Chapter Summaries

Jiang Zhiyao recalled how an incident involving lost summer homework first brought her closer to her older brother, Jiang Linyuan. In the present, his teasing about lolicons led to a playful scuffle between them.

• Jiang Zhiyao remembered that she and Jiang Linyuan barely interacted as children, despite sharing a home and a room.
• After Jiang Zhiyao lost her summer homework, Jiang Linyuan gave her his own and took the blame when he could not turn it in.
• Jiang Linyuan told Jiang Zhiyao that he had truly given away his homework and joked that he had fooled the adults, prompting her to consider getting to know him better.
• In the present, Jiang Linyuan complained about lolicons, and Jiang Zhiyao teased him before covering his face with a cushion to stop him talking.

While cleaning her room, the narrator and Jiang Linyuan recalled their middle-school friendship and the secrets they shared. Finding their old MP4 player led her to learn that Jiang Linyuan's earbud had broken early on, though he had kept listening to her songs in silence.

• The narrator recalled becoming Jiang Linyuan's deskmate in middle school, sharing snacks and evening study, and resenting a girl who was assigned to tutor him.
• After the exams, the narrator became Jiang Linyuan's deskmate again, and he told her he had never accepted the girl's snacks because he did not want to owe her.
• The narrator and Jiang Linyuan secretly pooled their money to buy an MP4 player and listened to music together during evening self-study.
• While cleaning her room, the narrator found the broken MP4 player and asked Jiang Linyuan about the earbuds they had shared.
• Jiang Linyuan revealed that his earbud had broken about a month after they bought the player, but he had not told her and had continued watching her instead.
• The narrator realized Jiang Linyuan could restore the songs she had deleted from the playlist, so her hidden musical messages had never been secret from him.

In high school, Yaoyao grew awkward around Jiang Linyuan, struggled with math, and watched him defend her from classmates who mocked her grades. As she and Huang Taoyan discussed family secrets, Taoyan wondered if Jiang Linyuan was really Yaoyao’s brother, leaving Yaoyao questioning what she remembered about his place in the family.

• Yaoyao and Jiang Linyuan entered the same top class, where their father taught them, and Yaoyao’s math score left her with an average ranking.
• Jiang Linyuan punched a classmate who mocked Yaoyao, then fought him again after he spread rumors about favoritism.
• Jiang Linyuan delivered a self-criticism at the school assembly, while Huang Taoyan reassured Yaoyao and watched him with admiration.
• Yaoyao chose the science track despite her mother’s concerns, and Jiang Linyuan chose it too.
• Huang Taoyan told Yaoyao that her parents were raising a newly arrived cousin and suspected the girl might be an illegitimate daughter.
• Huang Taoyan wondered whether Jiang Linyuan was Yaoyao’s fake brother, prompting Yaoyao to question when she had first learned he was her older brother.

Jiang Zhiyao’s grades and interest in school collapsed as she wrestled with what her lifelong closeness to Jiang Linyuan meant. After her mother confronted her about her romance-writing and ordered her to board at school, Jiang Zhiyao told Jiang Linyuan he would have to ride home alone, leaving their relationship unsettled.

• Jiang Zhiyao asked Jiang Linyuan whether he would reject her if she became lazy and useless, and he teased her before returning to their shared homework.
• Jiang Linyuan told Jiang Zhiyao they were close because they had spent years together, not simply because they were siblings, prompting her to question what their bond would be otherwise.
• Jiang Zhiyao struggled to focus in class, read novels, and wrote drafts during evening study as her grades plummeted.
• Jiang Zhiyao’s mother caught her writing romance fiction, accused her of dating or having a crush, and ordered her to focus on studying and move into the dorms.
• Jiang Zhiyao told Jiang Linyuan she would start boarding the following week, and he was stunned that she had not told him sooner.

Jiang Linyuan recalled meeting Tangtang, a timid second-year student who carried breakfast for classmates and let them take advantage of her. After he stood up for her, Tangtang began trying to stop being a pushover, and she promised to tell him her name next time.

• Jiang Linyuan's teacher ordered him to read his irreverent essay aloud to the class, and Jiang Zhiyao asked him to bring breakfast the next morning.
• Jiang Linyuan met Tangtang buying breakfast for a dozen people and helped her bring it into school, then saw a classmate avoid paying her back.
• When the teacher confiscated Tangtang's breakfast, Jiang Linyuan confronted the classmate who demanded a refund despite owing Tangtang money, and the dean made her write a six-thousand-word self-criticism.
• A week later, Tangtang thanked Jiang Linyuan with breakfast and told him she no longer wanted to be a punching bag.
• Tangtang promised to reveal her name the next time they met and asked Jiang Linyuan not to forget it.

On New Year's Day, the narrator secretly left boarding school to walk home with Jiang Linyuan and used their time together to talk about university plans and whom she might like. Jiang Linyuan reassured her that he would support her choices, and they prepared to head home together through the snow.

• The narrator secretly left the dormitory and walked through heavy snow with Jiang Linyuan, then stopped with him at a milk tea shop.
• The narrator said she hoped to stay in Jinling for university, and Jiang Linyuan said he might also stay nearby, though he could apply farther away.
• Jiang Linyuan asked whether the narrator liked someone and whether she liked boys or girls; she said she liked girls a little more.
• Jiang Linyuan said he could not accept her being gay at first, then clarified that her own happiness mattered and that he would support her.
• Jiang Linyuan revealed he had brought an umbrella and said he had waited because the narrator seemed to have something to tell him; they teased each other before leaving.

Yu Songsong recalled how she confessed her feelings to Jiang Linyuan and how his care let her embrace her rebellious side. In the present, she woke beside him during their trip and tried to prolong their time together despite their need to return.

• Yu Songsong remembered confessing to Senior, who answered only, "Mm," and how she stayed by his side seeking his approval.
• Jiang Linyuan told Yu Songsong, "You are you. This is who you are," and she cried in his arms before deciding she could not leave him.
• Yu Songsong woke from her dream as Jiang Linyuan drew the curtains and told her she could sleep longer.
• Jiang Linyuan reminded Yu Songsong that they had traveled for a month and might be hunted if they stayed away too long.
• Yu Songsong complained about the woman who had power and money, said she had left the child with her, and pulled Jiang Linyuan back into bed to kiss him.