"You didn't happen to be waiting here for me, did you?"
As Liu Shishi got closer, she saw Du Fei standing downstairs. She asked in surprise.
"Yeah, my mom sent me to pick you up," Du Fei nodded, taking the fruit basket from Liu Shishi's hand. "I told you, you're too kind. Why would you buy a fruit basket for dinner?"
"That wouldn't be right. It's my first time visiting as a guest, so I naturally can't come empty-handed."
After Du Fei took the fruit basket, Liu Shishi followed him upstairs.
Halfway up the stairs, the door to their home was opened from the inside.
Du Yunyun poked her little head out.
"Sister Shishi."
Seeing Liu Shishi, the little girl called out happily.
Liu Shishi smiled and walked over, and Du Yunyun immediately hugged her arm.
"Hey, little sister, you're so focused on your Sister Shishi that you didn't see your brother carrying this heavy fruit basket?"
Du Fei said intentionally from behind.
Du Yunyun turned her head back. "Brother, carrying fruit baskets is your job, isn't it? Do you expect me and Sister Shishi, two delicate women, to carry it?"
The little girl was really good with her words. Du Fei was speechless.
"Miss Liu, it was supposed to be us treating you to dinner to properly thank you. How could you bring such an expensive fruit basket?"
Wu Chunmei heard the commotion outside and came out from the kitchen.
Liu Shishi smiled, and two dimples appeared on her face.
"Auntie, it's just a fruit basket. It's my first time visiting, so I couldn't come empty-handed."
Wu Chunmei gestured towards the sofa. "Miss Liu, please sit down and rest. I'll finish cooking the soup, and then we can eat."
"Okay, Auntie, thank you for the trouble."
Then, Liu Shishi and Du Yunyun sat on the sofa.
As soon as they sat down, Du Yunyun asked Liu Shishi what fruit she wanted to eat.
Liu Shishi didn't want any, but she couldn't refuse Du Yunyun's enthusiasm, so she said she'd have an apple.
Du Yunyun nodded with a smile, then said to Du Fei, who hadn't had time to sit down, "Brother, did you hear that? Sister Shishi wants an apple. Hurry up and wash one for her."
"Me?"
Du Fei was stunned. The little girl had asked just now, and now she was asking him to wash an apple?
Du Yunyun looked as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "Yes, of course it's you. Sister Shishi is visiting our home. Surely you wouldn't refuse to wash an apple, would you?"
"Alright, you little rascal, I admit defeat!"
How had he not realized before that his sister was so cunning and clever?
Du Fei had no choice but to take two apples and go to the kitchen.
"Yunyun, you and your brother have such a good relationship."
Seeing Du Yunyun and Du Fei, Liu Shishi felt envious.
"Of course! My brother has always doted on me. When he got his scholarship every time, he would buy me delicious food. My classmates all envied me for having such a good brother."
When she talked about her past with her brother, Du Yunyun couldn't help but smile.
"By the way, Sister Shishi, do you have any siblings?"
"No, I'm an only child."
Liu Shishi nodded.
Although Liu Shishi had grown up with her cousin from her uncle's family, they had no affection for each other. On the contrary, their relationship had become estranged due to their grandfather's inheritance.
"Dinner is ready. Xiaofei, come help me carry the dishes. Yunyun, you set the table."
Wu Chunmei came out of the kitchen with a plate.
Liu Shishi was about to help, but Wu Chunmei gently pushed her towards the dining table.
In her words, Liu Shishi was a guest, and it would be improper for her to do any work.
Soon, the dining table was filled with dishes.
Liu Shishi: "Auntie, there are so many dishes! Each one looks delicious."
"We're a simple family, and these are just home-cooked meals. I hope you'll like them."
Although Liu Shishi had never said anything, the luxury car she drove to Du Village last time and her ability to arrange for Du Yunyun to attend No. 1 High School all indicated that Liu Shishi's status was extraordinary.
Therefore, Wu Chunmei had gone to great lengths to prepare such a large meal.
"Auntie, you're too kind. Then I'll have to eat heartily today and not waste your kind intentions."
Liu Shishi's words were very pleasant to hear.
The meal was a very happy occasion for everyone.
After the meal, Liu Shishi offered to help clean up, but Wu Chunmei firmly refused.
After a brief stalemate, Liu Shishi still couldn't persuade Wu Chunmei.
"Xiaofei, your sister and I can clean up at home. It's getting late, so you should take Miss Liu back first."
Wu Chunmei glanced out the window and said to Du Fei.
Liu Shishi bid farewell to Wu Chunmei and Du Yunyun warmly.
Du Fei followed her out.
"What's wrong?"
As soon as they reached the door, Du Fei was stopped by Du Yunyun.
Du Yunyun winked at Du Fei, "Brother, this is a golden opportunity. You have to seize it."
Almost instantly, Du Fei understood what his sister meant.
He poked Du Yunyun on the head with his finger. "You little imp, what are you thinking about? Go help Mom clean up."
"Hehe, goodbye, Sister Shishi."
Du Yunyun waved goodbye to Liu Shishi and cheerfully went back to help clean up.
Liu Shishi followed Du Fei downstairs. She curiously asked Du Fei what Du Yunyun had said to him at the door just now.
Du Fei felt a little embarrassed and didn't know how to explain for a moment.
"Oh, if it's inconvenient to say, just pretend I didn't ask."
Seeing Du Fei's expression, Liu Shishi thought Du Yunyun had said something he couldn't tell her.
Du Fei waved his hand. "It's nothing, really. My sister watches too many TV dramas, and you're single, so you know..."
Du Fei didn't say the rest too directly, but Liu Shishi, being so intelligent, was bound to understand.
Indeed, as soon as Liu Shishi heard Du Fei's words, her face blushed slightly, and she walked forward without a word, lowering her head.
"Du Fei, actually, I'm quite envious of Yunyun. To have a brother who dotes on her so much."
After a while, as the awkward atmosphere slightly eased, Liu Shishi spoke.
Du Fei glanced at Liu Shishi. "What's there to be envious of? Perhaps many people envy you for being rich and beautiful."
"If I could choose, I would rather be born into an ordinary family, with both parents being ordinary office workers. Perhaps I would be much happier now."
As Liu Shishi spoke, a hint of sadness flickered in her eyes.
Although he didn't know why, Du Fei, standing so close to her, felt that Liu Shishi's life might not be as perfect as outsiders imagined.
But everyone had their own life. Du Fei felt that Liu Shishi today was very different from her usual self.
They walked under the moonlight, their shadows close together, as if leaning on each other.