Craving Tenderness

Also known as "Hey, Little Bro, Are You Still Looking for a Big Bro?" and "Keeping It in the Family"

Name: Lin Zhiyue

Gender: Male

Status: First-year high school kid

Bottom line: His big bro and his sister, Lin Yuanxu (his sister a little more)

(Lin Zhiyue showed a tiny gap between his thumb and forefinger.)

How much does he value his big bro? Enough to willingly show him photos of his sister!

And share the snacks and gifts his sister sends him!

Lin Zhiyue, a first-year student, unilaterally declared Bai Jiyang, who lived across the hall from him, his big bro. His big bro was now in his senior year, and he hoped he would have time to help him with his homework. His mom also often told him to drop by and bring over some gifts.

Lin Zhiyue: Big bro, what do you think of my sister, Lin Yuanxu? Isn't she beautiful? (starry-eyed)

Bai Jiyang: Mm... (calm on the surface, with undercurrents churning beneath)

He pressed the save button.

When Bai Jiyang had just started his first year of high school, he attended an assembly held ahead of schedule. He also helped present certificates of merit to the seniors who had been accepted into top universities that year. A few student representatives took the stage to share their experiences.

One of the senior girls stood there with gentle poise, dressed in a pale purple gown, her long hair flowing. She was graceful and lovely.

Bai Jiyang was only a little dazzled and glanced at her a few times.

But that pale purple gown kept appearing in his mind.

Later, when Mrs. Bai excitedly told him about Lin Yuanxu, he finally remembered: she was the kind older girl who had looked after him. His affection grew with time, like flowers blooming in a riot of colors in late spring, like a trickle that would eventually swell into a vast ocean.

*When they were little

During the summer vacation after Bai Jiyang graduated from elementary school, he stayed cooped up at home for three days straight without going out. His mother came over to Lin Yuanxu's house to play mahjong and coaxed and dragged the proud little Bai along with her.

She hadn't told him that her best friend's family had a daughter two years older than him, who was pretty and gentle.

Bai Jiyang, being looked after like this for the first time: ??? How could there be such a beautiful big sister?

Why was he inexplicably feeling shy?

Bai Jiyang: Little bro, are you still looking for a big bro?

Lin Zhiyue: I thought you were my big bro, but you want to be my brother-in-law? I let you admire my sister, and now you want to be with her?

Recorded by Shi Xu Chi Ji, 2021.7.10

Revised 2023.4.10

Theme: The night gave me black eyes, but I use them to seek the light.