The quiet hum of the fan filled the room, mingling with the soft rustle of pages turning. Xuān sat on the couch, one leg crossed over the other, eyes scanning the dense equations in the book resting in his hands.

  Next to him, Yè Xian was anything but quiet.

  "—And, oh my god! Did I tell you? Lumi is so cool! I mean, she's pretty, smart, and mysterious!"

  Xuān sighed. "You told me this yesterday too."

  Xian shrugged. "Did I? Oh well, either way—like I said—you should try it out! It's such a cute game! Also, amazing lore and plo—"

  With a calm yet clearly exhausted expression, Xuān snapped his book shut and turned to face his devil of a sister.

  "I’m not interested in fictional girls."

  The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  Xian scoffed. "Oh, please. Are you serious? And reading math is more interesting? Come on. You just finished exams! Take a break."

  A small, barely-there smile stretched across Xuān’s lips. "Maybe if you ever bothered picking up a math book, you wouldn’t be failing the subject."

  Xian immediately sat up straighter, glaring at him. "Excuse me?! I don’t—"

  Whatever snarky reply she had prepared was cut off by a gentle throat-clearing from the kitchen doorway. Their older sister, Yè Ying, stood there with a fond, affectionate smile.

  "Are you two done?"

  "No, we aren’t!"

  Both twins responded in unison, earning a soft giggle from Ying. She adored her younger siblings.

  "Actually, Xian, could you run to the store for me? I need some ingredients." She waved a notepad in her hand.

  Xian frowned. "What for?"

  Ying’s smile widened. "It’s your birthday tomorrow. I’m making a cake."

  Xian’s expression softened. "Oh. Jiějie, you don’t have to."

  "Of course I do! It’s your 17th birthday! I can’t believe you two will be seniors soon."

  Xian averted her gaze. "Oh, well…" She hesitated before dramatically clutching her stomach. "I would go, but… it’s so cold, and… my stomach hurts!"

  Ying’s eyes narrowed slightly. "Is that so…?"

  Before she could say more, Xuān stood up from the couch. "I’ll go."

  Ying’s expression immediately brightened. "Thanks, Xuān. Make sure to wear your jacket. Here’s the list."

  She handed him the notepad, and he took it, grabbing his discarded navy-blue jacket from the couch.

  Xian flashed him a cheeky finger heart in thanks. Xuān responded with an exaggerated look of disgust. He never got tired of teasing his sister, who was far more expressive and temperamental than him.

  With that, he left the house.