Chapter 13: Sisters

Zhou Yan unlocked the door and pulled it open.

Standing before him was an adorable young girl. “Xiao Ke, what’s the matter?”

“Hehehe, Zhou Yan, why did you lock the door from the inside?”

Luo Ke, looking mischievous, squeezed into the room, glancing left and right, touching here and there. Her petite nose twitched, making her resemble a little detective.

“Were you up to something naughty?”

Zhou Yan rolled his eyes at her and reached out to flick her gently on the forehead.

“What nonsense are you learning these days?”

Luo Ke, upon hearing Zhou Yan’s words, immediately protested with hands on her hips and chest out, “What do you mean little one? I’m seventeen, not a child at all!”

Zhou Yan found himself drawn to her posture.

Well… this was indeed…

He turned his face slightly away. “Mm…”

Luo Ke froze, suddenly awkward.

As a girl, she was acutely sensitive to a man’s gaze, and couldn’t fail to notice Zhou Yan’s eyes. Yet, strangely, she didn’t want to show that she was aware.

So she held the pose, awkward for both of them, a faint blush coloring her cheeks as she said, “Zhou Yan, my sister saw you go into your room and not come out for several minutes. She was worried something happened to you, so she sent me to check…”

Her shy demeanor was especially charming and youthful.

One could only imagine how many boys her age were troubled by her.

Zhou Yan regained his composure and smiled, nodding. “I got carried away practicing swordsmanship, so I sat down to rest for a bit. I’ll go take a shower and join you for dinner right away.”

Luo Ke nodded, her face still red, then hurried past Zhou Yan and ran out of his room.

*

A few minutes later.

After showering in the sword hall’s communal bathroom, Zhou Yan, now dressed in a clean T-shirt, made his way to the annex at the rear of the hall.

This area was physically separated from the front section of the Nanming Sword Hall; it was the living quarters of the Luo sisters.

Zhou Yan knocked gently on the door.

“Coming—!” came a bright, clear voice.

Soon, he heard hurried footsteps.

The door swung open, and Luo Ke’s small head peeked out. “Zhou Yan, come in!”

She stepped aside.

She was all smiles, her eyes sparkling, as if she had completely forgotten the awkwardness from earlier.

Zhou Yan nodded and entered, slipping off his shoes and accepting the slippers Luo Ke handed him.

Then, he took a small item from his pocket and handed it to the girl.

“Xiao Ke, this is for you.”

Luo Ke looked down curiously at his open palm, then gasped in delight when she saw what lay within.

She quickly snatched it from his large hand.

“Wow—what is this! It’s so cute!”

She turned the yellow plush toy over in her palm, her eyes brimming with affection.

“This little toy… I call it Electric Mouse.”

Zhou Yan smiled.

He’d crafted it in his spare moments over the past few days. With only one hand, his handiwork was not quite as refined as the original, but it was cute enough.

As for the method, it was easy enough to find instructions online back on Earth.

Obviously, as the mascot of the planet’s number one IP, the Pikachu’s charm was undeniable.

Judging by the girl’s delighted expression, she was thoroughly enchanted.

“Brother Zhou Yan, where did you get this? It’s adorable! I’ve never seen anything like it before!” Luo Ke lightly poked the plush Pikachu’s little head.

Well, she even called him “brother.” She must really like it.

Zhou Yan shook his head gently, smiling. “I made it myself—just play with it as you like…”

He’d use this as a small apology for his earlier lapse of decorum.

“Brother Zhou Yan made it himself?”

Luo Ke paused in her playing with Pikachu, her gaze flickering as she looked at Zhou Yan.

She clutched the toy tightly, her smile radiant.

Then she seemed to realize something. “Brother Zhou Yan, you were able to make this… does that mean your memories are coming back?”

Her expression was expectant.

Zhou Yan paused, a helpless smile crossing his face. “Not yet… just a sudden flash of inspiration…”

Of course, he hadn’t lost his memories. The truth about “crossing worlds” was impossible to tell anyone.

So Zhou Yan could only cover up with small lies.

“I see…” Luo Ke, seeing Zhou Yan’s “disappointed” look, felt awkward, as if she’d touched a sore spot. She scratched the back of her head.

Yet, she also felt a subtle sense of relief.

Quickly, she changed the subject. “Brother Zhou Yan, I really love this Electric Mouse… it’s the best gift I’ve received lately!”

“I’m glad you like it.” Zhou Yan smiled.

Luo Ke’s smile was sweet as honey.

Without another word, she turned and ran inside, calling out with pride, “Sister! Look, Brother Zhou Yan gave me this—do you think it’s cute?”

Two seconds later, a cool voice replied, “Boring…”

“Pfft! You’re just jealous!” Luo Ke laughed gleefully.

Zhou Yan walked a few steps further, turning into the sisters’ home.

He reached the small dining room.

At a glance, he saw Luo Ke hanging onto Luo Xuan from behind, one leg kicked up, thrusting the plush toy in front of her sister.

“Sis, look, this is called Electric Mouse. Brother Zhou Yan made it himself. Isn’t it cute?”

Zhou Yan noticed that Luo Xuan couldn’t help but gaze at the toy for half a second before replying indifferently, “Boring.”

Luo Ke stamped her foot.

She gave her sister a disgruntled shove.

Pouting, she turned to look at Zhou Yan and immediately broke into a grin. “Brother Zhou Yan, come eat!”

Zhou Yan glanced at the table and saw three bowls of rice and three untouched dishes.

He was surprised. “Ah? You haven’t eaten yet?”

Luo Ke giggled. “We always eat together, don’t we? You practiced late today, so we waited for you.”

Luo Xuan silently looked at Zhou Yan. “Stop standing there—come eat.”

Zhou Yan paused, looking at the sisters, then smiled.

He walked quickly to the table and sat down.

Luo Ke was first to serve him a piece of meat. “Zhou Yan, eat more meat—you’ll get stronger.”

Luo Xuan watched him quietly from the side.

Zhou Yan nodded, accepting the sister’s kindness with a smile.

Honestly, compared to life on Earth, this wasn’t bad at all.

*

Speak not while eating; do not converse when sleeping.

The Luo sisters seemed to have cultivated this habit from an early age.

The three of them ate with little conversation, finishing their meal quickly.

Luo Ke, always a fast eater, watched as Zhou Yan finished and asked curiously, “Zhou Yan, Sis says you’ve officially entered the threshold of swordsmanship today. How does it feel?”

Hearing Luo Ke’s question, Luo Xuan also looked over.

Perfect timing.

Zhou Yan put down his chopsticks and took a breath.

Then, he looked earnestly at Luo Xuan. “Xuan, I want to keep learning martial arts—swordsmanship or whatever else you can teach me.”

“Will you teach me?”

***