Climbing on the Sparrow Branch – CH 936

Chapter 936: Side Story : Siblings’ Daily Life : 5

During the days Pei Yue was confined, Pei Lin stayed with her. Later, when their mother took him away, he would secretly run over.

At this time, Pei Yue thought her younger brother was the softest thing in the world, cute and clingy, and would definitely be adorable when he grew up.

But later, as her brother grew older, Pei Yue discovered that her brother was remarkably precocious. At such a young age, he always acted like a little adult, using newly learned classical Chinese phrases to lecture her.

When Pei Yue was thirteen, she had already started to grow rapidly. Eight-year-old Pei Lin was still chubby and fair-skinned. Although he often imitated adults’ speech, Pei Yue still considered him her little brother, and she could pinch his cheeks whenever she wanted.

One day, during a break at the academy, Pei Yue heard that her aunt was arranging marriages for her cousin. She wanted to take her cousin along, but when they arrived at the An Mansion, she discovered that her cousin was already being looked after by her aunt, so she had to go find someone herself.

Her aunt had her eye on both the eldest son of a noble family and a scholar with good learning. Pei Yue did not see them at all, but after two days of waiting, she managed to spot the two. She told her cousin what she had seen: the eldest son of a noble family had secretly gone to brothels, and the scholar was a bookworm who spoke only in classical Chinese phrases.

Pei Yue advised her cousin to be more selective. The two sisters’ conversation was overheard by An Zhi and Huiping, who had come by.

On the way back, An Zhi asked in the carriage, “You are so young, yet you’re helping your cousin find a future husband. Are you not ashamed?”

“Am I young?” Pei Yue felt she was not young anymore. “In two more years, I will be of marriageable age. Mother, when my cousin was thirteen, my aunt started arranging marriages for her. Who knows, one day I will have someone I like too.”

“You are so shameless!” An Zhi, seeing the smile in her daughter’s eyes, knew she was teasing her. She laughed and said, “You are not in a hurry. The daughters of the Pei family do not have to worry about marriage. Wait until you’re older. At this age, you do not understand anything. How would you know what kind of man you want to marry?”

Pei Yue did not think so. She wanted to marry a hero who roamed the martial world with a sword or a virtuous and upright man—someone outstanding. Even if not as powerful as her father, he could not be too bad.

The carriage swayed back to the Pei family home. Pei Yue got off and walked towards her courtyard.

As she crossed the garden, Pei Lin caught up with her.

“Elder Sister,” Pei Lin called out, stopping beside Pei Yue. He dismissed the servants, including Bi Zhu, and then looked at Pei Yue seriously, asking, “Tell me, do you really have someone you like?”

Pei Yue, seeing her brother’s earnestness, wanted to tease him. “If I say yes, are you going to tell Mama and Papa?”

“I will not!” Pei Lin’s cheeks suddenly puffed out, and he asked again, confirming, “You really do not have someone you like, do you?”

Seeing her brother’s seriousness, Pei Yue solemnly replied no.

“That’s good.” Pei Lin put his hands behind his back. “Mother is right; you’re still young. There’s no need to rush into finding a husband. Wait until I’m older; I will help you test them.”

“Haha, by the time you’re old enough to help me find someone, I’m afraid I will be an old maid!” Pei Yue laughed at her brother’s authoritative tone.

Pei Lin replied earnestly, “Although I’m five years younger than you, I will grow up quickly. Do not laugh at me, Big Sister; I’m going to be a real man someday.”

Only by being a man could he stand tall and protect his family. From a young age, Pei Lin understood that the Pei family would depend on him, so he longed to grow up quickly, but time seemed to be moving too slowly; he was so impatient.

Pei Yue stopped laughing, bending down to look at her younger brother. “You, you’re only eight years old! Do not talk so maturely. Children are cuter when they are more playful. Besides, your sister is not some weakling; I can protect you, too.”

Pei Lin pouted, hesitated for a while, then said firmly, “Anyway, if anyone bullies you, come tell me.”

“Fine, fine, you’re not like my little brother at all; you’re more like my older brother.” Pei Yue shook her head helplessly, remembering that she was making rose petal dew today, so she asked Pei Lin to come with her.

The siblings walked on the bluestone path, their shadows, one tall and one short, leaning on each other. From childhood to the future, they would grow step by step and always be the best siblings.

Translator’s Final Words:
We reached the end.

This is the first story that I started translating. The initial chapters were rough. It took me a while to get the correct flow and tone. I have been with An Zhi and Pei Que for three months. It was quite a journey, but it was enjoyable to translate a good couple—a smart and strong female lead and a green flag but strong male lead.

Thank you for reading this until the very end.