Chapter 16: Sibling Time
The sunset painted the sky like a magnificent canvas, with hues of gold, orange, and deep purple blending together in perfect harmony. The soft evening breeze carried with it a rare warmth, gently rustling the trees outside. The cozy light spilling through the curtains added an extra layer of serenity to the home.
As Su Feiyan stepped through the door, a delicious aroma enveloped him. The dining table was a feast for the senses: braised tofu with mushrooms, sweet and sour pork ribs, spicy boiled fish, kung pao chicken, and a large bowl of shrimp and egg soup. Each dish seemed like a carefully crafted masterpiece.
"Wow, sweet and sour pork ribs!" His younger sister, Su Feiya, was quick to act, deftly grabbing a rib with her chopsticks and popping it into her mouth. Her face lit up with satisfaction.
Before anyone could say a word, their mother gave her a stern look. "Did you wash your hands?"
Caught off guard, Su Feiya froze, the rib still in her mouth. Their father, ever composed, gently tapped her hand with his chopsticks. "Go wash your hands first."
"Fine, fine!" Su Feiya stuck out her tongue playfully and darted toward the sink. Their father shook his head with a helpless smile. "This little one—what can we do with her?"
At the dinner table, their father picked up a bottle of soda, unscrewing the cap with a soft hiss. He carefully poured the drink into each person's cup, the fizz bubbling gently. Finally, he raised his own glass and declared, "Today, we toast to Feiyan's first week at his new school!"
The words brought a smile to everyone's face. Su Feiyan hesitated, feeling a little embarrassed as he reached for his cup. Just then, Su Feiya returned to her seat, her expression turning sour. "What about me? Why didn't we toast to my first week?"
The family burst into laughter. Their father looked at her, amused. "Alright, alright. Of course, we're celebrating our little princess, too. This toast is for both of you!"
"Now that's more like it!" Su Feiya beamed, proudly lifting her cup. The family clinked their glasses once more, laughter and warmth filling the room. Even the fading sunset outside seemed to linger just a moment longer, as if unwilling to leave such a happy scene.
After dinner, Su Feiyan sat at his desk, surrounded by stacks of homework. He ran his fingers over the towering pile of papers and sighed. Are all these assignments really from the teachers, or did the printing press have a mind of its own? How do teachers even grade this much? It's mind-boggling.
Just as he was about to dive into his work, the door suddenly burst open with a loud "Bang!" Startled, Su Feiyan turned toward the noise, only to see Su Feiya standing there with a triumphant grin.
"Here I am, brother!" she announced dramatically.
"What now?" he asked, shaking his head in exasperation. "Seriously, can you stop slamming the door like that? What did the door ever do to you? Can't you act a little more ladylike?"
"Ladylike? Not in my dictionary!" she retorted with a smirk. Then, as if she'd just remembered something exciting, she bounced forward. "Okay, okay, enough about that. Brother, it's time for Sibling Time!"
Hearing those words, Su Feiyan paused. His thoughts drifted back to a winter evening years ago.
It was a quiet evening, and Su Feiyan was still attending the blind school. Those days were lonely, and he often withdrew into himself, avoiding too much interaction even with his family.
But Su Feiya wouldn't stand for it. One day, unable to take it any longer, she stormed into his room, her tiny fists clenched. "Brother, do you not like me anymore?"
Her sudden question caught him off guard. He set his book down and asked, "What makes you think that?"
"Because you never have time for me anymore! You're always busy! And those bullies at school—they're so mean to you. Why won't you tell me? I'll go teach them a lesson for you!" She puffed out her chest, her small frame full of indignation.
For a moment, Su Feiyan was speechless. Then he burst out laughing. Reaching out, he ruffled her hair. From that day forward, they made a deal: every weekend before bedtime, Su Feiya could call for "Sibling Time" whenever she wanted, and he would set everything aside to talk to her for at least ten minutes.
Back in the present, Su Feiyan stood up and stretched. "Alright, little princess. What do you want to talk about during Sibling Time today?"
With a sly grin, Su Feiya pulled out a sheet of paper from behind her back and held it up proudly. "Ta-da! I drew this for you today at school! It's a surprise gift!"
Taking the paper from her, Su Feiyan ran his fingers over it, a faint smile on his lips. "I can't see it, you know. You'll have to describe it to me."
"Oh, it's a picture of our family!" she explained, her voice brimming with enthusiasm. "On the left is Mom wearing an apron, holding a spatula. On the right is Dad pouring drinks into our glasses. You're in the middle, sitting at your desk, working hard. And there's me right next to you, smiling the brightest!"
"Sounds like a masterpiece," Su Feiyan said with a chuckle. "Thank you, Feiya. I'll treasure it."
Outside, night had fallen, but the warmth in the room made the darkness seem less daunting. Their laughter and conversation filled the space, a testament to the bond they shared. Though the sunset had faded, its light seemed to linger in their hearts, making the moment timeless. 插入点在开头