A Room Filled with Fragrance (Era 1V2) - Chapter 5

Shi Ze had no memory of his father. By the time he was born, his father had already passed away due to a factory accident.

Shi Hai, two years his senior, had two more years to enjoy their father’s love.

Because of this, Shi Ze felt a mix of envy and admiration towards his brother.

As a child, he would often gaze at the family portrait, searching for his own reflection. The handsome, upright man, the little boy perched on his shoulders, and the woman with a slightly rounded belly standing beside him.

Shi Ze would often wonder, if only he had been born first, then he too could have seen his father.

Due to the absence of his father, his mother showered her younger son with extra love. Shi Ze was sweet-tongued and always able to make his mother laugh heartily.

Meanwhile, Shi Hai silently shouldered the responsibilities of the adult male in the family, fetching water, changing light bulbs, and fixing chairs.

Sometimes, even their mother would forget that her elder son was only two years older than her younger one.

Sometimes, Shi Ze would grow irritated, wondering why his brother, only two years his senior, had to act so mature and composed, unlike other siblings who could be playful together.

Until one day, shameless relatives from their grandmother’s side tried to take over their father’s position at the electronics factory after his death.

Fourteen-year-old Shi Ze and sixteen-year-old Shi Hai, like two young but fiercely protective lions, stood in front of their fragile mother, baring their teeth at their common enemy.

Although they both ended up with bruises and swollen faces after the fight, the moment they smiled at each other, Shi Ze suddenly made peace with his inner turmoil.

For the first time, he understood that Shi Hai was his big brother.

He too had desires, wanted new clothes, and yearned for their mother’s love. But because he was the elder brother, he protected his younger sibling.

After that day, Shi Ze became Shi Hai’s little shadow.

The two brothers grew up, one learning how to be a good elder brother, the other learning how to be a good younger brother.

Shi Hai still remembered the first time he met Juxiang, during his brother’s second year of high school.

He was eighteen and had just graduated from high school, taking over his father’s position at the electronics factory.

Their mother had passed away from illness the year he turned seventeen. The two brothers were each other’s only family.

That day, seventeen-year-old Shi Ze blushed as he told him that he wanted to invite a female classmate over.

Shi Ze was good-looking and had a pleasant personality, so he was popular among the girls.

Shi Hai was a bit curious about what kind of girl had captured his brother’s heart.

This mild curiosity turned into understanding when he met Juxiang.

She was as delicate as a flower, pure as a fawn, with lively eyes that brought a long-absent brightness into their dreary home.

Shi Ze told him, “Big Brother, I like her. I want to marry her and make her my wife.”

Shi Hai, as always, remained silent.

His brother was a good kid, and he knew that Shi Ze and Juxiang would be happy together.