The tenth year

Noah came back from buying cigarettes, and the temperature in the car had already dropped to freezing point. The heating had been switched off.

Vivian leaned against the window in silence, while Ethan took the cigarette pack from Noah, opened it, and took a drag.

The evening sky threatened rain, and Han City's rush hour traffic was terrible. Once they reached the second ring road, the traffic jam began. Vivian was an impatient person; she could hardly wait to grab the steering wheel herself. Ethan, on the other hand, was more laid-back. He had been cut off three times after driving for just two hundred meters. He didn't seem in the least bit rushed, puffing on his cigarette, with the window slightly cracked to let in some air. Vivian, irritated to the point of frustration, grabbed a cigarette herself, opening the window fully.

The cold wind poured into the car.

Noah was shivering from the cold.

Noah, at twenty-four, was the only one who didn't smoke.

Years ago, in their old house, there had been a "No Smoking" agreement posted in the living room. Back then, Ethan and Vivian had argued about smoking, especially as Noah had been sickly as a child. He'd had lingering health issues, and with every change of season, he'd catch a cold easily. Vivian had smoked in the living room, refusing to go outside, and the smoke had left Noah with teary eyes.

Quit smoking? It was impossible to quit smoking.

Vivian refused, but in the end, she had compromised.

The "No Smoking" agreement had been drawn up by Ethan and put up by Vivian.

"Cigarettes are like a curse, like a ghost. Smoke one less, stay healthy every day."

Looking back now, only Noah had stuck to it.

"Can you even drive?" Seeing Ethan get cut off again, Vivian was about to lose her temper. "Get the fuck to the passenger seat, let me drive."

The car engine switched off, and they passed each other in front of the car.

Ethan casually snuffed out her cigarette.

"You're asking for trouble..." Vivian let civility slip in the middle of the road.

Taking the wheel herself, she felt much more at ease. She turned on the stereo.

Noah's Volvo was filled with the latest rap hits. "It's so noisy," Vivian tossed her phone aside. "Play my playlist."

Noah obediently took it; and connected it to the car's system.

The first song that came on was the DJ version of "The Boss".

Real or fake,

Nothing compares to that one thing,

The thing I want to say to you every day is,

Do you love me? Do you miss me?

Like a fool in love,

This is my answer without hesitation.

Noah barely listened for a few seconds before he covered his face. "Sis, what kind of old-fashioned music is this? Even my granddad wouldn't listen to this playlist."

"Your granddad can't listen to it anymore." Vivian turned the volume up. "When you get to my age, you'll understand—it has a lot of power."

Vivian was instantly energized by the cheesy pop song, nodding along to the rhythm. The SUV in her hands felt as nimble as a Mini Cooper. 

Darting left and right, the high-decibel music drowned out the angry shouts of other drivers, leaving only her passionate singing voice. 

"Roses, jasmine, 

What flower do I love? 

Turns out it's you, the flower in my heart." 

With over a decade of driving experience, Vivian was a skilled driver—the kind you could trust enough to fall asleep in the passenger seat, though staying awake was equally entertaining. For instance, just as they were about to exit the overpass, a driver she had overtaken minutes ago caught up, ready to settle scores, as was the unwritten rule of the road. 

"You idiot, I can't believe you! Got a death wish or something?" The driver rolled down his window, shouting. 

Vivian rolled down her window too, not to argue, but to blast her music. She gestured dramatically, singing along: 

"Quarrels are love, scolding is care, 

If you're spoiled, just let it out on me." 

The driver couldn't help but laugh. "Not bad for a female driver." 

That's just how things were in WH city—cars didn't yield to cars, people didn't yield to people, and courtesy was thrown out the window on the roads. Everyone fought for their spot. 

But the locals were genuinely warm-hearted. A cigarette could resolve disputes, and a couple of drinks could smooth things over. Conflicts flared up quickly but died down just as fast. 

Vivian was a native of HB province. 

Ethan and Noah, however, were from BJ City. 

Probably because they didn't share the same mother. 

They didn't share the same father either. 

When Ethan's phone rang, Vivian quickly turned down the volume. Say what you will, but when it came to business, he was the boss. 

After parking the car at the restaurant, Ethan also hung up his call. What they discussed was beyond Vivian, a self-proclaimed free spirit with no fixed job. 

Vivian was an unemployed young woman who lived by the motto, "Why work when I have money?" Among the Blackwood siblings—two brothers and a sister—the first to make something of himself was Noah, who had once been an academic failure. Of course, his path wasn't exactly conventional. 

Noah had been scouted by a local esports team at sixteen for his gaming skills and had since become a successful professional player. Vivian, who had once vehemently opposed him dropping out of school to play games, now proudly told everyone her brother was an esports champion. 

As for Ethan, he was even more impressive—a CEO of a listed company in BJ city. Vivian didn't understand the intricacies of the business world, but over the years, she noticed her earnings were dwindling compared to her brothers'. Realizing she could live comfortably for the rest of her life without lifting a finger, she decided to do just that. 

So, Vivian had just returned from Turkey. 

She hadn't tanned much but had lost a noticeable amount of weight. 

"Sis, eat more," Noah said, serving her food. 

"I've had enough, really," Vivian replied, her plate overflowing. 

Between Vivian and Noah, it was all sibling harmony. But many years ago, the one who had maintained a semblance of peace with her wasn't Noah—it was Ethan. Back then, Ethan was so well-behaved—he didn't smoke or talk back, and for a long time, Vivian had preferred him. 

When did Ethan become such a jerk? 

Vivian couldn't figure it out, no matter how hard she tried. 

Ethan didn't eat much, coldly observing the cheerful scene. Soon, he left the private room to make a phone call and settle the bill. 

When he returned, Vivian and Noah were still catching up, chatting intermittently. Mostly, Vivian asked questions, and Noah answered. 

It felt like a parent grilling their child. 

"There are some things I need to say, so don't brush them off," Vivian began, which usually meant she was about to say something significant. "Find yourself a partner soon. Don't end up like your brother, still single at his age. Do you know what people would've thought of him in ancient China? They'd have assumed he was a eunuch." 

In the past, Noah would have laughed and said, "Neither of you are in relationships, why should I rush?" But this time, he unexpectedly fell silent, his usually bright and gentle eyes clouded with hesitation. 

But it wasn't just hesitation. 

Vivian had raised him for years and immediately sensed something was off. "Do you have someone you like?" 

Well, sort of. Noah nodded, following his heart. "...Yes." 

"What's she like? Where does she work? Is she local?" 

This was the only good news Vivian had heard all day. 

Noah smiled. "Sis, don't ask too much." 

"Alright, alright," Vivian said, beaming. "You young people handle your relationships however you want. I won't interfere." But the moment she said she wouldn't interfere, she couldn't help but suggest, "Christmas is coming up. If things are going well, bring her home to meet me!" 

"...We'll see." 

There was something in Noah's tone that Vivian didn't pick up on, but Ethan might have. 

He lowered his eyes, lost in thought, then suddenly smirked, as if he had found clarity in a tangled situation. 

After dinner, the three drove back to their new home in LJ City. 

Vivian's luggage was at the courier station, so her brothers helped carry it. 

This was the perk of having raised kids—when you were out and about, you didn't have to lift a finger. Vivian walked ahead, light on her feet, clearly in high spirits after a few drinks. Ethan and Noah trailed behind, both glancing at their sister's back. 

"Bro, now that sis is back, don't drive her away again," Noah said earnestly. "She's always away, only coming home for Christmas. No matter how much you dislike her, just hold back a bit." 

Ethan's response was half-hearted, and Noah decided not to push it. After all these years, what else could they do? 

That's just how siblings were. 

No matter what, they'd always share a meal at the same table. 

The new house had been bought seven or eight years ago. Vivian had paid the down payment, but Noah had been covering the mortgage. The property deed was in her name, but she rarely stayed there except during Christmas. Noah, however, often stayed there when he was tired of the training base or during holidays. 

Vivian had brought back some tea, insisting on brewing it. 

Ethan went to make the beds, but Noah stopped him. 

"I've already made them, just waiting for you guys to come back for the holidays," Noah said, tugging at Vivian's arm. "Sis, don't rush off this time. Stay a few more days, okay? I've already talked to bro, and we've agreed not to argue with you." 

Vivian pulled her arm back, responding indifferently. She thought to herself, *You might have agreed, but he probably didn't listen.* 

They brewed tea and shared it while Noah set up the projector to play a TV show. Vivian dozed off and went to bed. 

But her sleep was restless. 

In her dream, it felt like someone was kissing her. 

Real kisses, landed on her hands, arms, and shoulders. Like dripping candle wax, like dew in a cave—cold. 

Before this, Vivian had only felt the heat; the room was heated... But now, she felt a tingling sensation all over her body. 

Vivian opened her bleary eyes. 

The person in front of her paused for a moment. 

Vivian was instantly wide awake. "Ethan?" 

Ethan stood silently by her bed. 

Vivian was furious. "Are you out of your mind? It's the middle of the night. What are you doing, casting spells or something?" 

She glared at him, and Ethan, submerged in her reproachful gaze, oddly did not retort.

Vivian sensed something was wrong. "What are you planning? Don't do anything stupid! Noah's right next door!" 

But Ethan only smiled dangerously. 

He leaned in, tilting her chin up. 

Vivian's chest erupted with a thunderous surge of anger, leaving her speechless. Yet, fearing she might disturb her oblivious youngest brother, Noah, she could only threaten him in the faintest of whispers, "Ethan, have you lost your mind? I'm your sister! Are you sleepwalking or just insane? If you dare—" 

Ethan slowly parted her lips. 

At times like these, Vivian couldn't afford to back down. She was the counterbalance to Ethan, her leverage being justice, ethics, and morality, representing the inviolable authority of the family head."Ethan, think carefully. If you do this..." 

Without hesitation, Ethan kissed her. 

Vivian felt like the sky was falling. 

Her lips were pried open, and an unfamiliar, overwhelming presence took hold. He defied all societal norms, urgently claiming her, invading her space, conquering her between breaths. 

"E-than!" Vivian growled through gritted teeth. 

Ethan was breathing heavily, his eyes dark and clouded. 

A silvery strand of saliva broke between them. 

He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. 

And tasted it on his tongue. 

"You're disgusting! You're absolutely disgusting!" 

Vivian was trembling all over. 

"Disgusting?" Ethan chuckled. "Vivian, you probably don't know this yet... but Noah likes you too." 

Vivian's eyes turned red. "Bullshit! You're lying!" 

"Don't believe me?" Ethan said. "Then let's wait and see." 

Vivian pointed at the door, her voice low but fierce. "...Get out!" 

Ethan stood up, but instead of leaving, he reached for her underwear on the nightstand. 

"You...!" Vivian tried to grab it back, but he caught her hand. 

He narrowed his dark eyes and asked, "Then will you take its place tonight?" 

You're insane! Vivian jerked her hand back. 

Ethan left, and she quickly locked the door behind him. 

Her heart was still pounding. 

She slid down against the door, her legs giving out. 

Outside, the cold rain pattered softly. 

In the quiet of the night, emotions took root and began to grow. 

This was Vivian's tenth year raising the two boys. 

One wished her dead; the other loved her but couldn't live with it.