During the holidays, everyone loves to sleep in. Once under the covers, it's already daylight when you finally get up.

"Knock, knock, knock! Knock, knock, knock!" A sound of knocking echoed in the air, followed by Mom's warm voice, "Linlin, Mom is coming in."

Shen Lin's subconscious had already woken up, but because he was attached to the warmth of the bed, he hadn't made up his mind to get up. Hearing his mother's voice, Shen Lin replied in a milky voice, "Hmm, good!"

Mom gently opened the door. Hearing the sound of the door opening, Shen Lin slowly flipped open the blanket with both hands, revealing her head with sleepy eyes. Her eyes were slightly open and closed, and her rosy little face was full of satisfaction. Seeing Mom come in, she opened her phone to see that it was 10:55. Shen Lin immediately woke up. She smiled at her mom and said, "Mom, how did I sleep for so long."

Mom walked in cheerfully and smiled gently, saying, "It's okay, just sleep! It's so cold out there, why get up."

Shen Lin smiled, "Yeah, it definitely feels a lot cooler. Oh, by the way, Mom, is there something you need?"

Mom looked at her silly son in front of her and smiled, saying: "Silly son, it's time for dinner. Alright, come quickly, let's eat, go wash up quickly." After she finished speaking, Mom walked out and gently closed the door.

Shen Lin sat on the bed, one hand rubbing his hair, oS: "It's still comfortable to sleep at home. I haven't slept this long in a while, woo woo. Mom is still so gentle, hmm, I love her so much."

Shen Lin got out of bed happily, wearing pink slippers hand-crocheted by her mother, and leisurely walked into the bathroom.

At the dinner table, dad absentmindedly played with his phone while mom ladled rice for everyone and thoughtfully placed a bottle of Wangzai milk next to Shen Lin's bowl.

Dad turned off his phone and gently asked Mom, "Linlin, are you alright? I'm hungry."

Mom pretended to be angry and said, "You'll starve to death! Wait a minute."

Shen Lin walked quickly to the table and saw the steaming hot dishes. He happily said, "Dad, Mom, I'm done! Let's eat!"

Dad put down his phone and started eating. Shen Lin sat down and felt his lips were dry and chapped, so he reached out to tear at them. Mom immediately stopped him, "Don't tear, you'll bleed later."

Shen Lin said nonchalantly, "It's fine, it doesn't hurt." Then he continued to tear.

Mom reached out and took Shen Lin's hand, patiently saying: "That's right, you're not doing it right. Where's your lipstick?"

Shen Lin shook her head and said, "I've never used it. It feels like my mother's lipstick."

Mom poked and said, "Are you afraid of people saying you're a momma's boy?"

Shen Lin stared incredulously at his mother, "Oh no, not at all, just simply don't need to."

Mom got up and walked to the room, then came out quickly, saying with a flourish of her lipstick, “Look at you, your blanket is pulled over your head when you sleep, how could your lips not be dry? Luckily I bought some lipstick.”

Mom walked over, sat back down, and handed Shen Lin a lipstick. Shen Lin hesitated before taking it. Dad immediately noticed Shen Lin's hesitation and stopped eating, saying: "Good boy, listen to Mom, put it on. Who says boys can't wear lipstick? Look at Dad, I use it for Dabao too! My skin hasn't cracked all winter."

Shen Lin smiled, very gently and warmly. Shen Lin opened the lid, a faint scent of strawberry wafted out. Shen Lin felt very comfortable. This was Mom's favorite fruit. Shen Lin lightly dabbed it on her lips, and instantly, her lips became glossy and translucent, with a pink glow.

Shen Lin covered the pot and suddenly realized something, looking at his mother in disbelief. "Mom, is this new?"

Mom immediately widened her eyes and stared at Shen Lin. Then she turned to her own father, who was also looking at her, and then back at the lipstick in Shen Lin's hand. She couldn't help but laugh out loud: "Son, Mom wants to apologize to you. It seems like Mom got the wrong thing."

Shen Lin smiled and said, "It's okay, Mom. This lipstick has your scent."

Mom covered her mouth, trying to suppress a smile. "I told you the flavor seemed familiar. I forgot I bought you the pineapple flavor one. Mom will get it for you in a bit."

Shen Lin nodded.

Dad laughed so hard he lifted his head. Mom said, “That’s funny?”

Father immediately stopped and ate in big gulps.

Mom watched Shinlin enjoying his meal, even remembering which dish Shinlin took the most. She decided to make a bit more of that dish next time. Looking at the well-behaved Shinlin before her eyes, Mom’s heart was filled with too much emotion and comfort.

Shen Lin noticed his mother and said, "Mom, eat quickly! I'll finish all of mine soon."

Mom gently said, “Alright, eat everything, Linlin.” On the other hand, Dad would compete with Shenlin for the same piece of meat.

Dad said, "Linlin, there are still a few days until the Chinese New Year. Want to go to our relatives' house to play with us?"

Shen Lin shook his head, gripping the chopsticks tightly, waiting for the same piece of meat that he and his father had their eyes on. "I'm not going," he said, "I don't know anyone there. It would be awkward."

"But there's red envelopes to be had!" Dad insisted.

Shen Lin beamed, her eyes sparkling as she said, "Really."

Dad said on purpose, "Of course it's true, give the meat to Dad and Dad will give you a big red envelope."

Shen Lin looked at her father with disbelief, "Anyway, I won't give in. Dad will still give me a big red envelope."

"How could a son fight his father over food! You're being disobedient!" Dad pretended to be angry, his voice serious but still carrying a warmth.

Shen Lin wasn't afraid at all, and said back, "Isn't it embarrassing for someone to fight over food with their own child?"

Mom, standing beside them, said nonchalantly, "Next time I won't make this dish. Who fights over food at a meal? Just let go, all of you." Dad immediately loosened his grip, and Shen Lin politely served Mom.

Mom said puzzled, "In the end, give it all to me. I don't know what's so good about fighting over it each time."

Three people looked at each other and smiled.

Mom O S: "Actually, I already know..."

"This is a little secret between me and Linn, and it's also the reason I keep teasing him. How much time do I have left to go crazy with him?"

Shen Lin oS: "It's so great to still be able to be like this with Dad, even when I'm so big."

……

In the study, Zhao Ai and Qin Ning were busily writing their winter vacation assignments. In fact, they felt quite speechless. How could there be so many assignments in just a short winter vacation! oS: “Every teacher said the homework wasn't much, but adding it all up would make any high school student want to die. Better finish it before the new year and have a good one.”

Unaware of the world outside, they sat at the table, their minds racing as they wrote furiously. Sheets of paper disappeared into the wastebasket one after another.

After spending the afternoon, Zhao Ai opened her phone and saw that it was 5:45 PM. She felt a sore back and neck, and stiff shoulders. Standing up, she stretched languidly, "Ah~! Time for a break!" She rubbed her tired eyes.

Grabbing my phone, shutting down the computer, and stepping out of the room, all in one go.

I wonder if girls don't get tired? I was exhausted from doing homework, but instead of sleeping, she went to watch a drama.

I originally wanted to go for a walk, but as I passed Zhao Ai's room, I heard the sisters talking excitedly and their smiles that they tried to hide but couldn't describe. They were mischievous, but not exaggeratedly so. I was very curious, so I went to the door and found that both of the sisters had left the door open.

In the room, Ningning and Xia Ai were sprawled on Zhao Ai's bed, watching a drama together. The content on the computer was blurry. Just as I was about to knock on the door, they both started hitting the bed with force, letting out bursts of laughter that were strangely addictive. I could hear Zhao Ai excitedly saying: "Oh my god, oh my god, there's a plot twist! I told you, the protagonist definitely likes the second male lead!"

Similarly, Ningning excitedly said: "Who is the male lead?! I think the second male lead is so handsome! Who's the top? I could hear clearly from outside the door, but I didn't understand anything except that they were guessing who the male lead was."

I suddenly felt that this was an invasion of their privacy, so I immediately knocked on the door and said, "Ningning, Xiaoyi, I'm coming in."

Through the crack in the door, I could see them both looking flustered. Ningning immediately knelt down and then sat up straight. Zhao Ai quickly closed her laptop and sat up in a panic, turning around to see me standing in the doorway. Their eyes widened at once, their expressions conveying pure guilt.

I, with a face of amusement, watched the two whispering to each other right in front of me.

Zhao Ai reached out and gently patted Ning Ning, whispering, "Didn't you close the door when you came in?"

Qin Ning gave an awkward smile and said in a low voice, "No! I remember I just swiped it randomly."

Zhao Ai wore a look of frustration and muttered, "Can you just confirm if it's closed?"

Qin Ning said: "Didn't you say we should start soon? I'm afraid I'll miss it. What should we do, won't our voices wake up our older brother?"

I'm biting back a laugh!

Zhao Ai calmly said, "There shouldn't be. My brother has been in the bedroom all along."

"Don't worry," I interrupted, "you didn't interrupt me. I didn't hear you say anything."

Both of them let out a long sigh of relief, and Ningning then said with a playful smile: "Brother, you really didn't hear anything."

I nodded.

Zhao Ai smiled and said, "Brother, aren't you going to play? Also, didn't you hear that?" Then her face turned serious and curious.

I feel something's off, and I teasingly said, "Are you two so afraid of me knowing? What are you hiding?"

They nodded in unison.

I was suddenly curious, “Really? Actually, I heard what you were saying, and I have a pretty good idea. Should I just say it out loud, or should I expose you?”

Ningning clearly lacked confidence. I tempted her, saying, "Tell me, there's a surprise!"

Ningning felt it wasn't a secret and was quite curious about my surprise, so she blurted out: "The student council of Xinguang High School."

Zhao Ai was stunned, staring at her with eyes that spoke volumes. He finally managed to say, "Do you know what you're doing?"

Nini said nonchalantly, "What's there to be afraid of? My brother isn't watching dramas anyway."

Zhao Ai whispered into Ning Ning's ear, "Do you think he'd know it was BL if he just Googled his name?"

Ning Ning was startled, and comforted him: "It's alright, it's nothing. Brother won't."

"Alas!" Zhao Ai sighed.

I was completely blown away by the two captivating performances. I stood there dumbfounded, my face full of confusion, and blurted out, "So what exactly is this new Guangnan High School student council saying? It's so secretive."

Nining lost her words.

Zhao quickly added, "It's nothing, just a high school student like us, from Korea." After saying that, his expression was shocked again. oS: "Why did I tell him it was Korean! How do I make this up!" He looked at Ningning for help.

Ningning had a nonchalant expression and made eye contact, saying: "I wouldn't either!"

I sighed, "Give up, they're fine." I said, "Korean's are okay! What's the matter?"

Ningning excitedly exclaimed, "What are you doing, ge! You're not going to watch it, are you?! You don't like watching this stuff, do you?"

I deliberately said, "You've made me even more curious now. Does it require membership?"

Joe immediately said, "Brother, don't look, you don't like it!"

"What's wrong? Is it too cruel?"

Zhao Ai immediately agreed, "Of course, it was brutal! It hurt our hearts. And the heroine is hopelessly in love and never sees the male second's efforts."

I said with a disgusted face, "It's too abusive and full of love-brain stuff. Forget it, I won't watch it. I can't stand abuse, and I hate love-brain stories."

The two of them smiled knowingly, Ningning said: "That's right, it's really pitiful for the second male lead."

I always feel something's off, so I said: "Then what are you still watching?"

Zhao Ai immediately said, "Knowing you don't like it, we won't tell you. It's for your brother's good."

I looked at them indulgently and said softly, "Thank you, little sisters. But you two have been on vacation for several days now, doing nothing but watching dramas instead of studying."

They looked at me in surprise and said, "Brother, you don't know what to say. We did our homework all afternoon and just started watching the show."

"Oh! Is that so? I don't believe it. I only see you guys playing."

The two of them were busy sending me off. After a while, they stood up and said, "Brother, you go rest! Uncle Li and Auntie have gone back to their hometown for the New Year. I'll cook dinner with Ningning later."

I said with relief, "Forget it, you two play. Dinner's on me."

"Thank you, brother. You're the best."

"Love big brother."

He was overjoyed to be fawned over by his two sisters and, after exiting the door, carelessly shut it.

I opened the refrigerator, my mind was blown, my eyes widened, oS: "My God, it's only been a few days, and all the ingredients Auntie prepared are gone."

I looked at the few lonely eggs and tomatoes, along with the meager remaining vegetables, and I frowned.

I'm going out to buy groceries, the phone rang.

"Hello, Mom."

"Oh, my dear son, have you eaten?"

"Huh? Not yet!"

"Well, eat early, don't let the sisters get hungry, but also can't order takeout!"

I helplessly said, "Mom, I told you takeout isn't that bad. Besides, when Dad is away, don't you also like to order takeout?"

Mom was in the wrong, “But Mom's mom is always so concerned about Mom.”

"Okay, don't worry Mom, I'm here."

"Well, don't worry, Mom."

"By the way, Mom, did you call because something's up?"

"As we talked about before! Let the sisters buy tickets back tomorrow for New Year's. Are you coming back? Didn't you say you wanted to go back to your grandpa's house for New Year's this year?"

"Oh! Right! Almost forgot, Mom, I'm going to grandpa's house, I'll book tickets for my sisters."

"Son, no need. Just tell them that Mom has already ordered it for them."

I looked at her seriously. "No, Mom, I have money."

"Mom said firmly, 'No, they have money too. Besides, that's your money. Mom will buy it.'"

I'll concede. "Alright! I'll have them contact you."

I opened my phone and booked a high-speed train ticket to go back to my grandfather's house tomorrow at noon.

Then I opened the fridge, oS: “Why don’t we just have noodles for now? We’re going home tomorrow anyway! Let me ask them.”

I was just about to go upstairs, walking up the stairs, when I heard my WeChat notification. I took out my phone and saw that it was Leng Yang.

Xingyi, will you have time tomorrow? There will be a beautiful sunset tomorrow evening. You are going home for the New Year, right? Before that, come and watch a sunset with me!

I'm so happy! (Wow! Where?)

The best view is from up high, how about we go to the mountains behind the school! We can hike there too.

Okay, what about meeting up?

You can go earlier, meet me at the foot of the mountain at 5pm, okay?

(Great!)

Dress in layers, as temperatures will drop in the evening.

(You too.)

Okay, see you tomorrow.

See you later!

I was still lost in joy when my sisters came downstairs. Seeing me grinning foolishly at the foot of the stairs, they asked, "Brother, what are you doing?"

I immediately looked up at them and said, "It's nothing, I was just thinking about what we should eat!"

Zhao Ai immediately slapped her forehead and exclaimed, "I think there's not much left in the refrigerator. Why don't we just grab something quick, brother, Ningning? We have to go home tomorrow."

I agree and say: "That's exactly what I think. Do we all agree?"

Everyone nodded in agreement. Zhao Ai spoke first: "Brother, Ningning, you guys go rest for a bit. I'll make some noodles, how about chicken egg and tomato noodles?"

Nining nodded with a happy face. I said, "No way, we both thought of it at the same time."

Zhao Ai unceremoniously exposed the truth: "That's because there are only these things in the refrigerator."

I smiled helplessly.

I opened my phone and changed the ticket to tomorrow.