Chapter 27: Little Sunshine

On the spiral staircase, a solidly packaged cardboard box was moving slowly through midair. Drawing closer, one would notice that the cardboard box was being carried in the arms of a pair of slender, fair hands.

Climbing to the second floor, Shang Ying set the box onto the ground with a heavy thud. Panting, she leaned back while clutching her aching waist. The plastic cord wrapped around the box had left deep, red indentations in her palms, looking quite painful.

‘Good heavens, she hadn't exercised in far too long.’ Carrying something this small had nearly exhausted her to death. Was this karma for skipping the 800-meter run during break-time exercises?

If waking up early was her primary reason for hating school, the cursed 800-meter run was definitely the second. So whenever it was time for running, she would pretend to have a stomachache and sneak off to hide in the bathroom.

After taking a deep breath, Shang Ying resignedly bent down, pushing the cardboard box forward until she stopped in front of a door and knocked twice.

A rustle of footsteps approached from within, and the door opened. Shang Yi stood there in a neat white shirt, a pair of silver-grey headphones resting on his shoulders. Upon seeing Shang Ying, he froze in momentary surprise.

Especially when his gaze shifted downward, noticing a fair-sized cardboard box sitting right next to her feet.

Shang Ying asked, "Can I come in?"

Shang Yi nodded. His exquisite face was cold and distant, yet carried a subtle, almost unnoticeable trace of obedience. Noticing her movement pushing the box, he proactively bent down to lift it into his arms, earning an unsparing compliment from Shang Ying.

"What did you buy?"

It was rare for Shang Yi to speak up on his own initiative.

Shang Ying pulled out a small utility knife to slice open the packaging, offering him a mysterious smile.

"A gift for you."

‘A gift?’

Shang Yi instantly raised his bright, dark eyes, a faint anticipation welling up inside his heart. This was the very first time he had ever received a present from Shang Ying, and such a large box at that, what could she be giving him...?

One minute later.

Looking at the electric space heater resting on the floor, Shang Yi fell into a bizarre silence. If there was nothing wrong with his temperature perception, it was currently nowhere near the time of year to be using such an item.

Besides, the villa had underfloor heating.

Shang Ying looked at the fully assembled, large-sized "Little Sunshine" space heater, smiling with brilliant satisfaction.

"Do you like it? This is a 'Little Sunshine' space heater. It'll keep you warm through the entire winter without a problem."

Fearing Shang Yi wouldn't feel enough "warmth," she had specifically chosen the largest model available. Thoughtful sisters like her were truly hard to come by.

Although he had no idea why Shang Ying was gifting him this, being able to receive a present made Shang Yi feel exceptionally happy deep inside. Even if it didn't show on his face, he gave a very honest nod.

Plugging it in, the carbon fiber element gradually glowed red, radiating waves of continuous heat until the entire circular area was illuminated in bright orange. A literal "little sunshine."

Shang Yi had never seen such a device before, but after examining it closely for a moment, he understood the mechanical principles behind its design.

The warmth arrived as promised, only this warmth was a bit over the top. Within moments, a thin layer of sweat broke out across his back. It was hot.

He quietly loosened his collar, glancing sideways at Shang Ying sitting behind the heater, intending to reach out and turn it off. But the second his hand extended, he was caught red-handed by Shang Ying, who was scrolling on her phone.

Her casual, careless voice echoed inside the clean, elegant room.

"Pull your hand back. Be obedient and properly feel the warmth of the Little Sunshine."

‘Until you never want to feel it again, to the point where just hearing the words 'warmth' and 'little sunshine' triggers a traumatic reflex in you.’

The weekend.

Cool air circulated inside the bedroom. Leftover candle wax lingered in the incense burner on the desk, wafting a faint, delicate fragrance, while soft velvet curtains kept the sunlight firmly out, preventing it from shattering the tranquil, tiny world.

Knock, knock, knock…

A few light knocks sounded on the door, followed by Aunt Zhao's soft voice drifting inside.

"Eldest Miss, it's time to wake up. We need to visit Old Man Feng's place today."

There was still no movement inside the room.

Today was the day to visit Old Man Feng's house. The driver was set to take them over at 1:00 PM, and it was already 12:30 PM. If she didn't get up now, they wouldn't make it in time.

She knocked on the door a few more times, but there was still no answer. She grew slightly anxious, because standing beside her was Shang Yi, who was practically burning holes through the door with his intense gaze, though he probably hadn't even realized how obvious the longing in his eyes was.

Because Shang Ying was going out with him today, Shang Yi had woken up exceptionally early. After finishing breakfast, he returned to his room to groom himself, putting on new clothes and styling his hair.

This was the first time in years that the Eldest Miss was willing to go out with the Young Master. Seeing the Young Master so clearly eager yet not daring to act, Aunt Zhao steeled her heart and pushed the bedroom door right open!

Seeing this scene unfold, Shang Yi: (°°)!

"Eldest Miss, time to wake up! Today is the day you and the Young Master visit Old Man Feng!"

‘Old Man Feng!’

Shang Ying, who was currently dreaming about eating state-provided meals in prison and having her favorite chicken leg stolen, woke up with a jolt. She sat bolt upright in bed, putting on a real-life version of a zombie resurrection.

That sudden movement and explosive speed startled Aunt Zhao, who had no idea what keyword she had accidentally triggered.

Shang Ying stared blankly at the dumbfounded Aunt Zhao across from her. Blinking a few times, she reached over to grab her phone by the pillow. It was already 12:40 PM!

She leaped out of bed and sprinted straight into the bathroom. Soon, the sound of running water echoed out as she rapidly completed squeezing toothpaste, rinsing her mouth, and washing her face in three swift motions before shouting loudly.

"Aunt Zhao, help me grab the clothes I'm supposed to wear!"

"Okay, okay! I'll get them for you right away!"

Having prepared herself for an earful of scolding after waking Shang Ying, Aunt Zhao was pleasantly surprised to see her not lose her temper at all. Joy breaking across her face, she quickly agreed, hurried into the walk-in closet to grab a set of clean clothes, and handed them into the bathroom.

Eight minutes later, Shang Ying rushed downstairs, stepping out the door just in the nick of time.

She wore a white shirt paired with a houndstooth sweater vest, a matching short skirt, and mid-calf socks that covered her calves. A quintessential, beautiful campus girl outfit.

Shang Yi, who had been waiting below, handed her a freshly made crepe. Shang Ying, having missed lunch, felt a wave of warmth in her heart. She reached out and ruffled his hair.

"Good boy, I didn't dote on you in vain. Hand me that bottle of yogurt too."

"Got it."

Shang Yi shook the yogurt held in his other hand.

He remembered that during this period, Shang Ying liked to drink a cup of yogurt every morning.

Getting into the car, Shang Ying realized that her outfit looked remarkably similar to Shang Yi's. Both wore shirts under sweaters, and in the exact same color scheme. If someone put a wig on Shang Yi, outsiders would definitely take them for twins.

Imagining the cold-faced Shang Yi wearing a long wig, she couldn't help letting out a laugh, turning her head only to meet Shang Yi's bewildered eyes.

"What are you laughing at?"

The frequency of Shang Yi speaking had visibly increased over the past few days, though strictly limited to when he was with Shang Ying.

Shang Ying took a sip of yogurt, the corners of her lips curving into a playful arc, her canine teeth peeking out subtly. Looking bright and radiant, like flower petals kissed by sunlight.

"I'm laughing because if I throw a wig on you, the two of us look just like twins."

Driver Uncle Chen chuckled out loud upon hearing this, picturing the Young Master with long hair in his mind. Wouldn't that look identical to the Eldest Miss?

Shang Yi stared at her smile, his thick eyelashes fluttering gently as he spoke in a voice as clear and pure as mountain spring water.

"We are... fraternal twins.”