9

As the days went on, Daolin couldn't shake the feeling that something was off with his sister. She was always a cheerful and playful girl, but lately, she seemed distant and cold towards him.

One evening, when they were having dinner together, Xiaomei suddenly spoke up.

"Daolin, can I ask you something?"

"Of course, Xiaomei. What is it?"

"it's about you and Master Li Mei. I noticed the two of you are rather..too close"

Daolin felt his heart sink.

"I'm sorry if it make you uncomfortable, Xiaomei. My relationship with Master Li Mei is different now, but it doesn't mean that I love you any less."

"That's not it, Daolin," Xiaomei said, her voice trembling slightly. "I'm just...jealous. I've seen how you looks at her, and it's not fair. I want you to look at me like that too."

Daolin surprised by her statement but also felt a pang of pain in his chest. It seemed like she is feeling left out because of his relationship with his master.

Xiaomei's eyes welled up with tears, and she pushed her plate away from her. "I don't understand why you have to choose her over your own sister. I thought we were close."

"We are close, Xiaomei," Daolin said, reached out and took her on his lap "you have to understand my relationship with Master Li Mei is important but It doesn't mean that I don't care about you"

Xiaomei blushed she reached her hand around his neck. "Mmm" this was her safe place.

Daolin felt a headache. He didn't want to hurt anyone, but it seemed like no matter what he did, someone was always feeling left out.

The road ahead was going to be even more complex and difficult than he had imagined, and Daolin knew that he would have to navigate it carefully if he wanted to maintain his relationships with his sister and his master..and the other girls.