I Will Fall Madly In Love With - Chapter 8

I opened the door to find Mimi standing right outside.

Spotting me, she rushed forward to wrap her arms around me, acting coquettishly. “Big Sis~”

“Back already?” I pulled her inside so we could sit down.

“Mhm. As soon as I got that brat home, I turned right back around. I even packed some of my everyday essentials I’m moving in to crash at Big Sis’s place~” With that, she pointed proudly toward her suitcase.

I pinched her soft, chubby cheek and asked, “What was your brother running away from home over this time?”

Mimi let out a profound sigh. “Ah, it’s a long story. It mostly boils down to job hunting. Since he’s about to graduate, Dad wants him to work at the family company, but he refuses.”

Blinking her large, expressive eyes thoughtfully toward the suitcase as if recalling her conversation with Xi Yuxiu, she added, “Hmm. There might be other reasons, too.”

Remembering my chat with Mom, I asked, “Does he want to go out and find a job on his own?”

“Yeah, yeah. He majored in computer science in college, is super passionate about programming, and wants to work at an internet gaming company,” Mimi said. “But Dad completely disagrees, thinking it’s nothing more than slacking off on proper work.”

“And what’s your take on it?” I asked Mimi.

“Of course I support him! Big Sis, you know how much I hate it when Mom and Dad try to meddle in our life choices,” Mimi declared firmly.

“Mhm, you’re right.” I patted her shoulder and comforted her, “Don’t worry, he’s bound to carve out his own path in his field of work.”

“I hope so,” Mimi sighed softly.

“So, you haven’t eaten lunch yet, have you? Want something to eat?” I asked softly.

Mimi shook her head, her pretty face etched with stubborn determination. “I’m not hungry.” The next second, she picked up the remote control, her eyes sparkling brightly as she grinned at me. “I want to watch a movie with Big Sis.”

“Movies are great, but you still need to eat.” I smiled helplessly and, ignoring her protests, stood up directly to head toward the kitchen.

She seemed somewhat reluctant, yet she followed closely at my heels all the way to the kitchen doorway.

“You don’t have to bother, your body hasn’t fully healed yet,” Mimi tilted her head up, a trace of anxiety filtering through her gaze.

My heart softened. I ruffled her hair and gently pulled open the refrigerator door. The ingredients inside were sparse; pulling out two eggs and some leftover rice from lunch, I turned around to consult her. “There isn’t much left in the house would egg-fried rice work?”

At the mention of “egg-fried rice,” Mimi’s eyes lit up instantly, and a massive grin bloomed across her face. “Yay! Egg-fried rice made by Big Sis is my absolute favorite!” Her radiant expression made her look as though she had just struck the world’s most precious treasure.

Before long, a steaming, fragrant plate of egg-fried rice was ready.

We sat facing each other on opposite sides of the dining table. I watched as she cradled her bowl with sheer delight, shoveling spoonful after spoonful of fried rice into her mouth, her face radiating absolute bliss and satisfaction.

“Big Sis…” Suddenly, she halted her movements, lifting her head to gaze at me with tear-filled eyes, her voice trembling slightly with suppressed emotion. “I actually thought… I’d never get to taste egg-fried rice made with your own hands ever again in this lifetime…”

As she spoke, teardrops rolled freely down her cheeks, yet she didn’t even bother to wipe them away, continuing to shovel food into her mouth in large bites.

I stood up, walked over to the chair beside her, and looked down at her trembling shoulders and unceasing tears with a heart overflowing with tender affection.

Reaching out, I carefully picked up a tissue and gently dabbed away the tear tracks staining her cheeks.

My fingers brushed through her soft locks, as though absorbing the sorrow and pain churning deep inside her heart.

I murmured softly, “Alright now, Mimi, don’t cry. Whenever Mimi wants some, Big Sis will make it for you anytime.” My tone was saturated with warmth and doting indulgence.

Mimi lifted her head slightly, her tear-drenched eyes gazing up at me through a soft, hazy mist. In that instant, I witnessed the profound emotion and joy swirling in her depths. Gradually, the corners of her mouth curved upward into an incomparably blissful smile.

Following that, she resumed eating her egg-fried rice with gusto. In the blink of an eye, she polished off the entire bowl down to the very last grain.

Setting down her utensils, she eagerly grabbed my hand and hurried toward the living room sofa.

Plumping herself down onto the couch, Mimi cuddled up tightly against me, her excitement for the impending movie bubbling over.

“Big Sis, let’s watch Coco, alright? It’s your all-time favorite,” Mimi said while cueing up the film.

“Okay,” I leaned back against the sofa cushions and replied with a smile.

How much time passed I couldn’t be sure, but I gradually drifted off into a hazy slumber.

“Ah…” Accompanied by waves of sharp pain radiating across my body, I couldn’t help letting out a groan.

Opening my eyes slowly, my vision sharpened by degrees. I was lying flat on my bed in the bedroom. Glancing down, my previous clothes had somehow been swapped out for a set of loose pajamas. The buttons of the top were unfastened entirely, exposing a large expanse of skin.

Mom stood right beside the bed, holding a bottle of disinfectant and a roll of gauze. With utmost caution, she dipped a cotton ball into the antiseptic liquid and dabbed it gently against my wounds.

“Momo, you’re awake. Did I hurt you just now?” Mom asked worriedly upon seeing me stir.

“I’m fine, Mom, it doesn’t hurt.” I fought through the recurrent stabs of pain and shook my head forcefully.

“You child, if it hurts, tell Mom. You always bear everything entirely on your own. Ever since you were little, you’ve kept everything cooped up inside, never talking to Mom when something’s wrong…” Mom sighed with heartache, carefully peeling back the gauze on my body and talking thoughtfully as she expertly changed my dressings.

She sounded as though she were scolding the pain-tolerating me right now, yet simultaneously evoking the pre-accident version of myself.

Every touch brought a fresh wave of stinging agony, but I clenched the bedsheets tightly in my fists, forcing myself not to cry out.

“Hss…” Even with my absolute best efforts at endurance, the bone-deep piercing pain still wrenched a gasp from my lips.

I felt Mom’s hand tremor slightly, though she said nothing, focusing entirely on changing the gauze over each wound with meticulous precision.

Once the fresh dressings were secured, Mom tucked my clothes neatly, pulled the blanket over me, and murmured softly, “Get some good rest, call me if anything feels uncomfortable.” With that, she clicked the bedroom door shut behind her.

I closed my eyes slowly, reviewing the events leading up to my sleep. I could still vividly recall the soft texture of the sofa, while the dialogue and sound effects of the movie seemed to echo faintly in my ears.

At that moment, a faint stirring sounded outside the door. Opening my eyes and propping myself up, I spotted Mimi walking in.

She sat down beside the bed, gazing at me with deep concern. “Big Sis, don’t try to get up, just lie back down properly.”

The corners of my mouth curled into a faint, gentle smile as I shook my head. “I’m fine. Was it you who carried me in here again?”

Mimi nodded obediently, her big, watery eyes staring up at me as she answered sweetly, “Mhm. Though Auntie was the one who changed Big Sis’s clothes. I was a very good girl and didn’t peek at you while you were sleeping, I promise~” As she spoke, she blinked deliberately, exuding an air of playful cuteness.

“Even if you had peeked, it wouldn’t matter Mimi’s already my friend.” I looked at her, offering a warm smile as I spoke softly.

Hearing my words, Mimi’s gaze flickered away evasively. A blush of bashful shyness bloomed instantly across her cheeks as she muttered under her breath, “That… that’s different.” Her voice dropped so low it felt like it was meant only for her own ears, yet it carried an unmistakable trace of resolve.

Following that, she lifted her head slightly to lock eyes with me, her gaze blazing with sincere radiance as she stated earnestly, “I’m going to wait until Big Sis is fully awake and wide-eyed so I can look at you fair and square.”

Stunned by her sudden earnestness, I froze for a moment.

Before I could formulate a reply, she hopped up swiftly, smiling brightly as she announced, “Big Sis, it’s getting late, so I’m heading back to the guest room. Get some rest early, don’t stay up late!” With that, she bolted out of the bedroom in a flash.

Accompanied by the soft click of the door closing, the room lapsed back into absolute stillness. I closed my eyes slowly, immersing myself in the memory of our recent conversation.

She was approaching thirty years old, yet she still acted as impulsive and clumsy as a little kid.

Her innocent, unblemished smile surfaced repeatedly in my mind. Lost in those thoughts, a deep drowsiness crept up on me once more.

Easter Egg

(On the Living Room Sofa)

Yan Moyi had drifted off to sleep leaning against the sofa.

Xi Yumi shifted her posture, scooped Yan Moyi up in a bridal-style carry, and transported her straight to the bed in the bedroom. Gazing down at her sleeping big sister’s face, she couldn’t resist pressing a light kiss to her forehead.

“Big Sis, I love you,” Xi Yumi whispered softly.