Whose Childhood Friend Isn't Clingy?

Xiu Yuhuai is a poor little thing. He grew up in an orphanage, and the person who treated him best in his memories was the orphanage director, whom he called Mom. He thought he could stay with her for a long, long time, but when he was four, he fell seriously ill and left the woman he loved most behind.

When he opened his eyes again, an auntie had brought him in front of several people. All he saw was a fierce little boy staring at him nonstop. The boy spoke to the young couple beside him: "Mom, Dad, he's cute. Bring him home and raise him. I want a little sister."

Xiu Yuhuai was still dazed, but he remembered to quietly say that he wasn't a girl. The little boy was too fierce to listen, though. He insisted on taking him in.

And so the frail "fake little sister," Xiu Yuhuai, was brought home to become the young master of the Qiu family's playmate.

The young master was a little sad to learn that his little sister was actually a little brother. But the little boy was obedient and cute, and always called him "big brother" so sweetly. The young master was secretly pleased. What else could he do but "forgive" him? Not only did he forgive him, he took him everywhere, afraid someone might bully him. His little brother was only allowed to be bullied by him!

Xiu Yuhuai had a good temper and depended on the family for a place to live, so he indulged the young master in everything. They grew up together, and the young master became more and more clingy, keeping a strict eye on him. He monitored his meals, his sleep, and even his friendships, afraid someone would spirit him away when he wasn't watching.

One day, the school beauty merely glanced at Xiu Yuhuai a couple of times, and the young master, whose possessiveness had gone through the roof, cornered him at home. The young master's eyes were red with anger as he demanded, "Yuhuai, I saw her looking at you. Are you going to be friends with her?"

Xiu Yuhuai touched the corner of his eye, feeling a little helpless. "You, always imagining things. You know all my friends, don't you?"

"I do." The young master looked aggrieved, like a big dog with its tail between its legs. "I'm just afraid you'll want to make... that kind of friend. You're all grown up now. You'll want to make friends someday, right?"

Xiu Yuhuai looked at him for a long moment, then said softly, "Even when I'm grown up, I won't look for one."

He didn't want that kind of relationship with anyone else. Having his big brother was enough. Even if he could only be his big brother, he was already so good to him. How could Xiu Yuhuai dare to ask for anything more? Just being able to see him was enough.

1. Shou-focused, mutually devoted. They are little kids in the early chapters, and the romance only begins when they're older. They aren't related by blood or registered in the same household.

2. A slice-of-life story with a slow pace.

Theme: Growing together and protecting each other.