Chapter 3

Chapter 3

I was beaten and scolded by my biological parents, treated like a servant.

Everything was for the sake of the younger brother who hadn’t even been born yet from my mother’s womb.

Just as I was about to go numb to it all,

I met Xie Fengnan.

My adoptive parents weren’t much different from my biological ones.

The only change was that the person I served went from being my “younger brother” to my “older brother.”

To be honest,

the first time I met Xie Fengnan,

when the young boy smiled and reached out his hand to me, calling me “Little Sister,”

I hated him.

I hated his good fortune.

I hated that he had parents who loved him.

I hated that he was about to gain one more “servant.”

But then,

Xie Fengnan said, “Zhiyu.”

“Just leave the bowl there. I’ll wash it in a bit.”

“Are you cold? Here, wrap this scarf around you properly.”

“You broke the bowl… It’s okay. I was just being careless. Stay back, don’t let the shards prick you.”

“Zhiyu.”

“I’m your big brother.”

The boy’s hand, not yet fully grown, rested on my head and gave it a gentle pat.

His eyes curved into crescents.

“A big brother is supposed to take care of his little sister.”

“I’m sorry.”

It was the boy’s gentle voice.

Peaceful as moonlight.

He said:

“I still have to take care of my sister.”

I snapped back to reality.

Dinner was already over.

I took the sleeping pills into the kitchen. My initial plan was to make a cup of milk for my brother and then dissolve them inside.

The powdered milk was something Xie Fengnan had bought for me.

A foreign brand.

He made a cup for me every night, but he never drank it himself.

I found his mug, added a few scoops of milk powder, and mixed it with water.

Then, I used a small spoon to scoop out some of the sleeping pills.

I checked the instructions on my phone.

I added another spoonful.

“Zhiyu.”

The spoon trembled.

I nearly spilled it outside the mug.

I stiffly turned my head.

My brother was standing by the door, his gaze falling on the small bottle in my hand.

He tilted his head slightly, looking a bit confused.

“What is that?”

As he tilted his head, his collar shifted down slightly.

It revealed half of his collarbone.

My mind went blank.

What was truly despairing was that the first thought to pop into my head at a time like this was:

*My brother looks so cute like this.*

I’m beyond saving.

I closed my eyes.

“…Probiotic powder,” I said with difficulty. “It’s good for your health.”

“Oh, I see.”

Xie Fengnan nodded.

I screwed the cap back on tightly. To avoid giving myself away, I had to place the sleeping pills in the spot where we usually kept the instant drink mixes.

Then, I stirred the milk with the spoon.

Xie Fengnan watched me.

My heart was pounding wildly.

My palms were so sweaty I could barely hold his mug steady.

After stirring a few times for show,

I handed the mug to Xie Fengnan.

“Drink some milk, Brother.”

Afraid that my face would betray a sleazy, ‘mission accomplished’ expression,

I fought to control my facial muscles.

I shoved the milk at him with stiff movements.

Xie Fengnan took it.

I didn’t dare look at him, so I could only stare fixedly at the mug.

He unhurriedly brought the mug to his lips and took a sip.

My heart nearly stopped.

It worked.

I didn’t dare watch any longer.

My legs felt so weak I was practically turning into a slime and melting onto the floor.

I leaned against the wall, stumbling my way into the bathroom.