The next morning.
Binchotan, who had just woken up, stretched out her small hand and rubbed her sleepy eyes.
Suddenly, a fragrance wafted into her nose.
Following the source of the scent, she saw Zhong Chen placing many exquisite-looking dishes one by one on a luxurious table.
"Oh, you're awake. Come quickly and eat."
Zhong Chen looked at the awakened Binchotan, a smile on his face, and waved to the little girl.
"Mr. Zhong Chen, did you make all of this?"
"Uh... you could say that."
Hearing Binchotan's words, Zhong Chen couldn't help but let out a dry laugh.
As everyone knows, our Lord Chen can't cook at all; at most, he can make instant noodles.
Before he became an adult in his previous life, he relied on the orphanage for food, and after becoming an adult, he lived entirely on takeout.
Yesterday's porridge and today's meals were actually all prepared by Sakuya in advance.
Zhong Chen stored them in his system space and would simply retrieve them when he needed to eat.
"Oh."
Binchotan nodded obediently and didn't ask any further questions.
"Alright, wash up first. After you're done, come and eat."
"I've put the toiletries over there."
Zhong Chen pointed to a set of brand-new toothbrushes, toothpaste, and other items as he spoke to Binchotan.
"Eh? Are all these for me? No, they're too precious!"
Binchotan looked at the obviously expensive toiletries and quickly refused.
Zhong Chen looked at Binchotan, who refused without hesitation, and explained with a smile:
"Hehe, these things only look good; they're actually not worth much money."
"Alright, hurry up and wash up and eat. If you refuse again, I'll get angry."
"This... okay... Thank you, Mr. Zhong Chen."
Binchotan, who originally wanted to refuse, saw Zhong Chen's expression that clearly said she must accept them. She pursed her small lips and said softly.
"You can call me Chen Gege from now on. 'Mister' sounds too formal."
"Eh! Really?"
After hearing Zhong Chen's words, Binchotan couldn't help but show a look of joy on her face.
"Of course!"
"Then... Chen Gege!"
"Hehe, that's right!"
Binchotan's adorable little face immediately broke into a brilliant smile after getting Zhong Chen's response.
For Binchotan, who had lost her grandmother, having a brother was simply an unimaginable thing.
Although this brother could only exist for a moment, even so, Binchotan felt immensely satisfied.
"Since you're already my little sister, then hurry up and come eat."
"Hai, Oni-chan. (Yes, big brother.)"
"Oh my goodness, she's too cute! I'm going to die, going to die, going to die!"
Our Lord Chen was instantly knocked to the ground by this Oni-chan.
Indeed, little lolis are the treasures of the world.
Hmph! Milim must be excluded!
At this moment, Binchotan looked at Zhong Chen, who was rolling on the ground, with a puzzled expression.
"Um, Oni-chan, are you alright?"
Hearing the little one's soft voice, Zhong Chen immediately sat up, a profound expression on his face, and said:
"Don't worry, your Oni-chan won't be defeated."
"Eh? Is that so?"
"Cough cough... Alright, come eat!"
"Hai! (Yes!)"
After breakfast, the two went outside the house and sat on a fallen log, enjoying the morning sun.
Feeling the cool morning breeze, Zhong Chen couldn't help but feel how wonderful life was.
Occasionally being so leisurely was also a supreme enjoyment.
Just as Zhong Chen felt sleepiness about to overtake him.
Binchotan, who had been sitting quietly beside him, suddenly asked in a low tone:
"Oni-chan, you're leaving today, aren't you...? Will you pass by here again later?"
Suddenly hearing Binchotan's question, Zhong Chen's sleepiness instantly vanished.
He turned his head, looked at Binchotan with a slight smile, and said:
"I was planning to leave today, but suddenly having such a cute little sister, I'm a little reluctant to go."
"Really!"
After hearing Zhong Chen's words, Binchotan asked with a hint of excitement in her voice.
"Of course it's true. I've decided to stay here for a while."
"Then... then I'll go to work and buy rice. I definitely won't let Oni-chan go hungry."
Saying this, Binchotan took a small jump and came in front of Zhong Chen, looking at him with a smile.
For Binchotan at this moment, having a brother was an incredibly happy thing.
In order to retain this fleeting happiness, she decided to work hard.
"What are you talking about? How can I, an adult, let a little girl like you support me?"
"Don't worry, your Oni-chan lacks nothing but money... uh... nothing but things that can be exchanged for money."
Thinking that he was currently penniless, Zhong Chen's tone seemed a bit lacking.
However, after looking at the various high-tech products in his system space, he regained his confidence.
"I can earn money to support Oni-chan."
Binchotan said to Zhong Chen with a determined expression.
"I know, but as an Oni-chan, how can I let my cute imouto support me?"
"Do you not acknowledge me as your Oni-chan?"
Hearing Zhong Chen's words, Binchotan quickly shook her small head, the charcoal tied to her head almost falling off.
Seeing this, Zhong Chen walked in front of Binchotan, first reaching out to straighten the charcoal on her head.
Then he walked behind her and re-tied the crooked bow on Binchotan's back.
"There, that's better."
Zhong Chen returned to Binchotan's front, looked at the little girl in front of him, and nodded with satisfaction.
At this moment, Binchotan reached out to touch the charcoal on her head, then looked back at the bow behind her.
Tears of emotion involuntarily began to well up in her eyes.
"Wuwuwu... Thank you, Oni-chan... Wuwuwu..."
Zhong Chen looked at the little girl who was constantly shedding tears, directly hugged her, and said softly:
"Cry. Cry out all your grievances and pain."
"Wuwuwu... Wuwu... Ah ah ah ah!!!"
"Grandma is gone... Ah ah ah... I have no family left... Wuwuwu!"
Zhong Chen gently patted Binchotan's back as she sobbed uncontrollably.
A rare gentle smile appeared on his face.
Subsequently, Binchotan's crying grew softer and softer until it finally disappeared.
Zhong Chen picked up the little girl who had cried herself to sleep, walked into the house, gently placed her on the bed, and covered her with a blanket.
Then he glanced at the photo of Binchotan's grandmother placed not far away, a glint flashing in his eyes.
"Little girl, sleep well. When you wake up again, I think your happiness will surely arrive as promised."
After saying that, Zhong Chen stood up and cast a calming spell on Binchotan, then walked outside, looked at the sun in the sky, and muttered to himself:
"Oh dear, sometimes I even have a misconception. Am I really a good person?"
At this moment, Binchotan in the room, unaware of what she was dreaming, had a face full of happy smiles and murmured:
"Grandma... I love her the most..."