After seeing Liu Xiaoyu off, Mei Fang returned home. In the afternoon, he first discussed the design plan for C-Site’s livestreaming module with his Linxi Games colleagues—a meeting that lasted several hours.

The back-and-forth over requirements reminded him of his past life battles with bosses. Now, as the boss himself with future knowledge, he still faced skepticism when proposing unprecedented features.

Knowing what will be popular and knowing how to make it work like before were entirely different matters. While game development came naturally to Mei Fang, web technologies left him scratching his head without Lin Youxi’s explanations.

After finally convincing his team to proceed with his vision, Mei Fang felt utterly drained. He collapsed onto his bed for a quick rest when Mei Ya suddenly knocked and barged in.

“Big bro!”

She patted his exhausted face. “Mom and Dad sent me to ask—how far did things go with YuanYuan-jie last night?”

“Like they’d actually ask that… You’re just making this up again, aren’t you?”

“No way! I’m here on official business~”

Mei Ya squished his cheeks. “Did YuanYuan-jie’s parents approve of you two being together?”

“Basically.”

“Did they give you their family heirloom?”

“They don’t have that kind of thing… Ugh, stop bothering me. Let me sleep.”

Mei Ya sat quietly on the edge of the bed, watching her brother with downcast eyes, swinging her legs listlessly.

……

Mei Fang cracked an eye open. “Why are you still here?”

“Big bro… Do people all become cold and distant like you after getting rich?”

“Who’s cold and distant?”

“You spend all your time with YuanYuan-jie and Youxi-jie. I thought during vacation you’d finally have time for me, but nope—still all about them. Today when they’re busy and I finally get you alone, you just work!”

“I’m your sister, yet not a single day this year belonged just to me.”

“Whatever… Big bro’s grown up now. You have your own life. I shouldn’t force you to play with your boring little sister.”

“My apologies.”

As she stood to leave, Mei Fang grabbed her wrist.

“Enough drama… What do you want? Eyeing another model plane?”

Mei Ya wrenched free with exaggerated dignity. “Model planes are just a hobby, not my whole life! What I need is quality time with my brother! Not… not material things measurable by money!”

Her unusually serious tone made Mei Fang realize how little attention he’d paid her since starting high school. He’d been thrilled when she was born—as an only child in his past life, he’d never experienced sibling bonds.

But over time, Mei Ya’s mischievous antics had worn his patience thin. He often fobbed her off with gifts, neglecting genuine connection.

“Alright, alright… You want attention? You’ll get it. How about dinner out tonight?”

“BBQ at Culture Square! Until we puke! Also there’s a toy store there with premium model planes!”

“And there’s the real agenda!”

“Don’t use idioms I haven’t learned yet!”

After minimal rest, Mei Fang took his sister out. Clinging to his back on the scooter, she yelled excitedly: “Wooosh! The Mei Ya 6 spacecraft is now engaging warp drive!”

“What fifth grader talks like this?!”

The pre-holiday streets bustled. After forever finding parking, Mei Fang barely locked the scooter before Mei Ya bounded to an outdoor BBQ stall, plopping down and waving.

As they ordered, watching Mei Ya meticulously study the menu, Mei Fang ruffled her hair.

“Time flies. You’re so big now.”

“Heh… Better cherish me while you can.”

She marked items while muttering, “Once you’re in college, we’ll hardly see each other… Thinking about it makes me kinda sad.”

“You didn’t cry when I left for high school!”

“Because YuanYuan-jie and Youxi-jie were there! I couldn’t steal their spotlight.”

“You’ve always overthought things…”

“A little sister’s schemes are all for her big bro! With such a wingwoman, you should spoil me rotten instead of complaining!”

“Who’s complaining?!”

Mei Fang eyed her massive order. “We can’t possibly eat all this.”

“Leftovers or gross stuff can go to Dad. He’ll be touched!”

“Such filial piety…”

A voice suddenly chimed in behind them: “Wow, ordering so much? Mind if I help out?”

A hand landed on Mei Fang’s shoulder. Mei Ya gaped at the intruder—

“B-Big bro! You’re cheating!”

“Stop talking nonsense.”

The girl placed her instrument aside and casually sat next to Mei Fang, smiling at Mei Ya. “Hi there, cutie! I’m Peng Xue, your brother and YuanYuan-jie’s good friend!”

Mei Ya eyed Peng Xue skeptically but tentatively shook her outstretched hand—only for Peng Xue to immediately pinch her cheeks.

“Eek! How come your brother never introduced me to such an adorable sister sooner?!”

“S-Stop that! Oh wait—” Mei Ya pushed her away, suddenly remembering. “You’re that big sister who sang and played guitar at Culture Square last year!”

“Not guitar! Bass!” Peng Xue patted her instrument case with mock indignation. “They look similar but are completely different!”

“Hmm… sounds impressive but I don’t get it.” Mei Ya squinted at Mei Fang. “Did you plan to meet her here?”

“As if.”

“Did you report this to YuanYuan-jie?”

“You’re my witness. No need.”

“Relax!” Peng Xue waved dismissively. “I’m YuanYuan’s bestie—would never betray her. Besides, if YuanYuan got together with your brother, at least a third of the credit’s mine!”

“Lies! I did most of the work!”

As Mei Ya and Peng Xue bickered, the server arrived with their massive BBQ platter.

“Mmm… smells amazing~” Peng Xue batted her eyelashes at Mei Fang. “Sure you don’t want help finishing this?”

“Just eat if you want. No need for fake politeness.”

“Had to keep up appearances, Boss Mei~”

She grabbed two skewers, then asked between bites: “Heard you stayed at YuanYuan’s last night?”

“Yeah.”

“So…” Peng Xue swirled her drink straw suggestively. “Did you two… do it?”

Mei Fang glared. “Watch your mouth around kids!”

“P-Pretend I’m not here! I hear nothing!” Mei Ya covered her face—though her ears remained conspicuously perked.

“So that’s a yes?”

“Why ask such private things?!”

“Just figured our adorable YuanYuan would be irresistible~” Peng Xue smirked. “Not like it matters—you’ll be together forever anyway. Think of it as… limited edition 17-year-old YuanYuan!”

Her sales pitch struck a nerve, but Mei Fang just shoved more skewers at her. “Here! Focus on eating, not… other things.”

“Touched a nerve, huh? Mmm… Wow, this drumstick’s amazing!”

“Waaah! Big bro, that was my drumstick!”

Mei Ya nearly combusted seeing her precious chicken sacrificed to this outsider. Only after Mei Fang promised her another did she grudgingly relent.

“Alright, time to repay Boss Mei’s hospitality!”

Peng Xue stood with her bass, perching on a nearby planter to play an original folk ballad with melancholic edge. The haunting melody soon drew a captivated crowd—some snapping photos—proof of her local fame.

In a small town like this, someone with Peng Xue’s fearless charisma came along maybe once a decade…

Yet watching her lose herself in the music, Mei Fang felt an inexplicable certainty—like this might be the last time he’d see her.