Chapter 17: A Promise
December 31st, 10 p.m. The moon wasn’t full tonight, but the fireworks were exceptionally brilliant. In the small room, only the old boxy TV was playing a variety show. This old TV held too many memories of him and his sister. He remembered coming home from school as a child and huddling in front of the TV with his sister, waiting for Ryuo Maru to fight evil forces in the Soukai Mountains with his Denryuuken. He still remembered the line, “Come! Power!” It ignited his entire childhood.
Sister Yameng was wearing a one-piece pajama set tonight, but her sleeves were rolled up, revealing her fair arms. Ever since that “incident,” Lu Li couldn’t help but have inappropriate thoughts whenever he saw her body. As if sensing his gaze, Zou Yameng uncomfortably pulled down her sleeves and tucked her bare feet under the blanket, seemingly not wanting to reveal too much skin.
“Litt-Little Li, is the school performance over?” Sister Yameng asked with a forced smile. “Your makeup… you haven’t washed it off completely.”
It seemed she wanted to continue pretending nothing happened. Lu Li didn’t answer immediately. He looked at the plastic bottle by the bed. To his surprise, the light blue roses hadn’t died yet. They were still alive and well.
Zou Yameng followed his gaze, paused, and then said, “I really like those flowers, thank you, Little Li…” She didn’t lecture him about saving money like she usually did, which meant she genuinely liked the roses. Lu Li got up, wanting to sit next to his sister. However, Zou Yameng tensed up and quickly exclaimed, “Little Li!…”
“…I just wanted to sit next to you.” Lu Li’s voice sounded innocent, his pitiful expression instantly triggering Zou Yameng’s maternal instincts. She lifted a corner of the blanket and whispered, “It’s cold outside, take off your shoes and come under the blanket.”
The siblings watched TV in silence, neither mentioning that night. Zou Yameng’s tense body gradually relaxed. This was for the best. They would tacitly move on, not bringing it up, pretending it was just an accident. When they woke up tomorrow, she would still be Lu Li’s most important sister, and he would be her dearest brother.
But… she couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed.
Zou Yameng’s mind raced as the exaggerated laughter from the variety show only irritated her. They were so close, their relationship so intimate, why was she the one… Why could it only be her?
“Sister Yameng.” Lu Li finally spoke.
Don’t mention it, don’t mention it, don’t mention it, can’t we just pretend nothing happened? Zou Yameng’s eyes flickered nervously.
But Lu Li’s next words relieved her. “I saw online that national team members have to undergo military training, with strict discipline. It must be very tough.”
“It’s not that bad. The training at Chuanhai Women’s Sports School is quite strict too, so I’m used to it.”
“Thank you, Sister Yameng.”
“What are you thanking me for?”
“For taking care of me all these years.” Lu Li smiled. “If it weren’t for your kindness, I would have starved to death.”
Zou Yameng smiled too. “Actually, it was that day when I heard a crybaby next door crying non-stop. I couldn’t stand the noise, so I went to check. You were so cute back then, so small, so obedient.”
“Am I not cute anymore?”
Of course not… Zou Yameng blushed. He wasn’t cute at all that night, so assertive and experienced. Thinking back on it made her legs weak. She tightened her grip on the blanket. “Not cute at all now.”
“I think you’re still the same.” Lu Li stared at the TV.
“The same as what?”
“I always thought my sister was not only capable but also the most beautiful woman in the world.” He didn’t look at Zou Yameng. “I thought to myself, I must find a girl like my sister to be my bride. Unfortunately, I haven’t met anyone like that yet.”
“…” She was silent for a moment. “There are plenty. Aren’t you close to the girl next door…” Her tone was laced with complaint and jealousy.
“It’s different. Not the same as you, Sister.”
“What’s different…”
“There’s only one Sister Yameng.”
Zou Yameng’s body trembled. She felt Lu Li’s large hand holding hers under the blanket. She couldn’t help but plead softly, “Don’t… Don’t make the same mistake again…” Lu Li had truly grown up, she realized that now. All his random chatter was just to lower her guard, wasn’t it?
“Sis, what are you afraid of?”
What was she afraid of? She was afraid of ruining their relationship, afraid that after crossing the line, she wouldn’t even have the chance to be close to Lu Li under the guise of being his sister. As long as she continued to pretend to be his sister, she would never lose him. If she never possessed him, she would never lose him.
“…I’m afraid this life will suddenly end.” Zou Yameng curled up. “Little Li, you’re my only family now… I can’t imagine what I would do without you… You’ll eventually start your own family, get married and have children… Isn’t that scary enough?”
“Then marry me.” These words naturally slipped out of his mouth. Lu Li vaguely realized that he might have truly changed, becoming more and more greedy.
Girls often had this worry. They were always afraid of being abandoned, always pessimistic about the future. This worry stemmed from their disadvantaged position in relationships. This disadvantage could come from various factors, perhaps appearance anxiety, perhaps financial dependence, or perhaps simply their own hesitation and indecisiveness.
Lu Li’s arm wrapped around his sister’s waist. Her waist, honed by years of training, was firm and smooth. Zou Yameng instinctively tried to push his hand away, but she couldn’t muster any strength, as if her subconscious was also yearning for Lu Li. He leaned in and kissed her red lips, but didn’t go any further. Too much had happened today. He had performed in the play, taken An Baili to watch fireworks, and now he had to comfort his sister. So tonight, Lu Li was being a gentleman. He just gave her a symbolic peck on the lips.
“Sis, let’s make a promise, okay?”
Zou Yameng’s expression softened, her heart clearly wavering. “…What promise?”
“No matter what happens, you’ll always be my most important family. I’ll never leave you.” His words were sincere. “You have to promise me too, don’t be sad alone, don’t get drunk like that night again, okay?”
So… Lu Li wasn’t asleep that night… After getting a definite answer, Zou Yameng didn’t feel embarrassed or nervous. Instead, she felt a sense of relief.
Little Li didn’t hate her… This was the best outcome.
Zou Yameng nodded slightly, her voice soft. “Okay… I promise…” She no longer resisted his embrace. It had come to this point, there was no point in clinging to her pride and dignity as an older sister. She held Lu Li’s hand, and they watched TV in silence, their bodies pressed close together.
When the commercials started playing on TV and the fireworks outside became louder, Zou Yameng suddenly said, “Little Li, let’s invite the girl next door for dinner tomorrow.”
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