"Your school doesn't seem too bad," Shen Lang said, walking alongside Shen Linlin toward the school gate. "So how are your grades lately?"
Shen Linlin shot him a glance with a faint blush. "You already know."
She'd always been bad at studying, never passing exams. Her sister, Shen Ranran, was the total opposite—super smart and never gave their parents any trouble about school.
Of course, Shen Linlin wasn't dumb; she was just more interested in other things than studying. There are plenty of students like her who aren't cut out for academic life but could excel if they put their minds to something they're passionate about.
"At least learn something that can make you money," Shen Lang advised patiently. "Otherwise, life will feel pretty empty."
"Well, as long as you're around."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
Shen Linlin blushed and said, "I mean, since you're making money writing novels now, why should I work so hard? Isn't having you enough?"
"Well, you can't depend on your brother forever," Shen Lang said, a bit annoyed. "Have you ever thought about getting a boyfriend? Or maybe getting married? There are good-looking guys at your school, and you're not ugly yourself."
Shen Linlin was unexpectedly irritated. She stopped and glared at him. "Are you just itching for me to get married or something?!"
Shen Lang was confused by her reaction. "What the heck? I'm your brother; of course, I want you to find your own happiness."
Shen Linlin, annoyed, tapped him with her bag. "Fine, I'll just find some punk on a yellow scooter and marry him. Let's see if you'll still push me to marry!"
"Hey, if you like him, I don't care if he's got a yellow scooter or rainbow-colored hair."
Shen Lang pinched Shen Linlin's soft cheek, smiling nonchalantly. "Anyway, I see some girls from your class calling you over there."
Shen Linlin suddenly grabbed Shen Lang's wrist, bit him lightly, and dashed toward the girls.
"Go to hell, old geezer!"
She flashed a playful middle finger and a cheeky grin, shouting back, "I'm never getting married. I'm just here to drain your wallet!"
With that, Shen Linlin happily ran toward her friends.
"Silly girl, watch out for bikes."
Shen Lang wasn't mad; this was just how he and his feisty sister got along best.
"Linlin, who's that guy?"
Her friends, panting from their rush, looked from Shen Linlin to Shen Lang, clearly curious. "Could he be your boyfriend? He looks pretty handsome and tall!"
"Well... not telling you~"
Shen Linlin smirked proudly, holding her empty bag, and skipped off happily through the school gates.
...
When Shen Lang drove back to the neighborhood, he bumped into Li Liusi, who had just returned from grocery shopping.
Li Liusi didn't look well today. Her face was pale, sweat beaded on her smooth forehead, and her lips were colorless, making her look quite weak.
Shen Lang greeted her warmly. "Hey, out grocery shopping this early?"
"Yeah."
Li Liusi nodded and wobbled into the elevator. Shen Lang glanced at the small amount of vegetables in her plastic bag and her exhausted appearance, feeling concerned.
"You look really tired. Are you okay?"
"I'm fine."
Li Liusi squinted and forced a smile, still thinking about the 300 yuan she owed Shen Lang. "I'll pay you back when I get my salary soon."
"Hey, you don't look okay at all."
Shen Lang noticed she was barely able to stand, sounding faint, and urged her, "You should go home and rest."
"I'm fine..."
Just then, Li Liusi suddenly collapsed in front of him.
"What the heck? What's going on?"
Shen Lang quickly caught her, feeling her forehead, which was burning hot. "You've got a fever!"
"It's nothing. I just need to sleep it off."
Li Liusi stubbornly grabbed Shen Lang's arm to get up, but she collapsed back into his arms.
"Alright, I'm taking you to see a doctor."
Shen Lang carried her to the car, pressed the button for the parking garage, and placed her in the back seat of his Mercedes.
"This is exhausting."
He shook his head with a smile and drove out of the parking garage.
"Don't go to Xiehe Hospital."
Li Liusi suddenly sat up in the back seat, grabbing Shen Lang's shoulder and pleading, "My grandma is in the hospital; I don't want her to know."
"Okay, I understand. Just sit tight."
Shen Lang sighed, shaking his head, and continued driving.
Li Liusi, feverish and disoriented, babbled incoherently, her sweaty head resting against the window.
"It's so hot, so uncomfortable..."
"Hang in there; I can't turn on the AC while you're feverish."
Shen Lang noticed in the rearview mirror that Li Liusi was subconsciously feeling around her back. Then he heard a snapping sound.
Her bra fell out of her shirt, making her previously flat chest look quite impressive.
Shen Lang was taken aback, and, considering Li Liusi was sick, he tried not to look too much.
Because she couldn't buckle her seatbelt in the back, Shen Lang drove slowly, taking about half an hour to reach a decent hospital.
He parked the car, opened the back door, picked Li Liusi up, and rushed into the hospital.