The charcoal brazier in the room burned brightly. Shen Ruoyu had sent servants with medicine and hot water, and thick brocade blankets covered Shen Xinghuai. Despite this, he remained unconscious, showing no signs of improvement.

"Xiao Liu, go to the kitchen and have them prepare another dose of medicine... Wait, what's that?" Shen Ruoyu sat by the bedside, attending to Shen Xinghuai. It wasn't that she didn't want to leave, but his grip on her hand was incredibly tight.

With considerable effort, she finally managed to get the bitter medicine down his throat. Turning, she saw Xiao Liu hurrying in, holding something in his hands.

"Xiao Liu, what's that in your hand?" Shen Ruoyu glanced casually. It was a small, yellowed booklet, its contents unclear, held as if it were a precious treasure. Xiao Liu reverently placed the booklet on the room's table.

He bowed respectfully. "My lady, this is Young Master's diary. I thought since Young Master has moved here, I should bring it along. He treasures this, always reading it before bed. He specifically instructed that no one but Eldest Miss should see it."

No one but her? Shen Ruoyu's curiosity was piqued.

"Xiao Liu, then bring it here for me to see." A diary was a deeply personal item. For Shen Xinghuai to willingly share his diary with her showed immense trust. Since her younger brother had consented, Shen Ruoyu truly wanted to know what it contained.

"Yes." Xiao Liu handed her the aged diary.

Though old, the bamboo paper was well-preserved, save for some crinkling at the edges, indicating its owner's care. Shen Ruoyu opened to the first page. Childish handwriting filled the page. 

[Third day of the ninth month, Yuanchu year three. I learned to write today. I wrote Sister some characters, and she was very happy, praising me. Today, Sister wore a pink dress. It suits her. She's so beautiful.]

Shen Xinghuai was only seven during the third year of Yuanchu, and Shen Ruoyu was just nine. She had no recollection of this incident. She continued flipping through the pages. The diary mostly concerned her, filled with Shen Xinghuai's lavish praise. Almost every page documented her kindness.

She continued reading. From the ninth year of Yuanchu, the entries abruptly changed. The name "Rong Yan" appeared for the first time. Shen Xinghuai wrote.

[I went to play with Sister today, but she ignored me. I'm a little sad. She said she was going to find Rong Yan. Who is he? Will he take away sister's affection for me?]

Shen Ruoyu paused here. It seemed that from the time she met Rong Yan, she had inexplicably started disliking her younger brother. She grew to loathe and envy him, beginning to torment and humiliate him.

She continued, expecting the rest to be filled with criticisms of her. However, the following entries were the opposite. Not only were there no negative remarks, but he continued to sporadically write about her good qualities, except for one page where he wrote, [Sister has changed. Is it because of Rong Yan?]

"Silly boy, sister didn't want to be like that either." The Shen Ruoyu of the past had no agency; she was merely a supporting character in this BL novel centered around her brother.

The diary held nothing particularly unusual. Near the end, one entry caught her attention. In a small, almost hidden corner, Shen Xinghuai had written, [I hate Lu Zhixing. Why does he fawn over me? The sight of him makes me sick.]

Shen Xinghuai had never committed any heinous acts, yet he was constantly entangled with these men. Was this the fate of a captivating male protagonist in a BL novel?

Shen Ruoyu gently extracted her numb hand from his grip and tucked him in. "Don't worry. Sister will protect you. I won't let Lu Zhixing hurt you again."

She had initially thought that since Shen Xinghuai couldn't escape death, she would let him be. Now, she had changed her mind again. In this life, she would help him defy his predetermined fate, not only for him but also for herself.

Perhaps hearing her words, Shen Xinghuai stirred and slowly opened his eyes. His throat felt as if it were coated in mercury. "Sister, why are you here with me...?"

"You've just woken up. Don't speak yet. If you want anything to eat, I'll have the kitchen prepare it."

Under Shen Ruoyu's watchful gaze, Shen Xinghuai shifted further into the bed. "I don't want to eat, Sister. I didn't steal anything. Do you believe me? I don't want anything. Could you just lie down next to me for a while, like when we were young?"

Shen Ruoyu refused. "Sister doesn't want to sleep. You rest." Was it normal for her younger brother to be this attached to her?