CHAPTER 35: CHAPTER 35: A PERSON’S BROTHER

When Shi Yang was at the No. 6 Middle School, he was well-liked by the female students due to his handsome appearance and sense of style.

Upon entering the gates of No. 1 High School, amidst a group of nerdy bookworms, Shi Yang, who had shot up to 1.78 meters tall during the summer, with his slim and tall figure and handsome features, immediately caught the attention of many female students.

Bold girls often found excuses to lurk at Shi Yang’s classroom door, harboring fluttering hearts and stealing glances at him.

This day, Shi Yang’s school only had classes for half a day, so he decided to ride his bicycle to No. 6 Elementary School to pick up Zhao Meimei for lunch together.

Qu Chaozong barely got into No. 1 High School, managing to squeeze into Class Two, while Shi Yang was in Class One, meaning the two weren’t in the same class and usually didn’t have the same school hours.

Shi Yang often went to Class Two during breaks to find Qu Chaozong and they agreed that whichever class finished first would wait at the parking lot.

When Shi Yang passed by the door of Class Two after school, he craned his neck to take a look inside. Qu Chaozong was lying on the desk taking notes. Shi Yang quickly glanced and then looked away, completely ignoring the excited gazes from the girls in the class who had unintentionally noticed him.

Shi Yang first went to the parking lot to retrieve his bike, then found Qu Chaozong’s bike and parked next to it.

Shi Yang perched one leg on the pedal and stood the other on the ground, his long, straight legs tucked inside loose school uniform pants. The summer uniform shirt of No. 1 High School was a white short-sleeve shirt; he rolled up the sleeves to his shoulders, styled as a tank top, his lean and strong arm resting on the handlebars, the other shielding his eyes from the blazing sun above. From behind, he looked like a still campus poster—handsome and picturesque.

Qu Chaozong, carrying his backpack and followed by a girl, hurried to the parking lot. From afar, seeing Shi Yang, Qu Chaozong waved eagerly, calling out, "Hey! Shi Yang!"

Shi Yang originally stood out, and with Qu Chaozong’s shout, those who hadn’t noticed him turned to look.

Shi Yang waved back, his gaze slipping from Qu Chaozong’s to the face of the girl trailing him, blurted in surprise, chuckled, and internally cursed, damn this guy!

Qu Chaozong led the girl up to Shi Yang and introduced, "This is my classmate, Peng Rui."

Shi Yang gave Peng Rui a subtle smile before turning to Qu Chaozong, an amused look in his eyes.

Qu Chaozong scratched his head, unusually shy.

Shi Yang waited for Qu Chaozong to fetch his bike; the two then walked side by side towards the school exit. Outside the gates, Qu Chaozong got on his bike and beckoned Peng Rui, "Hop on."

Peng Rui timidly sat sideways, gently holding onto Qu Chaozong’s waist.

Qu Chaozong turned around, out of Peng Rui’s sight, showing an utterly thrilled expression.

Seeing this, Shi Yang nearly burst into laughter.

Qu Chaozong rode with Peng Rui, shoulder to shoulder with Shi Yang, pedaling and finding idle conversation, "Shi Yang, Peng Rui’s also going to No. 6 Elementary School to pick someone up, she’s just along the way with us."

Shi Yang paused and casually asked, "Oh, is that so?"

Peng Rui glanced at Shi Yang, her face flushed as she softly replied, "My younger sister is in third-year, Class One at No. 6 Elementary School."

Shi Yang nodded, saying nothing.

Qu Chaozong jumped in, "Shi Yang’s younger sister is also at No. 6, in second-year, Class One."

Peng Rui gently responded, "They should know each other from the same primary school. My sister is called Peng Hui."

Qu Chaozong laughed, "Shi Yang’s sister is Zhao Meimei."

"Hm?" Peng Rui blinked, seemingly pondering why the siblings had different surnames.

Qu Chaozong happily chatted more, "Meimei isn’t Shi Yang’s biological sister. Their families are neighbors and get along really well."

Peng Rui oh’ed, then saying no more.

All along, Qu Chaozong kept trying to engage in conversation, and Peng Rui patiently responded softly every time.

Once they arrived at No. 6 Elementary School, Peng Rui went to get her sister, while Shi Yang and Qu Chaozong went to pick up Zhao Meimei, agreeing to meet at the school gate afterward for lunch together.

After watching Peng Rui walk away, Qu Chaozong slung an arm around Shi Yang’s shoulders, "So, what do you think?"

Shi Yang grinned, purposely teasing, "What do you mean?"

Qu Chaozong turned to glance at him, laughed, "Damn! You’re messing with me!"

Shi Yang laughed aloud, "So, this is the girl you’ve been secretly crushing on?"

Qu Chaozong chuckled, "What do you think? She’s pretty, right?"

In truth, Peng Rui was barely above ordinary-looking, but she had very fair skin and appeared gentle and sweet, which was quite appealing.

Shi Yang cooperated with the praise, "Not bad, you can more than handle it."

Qu Chaozong was quite pleased, "I hardly managed to strike up a conversation with her. Later, find an opportunity to slip away with Meimei, would you? I want some alone time with her."

Shi Yang laughed, "Seriously! You’re the definition of ’putting romance over friendship,’ aren’t you?"

Qu Chaozong said brazenly, "It’s not easy for a buddy like me, you know. Ever since hanging around you, when has any girl ever given me another look? They all just freeze up with you. Besides, I feel like Peng Rui might be into me too. Just now, along the way, she didn’t seem exceptionally enthusiastic towards you, right?"

Shi Yang honestly hadn’t paid attention to this matter; he was preoccupied with thinking about what to eat when picking up Zhao Meimei soon.

Ever since he started at High School No. 1, the chances to meet Zhao Meimei suddenly became particularly rare.

He knew every good restaurant around Elementary School No. 6, planning to take Zhao Meimei out for a great meal.

Shi Yang heard Qu Chaozong’s words and laughed, "Then she’s definitely overwhelmed by your charm."

Qu Chaozong couldn’t stop grinning, jubilant with happiness.

Zhao Meimei didn’t expect Shi Yang to come pick her up, and dashed out from her class in surprise, like a lit firecracker, headlong into Shi Yang’s arms.

"Brother Yangyang!" Zhao Meimei called out with a smile.

Shi Yang spun her around, "We have a half day at school. I’ll take you out for lunch."

Zhao Meimei was overjoyed, glued to Shi Yang for a while before remembering to greet Qu Chaozong, "Hi Brother Chao."

Qu Chaozong was smiling the whole time and lit up even more upon hearing Zhao Meimei’s words, "Yeah, just call me Brother Chao from now on, don’t call me Big Brother Chao; it sounds awkward."

Shi Yang casually took Zhao Meimei’s backpack and led her, along with Qu Chaozong, out of the school gates.

Peng Rui had already picked up her sister, and the two were stretching their necks at the main entrance, waving when they saw them.

As they approached, Peng Rui introduced, "This is my sister, Peng Hui." After speaking, she introduced everyone to Peng Hui, "These are my classmates, Qu Chaozong and Shi Yang."

Peng Hui’s personality was opposite to her sister’s. The little girl was quite cheerful, greeting them with a smile, "Hello, Brother Chaozong, hello, Brother Shi Yang."

Shi Yang held Zhao Meimei, "This is my sister, Zhao Meimei."

Peng Hui smiled at Zhao Meimei, "I know you. You’re from Class One, Second Grade, right?"

Zhao Meimei tilted her head, her gaze darting out from under her thick lashes, assessing the Peng Hui in front of her, stirring unease within her. Shi Yang is her brother, and only she can call him that. Now, hearing Peng Hui calling Shi Yang ’Brother,’ she suddenly found it especially irritating, and couldn’t get used to it.

At the time, Zhao Meimei gave Peng Hui a faint smile—barely passing as a smile—and turned to Shi Yang, calling out, "Brother?"

Shi Yang was busy discussing food options with Qu Chaozong and Peng Rui when he heard her call, reflexively responding, "Hmm?"

He waited awhile, but Zhao Meimei didn’t continue speaking, so he shrugged it off and resumed discussing dining plans.

Zhao Meimei called once more, "Brother?"

Shi Yang immediately turned and responded, "Yeah?"

Zhao Meimei’s beady eyes blinked, paused for a moment, and called, "Brother Yangyang."

Though Shi Yang felt this was inexplicable, he still playfully answered, "What?"

Zhao Meimei chuckled foolishly, appearing goofy.

Shi Yang was speechless and asked her, "Why do you keep calling me? Is this amusing, like summoning a spirit?"

Zhao Meimei clasped Shi Yang’s hand, her chubby fingers sprawling out, interlocking with Shi Yang’s fingers, their hands coming together finger by finger.

Zhao Meimei stealthily peeked at Peng Hui, easing her discomfort just a bit.

Shi Yang is her brother, and she likes Shi Yang. She hates anyone else calling Shi Yang ’Brother’; she was particularly irked by Peng Hui’s earlier use of ’Brother.’

Since that day, Zhao Meimei began unconsciously observing Shi Yang, watching if he was just as good with anyone other than her, if anyone might steal Shi Yang’s attention while she wasn’t noticing.

At this moment, deep down, she subtly felt an inexplicable and uncontrollable sense of pettiness. She liked Shi Yang taking care of her, and disliked seeing Shi Yang give others special attention. While she appeared carefree on the surface, she had an extremely sensitive and keen sense for things and people she cared about.

Regarding her Brother Yangyang, Zhao Meimei unknowingly developed some sort of possessive exclusive mentality in an emotional state not yet fully matured.