Qi Sen lowered his eyes, silent for a long time.

Such a sweet and obedient little sister, yet pitifully, she couldn’t even have a single piece of candy.

His hands tightened unconsciously.

How could he let a child know the hardships adults endured? He tilted his head and gave a small smile. “It’s nothing. Candy isn’t expensive.”

Skipping one reference book could buy two or three packs of rainbow candy.

**

Carrying the black-boned chicken, Qi Sen and Can-Can hurried home.

While Qi Sen focused on simmering soup in the kitchen, Can-Can sat on the sofa, carefully pouring the rainbow candies into her little hands, counting them one by one.

“One today, one tomorrow…”

Completely engrossed in counting, Can-Can didn’t even notice the fairy peach she always guarded suddenly rolling a few circles beside her.

She sorted the candies by color and placed them into separate tiny boxes, smiling brightly as she cupped her cheeks, gazing at the colorful sweets.

Qi Sen asked, “Why aren’t you eating any?”

Can-Can swallowed hard and replied obediently, “I already had my candy for today. I have to wait for tomorrow.”

Qi Sen chuckled softly, but after the laugh, a layer of sadness crept into his eyes.

A few minutes later, the soup in the pot was bubbling, and he set down his chemistry book to head back into the kitchen.

As he poured the soup into a thermal container, a thought suddenly surfaced in his mind. His expression grew serious, almost like a vow.

One day, he would give Can-Can and their little brother a better future.

At the very least… they wouldn’t have to struggle over a single chicken or a pack of rainbow candy.

But just a few minutes later, he was ready to take that vow back.

Because this little brother… really deserved a beating.

Seeing the thermal container, Pei Shan couldn’t help blurting out, “You actually made a soup… that’s drinkable?”

Qi Sen: ??

Before he could even retort with “Then give it back,” his phone buzzed.

He frowned and opened it, only to see a message from Shu Shu.

A short line of text that still made his heart race.

【Shu Shu: !!! Your movie queen mom wants to meet you!】

**
Author’s note:
Wuwuwu, I actually finished writing this earlier but forgot to schedule the post!!! Sorry, it’s only going up at eleven!

**
Chapter 9: Baby Can-Can

“That’s your real mom?”

Pei Shan pointed at the phone, dumbstruck.

On the screen, the famous actress Jiang Ying was wearing a black sequined strapless gown, her hair softly curled, smiling and waving at the camera with elegant grace.

Qi Sen kept his head down, slicing vegetables, not even lifting his eyelids.

“Didn’t expect the son of the richest man in the city to be right beside me,” Pei Shan clicked his tongue, casually leaning against the counter next to Qi Sen, speaking in a familiar tone. “Don’t forget me when you make it big, alright?”

Still, Qi Sen showed no reaction.

Normally, this kind of cold, superior attitude would’ve made Pei Shan roll his eyes and walk off. But under the golden filter of money, he just felt that Qi Sen’s indifference had a certain future-CEO charm.

Wasn’t this the classic cold and noble president vibe straight out of a novel?

Qi Sen felt a headache from Pei Shan’s staring and said lightly, “Go to the living room and look after Can-Can.”

Pei Shan nodded and turned to leave, but suddenly thought of something and came rushing back.

“You’re taking Can-Can with you to meet the movie queen, right? Then tomorrow, the little princess can wear a new dress to meet your parents!”

Qi Sen replied immediately, “No. Can-Can’s not going.”

“Huh? Not going?”

“You’ve been taking her everywhere these past few days. Why not tomorrow?”

“You’re not seriously thinking of abandoning—”

Qi Sen furrowed his brow slightly and interrupted Pei Shan’s chattering.

“Can-Can is my little sister,” Qi Sen said seriously, looking at him. “And you’re my little brother.”

Last night after delivering the lipstick and chicken soup to Pei Shan, his initial reaction had been so annoying Qi Sen almost wanted to beat him up. Pei Shan hadn’t shown much joy on the surface, but his actions spoke louder.

Today, he had stayed around all day, either helping watch over Can-Can or playing silly games with her — games so boring even a dog wouldn’t want to play.

Over and over again: getting sick, getting shots, being hungry, being sleepy, eating… Qi Sen was already numb and exhausted from it, but Pei Shan’s arrival had saved him from drowning in it.

Even if Can-Can’s baby voice was adorable, there was no way he could spend all day playing “I’m hungry, I’m sleepy” games eight times a day — while eating the same ham, egg, and corn fried rice every meal.

This afternoon, with Pei Shan and Can-Can laughing together, the house was much livelier than usual. Though Qi Sen didn’t show it outwardly, inside he was happier than he had been in a long time.

This was the warm little home he had always dreamed of.

It didn’t need to be wealthy. Just sitting together on the carpet, laughing over something silly — that was enough.

And now, this home had it.

Without realizing it, Qi Sen had started including Pei Shan in that dream — treating him like real family.

If tomorrow he took Can-Can and left Pei Shan alone at home, it would feel too… distant.

Coming back to himself, Qi Sen nodded slightly toward the living room. “Can-Can’s calling you for dinner.”

“Third brother, Can-Can made delicious chicken soup for you. Come drink it!” Little Can-Can had somehow run over and was tugging Pei Shan’s hand with her soft little fingers, dragging him toward the living room.

“Can-Can worked really hard making it. We have to eat before it gets cold,” she said very seriously.

Pei Shan was still stunned from being called “little brother” just now.

After a long pause, he finally let out a silly “Oh” and walked straight into a new round of “I’m hungry, I’m sleepy” playtime.

**

The next day, it was time for the meeting.

Can-Can stood in front of the sofa, clutching her fairy peach, her little face scrunched up like a steamed bun. “Second brother, you’re really not taking Can-Can? Can-Can really doesn’t want to stay home alone.”

Qi Sen ruffled her hair. “Third brother will be home alone too. Our brave little Can-Can promised second brother to protect third brother, right?”