With the New Year approaching, my little brother, Lin Zhihao, brought his girlfriend home to meet the family.
My parents were overjoyed, preparing a lavish feast.
When I got home from work, Zhihao immediately pulled over a pretty girl in a white dress, her makeup subtle but flawless.
He introduced her with pride: “Sis, this is my girlfriend, Wang Yiran. Isn’t she beautiful?”
I greeted Yiran, but she kept scrutinizing my face.
“Big sister, your foundation is amazing—you can’t even tell you’re already in your thirties! Can you recommend it to me?”
I froze.
What a backhanded compliment. Was she implying that I needed expensive makeup to hide my age? Please, I’m only 31!
Out of politeness, I just frowned and said nothing.
When my mom called for help with the dishes, my brother started to get up, but Yiran grabbed his arm.
She said to me, as if it were obvious, “Big sister, shouldn’t you be the one helping in the kitchen? How can you let my boyfriend do such chores?”
I sneered, “Why should chores be divided by gender in our own home?”
She insisted, “Of course! Men are the backbone of the family. In my hometown, men just wait to eat.”
Backbone? My brother, who secretly borrows money from me every month, is the backbone?
And since when do men just sit and wait for food? Yiran’s worldview was seriously warped.
I smiled without warmth. “Sorry, that’s not how things work here. Zhihao, go help Mom.”
Zhihao hesitated, but got up.
Suddenly, Yiran started sobbing. My brother rushed back to comfort her.
“Yiran, don’t cry!”
She whimpered, “I didn’t mean to upset big sister. I just wanted you to rest since you’ve been out shopping with me all day. I care about you.”
She looked at me with teary eyes, as if I’d forced Zhihao into hard labor.
“Big sister, can’t you be a little nicer to Yiran?” Zhihao scolded me, glaring.
I rolled my eyes. “You still want your allowance next month?”
He ignored me, cooing at Yiran, “Don’t cry, you won’t look cute with puffy eyes.”
I couldn’t stand watching my 6’1” brother baby-talking his girlfriend and escaped to the kitchen.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Yiran flash me a triumphant look.
Did she really think she’d won?
I was annoyed. I turned back.
“Zhihao, go help Mom. I need to talk to Miss Wang.”
Maybe it was the authority of an older sister, but Zhihao obeyed, leaving us alone.
Before I could speak, Yiran clung to my arm, still acting pitiful, but her eyes were full of challenge.
“Big sister, it’s my fault. You’re older, so I should be the one helping with chores.”
What was with the sarcasm? If she wanted to help, why didn’t she do it earlier?
She smiled sweetly. “And I absolutely support your single lifestyle. As family, we’d never think you’re an embarrassment. When Zhihao becomes the general manager, I’ll make sure he gives you a director position, so you’ll have something to rely on when you’re old. Isn’t that great?”
Great? Did she even know who the general manager was? It was me!
She wanted to demote me and expected me to thank her?
She wasn’t even engaged yet and already meddling in company affairs. What would happen if she actually married Zhihao?
Besides, I just didn’t want to get married for now. How many men do I have lined up? She had no idea.
I shrugged her off. “Miss Wang, are you in the business of selling pipes? Why are you trying to control everything before you’re even married? Are you the Pacific Police or something?”
Yiran blinked innocently, her double eyelid tape barely hanging on, still trying to look charming.
“I really envy how outspoken you are, big sister,” she said. “Zhihao told me you have a lot of boyfriends at once. I can barely handle taking care of one.”
She giggled. “You must be a real time management master.”
I glared. “I’m good at managing my time—and my hands. Want to see for yourself?”
Yiran flinched theatrically, collapsing onto the couch, face twisted in exaggerated fear.
Before I could figure out her game, my mom’s voice rang out.
“What’s going on here?”
My brother rushed over to help Yiran up and snapped at me, “Sis, did you have to push her so hard?”
With Zhihao backing her, Yiran looked even more aggrieved. “It’s fine, big sister didn’t push that hard. I’m not hurt at all…”
Was she acting in a soap opera?
Chapter 01
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