Victory Gate.

Commonly referred to by old Kyoto residents as the Red Street.

An ordinary Kyoto University teacher fussing alone over dinner in the kitchen.

The burning cloud on the horizon resembles an ink painting.

Standing beneath the plaque reading "Cao Residence".

Song Chaoge stands by the door pillar, not entering, calmly staring at the long street, his gaze blank, unsure what he's thinking about, or how long he's been waiting.

As a sacred place in the hearts of northern drifters, the bustling heart of Shen Zhou, the congestion and liveliness of Kyoto rivals Tokyo, self-proclaimed as Asia's largest city.

In a place like Kyoto, even cramped underground chambers are filled with dream pursuers, yet it's rare to find such a vast, quiet street.

Finally.

A domestically-produced electric vehicle drives into the street painted by the sunset, disrupting the solitude of the red street.

The car halts at the entrance of Cao Residence.

Youmao jumps out first, carrying a box of takeout dishes.

"Beep beep."

Cao Jinse follows, locks the car, and immediately hears, "Jin Se."

She turns her head, showing a fitting surprise, then smiles, "Just passing by, or...?"

"Passing by, but visiting you is special too."

The other person responds with a smile.

Youmao pouts.

This kind of sweet talk is too superficial.

Not comparable to that guy Jiang Chen at all.

Also.

The emotionally stable Taoist nun sister.

Sigh.

Another day of longing.

"Why not go inside?"

Cao Jinse casually greets the person opposite, "My brother should be home."

Song Chaoge, revered by Kyoto dandies as a representation figure, smiles yet remains silent.

"I really don't understand why everyone is so afraid of my brother."

Cao Jinse says helplessly, then adds, "Bought some dishes, want to go in and eat?"

Youmao holds a stern face, not uttering any disrespectful words, but clearly showing unwelcome.

"It's fine, you just got back, probably barely have time to have a meal with Xiugo, so I won't disturb you."

"Really not eating?"

Song Chaoge shakes his head, "Just wanted to see you."

"What's there to see, during this trip to Japanese, I was more at ease than you can imagine."

"Well, that's good."

Waiting for so long, it seemed he just wished to confirm her well-being, Song Chaoge prepares to leave.

"Go inside, don't wait till the dishes get cold."

Cao Jinse nods, "Little rabbit, let's go."

One heads inward, the other outward, passing one another, and as about to cross the threshold, Cao Jinse turns back.

"Thanks."

"So distant."

Song Chaoge does not look back, nor pauses, merely lets out a laugh, then walks away along the long street.

"Miss, what's he doing? Playing deep?" Youmao speaks up.

Cao Jinse, amused and annoyed, taps her head, "Let's go."

"Brother."

Cao Xiugo moves the table and chairs, sitting under the courtyard, exceptionally leisurely.

Upon hearing the voice, he raises his head, showing surprise, "Why back?"

Busier post-return than in Japanese, Cao Jinse approaches: "I snuck out earlier, or else don't know how much longer it would be delayed."

"You're the main character, sneaking out like that?"

"I'm not the main character, they haven't returned yet. I'm just standing in."

"Since standing in, you should thoroughly see it through."

"I came specially to have a meal with brother."

"You didn't say earlier, I didn't prepare food."

"It's fine, I bought some on the way." Cao Jinse instructs, "Little rabbit, go grab two chairs."

"Alrighty."

At home, Youmao is indeed quite diligent.

"Brother, are you eating just this?"

On the small rosewood round table.

A plate of lettuce, a plate of snow peas, and a plate of carrot shreds, nutritious indeed, green being green, yet not a trace of meat.

"Luckily, Song Chaoge didn't come in, otherwise, he might think our family can't afford meat."

"Song Chaoge?"

"Yeah, I just ran into him at the door."

"Why didn't he come in?"

Cao Jinse gives her brother a glance, "What do you think? Brother, how many guests have visited our house over the years?"

"Seems like very few." Cao Xiugo nods and mutters.

"So, why is that?"

"What's the reason?"

"Naturally, it's because of you."

"Because of me?"

"It couldn't be because of me." Cao Jinse sighs, "Brother, maybe your appearance is too intimidating."

"Nonsense." Cao Xiugo laughs, "Your brother is the most popular teacher at Kyoto University."

"Oh, look at how proud you are. It's probably because you're kind-hearted, students find it easy to earn credits from you."

No care or concern.

No asking after one's well-being.

Though not seen for half a year, and Cao Jinse nearly couldn't return, the siblings act as though nothing's happened.

"Miss, sit."

Youmao brings chairs, one hand holding one each, these are real golden-threaded nanmu chairs, quite heavy, yet in her hands, they seem easy, truly a brawny Barbie.

"Dum-dum-dum... Kyoto roasted duck."

Cao Jinse sits down, takes out packaged food boxes, meticulously arranging the dishes, "And Li's braised meat, braised pig trotters, if we didn't come back, you wouldn't have this culinary treat."

"Indeed, if it weren't for having such a good sister, I might starve."

Youmao cannot help but chuckle.

"Brother, seriously, why do you keep eating vegetarian meals? You're a Kyoto University teacher, a national intellectual, don't listen to those experts' nonsense, eating vegetarian isn't healthy, the best diet always mixes meat and vegetables properly."

While speaking, Cao Jinse places a big piece of pig's trotter into his brother's bland bowl, "Skinny, needs nourishment."

"Miss, can you not be so dramatic, I feel like crying."

Youmao interrupts.

"Take the chairs over there to eat."

Scolded, Youmao reluctantly closes her mouth.

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