Wei Ying loved autumn—the vibrant red and orange leaves, the abundance of pumpkins, and especially Halloween. Though Halloween wasn't widely celebrated in his country, he enjoyed telling ghost stories around a campfire while melting marshmallows.

However, autumn also marked the start of the school year, meaning he wouldn't be joining his parents on their nomadic adventures. Instead, he would stay with his adoptive siblings. The automatic train announcement informed him that he was nearing the city where he would begin his studies. It had been eight years since he was last there.

A flicker of nostalgia made him think of his childhood friend. What would he be doing now? He was becoming a tall, slender, yet muscular man with an extremely handsome face that always was dignified. In contrast, Wei Ying's roguish face couldn't hide a playful or mischievous expression for more than 10 minutes.

The train station was bustling with activity. The building's architecture blended modern elements with a touch of classical elegance. Wen Qing and Wen Ning were already waiting for him at the station next to a souvenir shop. 

Wen Qing had grown into a strikingly beautiful woman with delicate, refined features and sharp, observant brown eyes. Despite having lost her parents 13 years ago and living with Wei Ying and his parents for almost seven years, she became a medical student and was almost ready to graduate. 

"You've grown so much this past year," Wen Qing hugged Wei Ying tightly.

"And Ah-Ning has grown taller, while Ah Qing is even more beautiful," Wei Ying replied with a grin.

Wen Ning had a delicate, somewhat ethereal face with soft, youthful features. His gentle expression and soulful brown eyes made him look innocent and approachable. Ah-Ning smiled and patted Wei Ying's shoulder. "Let's go home. You must rest, sort through your books, and finalize your registration."

Within three hours of arriving, Wei Ying had already gotten his books and gone grocery shopping. Just before he left for his new school, Wen Qing handed him a list of items they "really" needed.

"Of course, this was going to happen," Wei Ying muttered, chuckling as he placed a bottle of eel sauce into his cart, imagining Wen Qing's smug expression.

At the shopping center's exit, his feet carried him to where he remembered a small square with a garden of flowers and a fountain. For a moment, he envisioned cherry trees, vibrant flowers, and a light-eyed child smiling at him.

However, when he arrived, the place had been replaced by a giant billboard advertising a fast-food chain with a self-service kiosk. "Papa Jin."

He sighed, discouraged, and returned to the car. Hours later, he was back home, eating dinner.

"Tell me, sister, what did you think of today's dishes?" Wei Ying asked, clearing the table.

"Umm, it was good. But the syrup in the fruit salad tasted different. Was it some tropical fruit jam?" Wen Qing asked.

Wei Ying smiled and pointed to the glass jar on the counter. "That's eel sauce. Don't worry; it's not made with real eels."

Wen Qing paled slightly, placing her hands on her temples. "Father said you're becoming like Mom," she sighed. "I guess it's fine as long as you don't poison us," she laughed.

"By the way, isn't it about time our brother was back?" Wei Ying asked, glancing at the clock.

"Yeah, it is strange. Ah Ning should have arrived by now. I'll call him."

He didn't answer.

A sense of worry settled over them. Half an hour later, they knew why.

Hospitals are bleak places, filled with an air of accumulated pain that can be felt deep in the bones, especially during emergencies. Despite this, Wei Ying did not let go of his sister's hand for an instant.

When Wen Ning was hit, the driver, a decent man, rushed him to the emergency room without hesitation. Despite the blood and the inevitable consequences, he had tried to do the right thing. Wen Ning was taken to the operating room. His femur was broken, requiring immediate surgery. The police were escorting the driver, Mr. Su, who caused the accident.

Wei Ying approached the officer. "Officer, wait. My brother is the injured one. What happened?"

The officer handed him a copy of the report and had him sign a document. It turned out that Mr. Su had been out of work for six months and was on his way to his first interview in two months. He couldn't pay the hospital bills as his credit cards were maxed out, and he hadn't paid his insurance.

As the police took Mr. Su away in handcuffs, the siblings found themselves in a delicate situation.

Wei Ying pondered, "Tuition money isn't enough, but it's a start. Sister, can you take out a loan?"

Wen Qing replied, "Maybe. But we must repay it quickly."

They sat in silence in the waiting room. Two hours later, the doctor emerged.

"How is our brother doing?" they both asked anxiously.

The doctor checked his reports. "He is stable now. We had to place a metal plate on his leg, but he will recover. He's sedated and should wake up in about three hours."

The relief was palpable, but their financial worries loomed large. While Wen Qing informed the family, Wei Ying went to get the prescribed medicines.

An hour later, they met in the cafeteria. The looming question remained—how would they pay for this? Even pooling their savings with those of their parents wouldn't suffice, forcing them to consider a bank loan.

As Wei Ying sipped his coffee, he glanced at the TV. Men and women dressed in what looked like ancient robes walked in misty gloom, brandishing knives and axes. Then, a yellow light illuminated them, revealing kitchen utensils and aprons with various designs. "Battle of Cooks. Auditions from April 2 to 10. More information about the awards is on the contest website."

Inspired, Wei Ying turned to his sister. "Sis, I have an idea."