Chapter 14 — Turns Out You Actually Like Me

My brother clasped his hands together so tightly his knuckles cracked. "Is that what you call showing care?!"

"You told me to treat him like my own brother..."

"I said treat him like an older brother! Not like a boyfriend!"

I tried to argue my way out of it. "Well, if he is not my real brother, then he must be my dearest romantic confidant." My brother looked ready to cough up blood in sheer exasperation. Amused by my cheeky retort, Arthur let out a soft chuckle and teasingly adopted a mock-solemn tone as he addressed my brother.

"Dear brother-in-law, you always used to say that your wife was the ultimate salvation of your life. Now, I think I am starting to understand that feeling."

My brother shot Arthur a look of utter disgust, before grabbing his own hair in defeat and muttering under his breath, "Damn it, stop calling me that. It is making me sick to my stomach."

Grace, standing beside them, burst into laughter and looped her arm through my brother's. "Oh, stop worrying about nothing. Dao is nineteen years old; she has a mind of her own and knows how to judge character. Besides, do you not know what kind of person Arthur is? If he ever dared to mistreat your little sister, the rest of us would never let him off the hook."

After nearly an hour of ceaseless bickering, my brother threw his hands up in helpless despair and groaned toward the ceiling. "The prized cabbage I spent so long growing has finally been stolen away by a pig."

Grace finally managed to pull my brother up and steered him toward the door. "Alright, alright, it is getting late. Go back and get some rest."

My brother spun around, pointing an accusatory finger right at us. "No way. Little Dao, you are coming back to my room to sleep tonight."

"Huh?"

"Huh? What do you mean, huh? Do you think I did not see what you two were up to down by the pool? I have to keep a close eye on you to make sure you two do not sneak off to see each other in the middle of the night."

Grace stood nearby, laughing so hard she was doubled over. "Fine, fine. Then Dao can just sleep in my room tonight, how about that?" My brother’s brain was hijacked by romantic possessiveness for a few agonizing seconds.

"My wife is not sleeping with me?"

The final verdict was settled: I would share a room with Grace, while my brother, determined to guard against any conceivable mishap, stubbornly insisted on sharing a room with Arthur. My brother personally escorted me all the way to my doorway, watching hawk-eyed until I stepped inside, closed the door, and pressed his ear against the wood to listen for a long while. Only when he was entirely certain I was not about to sneak out did he finally turn away, glancing back every three steps. Grace let out an amused sigh. "Your brother is so funny."

I lay beside her, staring up at the ceiling, unable to keep the corners of my mouth from curving upward. My phone vibrated softly. It was a message from Arthur: "Are you asleep yet?"

"Not yet."

"Sleep well, Dao."

Two seconds later, another message popped up: "See you tomorrow." I clutched my phone to my chest, rolled over, and buried my face in the pillow, grinning like an absolute fool. Lying next to me, Grace let out a wistful, melodramatic sigh.

"Ah, I wonder if your brother and I looked just as foolish in your eyes all this time?"

I pondered for a moment. "I am far more normal than the two of you."

The itinerary for the next day required an early morning mountain hike. Looking thoroughly reluctant, I was dragged out of bed by Grace to brush my teeth, wash my face, change my clothes, and head out the door. Arthur and my brother were already waiting at the far end of the hallway. Standing remarkably close to one another, my brother wore a grave expression as he lectured Arthur, occasionally poking a finger against his chest in the classic posture of a strict disciplinarian demanding absolute obedience. Arthur stood with his hands tucked into his pockets, head bowed in attentive silence, nodding from time to time. As I hurried over, my brother instantly snapped his mouth shut and cleared his throat.

"Ahem, let us go, let us go get some breakfast."

Inside the buffet restaurant, my brother’s demeanor underwent a complete transformation. Instead of piling his plate mountains high like usual, he leisurely picked up a tray, grabbed a couple of slices of toast, and sat down with his eyes glued exclusively to Arthur and me.

"Eat more, brother, you look like you have lost weight." I picked up a fried egg and placed it on his plate.

He gave a cold huff. "I am already stuffed with pure anger."