The Magic Lamp Won't Let Me Speak Today Either

When Bai Doudou was ten, after failing an exam, he sniffled as he put on a swim ring and plunged into the one-meter-deep pond in his backyard.

He sat against the wall for ten minutes. His parents never came, frantically searching for him. Instead, he found... a battered little magic lamp.

The little genie looked about his age, with rosy lips and pearly white teeth, but wore a solemn expression like a tiny adult. "You've found me. I can grant you three wishes."

Bai Doudou: "Huh?"

*

After the Bai family adopted the little genie, he officially became Bai Doudou's sworn older brother.

Even as he grew up, Bai Doudou never lost his gift for talking nonstop, clinging to his genie big brother day and night.

The genie, driven to the brink of a breakdown by working through human exam-prep exercises, endured it again and again. "Don't talk."

"Today I... mmph!"

Under the lamplight, the genie lowered his long eyelashes. His slender fingers pressed against Bai Doudou's puckered lips, and a faint, pearly glow flashed, sealing Bai Doudou's mouth with ease. "I understand. Don't talk."

Bai Doudou: "Waaaaah!" (You're so unfair, and now you've used magic to seal my mouth!)

The genie pressed his lips together, the corner of his mouth lifting unconsciously as he lowered his head.

*

Oh, genie, genie, if you truly have magical powers, please grant me three wishes.

May you be healthy forever, happy forever, and love me forever.

Theme:.