Why Is Big Sister So Fierce?

Responsible eldest sister x spoiled young master who wants to be loved

Chen Yao had been in this world for fifteen years, traveling around with an old Daoist for all of them. When it was finally time to go home, she learned that she now had a younger brother and sister, and that her mother had died in childbirth.

Her family was wealthy, and her father was busy with work. He left his two children and the many servants of the Chen household to depend on one another. When Chen Yao looked around, she discovered that both children had been badly spoiled.

Second Young Master Chen Tongchen had been indulged until he was utterly out of control. He tormented cats and dogs and did whatever he pleased, making him the local menace of Jinle Commandery.

Third Young Lady Chen Hemi was timid by nature, frightened of her own shadow. She spent her days shut away in her room, keeping the door closed and daring not to face outsiders.

An eldest sister is like a mother. When Chen Yao returned, her father looked at her guiltily and welcomed her back with a feast, indulging her in everything. He had put off the matter for as long as he could, but at last he begged her to look after her younger siblings. Then he hurried off on a business trip with several carts of goods, with no fixed date for his return.

...Fine, then.

Chen Yao glanced at the empty table and considered where to begin.

*

Chen Tongchen defied heaven, earth, and his father. He had lived carefree for the first half of his life, until his eldest sister came home and turned his world upside down. He couldn't understand why anyone would be so eager to discipline their younger siblings. The long, straight stick hurt like fire when it landed on his backside. He felt wronged and furious. Even his father had never tried to control him like this!

So he started fighting back. When he was locked in his room, he climbed over the wall. On a moonless, windy night, he couldn't believe she would stay awake, but as he straddled the wall, he looked down and locked eyes with her.

When one scheme failed, he came up with another. While she was out, he and his personal servant used a diversion to sneak away. Chen Tongchen tried to crawl through the dog door, only to get stuck there, just as Chen Yao came home and caught him.

Chen Tongchen: "..." She'd seen him at his most pathetic.

He refused to give in, so he kept trying and failing, then trying again. After their third wager, Chen Tongchen pretended to be magnanimous. "I'll listen to you, just this once."

Later, when a friend fell into debt and begged him for help, Chen Tongchen's heart softened. For the first time, he went to a gambling den, despite having turned over a new leaf.

When Chen Yao caught him again, she looked at him with disappointment and told him that since he had broken his word, she would consider herself an only child from then on.

The disappointment in her eyes cut him deeply. Chen Tongchen admitted that he was panicking. He liked having someone discipline him, and he craved the way his sister protected him. Without thinking, he grabbed the hem of her clothes. "I won't talk back to you again. I was wrong. Can you please not leave?"

*

Yang Sheng had three favorite pastimes: watching the fun, stirring things up, and sleeping. Otherwise, he was always listless. His family was wealthy, and his parents doted on him, so he naturally did whatever he wanted.

He knew the eldest daughter who had gone missing from the Chen family years ago had returned, but he didn't pay much attention. In fact, he loved watching the Chen family drama. It was only later, when Chen Tongchen became her devoted shadow, that he started wondering what had happened.

Later, when Chen Tongchen learned how Yang Sheng felt about her, he was so angry that he punched him. "You used to help me go after her!"

Yang Sheng took the punch. His usually sleepy eyes showed a rare seriousness. "I know. I was wrong, but I'm not giving up."

Theme: A happy family.