Chapter Thirteen: Is There a Show?

“So, mom…what did Aunt Wang say to you?” Liu Ruoxi almost slipped and said the wrong thing.

Liu Ruoxi and Qin Lin’er both held knives in their hands, staring at Qin Xuan, who was pinned to the bed.

“She said…she said…she said you love me?”

Liu Ruoxi reached out and punched Qin Xuan: Are you singing here?

“Speak properly!”

“She told me to pursue you, to bring you home as my wife as soon as possible.”

“Really?” Liu Ruoxi was flustered. “I don’t believe it, unless you kneel for me.”

Qin Xuan was speechless and turned to look at Qin Lin’er.

“Wait, what are you getting involved for? What business is it of yours?”

Qin Lin’er paused, startled. “Did…did mom not mention me?”

“Mention you? About what?” Qin Xuan was confused.

“Nothing…nothing,” Qin Lin’er said awkwardly. Her mother was so unreliable!

Meanwhile, Qin’s mother on the road: “Oh, I think I forgot something?”

She pondered for a moment, then sighed, “Ah, I’m getting old. My memory isn’t what it used to be.”

…

After their little episode, it was nearly five o’clock. Thanks to Qin Xuan’s superb cooking, Liu Ruoxi ate more than half of the two-plus pounds of fish.

After dinner, Liu Ruoxi lay comfortably on the sofa, holding her stomach, while Qin Lin’er watched curiously.

“Ruoxi, how do you eat so much and never gain weight?” She poked Liu Ruoxi’s belly forcefully.

Liu Ruoxi, already stuffed, nearly threw up from the poke. She slapped away Qin Lin’er’s mischievous hand. “I’m naturally slim, so what!”

“Heh, nothing really.” Qin Lin’er was cursing inside: Eat, eat, eat—sooner or later my brother won’t be able to afford you!

“Jealous of me?” Liu Ruoxi asked, knowing the answer.

“Jealous of what?” Qin Lin’er rolled her eyes. “As if! I’m laughing.”

“Seriously?” Liu Ruoxi swiftly twisted Qin Lin’er’s arms behind her back. “You’re asking for some post-meal exercise, huh!”

“No, no, Ruoxi!” Qin Lin’er couldn’t break free, and being pain-averse, she quickly begged for mercy.

“Little one, you don’t even have a tail—why act like a tiger?” Before letting go, Liu Ruoxi landed a kick on Lin’er’s back.

“Hmph!” Qin Lin’er’s eyes sparkled, “Ruoxi, come over, I have something to tell you.”

“What?” Liu Ruoxi asked warily.

“A surprise, come here.”

Cautiously, Liu Ruoxi leaned in and put her ear close.

Qin Lin’er, wearing a wicked grin, whispered softly in her ear.

---

“What!” Liu Ruoxi retreated to the corner of the sofa, staring at Qin Lin’er in terror.

“What’s going on?” Qin Xuan, washing dishes in the kitchen, was drawn by Liu Ruoxi’s shout. He thought the two were fighting again—perhaps another show.

“None of your business, get lost.” Just thinking of Qin Xuan made Liu Ruoxi inexplicably annoyed.

“Oh…” Qin Xuan, not even out of the kitchen, was rebuffed miserably.

Liu Ruoxi turned her attention to Qin Lin’er. “Ha, come here—I’ll tell you something too.”

“Hm?” Qin Lin’er thought for sure there was a scheme, but curiosity got the better of her and she crawled over.

“What!” This time it was Qin Lin’er’s turn to look terrified.

“What’s going on?” Qin Xuan, holding a bowl, rushed out again.

“None of your business, get lost!” Qin Lin’er was annoyed with Qin Xuan as well.

Having been rebuffed twice, Qin Xuan felt defiant. Then…he was pinned to the sofa, with one person sitting on his waist and another on his legs. Qin Xuan couldn’t fathom why he was being humiliated.

After being tormented for some time, the two girls finally released him, running off to their rooms, leaving Qin Xuan alone on the bed, tidying his clothes, still holding a bowl…

Finally, after everything was cleaned up, Qin Xuan took a shower. Not bothering to dress, he prepared for an intense round of “Cloudtop Old Eight.”

Creak—the door suddenly opened. Qin Xuan turned in surprise and saw Liu Ruoxi peeking in.

“Ruoxi! What are you doing?” Qin Xuan looked at Liu Ruoxi sneaking in like a thief, puzzled.

Seeing Qin Xuan address her, evidently Qin Lin’er wasn’t around, so Ruoxi boldly pushed the door open.

“I’m here to see what you’re doing.”

“Oh—wait, if you’re just looking, why lock the door?” Qin Xuan suddenly noticed her little maneuver.

Knock, knock, knock! As soon as Liu Ruoxi locked the door, Qin Lin’er started banging.

“Liu Ruoxi! Come out!” Qin Lin’er yelled at the door, “What are you trying to do? You’re not allowed to steal my brother!”

Inside, the two were at a loss for words at this wild accusation, but Liu Ruoxi reacted quickly.

She flung the door open, covered Qin Lin’er’s mouth, and dragged her into her own room.

Qin Xuan: Is there a show? I’m coming!

He threw on some clothes and slippers and followed them out.

In Liu Ruoxi’s room, Qin Xuan hid at the door, peeking inside. He saw Liu Ruoxi sitting on Qin Lin’er’s back—Lin’er couldn’t move, and Ruoxi was rhythmically smacking her backside.

From time to time, Qin Lin’er’s muffled cries could be heard, and Qin Xuan watched with great interest.

“Hit left again—it needs to be even!”

“Good! This slap has the right feel!”

“Put in more force—she hasn’t cried out yet.”

Liu Ruoxi had actually noticed Qin Xuan long ago. Seeing him sneak a peek with such excitement, she thought: Definitely a pervert!

Only when Liu Ruoxi got tired did she let Qin Lin’er go. Lin’er lay on the bed, looking thoroughly messed up, sulking.

---

“Hmph, little Lin’er! Try bothering me again!” Liu Ruoxi scolded Qin Lin’er like a shrew—at least, that’s how Lin’er saw her.

After that, she ignored Qin Lin’er and went straight to Qin Xuan’s room.

Qin Xuan, having lost interest in his game, lay on his bed scrolling through his phone. Seeing Ruoxi return, he was curious about what his mother had said to her.

Liu Ruoxi stood by the bed, fixing Qin Xuan with a mischievous smile that made him uneasy.

Ruoxi closed the door with her foot, climbed onto the bed, and leaned beside Qin Xuan, her hand sweeping over him.

“How come I never noticed before—he fits my taste so perfectly!” Liu Ruoxi felt the urge to reach out and touch Qin Xuan’s face.

“Whoa?” Qin Xuan brushed away Ruoxi’s mischievous hand.

“Hmph!” Ruoxi, dissatisfied, got up and burrowed under the covers.

“Liu Ruoxi! What exactly do you want?” Qin Xuan, sensing something off with her today, was at a loss.

Enjoying Qin Xuan’s warmth, Liu Ruoxi sighed in relief: Went to bed too early yesterday—missed out, such a loss!

“Qin Xuan~” Liu Ruoxi feigned tenderness, and Qin Xuan felt his skin crawl.

“Stop, stop, can you speak like a human?”

“Tsk, tsk, tsk,” Even Liu Ruoxi couldn’t stand herself.

“Fine, do you want to know what Aunt Wang said to me?” Her words caught Qin Xuan’s attention.

“Tell me?”

“So, what did Aunt Wang say to you? Shall we exchange?”

Liu Ruoxi was as sly as a fox.

“Hm?” Qin Xuan knew she was up to something, but curiosity won out.

With valuable information in hand, Liu Ruoxi’s heart raced.

“So what did my mom say to you?” Qin Xuan, seeing she wouldn’t volunteer, had to ask.

“Not telling!” Liu Ruoxi reneged.

“Will you tell or not?” Qin Xuan knew Ruoxi was ticklish and threatened her waist with his hand.

Sensing danger, Liu Ruoxi quickly pulled away. “No…unless you go to the movies with me tomorrow!”

Qin Xuan thought for a moment. “Fine, no problem.”

“Then I’ll tell you tomorrow!” Liu Ruoxi conveniently changed her promise.

Qin Xuan glanced at her, decided not to argue, and reached out to turn off the lights.

Late at night, Qin Xuan woke up to use the bathroom, only to find his arm tightly held by Ruoxi, nearly numb. He quietly pried her hand off.

Observing the sleeping Ruoxi, he couldn’t help but think she was a hundred times better asleep than awake.

Her slightly parted lips looked especially tempting in the darkness. They’d occasionally slept together before, but this time felt different. Admiring Ruoxi’s features, his fingers traced her face until…he could hardly hold back anymore.