The younger sister pretends to be hypnotized, and her older brother gets addicted.

Upon hearing that she could try a popsicle, Ruan Yang, fearing that Jiang Yanci might change his mind, quickly lowered her head and took a bite.

The cool, apple-flavored sensation melts on the tip of the tongue, awakening the tingling sensation as sweetness spreads through the taste buds.

good to eat!

"Don't bite." Jiang Yanci frowned. You can't eat cold food during your period.

Ruan Yang pretended not to hear, her eyelashes fluttering slightly, her lips glistening with a bit of melted water.

She only eats a small bite, so her stomach won't hurt.

Taking advantage of Jiang Yanci's momentary lapse in attention, she stole another bite. It was icy and sweet, with the aroma of apples filling her mouth.

Jiang Yanci frowned even more deeply. "Spit it out."

Ruan Yang shook her head vaguely: "...Just a little bit."

Because it was so cold, the tip of her tongue curled up slightly when she spoke.

Jiang Yanci could clearly see the small piece of ice on her tongue, the melting water glistening on her lips, making them a moist, shimmering red, like a cherry that had been thoroughly moistened.

"Should I vomit or not?"

"...We can't waste it," Ruan Yang said confidently.

"Okay." Jiang Yanci chuckled, but there was no real smile in his eyes. "You said it."

He raised his hand, his long fingers cupping her dimples, his thumb resting on her chin, and leaned down to kiss her.

Ruan Yang's eyes widened in surprise.

A hot tongue suddenly slid into the cold mouth, hooking onto the melting ice.

The ice melted between our lips and teeth, and the sweet aroma of apples mingled with each other's scents.

Her ears were burning hot, and she sobbed softly, "I...I won't eat anymore...I'll throw it up."

Jiang Yanci said in a low, gentle voice, "Baby, we can't waste it."

……

At that time, on the second floor.

Jiang Zhuo pushed open the door to Ruan Yang's bedroom.

He walked straight to the desk and pulled open the bottom drawer.

The palm-sized pink notebook lay quietly inside, its leather cover covered with a thin layer of dust, the beaded chain hanging on one side already somewhat faded, and the edges slightly yellowed.

Jiang Zhuo still remembers that Ruan Yang used to take it with her wherever she went, as if she were carrying some kind of treasure.

He curiously leaned closer to take a look.

She covered it up, exclaiming, "You can't look!"

He scoffed, "Tch, I wouldn't even bother looking."

Now that the treasure was lying in his palm, he felt his breathing become a little tight.

The dusty cover made his heart sink, as if he saw himself in it.

She once cherished it dearly, but now it has been forgotten along with this journal.

He turned to the first page, and the neat handwriting came into view.

November 30st

Today at the sports meet, I accidentally fell down. Jiang Zhuo carried me to the infirmary, just like something out of a campus idol drama. My heart was pounding so fast, oh no!

Jiang Zhuo's lips curved into a smile.

So it turns out Ruan Yang had liked him for a long time.

He continued flipping through the pages.

November 6st

Hmph! Jiang Zhuo went out to play with his friends and asked me to do his homework for him. My brother caught Jiang Zhuo and brought him back. My brother is so nice!

November 12st

Jiang Zhuo thought I was stupid and wouldn't explain the problems to me. My brother came home for vacation and explained the probability problems to me, even more clearly than the teacher. My brother is amazing!

November 30st

Oh no! I can't finish my summer homework! Luckily, my brother helped me catch up. He's so kind!

……

Jiang Zhuo's smile gradually faded.

Why did Ruan Yang mention Jiang Yanci more often in his journal than he mentioned himself?

He flipped to the section after the college entrance examination.

November 12st

The college entrance exam is finally over! I want to watch a horror movie, but Jiang Zhuo keeps scaring me. My brother is more reliable; watching a horror movie in his arms makes me feel so safe! But remember! You can't eat in my brother's bed! You'll be kicked out of bed!

November 12st

Happy birthday! You're 18 now! I asked Jiang Zhuo to be my boyfriend, and he said yes! I'm so happy!

November 20st

My brother went abroad to develop the European market and won't be back for four or five years. But I've already started to miss him…

one year later.

November 12st

My 19th birthday was unhappy. Jiang Zhuo left me alone in a haunted house, and he even imitated how scared I was. If only my brother were here, he could help me beat up Jiang Zhuo... Today is my birthday, why didn't my brother come back to see me? Does he not want me anymore?

November 30st

Jiang Zhuo faked his death to deceive me. I don't want to like him anymore.

November 3st

My brother is back! Even though being sick is awful, seeing him makes me so happy. I wish I could stay sick forever, then he wouldn't leave.

……

Jiang Zhuo's heart sank inch by inch.

He had no idea that Ruan Yang was so dependent on his elder brother.

She was so afraid of pain and so delicate, yet she was willing to stay sick in order to keep her older brother by her side.

His knuckles turned white as he gripped the notebook, and he no longer had the courage to turn the pages.

He didn't know if he was afraid of seeing more details of Ruan Yang's dependence on her older brother, or afraid of seeing how he was gradually wearing down her feelings for him.

But he eventually turned to the last page.

November 31st

I'm celebrating New Year's Eve in Australia today, and I don't want to come back.

When we played games, Jiang Zhuo would rather drink a penalty shot than kiss me. Girls who liked him mocked me, saying I was taking advantage of his kindness and that Jiang Zhuo didn't love me at all.

His brothers said that Jiang Zhuo and the class beauty kissed during self-study class, making so much noise that even the students in the front rows could hear it. They also said that he and the school beauty did it in the equipment room...

I'm so tired. I don't want to like Jiang Zhuo anymore.

……

Jiang Zhuo's pupils suddenly contracted.

No! He has never kissed anyone. It must be Zhou Shiji and his group trying to steal him away by spreading rumors!

He gripped the notebook tightly, his mind buzzing, with only one thought in his mind: he had to go find Ruan Yang and explain things clearly.

He even forgot about Ruan Yang's "amnesia" and rushed out of the room clutching his notebook.

As he went downstairs, he casually grabbed a maid and asked, "Have you seen Ruan Yang?"

"...It seems to be in the kitchen."

Jiang Zhu strode towards the kitchen. Through the frosted glass door, he could hear intermittent conversations coming from inside, muffled and ambiguous.

"Baby, do you want me to lick you?"

"Don't bite."

"Spit it out."

"I...I'm not eating anymore..."

"Baby, we can't waste it."

Jiang Zhuo clenched the notebook tightly, his knuckles almost digging into the pages.

What is the eldest brother doing to Ruan Yang?

He could no longer suppress his surging anger, pushed open the door, grabbed Jiang Yanci by the collar, and punched him.

Jiang Yanci reacted quickly, turning his head to avoid it.

The fist grazed past his ear and slammed heavily onto the cupboard.

The bowls and plates that were draining on the shelf shattered with a crash, shards of porcelain flying everywhere.

Jiang Yanci's first reaction was to step aside and shield Ruan Yang behind him, asking, "Are you alright?"

Ruan Yang shook his head.

Jiang Zhuo noticed that her lip color was a bit brighter than before, a wet, glistening red, like crushed flower petals.

Seeing that blinding red, Jiang Zhuo's anger blew away his reason, and he threw another punch at Jiang Yanci.

Jiang Yanci's eyes darkened.

He raised his hand and grabbed his collar, pulling him forward with such force.

"Jiang Zhuo, haven't you caused enough trouble yet!"

Jiang Zhuo was pulled so hard that he swayed, but instead he laughed, the corners of his lips curving into a mocking smile.

"Me, joking? Dude, did you enjoy kissing my girlfriend?"