They are still close to me today despite their negative feelings

"...I will keep that in mind and buy a metal bed."

I feel like there's something odd about the conversation. Is it just my imagination?

Wiping away cold sweat, I saw Ning Ruoxin nod and sit down on the sofa.

"So did you eat on the way here? If not, there's a nice family restaurant nearby, would you like to try it?"

"That's such a waste of money. But speaking of which..."

Ning Ruoxin looked up at me, her expression somewhat shy.

"...I always thought my brother was lying, so I didn't believe him. If it were possible, could I...could I eat a meal cooked by my brother?"

This adorable request made me instantly recall every recipe I knew.

Calm down. I aspire to be a good older brother; I can't spoil him, and I certainly can't cause incest.

"Is it okay if we only have enough ingredients in the fridge to make some simple home-cooked meals?"

"Okay!! As long as it's made by you, brother!"

Don't have too high expectations.

……

"……Amazing."

Ning Ruoxin's eyes widened as she stuffed the scrambled eggs with tomatoes I made into her mouth.

"This simple meal is nothing to offer. Although I know you really want to encourage me, don't overdo it."

I picked up a piece with my chopsticks, and it tasted just like usual.

"No, no, no, I'm not just flattering you. This egg is not only completely coated in tomato juice, but it's also even more tender and smooth than Mom's recipe. How did you make it?"

Ning Ruoxin looked at me with an incredulous expression. "Is it really that exaggerated?"

"Brother, what you made doesn't taste like home at all."

"I was quite saddened by those words."

"No, no, what I mean is, brother, you did a great job! But why did it turn out like this? Didn't you ask Mom for help?"

"Ah, I'm self-taught. If you're talking about the egg coating and the smoothness, I first sauté the tomatoes to extract enough juice, then add a small spoonful of cornstarch water."

"Cornstarch water, ah, I see... And what about the fried pork tenderloin?"

"Fry it twice. The first time, it's cooked to about 60% done, then it's taken out of the pan to set its shape, and then it's fried again." I picked up a piece of greens. "The rest is mainly marinated with scallions, ginger, and garlic to make it flavorful, but I'm a slow peeler, so it took me quite a bit of effort."

Dishes like scrambled eggs with tomatoes, stir-fried shredded potatoes with vinegar, and stewed sausage are all quite time-saving and labor-saving. However, frying pork tenderloin is not only time-consuming but also uses a lot of oil. I have never made it in my life. I can only say that I am lucky that I did not make a mistake.

"...Back then, brother, you were always accommodating me, weren't you?"

She was cheerful just a moment ago, but after I shared some tips, Ning Ruoxin seemed quite disappointed.

"Back then, I was just arrogant and willful... No, I should say that I was always willful and arrogant towards you, brother?"

"How could that be? I only just learned these things, well, starting in May of this year."

I quickly denied it.

"And honestly, if it were me, I wouldn't cook these dishes. At most, I'd just fry an egg and add some minced meat. It's because you're here that I want to try making these things."

"After all, I also want to act like an older brother to some extent..."

As I said this, I ate two mouthfuls of rice.

Ning Ruoxin's cheeks flushed red, "...He's already the best older brother."

"Ok?"

I pretended not to hear.

"No, it's nothing. I will definitely finish all of these dishes!" Ning Ruoxin straightened her back, her gaze towards the dining table not as if she were facing the food, but as if she were facing a glorious and great mission.

"No, no, no, don't force yourself! Really! Don't force yourself!!"

I cooked five dishes! Not everyone is like An Yu!

"...Also, Ms. Ning Ruoxin, I saw the shopping link on your phone screen."

Ning Ruoxin quickly turned off her phone screen, then looked at me guiltily.

"I...I...we're about to take our high school entrance exams, and my desk in the room feels a bit shaky when I'm doing my homework. Buying a wrench seems reasonable, right?"

...Tomorrow I'll go to the furniture store. Even though my living expenses are hanging by a thread, I really can't skimp on money for a single metal bed.

My sister is great in every way, except she always seems to want to take my bed apart.

[Next chapter preview: "Cavon, Caven, Caven, it's really too painful."]

Writing novels is a troublesome and hopeless endeavor.

“…I love it the most.”

This nickname sounds so unlucky!

Chapter 54: Literature, Music, and Cats

"This is so painful, I have absolutely no ideas, I can't write anymore!"

I glanced at An Yu, who was staring blankly at his laptop.

"........."

clap clap clap!

She slapped her cheek hard.

"........."

Then I fell into a daze again.

Is it really that painful?

I couldn't help but interject.

"Cavan, Caven, Caven, it's really too painful."

An Yu looked at me with lifeless eyes.

"Even though I had already conceived the subsequent developments in my mind when I was writing the outline, I suddenly don't know how to describe the next step. The characters become unfamiliar and the events become chaotic. It's like having a fishbone stuck in your throat when you're eating fish. You feel painful and want to cry, but you don't know how to pull it out. It's really frustrating..."

"Besides, I've already rehearsed all the iconic scenes in my mind, so why should I write them down? I've already seen the most exciting parts and plots myself! I can't write them down anymore, and I don't want to!! Anyway, writing them down is just for my own amusement, and that's enough for me!!"

I stared coldly at this incessantly chattering guy.

Absolutely not. This guy is beyond redemption, both from the reader's and the author's perspective.

Ning Ruoyu's first book review: "Although I haven't read the book yet, I have to make a couple of personal attacks on the author first."

"...Are you thinking something inappropriate?"

"No, I was thinking about how to express your excellence in words," I replied.

"Didn't you already write quite a bit? Why does it feel like you're rewriting it now?"

"After reading Ping Qiuyue's early works these past few days, I think it's better to start with a light-hearted style. Urban suspense romance seems too difficult."

An Yu pointed to his notebook, "Look, for example, I wrote here that the villain tricked the pregnant woman into wrapping the umbilical cord around the baby's neck, intending to suffocate the baby and then frame the protagonist."

"...What villain? Is he Sun Wukong? He crawled in and tied it up himself?" I exclaimed in shock. "Are you sure you're writing an urban suspense story and not urban science fiction?!"

"That's not the point! The point is that I clearly saw a similar scene in the movie 'The Butterfly Effect,' but after discussing it with the president, she told me that babies get their nutrition and oxygen from the umbilical cord. So my setup was wrong from the start."

An Yu looked very annoyed. "If this happens, my whole project will fall apart. I even have to rewrite the romantic history between the male and female leads. It's so troublesome."

Writing novels is a troublesome and hopeless endeavor.

"Look on the bright side, even if you write it like this, as long as no one reads the novel, no one will notice this flaw, right?" I encouraged.

"I'm not giving you any shrimp chips."

An Yu moved the snacks away unhappily, then nudged my arm with a look of disgust.

"How annoying, I need to seriously think about the outline, you go away."

I glanced at Qiu Luxi sitting across from me.

As our eyes met, she cautiously shrank back onto the sofa, covering the lower half of her face with her tablet, leaving only her eyes visible, like a kitten, almost as if she were about to hiss warily.

"...I think I'll go out for a walk."

Having watched "Tonight" for quite some time now, I stretched and prepared to go to the corridor to look out at the playground, stretch my muscles and relax my eyes.

The moment I opened the door, my eyes met those of the purple-haired girl standing in the doorway.

"...?"

My image was reflected in the girl's blushing eyes.

"Senior, senior?"

I was also surprised by this visitor.

"...!"

She looked around, seemingly unsure how to handle the situation.

"Have you been waiting at the door the whole time? Are you looking for Senior Wu Yuehua? She's working in the student council today, so she might not be back until later."

"I came... to find you..."

This statement made me even more confused.

"Find me?"

Since the clubs have all disbanded, is there any need for me and Senior Chu Guyin to meet again?

"During summer vacation...you said...you would learn guitar..."

"Ah, well, actually..." I gave a somewhat helpless smile. I said at the time that I was only learning guitar to repay my senior for arranging hospital visits for us during that time. Now, I personally don't really have any obsession with whether or not I learn guitar.

If I'm going to repay someone, let's find another way. After all, not owing favors is an important principle in my conduct.

"Guitar requires...basic practice...I have...a few...textbooks here."

Senior Chu Guyin lowered her head, took out a stack of books wrapped in thick paper from her bag, and handed them to me.

"...Actually, it's not necessary, is it? I can watch videos online by myself, and how should I put it, I don't think I have any talent for music."

I really don't want to cause trouble for myself.

"Music is...very enjoyable..."

"It would be so nice to be able to... enjoy it..."

For once, my senior student forcefully shoved the book into my hands.

Even if you don't learn it! ...At least...I'll give it to you...

As she spoke, the senior seemed to be trying to force a smile. But in the twilight, her expressionless face offered no room for such a sentiment.

As if she had given up on smiling, and as if she had put down her burden, she waved to me and turned to walk to the right of the corridor.

"Senior."

I called out to her, and Chu Guyin trembled slightly. She didn't turn around, but she stopped walking.

"I'll only ask this question once. Senior, what are your thoughts on summer club activities?"

"........."

It was as if time had stood still; the slogans of the sports clubs outside and the songs of the music club in the distance seemed to freeze in that moment, leaving only the ticking of the clock in the corridor.

"……I have no idea."

The senior student said softly, shook her head, and then turned the corner.

I looked at the textbook in my hand and sighed softly.

Meddling in other people's business is really not in my nature.

Judging from the way the senior student just looked, it seemed like she planned to stay at the door until the people inside came out.

Well, let nature take its course.