Suddenly finding himself targeted by Shen Jin and Shen Yu, the former blissfully oblivious and the latter guilty but determined, Shen Jun could only resign himself to his fate and press a hand to his forehead. He had never expected to be the one cleaning up the mess.
Looking at Ji Cიცen, whose contact he had added back in middle school and who had sat untouched on his list ever since, Shen Jun took a deep breath and carefully considered his wording before starting a conversation.
Seeing the helplessness in his own older brother's eyes at being forced to deal with someone, Shen Jin pretended not to notice. Then, frustrated with his hopeless brother-by-default, he pinched Shen Yu's earlobe and, still not satisfied, tugged at his cowlick.
"What is it?" Shen Yu covered his head, feeling wronged, not understanding how he had offended his younger brother, who had been so sarcastic lately.
"Nothing. Just behave yourself." Shen Jin always felt that his brother-by-default gave people no end of things to worry about, even though Shen Yu was older than him.
"If you run into danger or anything you don't understand, contact the teacher right away. Remember to keep your phone reachable."
"If all else fails..." As though he had reached a name he did not want to mention, Shen Jin gritted his teeth. "You can ask Ji Cიცen for help too."
"Heh!" Shen Yu laughed aloud. Catching Shen Jin's icy look, he immediately reined it in, then stammered out an explanation. "My teeth were hot. I was letting them get some air."
"They'd better have been."
Shen Jin's face remained expressionless, but inside, he had been blasted to pieces. He keenly felt that he had already lost today's battle in spirit.
"It's fine." Shen Jun pressed his lips together and