A Haunted House Date

“Oh, what’s that? It smells so good!”

As we walked along, a tempting aroma of something grilled suddenly filled my nostrils.

I couldn’t help but crane my neck forward, peering ahead. Just ahead, in the commercial street not far from Chen Si Yi and me, numerous food stalls were already set up, brimming with all sorts of delicacies.

Wisps of white smoke drifted upwards, carrying the combined scents of various meats—an utterly irresistible medley.

For a robust man like myself, who couldn’t live without meat, missing a food festival in the commercial street was simply out of the question.

“Si Yi, Si Yi, how about we go get something to eat?” I tugged at Chen Si Yi’s sleeve, nearly drooling onto her hand.

Seeing my famished state, Chen Si Yi naturally found it difficult to refuse. With a sigh, she took my wrist and led me towards the stalls.

Though my current appetite was small, this was a rare opportunity to go out. So, determined to feast, I ordered a plethora of snacks.

My hands grew heavy and sore from carrying the plastic bags filled with food.

“I have to ask, will you really finish all this?”

Having settled on one of the plastic benches set up for customers, Chen Si Yi picked up a skewer, popped it into her mouth, and asked as she chewed.

“It’s fine, it’s fine. If I can’t finish it, I’ll pack it up for Serena.”

Looking at the spread of food on the table, I waved a dismissive hand, then eagerly grabbed a skewer and bit into it, savoring the taste.

“Wow, this flavor… it really is delicious!”

Having not tasted meat skewers in a long time, I tore off a particularly chewy bite of beef with my teeth and immediately nodded, offering a stream of praise.

Then, quite suddenly, perhaps recalling the unpalatable meal we’d had for dinner, I instinctively exclaimed, “Ah, this is what real food tastes like, after all.”

“Huh? What did you say?”

Hearing my words, Chen Si Yi froze, her hand, which had been reaching for a snack, suspended in mid-air. Her brows furrowed, and she shot me a fierce glare.

She then folded her arms across her chest and let out a cold huff. She wouldn’t even look at the snacks piled on the table, let alone eat them.

‘Eh, eh, what’s… what’s going on? Is Chen Si Yi really upset at the food itself?’

‘But there’s nothing I can do about it. After all, her cooking skills certainly can’t compare to those of seasoned chefs.’

“Si Yi, aren’t you eating?”

After finishing another skewer and noticing Chen Si Yi was still pouting in anger, I awkwardly inquired.

“No, I’m not eating. I’m not hungry.” Chen Si Yi stubbornly turned her head. “I’m leaving it all for you. My cooking is terrible, so you must not have eaten enough. You should eat more now, otherwise, tomorrow you’ll have to eat my garbage cooking again, hmph!”

I never expected my little sister to be so self-aware. Sweat beaded on my forehead; indeed, my earlier words had clearly displeased her.

Still conflicted by what had happened last night, I had initially intended to bury my head in my barbecue, seeing Chen Si Yi fall silent. However, her immensely mournful, almost ‘comfort me’ expression, etched onto her proud face, compelled me to put down my skewer.

I forced a smile and tried to appease her. “Oh, Si Yi, what are you thinking? How could your cooking be garbage?”

‘At most, it’s just an indescribable, unknown, mushy substance.’

“Hmph, you say it nicely.” Chen Si Yi dismissed my insincere words. “You definitely think my cooking is bad, otherwise, why do you only eat a small bowl of rice every day?”

“That’s because…” In a moment of crisis, my eyelashes fluttered, and a flash of inspiration struck me. “That’s because your cooking is so delicious, little sister, I want to eat less and save it for breakfast the next day, hahahaha~~”

Even I couldn’t help but blush at the reason I’d concocted, yet the reaction was surprisingly good. Chen Si Yi’s lips curved upwards; though her face still held a detached expression, her tightly furrowed brows had visibly relaxed.

“Hmph, you smooth-talker. Do you think I’d believe your sophistry?” Chen Si Yi said, feigning composure, but she couldn’t help but be amused by my earlier flattery.

“Wh-what? What are you laughing at?”

Noticing her smile, Chen Si Yi turned her head away, huffing proudly once more, her face instantly regaining its cold demeanor.

“Because I saw you smile, little sister, so I wanted to smile too. You are someone I love; seeing someone I cherish smile naturally brightens my mood.”

I replied instinctively, only realizing what I had said after the words left my mouth. My old face flushed crimson, and I shrank my neck, falling silent.

Chen Si Yi’s reaction wasn’t much better. After hearing my words, her body stiffened for a moment, and then her breathing became rapid. It took her a while to return to normal.

“Wh-what are you talking about?” Chen Si Yi retorted unsparingly. “What do you mean you want to smile because you saw me smile? That’s disgusting!”

“Lin Yan, you mean the kind of love a brother has for his sister, right!”

“Ah, o-of course that’s what I mean!” I was stunned, then nodded like a pecking chick. “As a brother, I love you deeply, little sister!”

“Tch…” Chen Si Yi frowned, glanced at me, and waved her hand in disgust. “How disgusting, you siscon! Stay away from me!”

Though her words expressed repulsion, the blush that spread across Chen Si Yi’s face thoroughly betrayed her true feelings.

It was then that I noticed that whenever I chatted with Chen Si Yi, a genuine smile always graced my face.

Perhaps it was because I was with Chen Si Yi. Just thinking about it made me feel light all over, and happiness began to spread through me.

This feeling… it must be love. The ice in my heart must be melting, and I must be starting to like and anticipate this sweet feeling of romance.

Unforeseen by even myself, on an ordinary school day, during a quiet, unremarkable night, I confronted my emotions head-on and decided to act on them!

****

Less than half an hour later, under my persistent coaxing, Chen Si Yi and I had devoured the entire table of snacks. I patted my slightly bulging stomach, let out a satisfied burp, and then tilted my head back to gaze at the night sky, beginning to ponder where we should go next.

It was a rare chance to go out with my sister; it would be a pity to just eat and go home to sleep again.

As I considered this, the neon advertisement sign flickering on the wall to our right captured my attention.

—A colossal haunted house spanning over 1000 square meters;

—Equipped with the most advanced light, sound, and visual effects;

——Staffed by the most professional ghost performers;

—What are you waiting for? If you crave excitement, come experience it now!

‘Craving excitement?’ I had to admit, after being cooped up in my boring home for so long, I truly did want to experience that long-lost thrill!

“N-no way…” Chen Si Yi, following my gaze to the advertisement, had a conflicted look on her face.

“Lin Yan, you want to go to a haunted house? What’s so fun about a haunted house? It must be so boring…”

“Hmm? Si Yi, you don’t want to go?”

Seeing Chen Si Yi’s resistant expression, as her elder brother, I naturally saw through the truth at a glance. It wasn’t that the haunted house was boring; it was clearly that my sister was scared!

But then again, her fear was even better. When I imagined Chen Si Yi timidly clinging to my arm, calling out, ‘Brother, I’m scared,’ I suddenly felt even more excited, though I couldn’t say why.

Based on my understanding of my sister, I knew that trying to get her to go to a haunted house by being cute would be ineffective. Provocation was definitely the best option right now.

So, I cleared my throat and deliberately waved my hand with a look of regret.

“Ah, since you don’t want to go, Si Yi, then let’s forget it.”

“It’s my fault, brother’s fault. I forgot that you’ve been afraid of ghosts since you were little. Going to a haunted house would probably be too much for you.”

“Do you still remember? When we were little, every time you watched a horror movie, you would always cuddle up to me and ask me to hold you while you slept!”

As I spoke, I furtively observed Chen Si Yi’s reaction. As expected, as my seemingly mocking laughter spread freely, Chen Si Yi’s brows furrowed even more deeply.

Especially after I blurted out her embarrassing past with a nostalgic tone, Chen Si Yi suddenly slammed her hand on the table, puffed out her chest, and indignantly declared.

“Wh-what? It’s just a haunted house, what’s there to be afraid of?”

“Let’s go, we’re going right now!”

With that, Chen Si Yi glanced at the haunted house’s location on the advertisement, called out to me, and then indignantly led the way.

‘Ai ai, honestly, my little sister’s thoughts are still so easy to read.’

Walking behind Chen Si Yi, I couldn’t help but grin, a mischievous smile spreading across my face.

After all, though Chen Si Yi appeared completely calm on the surface, without a single flaw, her shoulders were actually trembling uncontrollably!