"...So, what do you think? Is it possible?"
"..."
Sayuri blinked, momentarily stunned by what Oliver had just suggested. Then, as if something snapped, she burst into uncontrollable laughter, holding her stomach and doubling over.
"Hahahaha! I never thought you, of all people, would come up with something like that! Sayuri's going to die of laughter because of you, hahahaha!"
"So... does that mean it'll work?"
Oliver looked at her anxiously, his eyes filled with expectation.
"Hahahaha! Just—give me a second to calm down!"
Sayuri took a deep breath, wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, and finally managed to compose herself, though her cheeks were still flushed from laughter.
"In theory... it should be possible. But honestly, I've never even considered this possibility before."
"So you're saying... you're not sure?"
Sayuri paused, tilting her head as she pondered his idea. Then she flashed a mischievous smile.
"But it's worth a try! I'm genuinely curious to see whether it works or not. Just promise me—you'll let Sayuri know how it turns out!"
"Alright..."
Oliver let out a long sigh and looked at Sayuri, who was still giggling to herself. Though he had doubts, there was only one way to find out.
If it failed... he'd just have to apologize to Uncle Yu for letting him suffer in his belly.
After closing the system interface, Oliver returned to reality and was greeted by a familiar, puzzled face.
"What's wrong, brother? Did something happen?" Qianhua asked with concern.
"Um... Chika, don't you think this fish is cute?"
"Cute??"
Qianhua tilted her head, her eyes narrowing as she stared at the gray-brown fish lying on the chopping board. Its cheeks were puffing in and out rhythmically as it continued breathing, seemingly unaware of its impending fate.
Her eyes, filled with silent depth, remained utterly expressionless.
"You're calling this cute?"
Qianhua looked at him with an expression of pure disdain, while Oliver scratched his head sheepishly.
"I mean, it's not ugly, right? I like it. I don't know how to explain it... it was love at first sight! That's it! I've decided—we're keeping it!"
"Ha???"
Qianhua's eyes widened in disbelief. She stood on tiptoe and gently touched Oliver's forehead with the back of her hand.
"No fever. So... why are you spouting nonsense?"
"How should I put this... I've actually been thinking about keeping fish at home for a while now. Imagine it—a fish tank in the living room, something to relax us after a long day. Wouldn't that be great?"
"Really now? That's the first I've heard of it."
Oliver tried to come up with a convincing excuse on the spot. Qianhua narrowed her eyes, clearly suspicious, but didn't press the issue further.
"...Well, now that you mention it, it would be kind of nice to have a fish tank at home."
She folded her arms, imagining how it might look. Then, her gaze returned to the fish on the table.
"But if you're going to raise fish, you should pick ones that are actually pretty—like goldfish, koi, or guppies. What's the appeal of keeping a striped bass?"
That's... a fair point.
Oliver's expression froze for a moment, but he quickly doubled down on his decision.
"That's exactly why we should keep it! Everyone else keeps ornamental fish. Let's be different. Let's raise edible fish. Now that's cool. That's unique!"
Qianhua looked at him like he had just grown a second head.
"...Brother, are you still stuck in your middle-school phase?"
"Qianhua!! My dearest sister!! Just this once—please grant your brother this one wish! I swear, if you help me this time, I'll do whatever you want in the future. I'll listen to everything you say!"
Desperate, Oliver dropped to his knees and clung to her legs.
"This is all I ask! From now on, whatever you say, I'll do! You want something? I'll get it. You want something done? Consider it done!"
"...You'll do anything, huh..."
Qianhua muttered to herself, lowering her gaze. She seemed to be deep in thought for a moment.
"...Fine then! Since you're being so dramatic."
She nodded, as if she'd come to a decision, and turned to the vendor.
"Boss, please wrap this fish up for me!"
"Alright!"
The vendor walked over with a scraper in hand, ready to clean and gut the fish.
"Wait, wait, wait! No need for all that. We're going to keep it."
"Keep it?"
Both the vendor and the fish turned to stare at her with stunned expressions.
"Yes, that's right. My brother really likes this fish."
Qianhua smiled awkwardly, scratching her cheek.
"Could you please just add some water to the bag instead? We want it alive."
"Uhh... sure..."
The vendor seemed confused but complied. He placed the fish into a plastic bag filled with water. The moment it touched the water, the fish relaxed, breathing more easily as it blew out bubbles.
"Here you go. Your... baby."
Qianhua handed the bag to Oliver, her expression complicated.
"If you're serious about raising it, take proper care of it, alright? Don't just give up halfway."
But if he does give up halfway... well, then it's dinner.
She shrugged inwardly.
"Alright, boss. Can you help me pick another perch?"
"Huh? You want another one?"
"Yes, this one's for eating."
"???"
The vendor looked at her as if she were from another planet.
"Something wrong?"
Qianhua tilted her head innocently.
"Ah, no, no. Nothing at all," the vendor quickly replied with an embarrassed smile.
What kind of strange siblings are these? One fish to raise, one fish to eat? Do they even consider how the fish feels?
Muttering complaints in his heart, the vendor scooped out another lively bass with his net.
"How about this one?"
"Looks good."
"Alright, one moment."
He quickly cleaned and processed the second fish, then packed it into a box and handed it to Qianhua.
Having secured both the pet fish and dinner, the siblings headed to the third floor of the mall to choose a fish tank. They picked a nice one, but it was heavy and bulky, so they opted to have it delivered to their home the next day.
For now, the newly adopted fish would have to make do with a temporary home.
After taking the train back, it was already 9 PM when they reached home. Qianhua put on an apron and started preparing the unfortunate fish that had been sliced for dinner.
Meanwhile, Oliver took out a plastic foot basin from the bathroom and gently poured his lucky lottery-won fish into it.
"...What a terrible living environment," the fish seemed to comment, metaphorically at least.
"And there's a weird smell too..."
"Hey now! Don't complain. It's better than being in a pot, right? You'd rather be here than in hot oil, yes or no?"
The fish stopped "talking" and lay still in the basin, gurgling bubbles in silence.
"Yeah... better not put you in the toilet."
Oliver muttered as he picked up the basin and carried it to the living room.
"Huh? Why are you bringing that guy out here?"
Qianhua walked out of the kitchen, puzzled by what she saw.
"Ah... well... it makes me feel better. I don't know why, but having it nearby helps me relax. Hahaha..."
"You really are weird sometimes."
Oliver chuckled awkwardly while scratching his head. Qianhua gave him a look, shrugged, and returned to the kitchen. A few minutes later, she emerged with two steaming plates.
"Ta-da! Pan-fried fish fillet and sweet and sour fish! I cooked both dishes, so we have to finish them today!"
"Oooooh! That smells amazing!!"
Oliver's eyes lit up. With a bowl of rice and chopsticks in hand, he plopped down like a child awaiting dinner.
"I'm digging in!!"
The two siblings enjoyed their meal happily, devouring the freshly cooked dishes.
Meanwhile, the fish in the basin floated silently, watching them.
Its once dull eyes now seemed eerily deep as it stared at the fish fillets on the plates.
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