When Ru Lan arrived home, she found Uncle K lounging in his favorite armchair in the garden, completely absorbed in a video call. The mischievous grin on his face was a dead giveaway, he was talking to his fiancée, and knowing him, he was probably planning something that would give her a headache.
Perfect. Time for a little payback.
She crept up behind him like a predator stalking prey, waited until he was mid-sentence about wedding plans, then leaned down and screamed directly into his ear.
"BOO!"
Uncle K shot up like he'd been electrocuted, his phone flying from his hands and landing on the carpet grass. He spun around, clutching his chest dramatically.
"Lannie, you Cat! Your shopping privileges just flew out the window along with my phone! Did you really have to..."
"Oh, Uncle K," Ru Lan interrupted with mock sweetness, bending down to retrieve his phone. "I really don't mind losing shopping privileges, since you clearly don't mind your very important documents from Mr. What's-His-Name going straight into the shredder." She tilted her head innocently. "I mean, what would Sister Shu say if I told her that Lei and I couldn't make it to her wedding because we couldn't afford proper bridesmaid dresses?"
She held up the phone, batting her eyelashes at the screen where a beautiful woman with kind eyes was trying not to laugh.
"Sister Shu, did you hear? Your husband-to-be just threatened your favorite little bridesmaid. I'm so scared." She put on an exaggerated pout that would have made professional actresses jealous.
Uncle K opened his mouth, then closed it, then opened it again like a fish gasping for air.
"He wouldn't dare, honey," came the amused voice from the phone. "Now, how is my favorite niece doing? Please tell me you're ready for the wedding. And don't you dare tell me you can't come three days before the big day, we're going to have so much fun!"
Ru Lan's fake pout transformed into a genuine smile. "Sis, you know me best. Uncle K even promised to give Lei and me his black card for shopping. This weekend is going to be absolutely epic." She shot a triumphant smirk at Uncle K, who was still processing how quickly he'd been outmaneuvered.
"Perfect! Give my love to Lei, and send me your flight schedule. I'll pick you up from the airport myself. And who knows? Maybe we'll find you your prince charming at the wedding."
Prince charming. The words made her think of intense brown eyes and a voice that could melt glaciers. She quickly pushed the thought away.
"Sounds amazing, Sis. I'll give the phone back to your poor fiancé now."
She handed the phone to Uncle K with a victorious grin, then reached into her bag and pulled out the manila envelope.
"Oh, and here are your super important documents. Lei and I will be waiting for those cards. We're going shopping tomorrow, after all."
She practically skipped into the house, humming an off-key tune under her breath. There was nothing quite like the satisfaction of winning a battle of wits with Uncle K.
The living room was filled with laughter when she entered. Ru Lei was clearly in the middle of telling one of her stories, judging by the way their parents were doubled over with amusement.
"Hi, Mom," Ru Lan said, bending down to kiss her mother's cheek. "Hi, Dad." She planted a kiss on his forehead too.
"Looks like someone's in a good mood," Papa Ru observed with a smile.
"Seems like it," Ru Lei agreed, then put on an exaggerated frown. "Since she didn't even acknowledge her favorite sister. I'm deeply wounded."
"What's the news, Sis? Spill," Ru Lei demanded, though her eyes were sparkling with curiosity.
Ru Lan walked over and wrapped her arms around Ru Lei from behind. "Are you actually angry at your sugar?"
"Is that even possible?" Ru Lei laughed, leaning back into the hug.
"Good, because I just snagged us VIP access to the best shopping mall in the city."
Lei's eyes went wide. "You mean FYN Group Mall?"
If there was anything the Ru sisters loved more than teasing their family, it was shopping until they dropped. In City E's social circles, they were legendary for their fashion sense and their ability to put pretentious socialites in their place. Nobody messed with the Rus, especially when it came to these two.
"Well, I won't say I completely conned Uncle K into giving us his black card and VIP tickets, but..." Ru Lan paused dramatically. "I absolutely did."
"AHHHHHH! Oh my God, this is incredible!" Lei squealed, jumping up to hug her sister properly. "I didn't even know he had VIP access! Have I told you I love you today?"
As they hugged, Ru Lei whispered so only Ru Lan could hear, "I love you so much, sugar. Thanks for being in my life."
"Me too," Ru Lan whispered back, squeezing her sister tight.
"Ahem." Mama Ru cleared her throat loudly. "If you're done ignoring your parents, can we have dinner now?"
Both sisters immediately turned to their mother with identical guilty expressions, then rushed to hug her from both sides.
"Never, Mom! You're our number one!" they chorused.
Uncle K joined them as they made their way to the dining room, and Ru Lei immediately latched onto his arm.
"Thanks, Uncle K. I know you love us the most," she said with a cheeky grin.
"Sure I do," he replied, though his smile was slightly strained. "Remind me never to underestimate you two again."
After dinner, the sisters retreated to their respective rooms. Ru Lan flicked on the lights in her bedroom and couldn't help but smile at the sight. Anyone who saw her princess-themed room would never guess it belonged to a tomboy like her. Pink and white everywhere, stuffed animals on the bed, and fairy lights twinkling around the mirror.
She headed to the bathroom for a hot shower, letting the day's stress wash away. Afterward, she slipped into her favorite light blue pajamas, dried her hair until it was silky smooth, and applied her skincare routine with religious dedication.
"A girl's gotta look good, right?" she said to her reflection, admiring her work.
"Narcissist much?"
Ru Lan spun around to find Ru Lei leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed and wearing an amused expression.
"I'm beautiful and I'm proud of it," Ru Lan replied without shame.
"Can't argue with that," Ru Lei laughed, walking over to flop down on the bed. "So tell me about your day, Lannie."
This was their nightly ritual, sharing the important and ridiculous moments of their days. Ru Lan settled next to her sister and told her everything: the three-hour wait, the sweaty Mr. Smith, the university gossip, and finally...
"And then I met him," she said, her voice getting softer. "Jason Li. The guy everyone's been talking about."
"Wait, THE Jason Li? Business magazine cover Jason Li?"
"The very same. And Lei..." Ru Lan buried her face in her hands. "He was gorgeous. Like, stupidly gorgeous. I actually forgot how to speak for a moment."
"You? Speechless?" Lei's eyes went wide with delight. "This I have to hear."
Ru Lan recounted the entire encounter, including her embarrassing slip-up and hasty retreat.
"Oh my God, you called him sexy to his face?" Lei dissolved into giggles. "And then you just walked away? Lannie, you might have just scared off your prince charming!"
"He's not my prince charming," Ru Lan protested, but she was smiling. "He's just... really, really attractive. And probably thinks I'm completely insane."
"Or completely intriguing," Lei countered. "Trust me, men like that don't usually get rejected. You probably made his entire year."
They talked and laughed until Ru Lei's eyelids started drooping. After a final hug, Ru Lei headed to her own room, leaving Ru Lan alone with her thoughts and the lingering memory of intense brown eyes that seemed to see straight through her.