The Maillard Effect

Not blood-related | Rabbit and Wolf

At ten years old, Jiang Xing curled up in the corridor of the Civil Affairs Bureau. Through tear-filled eyes, she saw a boy walking toward her.

Lu Linchuan crouched down. His eyes were bright and clear, his smile gentle.

"Want some chocolate?"

Jiang Xing first met Lu Linchuan when he was twelve.

After her family suffered a sudden calamity, she moved in with the Lu family and called him big brother.

Lu Linchuan was outstanding. He had been at the top of his class since childhood and was recognized by the whole school as a top student.

"I'll teach you."

Beneath the mottled shadows of the trees, he wore a clean school uniform and patiently helped her with her homework.

He should have been the perfect big brother.

But it seemed his little sister

had someone she was dating.

-

"Where are you going?"

The light was dim. Lu Linchuan sat on the sofa, and Jiang Xing couldn't make out his eyes.

He sat her on his lap.

Chocolate steeped in red wine melted between her lips and teeth. His kisses left her tongue numb.

Her most refined, gentle, humble, and polite big brother took off his gold-rimmed glasses.

"I can teach you these things too."

He kissed away the tears welling in the corners of her eyes, feeling her tremble with each passing moment.

His hoarse, uncontrolled voice rang in her ear.

"Good girl. Look at me. Look at your big brother..."

*They are not related by blood and are not registered in the same household. All intimate interactions take place after they are adults.

*Big brother is a male ghost who is very good at hiding what he is.

Written on 2025.5.5

Theme: Persevere.