Qin Liuxi entered the manor, making her way to her little side courtyard. Yet before she could enter, her steps halted, and she turned to look at the osmanthus tree on the right.
As her voice fell, a head peeked out from behind the tree, timidly eyeing her, slowly revealing its entire small body.
"What are you doing here?" Qin Liuxi looked down upon this small sibling born of the same mother, gazing at him from above.
Qin Mingchun bashfully approached and performed a respectful bow, "Elder sister."
Qin Liuxi hummed in response, locking eyes with him.
The little fellow really knew how to grow, inheriting all the best traits from the parents—such a delicate and beautiful little face, so innocent and endearing, quite irresistible to the urge to tease.
Qin Liuxi reached out and pinched him, quite satisfied with the feeling.
Qin Mingchun's eyes widened, filled with disbelief.
"Don't cry," Qin Liuxi saw the tears gathering in his lovely peach-like eyes and threatened, "Otherwise, I'll hit you."
Elder sister sure is scary.
Qin Mingchun's stomach gurgled audibly; he quickly covered it, feeling somewhat embarrassed, and muttered with his head bowed, "I'm not hungry, it's just my stomach growling on its own."
Hehe, to think he's trying to act cute in front of her at such a young age!
Qin Liuxi cast him a glance, entered the courtyard, and Qin Mingchun, not daring to follow, just watched her go.
After a long moment, her voice came from inside: "Come in."
"Yes." Qin Mingchun immediately complied.
Inside the house, Qin Liuxi took a box handed over by Qi Huang, opened it, and pushed it in front of Qin Mingchun.
It was a box of four-color pastries, giving off an enticing sweet aroma.
Qin Mingchun's peach-blossom eyes lit up as he licked his rosy little lips non-stop.
Pastries like these used to be commonplace for him before their family's troubles, but since then, he hadn't had the chance to taste such delicacies, not to mention extremely refined food.
"Really? Thank you, elder sister." Qin Mingchun's eyes sparkled, he wiped his little hands on his clothing, then picked up a piece of Fuling Cake, first licking it, and then taking a tiny bite, revealing a satisfied expression.
Qin Liuxi watched on and suddenly felt somewhat uncomfortable, yet still maintained a cool demeanor.
Qin Mingchun nibbled on a small piece, chewed it for a long time before swallowing, then hesitantly said, "I'm full, I won't eat anymore. Can I save it for later?"
He claimed he wouldn't eat any more, but his eyes couldn't leave the pastry in his hands.
"No, you can only finish it here with me, or don't eat at all," Qin Liuxi pretended to take it away.
Qin Mingchun panicked, quickly stuffing the pastry into his mouth, and in his rush, he began to choke, his little face turning purple as he struggled for breath.
Qin Liuxi calmly pressed on his stomach, the pastry came out, and upon seeing the little guy coughing continuously, she said, "This is a lesson for you. No matter how delicious food is, you can't gobble it down in haste, because it might choke you to death."
Qin Mingchun's eyes were red-rimmed, looking regretfully at the Fuling Cake on the ground, tears brimming but not falling.
"Since you've finished eating, you can go now."
"Oh." Qin Mingchun stood up, taking one last reluctant look at the pastries on the table.
He left, looking back three steps at a time.
Seeing his behavior, Qin Liuxi picked up the rest and quickly finished them, speaking vaguely, "Gone now."
Tears streamed down his face.
Qin Liuxi grinned at him, taking pleasure in her deed.
Unable to take it anymore, Qin Mingchun ran out. Elder sister is so mean.
Qi Huang came in and said, "You even bully little kids, you're too wicked!"
And this one is a close brother at that.
Qin Liuxi said, "I'm doing this to build an image of the elder sister so that in the future he'll be wary around me!"
Qi Huang let out a light scoff, just watch, she would soon end up sending something to the little master anyway, given how adorable he is.
Sure enough, Qin Liuxi then said, "Take the remaining pastries to Madam."
Qi Huang thought to herself, look at that, the wickedness doesn't even last a cup of tea's time!