Volume One: Debut at the Pinnacle Chapter Twelve: Are Little Sisters Nowadays Really This Impressive?

Chen Jing followed Wang Youxuan to a three-story villa—this was her home. Wang Youxuan opened the door and called out, “Come in quickly, Jing!”

It had to be said, a villa was truly something else: spacious, with rooms laid out thoughtfully, and everything arranged just so. One could tell at a glance that someone tidied up frequently.

“Ah Jing, you’re here.” Wang Menglan slid open the kitchen door, smiling at Chen Jing. “Go wash your hands—dinner’s almost ready. There’s just one more dish.”

“Alright, Sister Lan.” Chen Jing nodded. “Is there anything I can help with?”

“No need. Just sit tight and wait to eat.” With that, Wang Menglan closed the kitchen door.

“Come on, Jing, I’ll take you to wash your hands,” said Wang Youxuan, leading Chen Jing toward the bathroom.

Chen Jing gave a wry smile, gently pulling Wang Youxuan aside to say seriously, “Youxuan, could you stop calling me ‘Jing’? It just sounds strange.”

“Does it?” Wang Youxuan blinked her big eyes at him. “I think it sounds nice—very close, you know?” She grinned mischievously.

Chen Jing was at a loss for words. It wasn’t about being close or not; he just found it incredibly embarrassing. The term reminded him of a song lyric from his past life: I’m not Huang Rong, I don’t know martial arts, I just want my Jing—perfect love…

So embarrassing!

Since Chen Jing had said so, Wang Youxuan reluctantly agreed. “Alright, fine.” Then, after a moment’s thought, she smiled brightly. “Then I’ll just call you Brother. I’ve always wanted an older brother.”

Chen Jing affectionately patted her head. “As long as you don’t call me ‘Jing,’ I’m fine with anything else.”

Honestly, having another little sister wouldn’t be bad. He wondered if Youxuan would get along with Yuanshan when they met. Most likely, yes, he thought.

After washing his hands, Chen Jing went to the kitchen to help Wang Menglan bring out the dishes. Once she finished the last stir-fry, Chen Jing carried it out. Four dishes and a soup—more than enough for three people.

In the living room, the three of them sat together at the dining table. Wang Menglan ladled a bowl of soup for Chen Jing and smiled. “Here, try your sister’s cooking.”

Chen Jing took a sip; it was rich and delicious. He praised her, “It’s wonderful—your cooking is excellent.”

Seeing that he truly enjoyed her food, Wang Menglan beamed with delight.

Wang Youxuan handed over her bowl, grinning. “Mom, me too!”

Wang Menglan gave her daughter a look of mock annoyance. “The soup’s right there—you can’t serve yourself? You’re just lazy.” Though she grumbled, her hands automatically took the bowl and served her daughter as well.

Wang Youxuan rolled her eyes and huffed, “If you won’t do it, I’ll ask my brother to help me instead!”

“Brother?” Wang Menglan looked at the pair in surprise.

Wang Youxuan pleaded, “Mom, can I make Chen Jing my big brother?”

Wang Menglan looked at Chen Jing and smiled. “Of course, as long as Ah Jing agrees. With him looking after you, I’ll feel at ease.”

Chen Jing nodded sincerely. “I’d be glad to have a little sister like Youxuan.”

Wang Youxuan muttered to her mother, “I can take care of myself, you know.” Then she grinned at Chen Jing. “But I suppose having a brother to look after me is even better.”

Wang Menglan was happy to see her daughter call Chen Jing her brother. She thought highly of his character and ability; otherwise, she wouldn’t have grown so close to him in just two months. After more than a decade divorced, she’d never treated any man so kindly—Chen Jing was the exception.

“But I have a question,” Wang Youxuan said, puzzled. “Brother calls Mom ‘Sister Lan,’ but calls me his little sister. Doesn’t that mess up our generations?”

Chen Jing: “…”

Wang Menglan: “…”

Indeed, it was a question worth pondering.

After some thought, Wang Menglan said, “Let’s just address each other as we always have. It’s not like you’re real siblings. As far as I’m concerned, Ah Jing can only call me ‘sister’—I’m still young, you know.”

“Hee hee, then we’ll each call each other as we like,” Wang Youxuan giggled. “Maybe I should call you ‘sister’ too, Mom. When we go out together, people think we’re sisters anyway.”

Wang Menglan gave her daughter a sly look. “Fine. In that case, why don’t you wash the dishes tonight, ‘little sister,’ and help your big sister with the chores?”

“Uh…” Wang Youxuan’s face froze. She quickly pressed her palms together and pleaded, “I was wrong, Mother dearest!”

Wang Menglan rolled her eyes. “Shameless.”

Chen Jing watched the mother and daughter banter with a warm, gentle gaze. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt such familial warmth.

With the two women eating lightly, most of the food ended up being finished by Chen Jing. Wang Menglan had wanted to tell him to leave the rest if he was full, but when she saw him effortlessly polish off everything—including the soup—she just smiled and told him to take his time.

When he finished the last sip, Chen Jing let out a satisfied breath. “I’m content.”

“You sure eat a lot, Brother,” Wang Youxuan joked.

“Not really. You girls just eat too little. It’s best not to waste food,” Chen Jing shrugged. Not wasting food was a virtue deeply ingrained in him from his previous life, and his time in the army in this one had only strengthened his appreciation for the value of food.

After tidying up the table, Chen Jing offered to help with the dishes, but Wang Menglan would not hear of it and pushed him out of the kitchen.

With nothing else to do, Chen Jing went to the living room to find Wang Youxuan. It was time to get down to business—he hadn’t forgotten why he’d come.

“Come on, Brother, I’ll show you my music room,” Wang Youxuan said, pulling him upstairs. There was a music room on the second floor filled with instruments. The room had been prepared by Wang Menglan to foster her daughter’s hobbies, but as both mother and daughter loved music, it gradually became their shared space.

Wang Youxuan opened the door, waved her little hand, and declared playfully, “Ta-da! This is my world of music.”

It was a large room, with all sorts of instruments lining the walls: guitars, basses, ukuleles, a piano… Even a drum set stood in the corner. Chen Jing was surprised to spot smaller instruments as well: harmonicas, bagpipes, and more.

He picked up a xiao flute, intrigued. “Are all these your collection?”

Wang Youxuan nodded proudly. “Yep, all chosen by me.”

She looked at her collection with satisfaction. “I’ve loved different sounds since I was little, so whenever I came across a new instrument, I’d bring it home.”

Chen Jing smiled. “That’s wonderful.” He set the flute down and asked, “So, have you decided what instrument you want to learn?”

Wang Youxuan pondered. “Not yet. How about you choose for me?”

Chen Jing pointed to the piano. “Why not the piano? For girls, it’s the epitome of elegance.”

She shook her head. “I already know piano. My mom had me learn since I was little.”

Ah, the classic rich-kid upbringing.

“Violin, then?”

“Um… I know that too. Learned it in elementary school extra classes.”

“How about the guzheng? I’m not a master, but I can teach the basics.”

“I learned guzheng in middle school—there was a talent show and I signed up for lessons.”

Chen Jing: “… Should I just leave?”

Are kids these days all so talented? Education really does start young for the wealthy.

He shook his head in resignation. “How about guitar? Don’t tell me you know that too.”

At the mention of guitar, Wang Youxuan’s eyes lit up. “That’s a good one! I’ve always thought guitarists are so cool.”

“Oh? So you want to look cool?” Chen Jing teased.

She nodded eagerly. “Exactly—I want to look bold and dashing.”

“Then learn the bass,” Chen Jing decided. Nothing looked more striking than a girl playing bass. He thought of a scene from the movie “City of Rock”—the most captivating moment was the female lead on bass, absolutely dazzling.

“Huh? Not guitar?” Wang Youxuan was surprised.

“Bass is even better—guitar can wait,” Chen Jing smiled.

“Okay,” she agreed easily. As long as her brother said so, she was happy to follow his lead.

Chen Jing then taught her some basic bass exercises, correcting common beginner mistakes.

Unknowingly, two hours passed. Chen Jing checked the time and, after guiding her through the basics one last time, said, “Alright, that’s enough for tonight—it’s getting late. Practice a little on your own, and after my show in a couple days, I’ll come see how you’re doing.”

Wang Youxuan put down the bass and, rubbing her slightly sore fingers, asked curiously, “Brother, are you really entering ‘Voice of Huaxia’?”

Chen Jing nodded. “Yes. I passed the preliminary round; the real competition starts on Tuesday.”

“Wow, so you’ll be on TV?” Wang Youxuan’s eyes sparkled with stars.

“Probably—it’s recorded for broadcast.”

“Then can I come cheer for you in person?” she asked hopefully.

“No,” Chen Jing refused flatly, not even needing to ask Wang Menglan. “You have class on Tuesday—no skipping. Watch the premiere on TV after school.”

“Alright…” she replied reluctantly.

Chen Jing patted her head with a gentle smile. “Practice your bass well, and I’ll write you a song.”

Her eyes lit up anew. “Really?”

“Really.”

“Promise! Don’t go back on your word.” She held out her pinky. “Pinky swear! If you lie, you’re a puppy.”

Chen Jing laughed, hooked his pinky around hers, and his gaze was especially warm: “If I lie, I’m a puppy.”

(Dedicated to the film “City of Rock”)