"You actually remembered that I like to drink pomegranate wine."

Shen Ruoyu did enjoy her wine, especially pomegranate wine, and her younger brother was well aware of her preferences. She found a seat at the table and sat down, while Shen Xinghuai slowly moved from the bed to sit beside her. Having just recovered, his movements were still uncoordinated, causing him to stumble as he walked.

"Xiao Liu has gone to warm the wine, sister. Please wait a moment. There are also honey oranges here—let me peel some for you." Shen Xinghuai sat across from her and began peeling the oranges piled in the fruit dish with his long fingers.

In no time, he had peeled all the oranges. Shen Xinghuai placed the peeled oranges into Shen Ruoyu's palm. "I remember Sister likes to eat oranges. Please try the ones I've peeled."

"I..."

Shen Ruoyu looked up, meeting his innocent yet slightly anxious eyes. Under such a gaze, she couldn't bring herself to refuse. Thus, under the young man's watchful eyes, she devoured the oranges he had peeled.

After finishing, Shen Ruoyu didn't forget to praise him. "My younger brother is truly a thoughtful boy." Considering he was still a patient, a bit of encouragement was warranted.

She hadn't expected that her casual remark would be taken so seriously by Shen Xinghuai. He looked at Shen Ruoyu with a very serious expression. "Cough... Don't tell me Sister is only realizing this now?"

"Of course not. You've always been an obedient and understanding child in my heart."

Shen Ruoyu had intended to comfort him with these words, but the atmosphere grew even heavier. Shen Xinghuai furrowed his brows, seemingly unimpressed by Shen Ruoyu's words of comfort.

"What's wrong? In my eyes, you're still a child."

Shen Ruoyu thought that he was still young, and if he could live longer, he might grow to be a great hero renowned throughout the land, just as he was in her first dream.

"Sister..." Shen Xinghuai opened his mouth, hesitated for a long time, but ultimately didn't say what he wanted to. A child? He was no longer a child. Jiang Peizhi was the same age as him, yet she had never called Jiang Peizhi a child.

The atmosphere grew stifling. With no more topics to discuss, Xiao Liu entered, carrying a pot of warmed pomegranate wine.

Xiao Liu filled the wine cups in front of them, and a fragrant aroma wafted through the air.

"Miss, this pot of pomegranate wine has been treasured by the young master for a long time, and he's never been willing to drink it..." The implication was that Shen Xinghuai was reluctant to drink it himself but was more than willing to share it with Shen Ruoyu.

The scent of the wine awakened Shen Ruoyu's craving. She had a good tolerance for alcohol, but knowing she shouldn't indulge today, she feared she could finish the entire pot alone.

"Oh? Is that so? Then I must try it today."

The pomegranate wine in the cup resembled clear dew. Shen Ruoyu lifted the cup and took a small sip, the rich and mellow flavor filling her tongue. She glanced at Shen Xinghuai and noticed he hadn't touched his cup. "You're letting me drink alone? You won't have any?"

Shen Xinghuai's eyes narrowed slightly. "Sister should drink alone. Seeing you enjoy my wine makes me happy enough."

Shen Ruoyu didn't think much of it; he wouldn't put anything harmful in the wine, and besides, she had self-control. She knew how much to drink, even if it was tempting. After finishing one warm cup of pomegranate wine, she set the cup down.

"Alright, I really must go handle some matters now. We can drink the rest when I return tonight."

Shen Ruoyu stood up to leave, but after a few steps, she felt dizzy. Drunk? That couldn't be; her tolerance wasn't that poor.

"Ah! Sister, be careful!"

Shen Ruoyu felt her head spinning and nearly fell after a few steps. Fortunately, Shen Xinghuai reacted quickly, stepping forward to catch her. "Sister, how can you be so careless? If you're tired, let me help you to the bed to rest."

"Shen Xinghuai, did you put something in the wine..."

Her eyelids felt heavy, and her skin was hot. As Shen Xinghuai's arm encircled her, she found herself strangely craving the coolness of his body.

Shen Xinghuai gently brushed the stray hairs from her forehead. "No, Elder Sister, you know I always listen to you. How could I put anything in your wine?"

With his sister nestled in his arms, soft and comfortable, he didn't want to let go. Shen Xinghuai leaned closer, inhaling the pleasant fragrance emanating from Shen Ruoyu. His voice was hoarse as he whispered in her ear, "Sister, it seems you're drunk..."