So you're obsessed with your big brother?

Why couldn't his brother stay with him for very long?

Was he going somewhere?

But he'd never heard Mom or Dad mention it!

No.

Tang Xiancheng was on the verge of tears.

Although his parents both loved him dearly, they had to work and had little time to spend with him. Most of the time, it was his brother who played with him, helped him with his homework, and comforted him.

He loved his brother most of all.

His brother must love him very much, too.

So why was he leaving?

Suddenly, Tang Xiancheng had so many questions to ask, but he was terrible at communicating. Once he panicked, he had even less idea how to speak.

"What's wrong?"

Tang Xianqi hadn't expected his little brother's eyes to suddenly redden with tears, either. Startled, he asked, "Is it because I teased you just now?"

"I apologize. I'm sorry. Please don't cry, okay?"

Holding Tang Tang with one arm, Tang Xianqi reached out with his other hand to wipe Tang Xiancheng's tears.

"If you don't like it, I won't tease you again. It was my fault."

Tang Tang was stunned, too.

Do you really hate holding me and talking to me that much?

An adorable baby like me got rejected by you and didn't even get mad. Why are you the one crying?

Fine, I overestimated what someone with social anxiety could handle. I shouldn't have asked you to hold me.

As an adult who had lived ten lifetimes, Tang Tang certainly wasn't childish enough to hold a grudge against a little kid.

It was my fault. Don't cry. I won't tease you anymore.

So scared of strangers from such a young age. No wonder you became more and more withdrawn and socially anxious after losing the big brother you loved.

Having to go through so much at such a young age... you really are pitiful.

Tang Xiancheng: "..."

Tang Xiancheng cried even harder.

My little sister said I'd lose my brother again.

But she won't tell me where he's going.

Why would I lose my brother?

No one had expected Tang Xiancheng to suddenly work himself into tears.

The adults all stopped what they were doing and scrambled to comfort him.

Thinking Tang Tang's request to be held had scared him into crying, Su Xiajing quickly took the baby away.

"I'm sorry, Xiancheng. Tang Tang is a little too enthusiastic. I'll take her away now."

"N-no, that's not it."

Tang Xiancheng wiped his tears with the back of his hand and said shyly, "I-I wasn't scared."

Everyone froze.

Even Tang Xianqi couldn't understand the little brother he'd practically raised himself. "Then why?"

"Because..."

Tang Xiancheng opened his mouth, then froze again.

How do I explain?

Tell Mom, Dad, my brother, Uncle, and Aunt that I can hear my little sister's thoughts, and she said I'd lose my brother without saying how, and she even snapped at me and called me Bowl Cut?

But how do I say that?

There's so much to explain. How do I connect it all so everyone can understand?

It's so complicated.

Tang Xiancheng thought so hard his head felt ready to burst.

After failing to get revenge over several lifetimes, Tang Tang had once gone through a period of withdrawal, afraid to face people and unwilling to say anything.

One look at him told her his social anxiety had flared up again, leaving him unable to put his words together.

What's there to agonize over? Just say you don't like me and don't want to see me.

You used to even dare to ignore that nasty old man. Why are you so timid now?

Besides, you're still a kid. Even if you really did something wrong, no one would blame you. What are you afraid of?

Tang Beichen: "..."

Not like you?

Impossible.

Tang Dongcheng: "..."

Looking at it that way, Xiancheng's quite impressive.

Tang Xiancheng: "..."

My little sister seems to have a point.

Though I don't know who that nasty old man is.

But it sounds like I'm pretty impressive.

"Take your time."

Tang Xianqi rested a hand on his brother's shoulder, silently lending him strength. "Just like when you talk to us at home. Take your time and try talking to Tangtang."

Tang Xiancheng looked up and, encouraged by his brother, gathered his courage again.

"Okay."

He nodded firmly, took a deep breath, and looked at Tang Tang. "It's not that I don't like you."

Then he tentatively held out his hands. "C-can I hold you?"

Although he was still scared, his little sister was right. He was already eight. He couldn't rely on his brother for everything.

Even if his brother wasn't going to leave him, he should learn to be independent and do things himself.

"Oh my goodness!"

Li Qixian hadn't expected things to take this turn. She covered her mouth in surprise. "Our Xiancheng actually asked to hold his little sister."

What an astonishing change!

Su Xiajing paused in surprise, then carefully placed Tang Tang in his arms. "Thank you for helping, Xiancheng."

Tang Xiancheng blushed. "Okay."

Going from a soft, sweet-smelling embrace to the arms of a child as stiff as a wooden frame left Tang Tang uncomfortable all over.

Stop keeping your whole body so stiff!

I'm still a fragile little baby. You're so rigid that holding me like this really hurts.

Relax. Don't be so nervous.

Tang Xiancheng: "..."

My body tenses up on its own. I can't help it...

"Come sit over here."

Tang Xianqi guided him safely to the sofa. "Babies may be fragile, but as long as we're careful, we won't hurt her. Sit here and get used to it first, Xiancheng."

"Okay."

With his back straight and his arms stiff, Tang Xiancheng held her carefully, listening to his brother and trying to relax.

"Yes, just like that. You're doing very well, Xiancheng."

Li Qixian and Tang Dongcheng encouraged him, too. "Once you've relaxed, you can try freeing one hand and holding your little sister's hand."

"Okay."

Looking at the baby, so big in his little arms, Tang Xiancheng didn't dare take a hand away.

Instead, he shifted Tang Tang a little farther onto his arm and tentatively touched her tiny hand with a finger.

Tang Tang responded, her chubby little hand grabbing his index finger.

See? You're doing great.

You're so smart and good-looking. It's such a waste to spend all day holed up at home being a couch potato.

Being praised by a little sister eight years younger than him didn't make Tang Xiancheng happy at all.

He looked up at Tang Xianqi. "Am I doing it right?"

Tang Xianqi stroked his head encouragingly. "You're doing great."

"And I think Tang Tang is happy, too."

Tang Xiancheng smiled shyly and gave Tang Tang's chubby little hand a squeeze.

Tang Tang stared, dumbfounded.

I never would've guessed. So you're obsessed with your big brother?

And you're a little clingy one, too. You had to ask for praise over something this small?

You love your big brother so much. No wonder his death hit you so hard.

Ah, my poor Bowl Cut brother.

The smile froze on Tang Xiancheng's face.

What?

My brother is going to die?

Su Xiajing, Tang Beichen, and Tang Dongcheng: "..."

Here it comes.

Little Candy has finally gotten to the point.