Sssss... A painful feeling surged up his leg and, by reflex, Ye Xuan released his hands from Liu Duo.

After she regained freedom, she quickly distanced herself from him and shot him a glare, "Do that again and see if I'll tear you apart!"

Liu Ran and the other students had finished their dictation. They remained in their seats waiting for Ye Xuan to return to check their work.

Despite having been stepped on, Ye Xuan was still able to keep a smile on his face, "Sister Duo, oh, aren't you sassy?"

But he loved it!

Liu Duo ignored him as she waited for Liu Ran to come out.

Ye Xuan realised he had been out of the classroom for a while, so he walked closer to Liu Duo, still smiling, and stopped two steps away from her, "Sister Duo, I have to get back inside now. We'll meet again. I'm afraid the students are done with their dictation."

"..."

Liu Duo had been keeping her eye on Liu Ran. She saw him smiling back at her, so she smiled too.

Ye Xuan noticed it, and hoped very much that Liu Duo could give him that smile.

He hobbled towards the schoolhouse and into the classroom, where he sat on his designated seat and gave his instructions, "Alright, let me check your dictation!"

A while later, he finished checking the students' work and announced, "Class dismissed! Don't be lazy when you get home, and remember to do your revision."

"Yes, sir," the students replied altogether.

Ye Xuan nodded. The students picked up their belongings and began to leave.

Then, Ye Xuan went to Liu Ran's table and put on the mannerisms of a teacher, "Liu Ran, don't forget to revise your lessons when you get home. Don't waste your time on playful deeds."

Liu Ran looked up and saw the gentle smile on Ye Xuan's face. He nodded. "Yes, I'll remember that. Thank you, sir."

"You can go home now. Your sister's waiting," Ye Xuan glanced in Liu Duo's direction.

Liu Ran looked out the window too, and he quickly packed his books and supplies. He bowed to Ye Xuan before running towards his sister.

Ye Xuan stood there, observing Liu Duo from the window as she happily reunited with Liu Ran. She took his school bag and walked alongside him as they left the schoolhouse.

It was only after Liu Duo disappeared from sight that Ye Xuan finally averted his gaze. But his smile never faded.

On their way home, Liu Ran asked his sister, "Sis, did you like my present?"

She thought of the wooden puppet and said, very tenderly, "Of course I do. I like whatever you give me."

"I knew you'd say that! Hehe..." he said, smiling from ear to ear.

He would only smile like that when Liu Duo was around.

Liu Duo patted him on the head, happy to see his playful grin.

Back home, Liu Duo let him wash his hands by the well, while she went into the kitchen and brought out the egg custard she had kept warm for him.

"Ran Er, come have your egg custard."

Liu Duo noticed that Liu Ran seemed to have gained a little weight, but it wasn't enough. He still had room to grow.

Liu Ran, having washed his hands, walked over to his sister, "Sis, you always make this for me. I'm going to become fat soon."

Pffft, Liu Duo found his statement humorous. He was hardly fat! "Won't that be great, to gain a bit more meat? You'll be cuter that way."

Liu Ran scooped a mouthful of custard and shook his head, "No, fat people are slower and not as responsive. They eat a lot and use up more clothing material than everyone else!"

Liu Duo laughed heartily when he said that. Somehow it made sense.

When Ye Liu and Ye Mo came back, they found the two siblings having a wonderful chat.

"Ran Er, come and unload these. I've bought something nice for you!"