I froze for a moment, glancing at Mom.
"So… she's going to be staying here?" I asked slowly, trying to process the news.
Mom nodded, pouring herself a cup of tea. "Yes. Lin Yue's mother is my best friend. She told me her daughter is coming to the city for high school.
Since Lin Yue will be attending the same school as you, I thought it would be easier if she stayed with us until she adjusts."
I blinked. "Stay… as in… live here? With us?"
Mom smiled. "Yes. And she'll be sharing Li Na's room for the time being. That way, she has a comfortable place, and your sister can help her settle in."
I blinked again. Sharing Li Na's room… this is going to be interesting.
Lin Yue stepped forward, her wide eyes fixing on me. "Oh! I almost forgot to tell your mom," she said sweetly, tilting her head. "The other day… at the convenience store… Li Wei tried to take the last bag of chips I wanted. I think Mom should know how brave I was."
I froze, my grin fading. "Wait… you just—"
Mom's eyes narrowed immediately. "Li Wei! Is this true?"
I opened my mouth, but no sound came out.
Lin Yue continued innocently, "He grabbed it first, and then I tried to get the backup bag… and we… collided." She gave me a pointed look.
"I was very close to getting it. He's lucky I didn't start crying right there."
Mom gasped, placing a hand on her chest. "Li Wei! You… you acted like that in front of a young lady? Fighting over chips?!"
I scratched the back of my neck, sheepishly. "Uh… well… technically, it was first-come, first-served?"
Lin Yue hid a tiny smile behind her hand. "Yes, technically. But I think he needs… supervision."
Mom gave me a sharp look, wagging her finger. "Supervision indeed! Li Wei, you will behave while she's living here! Do you hear me?"
"Yes… Ma'am," I muttered, trying to hide my grin. She set me up perfectly… clever little devil.
Lin Yue smirked, clearly pleased with herself. "See? She already thinks you're mischievous."
I groaned internally, shaking my head. This is going to be fun.
By the time evening rolled around, the smell of curry filled the apartment — warm, spicy, and comforting. Mom's cooking always had that power: even when the day felt weird, dinner made it feel like home again.
We all sat around the small dining table — Mom, Li Na, Lin Yue, and me.At first, everything was calm. Too calm.
Then Mom opened the lid of the main dish. "Tonight, we're having chicken curry," she said proudly.
I grinned. "Yes! My favorite."
At the exact same time, Lin Yue's eyes lit up. "Oh! My favorite too!"
Our gazes met over the steaming pot.Uh oh.
Mom smiled, pleased. "Good! You two already have something in common."
But it didn't take long before the peace treaty broke.
"Hey, I called dibs on the drumstick," I said, reaching forward.
Lin Yue's chopsticks shot out like lightning. "No way! That one's mine — I saw it first!"
"You saw it? I claimed it!" I said, blocking her chopsticks with mine like a fencing match.
Mom gasped. "Li Wei! Don't play with your food!"
"She started it!" I said defensively.
Lin Yue crossed her arms. "You're impossible!"
Mom's glare snapped toward me. "Li Wei, stop bullying her! Give her the drumstick."
"What?! Why me?"
"Because I said so."
Lin Yue grinned triumphantly and took the drumstick. "Thank you, Auntie. You truly understand justice."
Li Na almost fell off her chair laughing. "Wow, big brother defeated again!"
I slumped back, glaring at both of them. "Traitors. All of you."
Dinner continued with quiet giggles and me silently plotting revenge.
Afterward, Mom went to wash the dishes, and the rest of us drifted toward our rooms. The apartment finally settled into that soft nighttime calm.
Around half an hour later, I got up for water. The hall was dim, lit only by the blue glow of Li Na's phone from her half-open door.
Then I heard it — my sister's voice.
"He once tried to cook instant noodles without water," she said between bursts of laughter.
Lin Yue's voice followed, amused. "No way!"
"Oh, it gets worse," Li Na said gleefully. "He also cried when he lost his favorite toy car. Wanna see something even funnier?"
I froze.Oh no.
There was a shuffle of drawers, and then Li Na giggled again. "Here. Look at this photo!"
I peeked through the gap — my sister was holding up an old baby photo. Me. Two years old. Smiling proudly at the camera. With zero clothes on.
Lin Yue covered her mouth to hide her laugh. "Oh my god… is that—?"
That was it. I kicked open the door.
"LI NA!"