Chapter 148: "Brother~"

After strolling around the school for a bit, the group headed back. Passing by Second Brother Wang's shop, they felt quite curious as to why it was already closed for the day.

Eventually, carrying their milk tea, they arrived home and sprawled across the sofa. Lin'er fished out another deck of cards from somewhere, and the group unenthusiastically started a game of Landlord.

They had originally considered playing Truth or Dare, but upon reflection, questions about who they had crushes on all seemed to have the exact same answer, so they ultimately abandoned the idea.

After playing for a little while, Qin Jianguo returned carrying his fishing rod with a look of utter defeat on his face.

Qin Xuan, still holding his cards in hand, looked at his old man's expression and asked, "Dad? Didn't you catch any fish again?"

Qin Jianguo put away his fishing rod and tackle bag, casting a defiant look at his son. "What do you mean 'again'?! Isn't it completely normal not to catch fish in the middle of summer?"

Hearing his father's words, Qin Xuan helplessly turned his head back to his cards and muttered, "During the Chinese New Year last time, you said it was completely normal not to catch fish in the winter, too..."

"Shut up!" You think you know everything! Qin Jianguo munched on an apple, curiously watching the group play cards. "Where's your mother?"

"Went to play mahjong," Qin Xuan replied, tossing out a pair of threes.

"Then I'll go find her. You guys go ahead and play," Qin Jianguo mumbled around his apple and slipped out the door.

The moment Qin Xuan looked back, he saw Liu Ruoxi throw down a pair of royal rockets...

"No way! I only played a pair of threes..." Qin Xuan was somewhat dazed. You didn't have to go that far, did you?

"Can't I play a big bomb?" Liu Ruoxi flicked the remaining cards in her hand with a smug look.

After enduring a barrage of heavy bombardments, Qin Xuan and Nan Zhiyi sat huddled together in grievance, tears streaming down their faces... That was just too ruthless!

Liu Ruoxi leaned back on the sofa in satisfaction. She had finally won a game!

After playing for a little longer, Lin'er sighed, bored to death. She reached out, grabbed Qin Xuan's unfinished milk tea, pushed open the front door, and bolted outside.

"Where are you going?" Qin Xuan called out curiously as he watched her leave.

However, Lin'er ran like the wind and ignored him completely.

Qin Xuan checked his hand, where his highest cards were a pair of kings, and tossed the whole deck aside.

"I'm going to go check on Lin'er!"

"What the heck? Are you sore from losing?" Liu Ruoxi looked at the great hand she was holding, then glanced at Qin Xuan's discarded cards. Have you no shame?!

Nan Zhiyi and Liu Ruoxi exchanged a glance, silently threw down their own hands, and followed Qin Xuan outside.

Lin'er looked back in surprise to see Qin Xuan following her, linked her arm through his, and walked downstairs.

"Where are you heading?" Qin Xuan asked, letting her hold his arm with a puzzled expression.

"I want to buy some food!" Lin'er broke into a goofy smile.

Qin Xuan was left speechless.

***

Liu Ruoxi and Nan Zhiyi rushed out only to catch sight of the two of them sweetly descending the stairs together. Oh well, let them be.

The two women returned to the sofa and lay down. Nan Zhiyi bit her lip and looked at Sister Xi, wondering what she was thinking.

"Sister Xi~" Nan Zhiyi shuffled closer to Liu Ruoxi, tugged at her sleeve, and called out sweetly.

"What is it?" Liu Ruoxi looked up from a brain-melting short video, staring at the ingratiating look on Nan Zhiyi's face, and instinctively pulled her collar a bit tighter.

Nan Zhiyi awkwardly knitted her brows. What kind of disgusted look was that?!

"When are you planning to marry Qin Xuan?"

"Huh?!" Liu Ruoxi was momentarily stunned by the question. "Why ask that? I'll marry Qin Xuan, but what about you?"

"This..." Nan Zhiyi let go of Liu Ruoxi's sleeve, lowered her head, wondering why she had even asked such a question.

Liu Ruoxi looked at her with amusement, reaching out to take Nan Zhiyi's hand. "Don't overthink it. We'll see when the time comes."

"Sigh," Nan Zhiyi sighed helplessly, sprawling across the sofa and picking up a cushion to punch twice with a couple of *thuds*.

"You should be worrying about how to torture Qin Xuan tonight instead. I didn't hear a peep out of you two yesterday!" Liu Ruoxi teased.

Noticing Nan Zhiyi blushing slightly, she continued, "By the way, the soundproofing here isn't very good, so keep it down."

"..." Nan Zhiyi didn't know what to say for a moment, then suddenly realized something. "How do you know the soundproofing isn't good?!"

Liu Ruoxi froze, instantly clamping a hand over her mouth. Would you believe me if I said I used to hear sounds coming through Qin Xuan's computer before?

The atmosphere in the living room remained somewhat awkward for a few minutes, until Lin'er pushed open the door, hopped back inside carrying a bag of snacks, and bounced over to her room with a grilled sausage clenched between her teeth.

Liu Ruoxi and Nan Zhiyi looked at Qin Xuan trailing behind her and shot him fierce, menacing glares.

Qin Xuan remained completely unfazed. He sat down beside them and handed over a paper bag filled with grilled sausages from behind his back.

"Don't worry, there's some for you too."

"Who even wants them?" Liu Ruoxi gave him an eye roll, but unhesitatingly reached out to grab one anyway.

Lin'er returned after stashing her snacks, biting into another grilled sausage, only to find the others dividing up her treats...

"Big Brother! Didn't you say you bought all these for me?" Lin'er glared at Qin Xuan protectively.

"Such a stingy ghost. What's wrong with eating two of your sausages?" Liu Ruoxi reached out, pulled Qin Lin'er down onto the sofa, and pinched her chubby cheeks.

Lin'er sprawled across the sofa with her little belly exposed, shaking her head vigorously. "Eat all you want, eat all you want! Everything of mine belongs to Sister Xi!"

"Oh?" Liu Ruoxi's eyes lit up. "Then does your brother belong to me too?"

Lin'er's movements paused. "No way! That one's mine!"

Qin Xuan also felt things were getting a bit weird, so he reached out to stop Liu Ruoxi's mischief and pulled her into his embrace.

***

Suddenly tumbling into Qin Xuan's arms, Liu Ruoxi lifted her head to look at him, her red lips parting.

"Big Brother~"

"..." Qin Xuan reached out to cover her mouth. "Stop talking!"

Lin'er, sitting nearby, glared fiercely at Sister Xi and leaned over to start tickling her.

Trapped in Qin Xuan's embrace, Liu Ruoxi couldn't move. Lin'er's hands wreaked havoc around her waist, sending her into fits of laughter as she looked pleadingly toward Nan Zhiyi for help.

However, upon seeing the spectacle, Nan Zhiyi decisively looked away. Nothing to do with me!

Before long, Qin Jianguo and Wang Manshu returned home with happy smiles, only to find Liu Ruoxi blushing and weak on the sofa.

"What's going on here?" Wang Manshu felt Liu Ruoxi's forehead, asking with concern.

"Mom! Qin Xuan is bullying me~" Liu Ruoxi complained pitifully.

Wang Manshu immediately glared at Qin Xuan. "Are your skin getting itchy again?"

Qin Xuan looked bewildered as he put down the apple in his hand. I was only helping...

After being chewed out by his mother, Qin Xuan cast a helpless glance at the triumphant Liu Ruoxi. Just wait till tonight, you'll get what's coming to you!

That'll teach you to help! Liu Ruoxi happily munched on her fruit.

Wang Manshu cooked up another table full of delicious food for them. After a simple meal, Wang Manshu and Qin Jianguo retired to their room, leaving the mountain of cleanup to Qin Xuan.

Holding a sliced apple, Liu Ruoxi watched Qin Xuan wash the dishes, picked up a small piece, and walked over.

"Want some?" Liu Ruoxi held the apple up to Qin Xuan's lips. Just as Qin Xuan leaned in to bite it, she pulled her hand back.

"Are you still going to help Lin'er?"

"Huh?" Qin Xuan paused, then wisely shook his head. "Nope, not anymore."

"Hmph!" Liu Ruoxi bit into the apple to make her point.

Qin Xuan awkwardly glanced toward Nan Zhiyi and Lin'er sitting across the room. Seeing that neither was looking, he prepared to take a bite.

Dissatisfied with his hesitation, Liu Ruoxi cupped Qin Xuan's head and pressed her lips against his, making him feel the piece of apple simply slide right into his mouth...