I alone am the Honoured One!

The warm glow of the lanterns bathed the room in a golden hue and a light fragrance of jasmine tea lingered in the air, blending with the rich aroma of delicately prepared dishes.

Zhao Tian sat at the head of the small table, as he watched Qi Xue and Qi Nue set out the meal before him.

Plates of steaming dumplings, crispy glazed meats, stir-fried vegetables glistening with sauce, and bowls of fragrant rice filled the space between them.

Qi Xue knelt beside him and a gentle smile curved her lips "It's rare to have you with us like this, little brother," she said softly, picking up a piece of glazed pork with her chopsticks.

"You've been working too hard."

"You barely eat properly these days," Qi Nue added as she placed a bowl of soup before him.

"If we weren't here to take care of you, I swear you'd forget to even drink water."

Zhao Tian sighed lightly as his fingers rested lightly against the table "I wouldn't go that far..."

But Qi Nue shot him a knowing look. "Wouldn't you?"

Zhao Tian had no rebuttal.

Because he knew she was right.

For months, he had buried himself in refining pills, pushing his body beyond its limits.

"Here, try this," Qi Xue murmured, lifting a dumpling between her chopsticks.

Instead of placing it onto his plate, she moved it toward his lips, "I made these myself. You wouldn't refuse your senior sister's cooking, would you?"

Zhao Tian looked at the dumpling "You made them?"

Qi Xue gasped in feigned offense "What's with that tone? Are you doubting my skills?"

Zhao Tian shook his head before leaning forward and taking a bite.

The moment the flavors melted on his tongue, his expression shifted slightly in surprise.

"It's... actually good,"

"Of course, it is! I spent time making them for you..."

Before Zhao Tian could respond, Qi Nue leaned in from his other side, holding up a piece of golden, honey-glazed chicken. "Then try this," she whispered near his ear, her voice carrying a teasing lilt.

She pressed the food against his lips, giving him no choice but to take a bite.

The sweetness of the honey mixed with the tender meat, and he let out a low hum of approval.

Qi Nue smiled gently "See? You've been eating bland food for too long, little brother."

As he chewed, he glanced between the two of them and a sense of warmth filled his chest.

They were both fussing over him, feeding him like he was a spoiled child.

A part of him wanted to argue that he is not a child who needed to be cared for.

But another part of him...

Didn't mind at all.

He lifted his chopsticks and picked up a piece of food.

Without hesitation, he held it out to Qi Xue "Eat with me."

Her eyes widened slightly before a smile curved her lips.

She leaned forward and took the bite from his chopsticks, her cheeks slightly flushed.

Qi Nue let out a soft laugh "Then don't forget about me."

Zhao Tian turned to her next, offering another bite.

...

Qi Nue stood before the mirror, her fingers lightly grazing the cool surface as she stared at her own reflection.

"Little brother… has been spending more time with us recently, hasn't he?" Her voice was barely above a whisper, yet it carried through the quiet room.

Qi Xue, who was lying on the bed with a book resting on her stomach, blinked lazily before letting a soft smile tug at her lips.

"Yeah…" she murmured, warmth filling her tone.

She turned her head, gazing toward the ceiling, lost in thought "Though he is still down after Master's death… compared to the previous months, he's quite energetic now."

Qi Nue nodded slowly "Mhm… he has been doing nothing but alchemy for the past three months."

Her fingers traced the wooden frame of the mirror absentmindedly.

In the soft candlelight, her reflection appeared almost dreamlike... her long hair cascading over her shoulders, her delicate features touched with a faint flush.

Then, suddenly, she let out a quiet laugh "You know what… Xue'er…"

Qi Xue, who had been relaxed moments ago, glanced toward her with curiosity "Hm?"

Qi Nue's lips curled into a soft smile and her eyes filled with a tender light as she whispered, "I love little brother."

The room fell silent.

For a moment, all Qi Xue could hear was the faint crackling of the lantern's flame.

"H-Huh?"

She bolted upright as the book sliding off her stomach onto the bed. "What did you just say?"

Qi Nue didn't turn around and looked at her own reflection with a smile on her face.

"I mean…" she exhaled slowly, as if gathering her thoughts. "I loved him in the past."

Qi Xue's fingers curled into the sheets beneath her. The past?

With a dry chuckle, Qi Nue continued "But after seeing his talent, I thought… a simple girl like me would never reach his level."

"That I couldn't stay by his side... He is the Heaven Sent Child, a prodigy with affinity to different elementals."

She lowered her gaze and her long lashes fluttered slightly "So I buried those feelings. Deep. I convinced myself that I should just be his senior sister..."

Her fingers clenched against the wooden surface of the dresser "But these past three months…" her voice softened,

"Being with him… seeing him work so hard, pushing himself to the limit… knowing that he still relies on us, that he still cherishes us…"

She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath "I was so happy, Xue'er."

Qi Xue's eyes trembled as she stared at Qi Nue's back 'She... also loves him?'

A bitter taste filled her mouth.

Qi Nue is her own twin sister.

They had cultivated together, trained together, and walked the same path as disciples under their master. They had always been close, always shared their thoughts and worries…

Qi Xue felt her chest tightening but she forced a smile and stood up from the bed, walking behind Qi Nue.

"That's great Nue'er..."

Looking at her sister's face through the reflection, Qi Nue blushed faintly "What do you think.. little brother thinks about me?"

With a chuckle, Qi Xue stepped forward and hugged her sister "Of course, he loves you too... Look at you, you are so beautiful, why would he even refuses you?"

Qi Nue pouted her lips "We are twins, and we look the same, so you are just praising yourself."

Qi Xue let out a chuckle and Qi Nue lowered her gaze "But.. what if he just sees us as his senior sisters."

Hearing this, Qi Xue ruffled her head gently "You don't have to rush anything, Nue'er. You have time. Just stay by his side. Be there for him. And when the time comes… he'll realize it too."

Qi Nue gave a nod "You're right… I just need to be patient."

"Exactly. Now stop making that sad face. Little brother likes it better when you're smiling, don't you think?"

Upon hearing this, Qi Nue giggled softly, nodding.

"Mm..."

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I hope you guys liked this chapter!