“Don’t worry, this minor injury doesn’t affect me much. Could you support me?” Xia Yinuo pleaded, her arms wrapped around mine, feeling the softness pressing against me, which made me too startled to move.
After a moment of silence, I bravely lifted my head and nodded without a word.
Fortunately, my home was not far from the school. Ten minutes later, I escorted Xia Yinuo to my doorstep.
“Sister, why don’t you rest a bit before heading back? Your leg injury…” I was deeply grateful to Xia Yinuo for taking care of me. Her leg injury had improved significantly compared to before, allowing her to walk normally. Yet, I still felt a sense of indebtedness.
“Is there anyone else at your place?” Xia Yinuo wanted to come in but was hesitant, fearing Chirp’s family might be there, which made her uncomfortable.
“No, there isn’t anyone. My parents have been gone since I was seven.” I had always been reluctant to discuss my family situation with outsiders, fearing that once they knew about my lack of parents, they would look at me differently.
Years had passed, and I had grown accustomed to it. In front of Xia Yinuo, I found myself unexpectedly sharing this.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to pry. Chirp, don’t be sad. If you don’t mind, consider me your family. From now on, I’ll be your sister.”
Xia Yinuo gripped my hand tightly, her heart yearning for a younger brother. Chirp’s personality, appearance, and family background perfectly matched her ideals.
Chirp was like a gift from heaven, and Xia Yinuo resolved to protect him with her life from that moment.
“R-really?” I was moved. Since my parents passed away when I was seven, no one had entered my heart. No girl had ever loved me like a mother. Now, a beautiful, kind, and loving woman had appeared in my life, and I felt no resistance.
“Of course, you little brat!” Xia Yinuo’s eyes curled into a crescent moon, and she playfully pinched my nose.
She noticed Chirp’s hesitation to embrace her and seized the opportunity. Before I could react, she pulled me into her arms and carried me into the room.
Xia Yinuo surveyed the room—a three-bedroom, one-living-room apartment with a total area of about 80 square meters. The living room was exceptionally clean and tidy, which amazed her. She couldn’t fathom how a young boy could maintain such order or how he had managed alone for so long.
“You can only call me Sister, not by my name, got it, little one?” Xia Yinuo placed me on the sofa and lightly flicked my forehead with a delicate gesture.
Xia Yinuo’s flawless appearance left me speechless, especially her flicking motion, which reminded me of my mother.
For a moment, I thought she was my mother. My body relaxed, and I lay back on the sofa. The sofa was the same as before, but the person flicking my forehead was no longer my mother.
I lay there, gazing at Xia Yinuo, and in a daze, I saw a loving, gentle face that gradually merged with the face before me.
“Mom!” I whispered, slowly closing my eyes. I knew it was an illusion, but I didn’t want to open them. The unexpected affection was indescribable.
Seeing Chirp close his eyes, a tear rolled down his cheek. Xia Yinuo gently wiped it away and placed it on her lips, tasting the saltiness and bitterness. She couldn’t remain indifferent any longer. Burying her head in Chirp’s chest, she softly stroked his arm and whispered, “Mom is here, Mom has always been watching over you. I’ve seen you go to school alone, come home alone, cook alone, sleep alone, and celebrate your birthdays alone. Mom is sorry. Although you can’t see me, I’ve been with you all along! Chirp, my dear, don’t be afraid. Soon, another girl will take care of you as a mother would. Don’t let her down.”
Xia Yinuo caressed Chirp’s smooth face and rosy lips, unable to resist leaning in for a kiss. Chirp’s tears stopped, and a warm smile appeared on his lips.
In my hazy state, I felt my mother’s presence. Her every word was etched in my heart. When she kissed me, I embraced her neck, holding her tightly, never wanting to let her go.
The real touch, the real voice, the real scent—everything made me want to drown in this tenderness.
“Yep! Successfully infiltrated the enemy’s base.” Xia Yinuo smirked and snapped her fingers, noticing the door wasn’t locked. She went outside to close it.
Everything went surprisingly smoothly. Xia Yinuo hadn’t expected Chirp to live alone. Fortunately, their encounter was a lucky accident; otherwise, Chirp would have been lured away by those troublemaking girls.
Seeing Chirp fall asleep, Xia Yinuo gently removed his shoes and carried him to one of the bedrooms.
The room was simple, with a bed and a desk covered in books. There was also a family photo with three people: a handsome father and a dignified mother. “Is this Chirp? He was so small!”
It appeared to be a photo of Chirp when he was around two or three years old. Without hesitation, Xia Yinuo kissed the little face in the photo, leaving a seductive red lip print on the frame. She laughed softly and placed the frame back before turning her attention to Chirp.
Xia Yinuo rubbed her hands together before touching Chirp’s cheek. For some reason, she felt a strange heat rising within her.
Xia Yinuo inhaled Chirp’s scent, her face flushing red. Her long, slender legs shifted uncomfortably. “Have I been bewitched? Why am I so hot?”
Xia Yinuo wiped the sweat from her forehead, her gentle gaze never leaving Chirp. Her eyes grew hazy, and she shook her head. “No, I can’t. I can’t take advantage of Chirp. He trusts me as a sister. I can’t do this. I’m not a troublemaking girl. Haven’t I seen how Dad treated Mom? Do I want to be like that violent dad, using force to bully Chirp? No, I can’t.”
Her breathing grew rapid, and her blush spread from her face to her neck. She fought with her inner demons, clinging to her last shred of rationality. “No, I can’t hurt Chirp. He’s just a child!”
“Just a touch, just once, and then I’ll leave. As long as he doesn’t find out, it’ll be alright.”
Chirp’s arched eyebrows resembled willow leaves by the riverbank. His long eyelashes only enhanced the allure of his eyes. When asleep, Chirp’s eyes resembled a small boat, and his petite nose and rosy lips formed a captivating portrait of beauty—so delicate and endearing.
How could such a beautiful boy exist in this world? Xia Yinuo sat on the bed, mesmerized by Chirp’s face.
Perhaps it was just a blink, or maybe an hour. When Xia Yinuo came to her senses, Chirp’s face was closer, and his scent more intense.
His luscious lips resembled ripe peaches, ready to drip with juice at any moment.
“I, I just want to… kiss him once.” Xia Yinuo’s chin inched forward…