Chapter Sixteen: The KTV Terminator

The next morning, Qin Xuan awoke to the tingling numbness in his arm. Gazing at the cascade of long hair nestled against him, he fell into deep thought… When had his sister ended up here? He meant to shake Qin Lin’er awake, but as his hand landed on her hair, he found himself gently combing through it instead.

He wondered when she’d last washed her hair—there was enough oil to fry breakfast. Feeling the touch on her head, Qin Lin’er was just about to open her eyes when her muddled mind cleared a little. Realizing she was in Qin Xuan’s arms, she quickly feigned sleep.

Qin Lin’er thought: Let Sister Xi experience this little surprise too!

The two maintained this silent standoff. Qin Xuan knew she was awake but, for reasons he couldn't quite name, didn’t want to expose her. In the quiet of early morning, both gradually drifted back to sleep.

Unfortunately, even Liu Ruoxi didn’t wake up early. The room remained silent until noon.

Qin Xuan woke once, his arm finally unable to bear it any longer, and carefully disentangled himself without waking Qin Lin’er. He slipped on a jacket and went out to wash up.

The moment he stepped out, he bumped into Liu Ruoxi, who was rubbing her eyes vigorously.

“Well, look who finally woke up! I’m about to starve to death!” Liu Ruoxi immediately leveled her accusation.

Qin Xuan thought of Qin Lin’er in his room. No, Ruoxi mustn’t find out!

“Why don’t you lie down a bit longer? I’ll make you breakfast,” he said, blocking her way at the door.

“I want braised prawns in chili oil first!” Liu Ruoxi demanded pitifully, though there weren’t any in the house.

Qin Xuan nudged her back inside. “Alright, alright. I’ll go buy some later, but it’s not good to eat something so oily first thing after waking up.”

As he pushed her back into the room, Liu Ruoxi grumbled, “Then what are you making?”

“Mushroom and chicken noodles, of course!”

“We have chicken at home?”

“We have everything—except shrimp.”

Ten minutes later, Qin Lin’er and Liu Ruoxi sat dumbfounded on the sofa, staring at the mushroom and chicken noodles before them—instant noodles, no less!

Qin Xuan picked up his paper bowl and slurped down the oily noodles.

“This is your so-called mushroom and chicken noodles?” Liu Ruoxi barely restrained herself from dumping the bowl over his head.

Qin Xuan sucked in another mouthful of noodles and replied, “It’s a big brand! Just tell me, does it smell good?”

Liu Ruoxi pouted angrily, but Qin Lin’er took a bite and nodded approvingly at Qin Xuan, even casting a sidelong glance at Liu Ruoxi.

That provocative look infuriated Liu Ruoxi. She glared at the noodles, then fiercely wound a forkful and stuffed them in her mouth.

“Huh? Mmm!” Liu Ruoxi chewed, surprised by the taste. She usually mooched from Qin Xuan for lack of food, but instant noodles were rumored to be unhealthy, so she seldom ate them. But this mouthful—why was it so delicious?

Watching the two of them happily devour their noodles, Qin Xuan smiled with satisfaction. He resolved to stock up on instant noodles—no more need to cook!

Sadly, Qin Lin’er lost interest after a few bites; she had a small appetite, unlike Liu Ruoxi. Soon enough, the bowls accumulated in front of Qin Xuan—Liu Ruoxi also quickly lost her appetite. Perhaps this was the only drawback of instant noodles.

In the end, Qin Xuan, tears in his eyes, finished off all three bowls. Now just the sight of instant noodles made him queasy.

With nothing to do that afternoon, the three were at a loss until Liu Ruoxi insisted they play a few rounds of Kings of Glory. Of course, the games went smoothly—they were only up against bots, after all!

After several matches, the three still failed to climb out of Silver rank.

“This is ridiculous—does your Luban not have cannons? You didn’t hit anyone once!” Qin Xuan interrogated Liu Ruoxi, who was now questioning her own life choices.

“You’re blaming me? What about your Cheng Yaojin’s build? Endless Blade! Bloodthirster! With that build—are you a mad scientist?” Liu Ruoxi retorted, glaring at her 0-9 record, but upon seeing Qin Xuan’s item choices, realized maybe he was the real problem.

Beside them, Qin Lin’er burst into bright laughter at their bickering.

Suddenly, the other two turned their attention to her.

“And you have the nerve to laugh? As a jungler, you never ganked anyone. Were you foraging for mushrooms in the jungle?”

Qin Lin’er thought: Isn’t a jungler supposed to… well, farm jungle monsters?

One gaming session later, not only were they bored—they were angry.

In the end, Qin Xuan suggested going out for karaoke. It had been ages since he’d sung a solo love song, playing both parts himself—a rather tragic tale.

Originally, Liu Ruoxi had no desire to go, but since both Qin Xuan and Qin Lin’er were going, staying home seemed even duller. Besides, who knew what might happen if those two were left alone!

They found a nearby KTV. The first thing Liu Ruoxi did was check the soundproofing. After a quick test, she was satisfied—at least the sound didn’t leak too badly.

Cheerfully, she snatched up the microphone and queued up her favorite song, “Preference.”

“Erase everything from yesterday! Now, in my eyes…” The moment she began, every note was dead on—Qin Xuan had only seen such an over-the-top singing style once before, the last time he’d gone to KTV with Liu Ruoxi. Since then, he understood why, throughout their school days, Liu Ruoxi never volunteered to sing at class gatherings.

It was a mystery how someone with such a beautiful voice could be such a tone-deaf singer.

Qin Lin’er, ever sensible, covered her ears the moment Liu Ruoxi opened her mouth.

Seeing their reactions, Liu Ruoxi sang with even more gusto, causing Qin Xuan to sprawl helplessly on the sofa.

After belting out several songs, Liu Ruoxi tossed the mic to Qin Lin’er and sipped at her drink to soothe her throat.

Qin Lin’er selected the next song, her eyes lighting up.

“Brother, let’s sing a duet.”

“Let’s!” Qin Xuan didn’t hesitate. After suffering through Liu Ruoxi’s performance, he might as well sing himself.

“Little sister sits at the bow, big brother on the shore…” Qin Xuan started singing but immediately sensed something was off.

“No, little sister, I’m at the bow, big brother, you’re on shore…” he corrected. Qin Lin’er’s gentle voice paired with those lyrics sent chills down Qin Xuan’s spine, and Liu Ruoxi nearly crushed her drink can.

“You little brat, launching a sneak attack?” Liu Ruoxi watched the two swaying together as if they really were in a boat, and when she caught Qin Lin’er’s flirtatious gaze, she realized she was hopelessly outmatched.

Growing more annoyed, Liu Ruoxi seized the moment when Qin Lin’er paused for breath to snatch the microphone and continue the song.

“Just waiting for the sun to set behind the western hills, so I can steal a kiss!” With that, the whole song capsized—the ferryman’s boat overturned! Qin Xuan burst out laughing, unable to catch his breath.

Seeing his reaction, Liu Ruoxi leapt onto his lap, pinching his cheeks in retaliation.

Qin Lin’er, thinking Liu Ruoxi was taking advantage of her brother, hurried over to push her away. But she was too weak, and Liu Ruoxi held on tight, so the three ended up in a tangled heap.

Just then, the young man delivering fruit opened the door and was greeted by this scene, feeling not only awkward but a twinge of envy.

Why? Why was this guy being pinned down by two such beautiful girls? Was it because he was handsome? He glanced at the breathless Qin Xuan. Well, yes, he was indeed better looking. The injustice! Not only did he have two lovely girls, but he was also better looking!