In the living room,
Timmy Lockwood was sprawled on Sebastian Lockwood's lap, his eyes squinted in comfort as he let Sebastian stroke his fur.
"Have some water." Sydney Sawyer had finished clearing the table and poured him a glass.
Sebastian Lockwood was about to take the glass when he realized:
His hands were covered in cat hair.
His expression was a mix of affection and helplessness.
"Want to go wash your hands?" Sydney Sawyer said with a smile.
As if sensing he was about to get up, Timmy Lockwood preemptively hopped off the sofa.
He lifted a hind paw, scratched his body, and gave himself a vigorous shake. Under the light, you could clearly see a cloud of cat hair flying everywhere.
Then he walked over to his food bowl and paced back and forth, wanting to be fed...
Sebastian Lockwood went to the restroom to wash his hands, and Sydney Sawyer handed him a towel.
"Thanks."
"You've got some on your clothes, too."
Cat hair spares no corner of the house. Sebastian Lockwood did a quick dusting off. "It's impossible to get it all off. I should just go home, shower, and change."
Sydney Sawyer nodded. The restroom wasn't very big, so she didn't go in, just stood at the door to hand him the towel. Just as she was about to turn around to feed the cat, suddenly...
A warm hand brushed across the top of her head.
Having just been washed, his fingertips were still cool as they gently grazed through her hair.
"Is this little guy a walking dandelion or something? Everywhere he goes, cat hair follows. You've even got some in your hair," his voice came from behind her.
"Thanks for all your hard work lately."
Sydney Sawyer gave a muffled "mhm." "He's very cute. I like cats, so it's no trouble."
"Me too."
His voice was low and husky, enthralling and tinged with a smile.
They were clearly discussing the cat, but Sydney Sawyer's face grew hot and her heart raced. 'I'm really losing my mind.'
Just then, Chester Sawyer came out of his room. "Sis, don't you think Dad is being ridiculous? He's insisting I go experience the atmosphere of the college entrance exams..."
His words trailed off when he saw the two of them.
From his angle, the two of them looked like they were standing very close. He pressed his lips together, a mischievous look on his face.
"Sis, Second Brother... did I come out at a bad time?"
Sydney Sawyer's pupils trembled slightly as she shot him a fierce glare.
'What nonsense are you spouting now!'
'We're completely innocent and haven't done anything! What's with that sleazy look on your face!'
"You were just saying Dad wants you to take the college entrance exams?" Sydney Sawyer quickly walked over to him, shooting him meaningful looks.
"Yeah. He said even though I've already been admitted, it would be good to experience the atmosphere. If I don't go, he's going to give away all the figurines in my room." Chester Sawyer looked utterly hopeless.
"You're into figurines?"
"Doesn't everyone have a little hobby? Besides wanting to buy a Mercedes-Benz, I like figurines, LEGOs, and mechanical stuff. Guys are all pretty much the same, right?" Chester Sawyer looked at Sebastian Lockwood. "Second Brother, what do you like?"
"I like cats."
Chester Sawyer frowned. "Besides cats?"
He was thinking of finding some common interests to make it easier to play wingman for his sister in the future. But when Sebastian Lockwood spoke again, his answer nearly scared the piss out of him:
"Performing surgery, watching dissection videos."
Chester Sawyer gave him a smile.
'As expected of my future brother-in-law. So damn powerful.'
"Oh right, Second Brother, you mentioned you have an older sister. What's she like?"
Chester Sawyer thought, 'When Sis marries him, that woman will be her sister-in-law. It's important to do some reconnaissance beforehand.' He was increasingly feeling like an old father, worrying himself sick over his sister.
Sebastian Lockwood raised an eyebrow and chuckled. "My sister..."
"Is gentle and considerate."
"Then she must be easy to get along with." Chester Sawyer wriggled his eyebrows at Sydney Sawyer.
Sydney Sawyer wished she could clamp a hand over his mouth. Every time he opened it, she couldn't help but feel her heart leap into her throat.
"Are you taking the college entrance exams?" Sebastian Lockwood asked Chester Sawyer.
"I have to. Just to experience it, you know? Otherwise, my figurines are done for."
"Which test center are you at? I'll drive you."
"Second Brother, wouldn't that be too much trouble for you?"
"It's no trouble. We had a meeting at the hospital today. They've assigned a group of us to several college entrance exam sites to provide medical support for the test-takers. I'm on the list."
"Thanks, Second Brother."
—
For the next two days of the college entrance exams, Sebastian Lockwood drove Chester Sawyer to and from the test center. All Sydney Sawyer could do was prepare meals at home. Although Chester wasn't under any pressure to get a certain score, it was still an exam. Plus, he had just been discharged from the hospital, so Sydney put extra effort into his meals.
She just hadn't expected Chester Sawyer to drag Sebastian Lockwood home for dinner too.
After Chester Sawyer finished his exams, the topic he talked about most was Sebastian Lockwood's car.
"Sis, Second Brother's car is awesome! It's modified, and the sound of the engine is so badass..."
"I used to only have eyes for a Mercedes-Benz, but now I see I was just a frog in a well."
"He said he'll take me for a spin after my exams are over. But don't worry, Sis. He's definitely saving the passenger seat for you."
...
He even secretly leaned in and whispered in her ear:
"Sis, don't you think we're like a family of three?"
Sydney Sawyer resisted the urge to kick him.
"Don't you dare spout nonsense in front of him."
"I know my limits," Chester Sawyer promised earnestly.
He was the king of talking big. Sydney Sawyer didn't believe a single word he said.
***
On the day the college entrance exams ended, Sebastian Lockwood made good on his promise to take Chester Sawyer out for a good meal, and naturally, he invited Sydney Sawyer along as well.
Although Chester Sawyer seemed like a slacker, once he was in the examination hall, he treated every test paper with respect. After carefully finishing and checking his work, he turned in his paper early.
Then, he cheerfully ran out of the examination hall, the first one to leave.
Outside the police line of the test center, many parents who had been waiting for the entire duration of the exam had not yet left. There were also some reporters ready to interview students about their experience.
Especially one who was the first to rush out, and who, from the looks of it, seemed quite happy. He must have done well on the exam.
Several media outlets swarmed him, wanting to interview him about his experience. Many parents also crowded around, eager to know how difficult this exam was.
"Young man, as the first person to dash out of the exam hall, how do you feel?"
"Pretty good."
"How difficult did you find this year's college entrance exams?"
Chester Sawyer frowned slightly. "The difficulty was okay, I guess. Moderate."
"Is there anything you'd like to say to the camera?"
"I hope everyone gets into their dream university, and I also hope my dad keeps his promise."
"That must be a private matter between you and your father, so we won't pry. We also wish you the best of luck on your results."
Chester Sawyer just smiled. "Me? Thanks."
With that, he squeezed through the crowd to find Sebastian Lockwood's car.
Edwin Sawyer never expected the next time he'd see his son would be on Keston's local news. When he heard that his son was the first to rush out of the exam hall, had actually given an interview, and even reminded him to keep his promise, he almost died of anger again.
When Sydney Sawyer saw the news, she just smiled. She was busy pondering what to wear to dinner that evening.