Chapter 7: A bittersweet relation!

After a short, quiet walk, the familiar facade of her home came into view. Xiaoyu stopped, turning to face Yichen. "Thank you," she said, her voice soft, "for walking me home."

He nodded, his expression unreadable in the dim light. "It's my duty," he replied, his voice calm, "to drop my little sister home safely."

The phrase, "little sister," struck her like a cold gust of wind. It was a term of endearment, she knew, but it felt like a barrier, a constant reminder of the distance he kept between them. She didn't like it. She didn't like the way it made her feel, small and dismissed. She didn't like the way her heart ached when he spoke to her like this. Because she didn't want to be his little sister. She wanted more.

But she had no choice. She forced a smile, a small, polite curve of her lips that didn't reach her eyes. "Goodnight, gēgē," she said, the word a bittersweet melody on her tongue.

A soft smile touched his lips, a genuine warmth that made her heart skip a beat. "Goodnight, Xiaoyu," he replied, his voice gentle. He waved, a simple gesture, and then turned, walking away into the night.

Xiaoyu watched him go, her gaze lingering on his retreating figure until he disappeared around the corner. Then, she turned and walked through her gate, the small click of the latch echoing in the quiet street.

Inside, her house felt empty, the silence amplifying the ache in her chest. She moved through the familiar rooms, her footsteps heavy, her thoughts a tangled mess. She changed into her pajamas, the soft fabric a small comfort against her skin, but it couldn't soothe the turmoil inside her.

She sat on the edge of her bed, her gaze fixed on the floor, her mind replaying the conversation with Yichen. "Little sister." The words echoed in her mind, a constant, painful reminder of the chasm between them.

She wanted to scream, to lash out, to tell him how she truly felt. But she knew it was pointless. He wouldn't understand, or perhaps he did, and that's why he kept his distance.

A wave of sadness washed over her, a deep, heavy feeling that settled in her bones. She lay down, pulling the blanket over her, her eyes welling up with tears. She wanted him to see her, to see her as more than just a little sister. She wanted him to see the woman she was becoming, the woman who loved him.

She closed her eyes, the image of his smile, his gentle wave, burned into her memory. The warmth of his "goodnight, gēgē" was a cruel irony, a reminder of a time when their bond was simpler, more innocent. Now, it was a word filled with longing, a silent plea that went unanswered. She drifted into a restless sleep, her dreams filled with unspoken words and unrequited love, the echo of "little sister" haunting her like a mournful song.

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