A Gift for a Gift

The world was full of hardship, but one good meal could chase away a thousand sorrows.

For Jiang An'an, as long as her older brother was by her side, there was no trouble that good food couldn't fix.

To Jiang Wang, seeing her eat until her mouth gleamed with grease and laugh without a care in the world was the greatest reward. No matter how much hardship and effort it took, it was all worth it.

In this boundless world, they were each other's only family.

"An'an."

Jiang Wang watched her for a while, then said, "Your brother has to go. I might be busy for a long time this time, too."

Jiang An'an gripped her chopsticks in her little hands, pushing noodles around with them. Her mood suddenly sank. "Will you come see me for the New Year?"

"Of course." Jiang Wang patted her little head. "We promised. Your brother will miss you, too."

"Then be careful on the road," Jiang An'an said softly.

"Now, when I'm on the road, it's other people who need to be careful." Jiang Wang boasted deliberately. "Your brother's a notorious fiend!"

"Hmph." Jiang An'an wrinkled her little nose, glanced at him, then turned her head away again.

She went back to eating her noodles.

"Come on, give me a smile." Jiang Wang teased her.

Jiang An'an pouted and refused to play along.

"Come on, smile, you little chub~" Jiang Wang sang the words with exaggerated ups and downs.

"You're the chubby one!" Jiang An'an put down her chopsticks and lunged at him, claws bared.

They horsed around for a while.

"I'm off," Jiang Wang said.

Jiang An'an sat back down and picked up her chopsticks again.

"Mm," she said.

Jiang Wang said nothing more. He turned and left the room, gently closing the