Xiao Zhi Ren noticed how the handsome sun-kissed face suddenly stiffened as Yuan had pulled out the fourth shirt which he had specifically bought for her.
It was a full sleeved shirt in black and on the back was written: 'The Eccentric Brother.'
Why Ru stiffened up, Xiao Zhi Ren couldn't tell.
"Oniisan, this one is for you." Yuan was grinning cheekily.
Ru scratched the tip of her nose and gave a lopsided grin saying, "Eccentric? I'm more like a super cool brother." Obviously, she was trying to laugh it off. "Anyway, keep shopping. I have to find something as well."
"What are you looking for?" Xiao Zhi Ren asked.
"A candy store," Ru answered plainly. Now, how could she tell him that seeing their brotherly love has made her crave for some sugar? It was unexpected, weird and untimely. She pointed at herself and added, "This sweets need some real sweets to make him feel super sweet."
"Mr. Sweet tooth, are you craving sugar again?" Xiao Zhi Ren teased her.
"My body is feeling deprived without it. See, I'm even getting lightheaded." She pretended to be dizzy and even staggered to emphasize her point.
Xiao Zhi Ren flicked her forehead making her open her mouth like a goldfish. "Well, are you diabetic?"
Ru rubbed the space between her brows and said, "Not yet, but if stuck around you cotton candy brothers, I might soon be diabetic."
"Cotton candy brothers?!" The way the three brothers exclaimed simultaneously was a sight to behold. Ru was regretting not having a way to record it.
'Damnit! If I knew it'll be this amusing, I wouldn't have forgotten my stupid spy camera.' She was really upset at this thought. What a huge mistake!
"Well, you all are like eye-candy boys. But calling you eye-candy bros would be so outdated. So, I came up with an original, cotton candy brothers. Haha... It sounds so good. I'm just too awesome." She was patting her shoulder at doing such a good job. Seeing her praise her own self, the three brothers had no words for her.
"You know there is a limit to being an ego-centric. But you... my sworn brother really are beyond shameless."
Not wanting to hold her displeasure, she flicked Xiao Zhi Ren's forehead obviously using more force than he did. His forehead immediately got red while he stared back at her in disbelief.
"How am I shameless? Have you seen this young master parading around naked? No, right? So, how the hell did I become shameless?"
"You are impossible."
"So are you!" Ru snapped back.
On the sideline, Ji Syaoran was more than amused as he had pulled out popcorn from somewhere while watching them bicker like teenagers.
"Do they always banter like this?" Ji Syaoran questioned Yuan while offering popcorn as a bribe.
"They do. They are always at each other's throat but only they both can understand each other." Yuan answered with a shake of his head.
"What do you mean?" Ji Syaoran frowned in confusion.
"See for yourself." Yuan pointed at the bantering pair and Ji Syaoran followed suit only to be shocked.
Back on Ru and Xiao Zhi Ren's side...
"I saw the candy store on the second floor." Ren was saying.
"Really?" Ru's eyes lit up. "I should get there."
"Don't hop around like a bunny." Ren seemed to be rebuking but his eyes said otherwise. "Tell me what kind of candy do you want?"
Ru tapped her chin and smiled charmingly, "I want sweet... I want sour... And I want more sweet." Seeing her beaming with joy, Ren lost his earlier coldness.
Ren pulled her shirt collar like old times which she had gotten used to by now and said, "Let's go then. We'll stuff you like a candy machine today."
He was teasing her but with candies floating in her mind, how would Ru care? She didn't give a damn! And let him drag her towards the elevator.
Trailing behind that pair, Ji Syaoran was gaping. "When did our elder brother become such an easy person?"
"It all started with Oniisan. Big Bear always changes around him." Yuan answered like it was common sense.
Ji Syaoran was more than just surprised. He was missing for a couple of months and his elder brother was already acting like a whole new person? That was unbelievable!
But more than anything, Ji Syaoran saw a light of hope. Perhaps, now his brother would finally open up. It was about time. He had kept himself shut away from people for a decade. It was high time for his brother to let someone in. Anyone. As long as it was someone living... And most importantly, someone who was by his side and not just in his memories.