As someone in sequence 001, I also want to give up today.

Li Xian stared at the blinking cursor on the computer screen, having not typed a single word for a full seventeen minutes.

The document's title is quite impressive—"Urban Superpowers: The Unemployed God".

But the content section only contained one line: "Chapter 1: I don't want to work hard today either."

The twelve different fonts of "let's give up" that followed perfectly reflected his mental state at that moment.

My phone vibrated next to me.

He glanced sideways at the message from his editor urging him to finish his manuscript: "Xian Da, when can we read the beginning of the new book? Everyone in the reader group is asking about it [poor thing]".

Li Xian turned off his phone screen with a fluid motion, as if he had rehearsed it a thousand times.

Urging me to submit a draft? Not a chance.

A true master of procrastination can even make procrastination seem justifiable.

He was just getting ready to find a more comfortable position when the door was suddenly pushed open with a bang.

"elder brother!"

Li Yu swept in like a small whirlwind, already dressed in an exquisite outfit for going out.

She wore a light pink sweater with a beige skirt, her hair was carefully styled into a gentle half-down style, and she wore light makeup.

She was waving a note in her hand, and her steps were so light that Li Xian suspected she had secretly drunk the family's coffee stock.

"Urgent mission!"

Li Yu slapped the note onto Li Xian's computer screen, covering the line "I don't want to work hard today either."

"Could you run errands for me at the shopping street?"

Li Xian slowly turned his chair around.

His eyes were filled with the philosophical question, "Do I look like a moving person to you?"

"Xiaoyu, your brother is currently engaged in a deep struggle with artistic inspiration. Leaving this chair now would be tantamount to killing a great work that could potentially change the world..."

Your document is empty.

Li Yu exposed her without any mercy.

"...Emptiness is also a kind of artistic conception."

"Come on!"

Li Yu pointed to the note.

"Look carefully—'Old Chen's' osmanthus cake, fresh out of the oven; 'Book Fragrance Pavilion' the latest issue of 'Literary Monthly'; and 'Convenience Pharmacy' vitamin C effervescent tablets. All on the commercial street, one-stop service!"

Li Xian glanced at the note.

I glanced again at my sister's outfit, which was clearly for a date:

"Are you going to meet the head of state? You're dressed so formally."

Li Yu's cheeks flushed slightly, but she quickly straightened her back:

"A girls' gathering! It's very important! We agreed to take beautiful photos and post them on WeChat Moments!"

"So you made your only brother run all over the shopping street for you in the cold autumn wind?"

Li Xian sighed, a long sigh that seemed to be pulled from the depths of his soul.

"Xiaoyu, have you ever thought that your brother might be a hidden gem, a literary star buried by life? And what you're doing now is forcing this star to leave its sacred throne of creation and do... errand work."

"I've thought about it." Li Yu nodded, her ponytail swaying with the movement.

"But Mingzhu needs to eat, and Wenquxing needs to pay rent. Hurry up and be back! I have an appointment at 2:30, and it's already 2:10. I need to get going!"

As she spoke, she pulled three bills from her wallet and stuffed them into Li Xian's hoodie pocket: "That's enough money. The rest is for you as a running fee! I'll make you sweet and sour pork ribs tonight!"

Sweet and sour pork ribs. Li Xian's stomach rumbled involuntarily.

"Wait a minute," he seized on the key point, "Your date is at 2:30, and you're leaving at 2:10, yet you expect me to 'hurry back'? Where's the logic in that?"

"I can take the subway directly there in just fifteen minutes!" Li Yu had already slung her bag over her shoulder and rushed towards the door.

"Take your time browsing, you have nothing else to do! Remember, the osmanthus cake has to be hot, the latest issue of *Literary Monthly* is needed, and the effervescent tablets have to be orange flavored! I'm off!"

With a "bang," the door slammed shut.

Li Xian sat in the computer chair for three seconds, listening to the hurried footsteps outside the door recede into the distance, eventually disappearing in the direction of the elevator.

He slowly picked up the note, glanced at the blank document on the computer screen, and then touched the three banknotes in his pocket that still carried the warmth of his sister's body.

"...How much was the errand fee again?" he muttered to himself.

Five minutes later, Li Xian resignedly put on the faded gray hooded sweatshirt.

I put on black sweatpants and casually ran my fingers through my hair.

It's chaotic, but there's order within the chaos; he calls it "lazy style."

He slipped on his canvas shoes, which he had worn for three years and whose soles were almost completely worn down, locked the door, and stepped into the corridor.

The elevator slowly descended.

He grinned at the gleaming walls of the sedan chair.

The figures reflected inside all seemed to have the words "forced to work" written all over their faces.

The commercial street in late autumn is filled with the sweet aroma of roasted chestnuts and roasted sweet potatoes.

The sunlight slanted down, bathing the street in a warm golden hue.

With his hands in his pockets, Li Xian moved toward the shopping street in "energy-saving mode".

Take short strides and low frequency, aiming to complete the movement with the fewest calories possible.

His plan was clear:

First, go to the furthest shop, "Lao Chen Ji," to buy osmanthus cake, then turn back to "Shu Xiang Ge" to buy magazines, and finally buy effervescent tablets at the "Convenience Pharmacy" at the street corner.

The entire journey is estimated to take 45 minutes, and with the round trip walking, I should be able to get home within an hour and a half.

It just so happens to coincide with the evening anime update.

perfect.

"Lao Chen Ji" is located in the middle of the commercial street. The storefront is not large, but there are quite a few people queuing up.

Li Xian waited in line for ten minutes before he could buy a box of hot osmanthus cake.

The freshly baked pastries emitted a sweet and glutinous aroma. He looked down and saw that he hadn't made a mistake; they were the kind his sister wanted, sprinkled with golden osmanthus flowers.

Carrying the pastries, he slowly walked back.

As he passed by the "Old Times" café, he habitually glanced at the huge floor-to-ceiling window.

Then he stopped walking.

In the second seat by the window, the light pink figure he knew all too well was resting her chin on her hand, smiling broadly at the person opposite her.

Li Yu.

His sister, who should have been at the "girls' party," was sitting in a coffee shop.

And look at the condition of the two drinks on the table—the latte art is still intact.

The mocha's cream topping hadn't collapsed—they must have just sat down, at most ten minutes.

Li Xian's brain quickly calculated the timeline: his sister left at 2:10, took the subway for 15 minutes, and arrived near the shopping street at 2:25. It would take five minutes to walk to the coffee shop, and she would arrive at their appointment promptly at 2:30.

He left home around 2:15 PM, and it takes him 20 minutes to walk to the commercial street. He then queued for 10 minutes to buy osmanthus cake, so it's now about 2:45 PM.

The timing is right.

But the characters don't match.

Because the person sitting opposite Li Yu was not a member of any "girls' gathering".

Instead, it was a figure that Li Xian knew so well he could recognize it with his eyes closed—a light blue shirt, sleeves rolled up to his forearms, and the back of his head that he had looked at for twenty years.

Chen Zhe.

His best friend, whom he's known since childhood, has been inseparable from.

The brothers who were playing games and trash-talking each other last week.

At this moment, she was looking at his sister with a gentle gaze that Li Xian had never seen before.

He reached out and gently tucked a stray strand of hair behind Li Yu's ear.

The movements were natural and intimate; his fingertips even brushed against Li Yu's cheek almost imperceptibly.

Li Yu's face turned red at a visible speed.

Li Xian stood there, the warm osmanthus cake in his hand suddenly becoming a little hot.

The hustle and bustle of the commercial street—the music from the shops, the laughter of children, the shouts of vendors—faded into background white noise in that instant.

His brain was trying to load a reasonable explanation:

Scene A: Chance Encounter.

No, Chen Zhe's eyes, his actions, and the atmosphere were definitely not what "Hi Xiaoyu, what a coincidence" should be like.

Scenario B: Helping.

What favor do I need to do that makes me blush to the roots of my neck?

Scenario C: A casual gathering of ordinary friends.

...Who would choose a window seat in a coffee shop for a casual get-together, and dress up like they're going to film an idol drama?

If you eliminate all the impossible options, then no matter how outrageous the remaining options are, they are still the truth.

The best brother and the only sister are dating.

While he was forced to run errands for osmanthus cake, magazines, and effervescent tablets, and while he thought his sister was really going to a "girls' party".

A complex mix of emotions welled up inside me—three parts shock, three parts absurdity of "my cabbage being eaten by my own pig," and four parts... the subtle annoyance of being kept in the dark.

He knew Chen Zhe; he was a good person with good character and abilities.

But shouldn't this kind of thing be discussed with him, who is both the older brother and the man's best friend of twenty years?

Just then, Li Yu, who was inside the French windows, seemed to sense something.

Her gaze shifted from Chen Zhe's face and unconsciously drifted towards the window.

Then, the frame freezes.

The blush on her face vanished completely in an instant.

His eyes were wide open, his mouth was slightly agape, and he was frozen in place, as if the pause button had been pressed.

Chen Zhe was startled by her sudden reaction and turned his head in the direction of her gaze.

Eyes facing each other.

The gentle smile on Chen Zhe's face froze instantly.

Then, like a shattered mirror, it breaks apart and reforms.

In the end, it turned into an expression that mixed shock, embarrassment, guilt, and "I'm doomed, I'm going to be questioned."

The complexity of that expression made Li Xian almost want to take out his phone and capture it as a bargaining chip for future negotiations.

The wind chimes rang.

Li Xian pushed open the heavy wooden door of "Old Times".

The aroma of coffee, jazz music, and warm air enveloped him.

He carried the box of still-steaming osmanthus cakes and walked towards the table, his steps so steady that even he was surprised.

"Yo."

He stopped at the table, his voice flat.

"What a coincidence."

"elder brother?!"

Li Yu finally regained her voice, but it sounded dry and lifeless.

"W-What are you doing here?"

"Buy osmanthus cake."

Li Xian shook the cardboard box in his hand.

"Old Chen's, fresh out of the oven. The kind you wanted, sprinkled with golden osmanthus flowers."

He specifically emphasized the words "what you want".

Li Yu choked, her eyes darting around:

"Our girls' gathering has changed... changed location..."

"Changed to this location?"

Li Xian raised an eyebrow and glanced at Chen Zhe.

"When did Ah Zhe change his gender?"

Chen Zhe had quickly adjusted his state of mind—at least on the surface.

He coughed lightly, forced a smile, and stood up:

"Brother Xian! What a coincidence! I was meeting a client nearby, and since I ran into Xiaoyu, we sat down together!"

"Sit down."

Li Xian repeated, his gaze falling on the two almost untouched drinks between them.

"Zhe was meeting a client wearing a casual shirt, without a briefcase, and ordered a mocha with a cream topping?"

Chen Zhe's smile froze on his face.

Li Xian pulled out an empty chair next to him, sat down, and placed the osmanthus cake on the table.

The waiter came over, and he ordered the cheapest Americano.

The atmosphere was so quiet that the only sound was the jazz piano music flowing from the café.

Finally, Chen Zhe took a deep breath, as if he had made up his mind.

He sat down again, but this time his back was ramrod straight:

"Brother Xian, this is... my fault."

Li Yu kicked him under the table.

But Chen Zhe instead grasped her hand, looking directly at Li Xian: "Xiao Yu and I... we've been together for a while now."

Li Xian didn't speak, he just looked at their clasped hands.

Chen Zhe's hands were very large, almost able to completely envelop Li Yu's hands.

Li Yu, though still blushing, gently squeezed back her fingers.

"How long has it been?"

Li Xian asked, his voice calm.

"...three months."

Li Yu answered softly, not daring to look him in the eye.

"Three months."

Li Xian repeated himself, picked up the Americano that the waiter had just brought, and blew on it to cool it down.

"So last month you said you had an all-night club activity, but you were actually with Ah Zhe? And last week, you said you went to the library to write your paper, was that also with him?"

Li Yu lowered her head, tacitly agreeing.

"Sure."

Li Xian twitched the corner of his mouth.

"You kept it a secret pretty well. Last week, when A-Zhe came over to play games, you two were able to act like nothing was wrong. One of you called him 'Brother Chen Zhe,' and the other called him 'Little Yu Sister.' Your acting skills were pretty good."

Chen Zheqian laughed:

"That's because... I was afraid you wouldn't be able to accept it right away."

"Afraid I'll object?"

Neither of them answered immediately this time.

Silence spread through the gaps in the jazz music.

Li Xian took a sip of his Americano.

Suffering, pure and frank suffering.

He put down the cup, the ceramic making a soft sound as it collided with the wooden tabletop.

"I look like," he asked slowly.

"Is he like the kind of feudal patriarch who would chase after a pig that has rooted up his own cabbage with a broom?"

Chen Zhe nodded subconsciously, then abruptly shook his head halfway through.

"No way! Brother Xian, you're so open-minded! Especially open-minded!"

Li Yu chuckled, then covered her mouth, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Li Xian.

Stop flattering me.

Li Xian leaned back in his chair, his gaze sweeping across their faces.

"Ah Zhe, I just want to ask you one question."

"Please ask!"

Chen Zhe sat up straight.

"Seriously?"

"More real than real gold!"

Chen Zhe did not hesitate at all, and even raised three fingers.

"I swear, I'm serious about Xiaoyu. Brother Xian, we've known each other for twenty years, you know what kind of person I am."

Li Xian certainly knew.

He looked at Li Yu: "What about you? Have you thought it through? This guy snores when he sleeps, likes to sing when he's drunk, and smashes his keyboard when he loses a game. He has a whole host of problems."

"elder brother!"

Chen Zhe protested.

Li Yu smiled, a gentle and bright smile: "I've thought it through. And..."

She paused, her voice soft but clear.

"When he snores, I'll kick him awake; when he sings terribly, I'll cover his mouth; when he smashes the keyboard, I'll make him kneel down and spell it back out."

Chen Zhe turned his head to look at her, his eyes softening terribly.

As Li Xian watched this scene, the complex emotions in his heart suddenly dissipated.

The empty space seemed to be filled with something, and it was warm and cozy.

"A daughter is like a bird that flies away from home once she grows up!"

He stood up, his movements so swift that they both paused in surprise.

"elder brother?"

Li Yu looked up at him.

"I haven't bought the 'Literary Monthly' yet, and I haven't picked up the effervescent tablets either."

Li Xian picked up the box of osmanthus cakes and then downed the Americano he hadn't drunk yet.

"You two continue. Oh, by the way,"

He walked to the counter and said to the shopkeeper.

"This table is on Mr. Chen's tab."

Chen Zhe immediately pulled out his wallet: "Absolutely! Boss, pack another cheesecake for my brother Xian!"

Sweet and sour pork ribs for dinner.

Li Xian walked to the door, turned around, and seemed to smirk slightly at the corner of his mouth under the brim of his hat.

"Make more. We need a pig in the house that can eat and sleep well."

The wind chimes tinkled, and the door opened and closed again.

Li Yu froze for a few seconds, then suddenly covered her face, her shoulders trembling slightly.

Chen Zhe nervously leaned closer: "Xiaoyu? What's wrong? Is Brother Xian still angry...?"

"no."

Li Yu looked up, her eyes a little red.

But her smile was as radiant as a blooming sunflower.

"He agreed. He really agreed!"

Chen Zhe paused for a moment, then laughed.

That smile was both silly and bright.

He held Li Yu's hand, their fingers intertwined.

Outside the window, Li Xian, carrying osmanthus cakes, slowly walked towards the "Shuxiang Pavilion".

The late autumn sun shone on him, making his old sweatshirt feel warm and cozy.

He looked down at the pastry in his hand and then remembered the two hands that had been clasped together just now.

My sister has grown up, and my brother has found happiness.

Although keeping it from him for three months made him lose face a little.

But... considering the sweet and sour pork ribs, and the possibility that someone will treat us to meals in the future, I'll let it go.

That's life.

You thought today would be just another ordinary errand run, but it just had to give you a little surprise (or shock).

Fortunately, this was a pleasant surprise; the taste seemed quite good.

He felt the remaining errand fee in his pocket and decided to buy himself a magazine—the latest issue of "Science Fiction World," since someone would reimburse him anyway.

As for that box of osmanthus cake?

Hmm, it's still warm. Perfect for afternoon tea when I get home.

Li Xian yawned, his pace remaining unhurried.

The flow of people on the commercial street passed by him; the sun was warm, and the autumn breeze was cool.

Everything seemed normal, yet something seemed different.