Chapter Three: Little Brother, You Will Grow Taller

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At the vegetable market, the air buzzed with a chorus of vendors calling out their wares.

“Boss, give me a pound of choy sum.”

“What’s up? Is this green vegetable made of gold or was it grown on gold directly?”

“Where do you think the vegetables come from now? They’re all from greenhouses.”

“This scale is definitely accurate. After doing business with you so many times, do you think I’d cheat you?”

“Take it or leave it!”

Lu You carried several red and black plastic bags in his hands, his eyes scanning the surroundings.

This world was calm—no pandemic, the economy developing normally.

That was the conclusion he reached after several laps around the market and comparing it with his own memories. It meant that going out no longer required worry; one could walk around freely.

Originally, Lu You intended to remove his mask to feel freer, but the market’s smell was somewhat unpleasant, so he kept it on.

As he walked, Lu You stopped at a stall selling fresh beef. The owner and his wife were busy, with a few customers carefully selecting cuts, occasionally pressing the meat with their fingers.

Lu You glanced at the displayed beef, too lazy to search himself, and asked, “Boss, do you have beef brisket?”

...

Elsewhere.

After breakfast, Tang Wan and her mother, Zhao Huijuan, walked side by side toward the market.

Along the way, Tang Wan linked her arm through her mother’s.

Sensing some intention from her daughter, Zhao Huijuan asked, “You were sleeping till ten the other day and wouldn’t get up. Why are you up so early today and even coming to help me shop?”

“Is that so?” Tang Wan said calmly, feigning innocence. “Must have been because relatives were visiting the other days, so I wasn’t feeling well. Today I’m fine, so I came to help.”

“Must have been? That excuse might fool your teacher, but do you think it’ll fool your mother?” Zhao Huijuan saw through the little trick immediately.

“When have you seen me lazing around? Eating ice cream, jelly, watermelon every day—is that what you call relatives visiting?”

“Oh, Mom~” Tang Wan shook Zhao Huijuan’s arm, pouting. “Does it matter if relatives really came? The important thing is I’m here to help you shop.”

Zhao Huijuan was unmoved, pushing her daughter’s hand away. “Cut it out. Just tell me, what’s your real reason for following me?”

“Ahem.” Tang Wan dropped the pretense. “Isn’t today the 28th? The day middle school exam results come out.”

“So?”

“I thought maybe we should have a nice lunch to celebrate my good results.”

“Popping champagne early? The results aren’t sent until after noon. What if you didn’t do well? Besides, we had a nice meal just a few days ago. Why again today?”

“My results, don’t worry—they’ve never failed me. No problem. And the celebration a few days ago was for my brother; today’s for me. They’re not the same.”

“Really?” Tang Wan said, swinging her mother’s hand.

Zhao Huijuan got goosebumps and quickly withdrew her hand. “You’re grown up. Why act like a child and not even blush?”

Tang Wan was about to try again, but Zhao Huijuan had had enough, dodging her daughter’s hands repeatedly.

“Enough! I’m scared now. What do you want to eat? But I’m warning you, nothing too expensive.”

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Tang Wan’s eyes sparkled, her tone excited. “I want five-spice beef offal: tripe, honeycomb tripe, beef tendon, beef intestine, beef meatballs, tofu puffs, white radish, and braised eggs!”

“You can buy the beef offal from that stall downstairs run by our neighbors. I’ll transfer the money to them via WeChat. But remember, whatever you buy, you have to help process it at home. No hiding in your room after.”

“Okay!” Tang Wan gave a thumbs-up and trotted deeper into the market.

Watching her daughter’s fading figure, Zhao Huijuan felt a slight headache. Her daughter was beautiful, sensible, had a great figure and good grades—but lazy at home, lacking discipline, and a big foodie.

Guided by the district’s signs, Tang Wan quickly found the neighbor’s stall.

As she approached, she noticed a somewhat conspicuous boy wearing a mask, standing in front of the stall with several black and red plastic bags in hand. One bag contained green onions, ginger, garlic; another had water spinach; there was a white radish sticking out; the rest seemed to be various meats, but she couldn’t see clearly.

The boy faced the stall, his mask and the market’s dim lighting obscuring his face. He looked younger than her, already shopping on his own—could he be facing some hardship?

Sensing her gaze, the boy slowly turned his head, their eyes meeting in the air.

He had bright, clear eyes like a calm, windless lake—pure and serene. Dressed neatly, his demeanor was gentle and mild.

Even with most of his face covered, Tang Wan instinctively felt his true looks behind the mask must be stunning, though he was a bit short—slightly shorter than herself.

...

“Boss, do you have beef brisket?”

The owner seemed not to hear Lu You and kept busy with his tasks.

The owner’s wife looked up at Lu You, noticing his outfit and feeling slightly odd.

“Yes, handsome, how much do you want?”

“Hmm...” Lu You thought for a moment. “One and a half pounds of white brisket, more tendon, less meat; and half a pound of brisket flat, preferably lean.”

After hearing Lu You’s request, the owner’s wife retrieved a large piece of brisket and flat meat from under the counter and placed them before them.

After some discussion about the desired cuts, the owner’s wife said, “Wait a moment. The boss will finish his current work in two or three minutes.”

Lu You nodded lightly, signaling he understood. As he mused over various thoughts, he suddenly sensed a gaze on him. Turning, a pair of bright, clear, gem-like eyes caught his sight.

The eyes belonged to a girl with fair, smooth skin, a tall figure, hair tied back in a ponytail, with a few wisps softly framing her face.

Her face was a perfect oval, with a touch of baby fat. Her forehead was smooth and full, eyebrows like willow leaves—natural and clean. Her eyes were slightly narrow, with eyelids gently drooping, lending a hint of allure. Her small, delicate nose and rose-red lips were perfectly proportioned, and her cheeks glowed with a peachy blush.

Her features were as beautiful as a painting, youthful and charming.

Lu You momentarily lost himself, inwardly marveling. This girl completely matched his ideal of beauty.

They quickly averted their gazes.

Tang Wan wasn’t uninterested in handsome boys, but right now she was more focused on securing her five-spice beef offal. No matter how attractive a boy was, it couldn’t compare to the satisfaction of good food.

Lu You admired quietly but didn’t entertain any other thoughts. To him, overly beautiful girls were only for appreciation—like nature’s scenery. It was best not to overthink, lest he mistake interest for affection.

After breaking eye contact, Lu You resumed waiting for his brisket and beef cuts, while Tang Wan greeted with a slightly excited tone, “Uncle Liu, Auntie Fang, hello!”

The owner’s wife exclaimed in surprise, “Wanwan! Why are you shopping today? Where’s your mom?”

“She’s shopping elsewhere. There’s something good today, so I’m helping carry.”

“Something good again? Your brother just made top ten in the province. What’s today’s occasion?”

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“Today the middle school exam results come out. I’ve already reserved a spot in the city’s top ten!”

“Impressive! You siblings are both academic stars. Come on, what do you want to buy? Auntie will give you a discount, consider it a celebration.”

“Thank you, Auntie Fang. Then I won’t be polite. I want some beef tripe...”

Huh? They give discounts for exam results?

Lu You, who had been listening silently nearby, spoke up immediately.

“Ma’am, I also got my results today. Could I get a discount too?”

“You got results too? What kind? Junior high finals? I don’t think junior high exams have started yet,” Tang Wan asked curiously upon hearing the boy.

Lu You frowned, annoyed. “Why do you talk so opposite to how you look? Just because you’re taller doesn’t mean I’m a junior high student. I’m at least 1.7 to 1.8 meters tall.”

Tang Wan now thought this boy might even be an elementary student—so boastful and stubborn.

“I’m only 1.64 meters. You’re not taller than me, so how dare you say you’re 1.7?”

Lu You’s pupils trembled.

Could it be that people are taller in this world? Was the price of becoming more handsome giving up height?

No wonder the showerhead was so hard to reach, no wonder the fridge’s dust cover was so high—he’d actually shrunk!

Lu You found it hard to accept this fact: less than 1.6 meters tall, as a boy, he was almost in the disabled range.

Seeing the boy’s shocked and uneasy expression, Tang Wan quickly comforted him, “It’s okay. Some boys develop later; they only start growing taller in high school. You still have a chance, don’t worry too much.”

Her words pierced Lu You’s heart like a sharp blade.

“If you can talk, say more,” he said darkly.

Tang Wan didn’t catch the hidden meaning and continued encouraging him. “I’m already almost a high schooler, so it’s normal for me to be taller. There are a few boys in my ninth-grade class about your height. Relax, little brother. Eat more, exercise more—you can grow taller too.”

Little brother!?

Lu You felt a heart attack coming on. In his forty-plus years of life, this was the first time a girl about to enter high school had called him little brother.

He said softly, “Sister, is it possible that little brother is already 15, and today’s results are for the middle school exam? Maybe in September, you’ll be classmates.”

Tang Wan wanted to say something but held back, freezing awkwardly, her gaze darting around.

“Is... is that so?”

The owner’s wife, noticing the awkward atmosphere, poked her husband.

The owner immediately spoke to ease the tension, “Handsome, your brisket and beef are cut. Total is eighty-three, but I’ll round it down to eighty.” Then he placed the bags in front of Lu You.

Lu You glanced at the owner, replied “Thanks,” then picked up the plastic bags, scanned to pay, and left without looking back.

Tang Wan watched the boy walk away, muttering softly, “You’re wearing a mask—who can really see what you look like? Shopping with your face covered like that, what are you hiding?”

...

Lu You quickly left the market, found his small electric scooter, placed all the fresh vegetables and meats in the front basket, started the motor, and sped away from this disheartening place.

Being called short by a girl who fit his ideal of beauty was even more painful than failing a thesis in his past life.