going to the bathroom again. You and Lin Yan eat first; don’t mind me.”

“Huh? Going to the bathroom again?” Chen Si Yi, standing nearby, couldn’t help but ask worriedly. “Serena, are you alright? Do you need to go to the hospital? If not, my family has medicine for acute gastritis; would you like a pill?”

“No… no need…” Serena slowly rose from her seat. “I… I just ate too much ice cream this afternoon. I’ll just… just go to the bathroom a few more times. Si Yi, don’t worry about me; just keep eating with Lin Yan.”

‘Whoa, whoa, whoa, what do you mean ‘just keep eating’? Although I haven’t exposed you because we’re comrades in suffering, don’t push it too far, you scoundrel!’

‘Just go to the bathroom! Why did you have to repeat that I should keep eating? Serena, are you truly afraid of nothing but peace, trying to poison me through Chen Si Yi’s cooking to bury the evidence of our wicked collusion?’

‘Yes, I had seen right through Serena ever since she first returned from the bathroom.’

‘She wasn’t just ‘going to the bathroom’; she was clearly hugging the toilet and throwing up repeatedly!’

‘As for how I knew, it was because, in her haste, a trace of vomit still clung to the corner of Serena’s mouth!’

‘If Chen Si Yi’s gaze hadn’t been fixed on me, that girl, who was faking diarrhea, would have been doomed long ago!’

“Come on, Lin Yan, don’t stop eating. Have a little more.”

As I was thinking this, Chen Si Yi, catching me off guard, scooped a generous helping of twice-cooked pork into my bowl.

Instantly, my face stiffened. Yet, constrained by Chen Si Yi’s intensely fervent gaze and wanting to avoid crushing her culinary pride and enthusiasm, I, as her older brother, could only force a bitter smile.

With a renewed resolve, I once again put the dish into my mouth and began to chew…

“It’s… it’s alright, actually pretty good.” Suppressing a strong wave of nausea, I continued to praise her against my true feelings.

“Really?”

Chen Si Yi, who had been watching me, immediately brightened, her worry turning to joy. “Since you like it so much, Lin Yan, don’t be shy! Come on, come on, have a little more!”

With that, Chen Si Yi excitedly served me more food, completely oblivious to the desolate mood hidden beneath my impassive expression.

‘Ugh, why did I have to run my mouth?!’ I mentally slapped myself.

‘Now look what happened. It seems I’ll definitely need a few stomach pills from the medicine cabinet.’