Four years later.
The sun hadn't even fully cleared the horizon when the Chen household erupted into its customary, cacophonous symphony of chaos.
The air in the apartment was thick with the scent of sizzling bacon, toasted sourdough, and the sharp, clean aroma of freshly ground coffee, a stark contrast to the scent of gunpowder and iron that usually haunted Chen Yu's memories.
"Chen Xi, if you touch my plate one more time, I will personally ensure your next medical rotation is in a morgue!"
Chen Yu's voice rang out from the kitchen, sweet but carrying a razor-edged threat that only her brothers knew to take seriously.
"You're a tyrant, Yu'er! A literal food-hoarding tyrant!"
Chen Xi barked back at her, though he quickly retracted his hand from the extra hash brown. He has been interning as a doctor for half a month, having finally finished his medical course.
He adjusted his glasses, his face a mask of indignation that didn't quite hide the warmth in his eyes.
