Chapter Eighteen: Death to the Shameless Couple

On the second day, Liu Ruoxi awoke slowly, feeling unwell. Only then did she realize she was lying on Qin Xuan's arm. Qin Xuan was still fast asleep, his warm breath falling on her forehead, making her blush and fueling an odd heat within her body. She couldn't help but wonder—was she... feeling a bit faint?

Touching her feverish face, she glanced at Qin Xuan and noticed the faint stubble on his chin just beginning to show. Unconsciously, she reached out and stroked it, finding it a little prickly to the touch.

In his sleep, Qin Xuan felt a tickle and instinctively tried to scratch, but in his grogginess, his hand landed on the back of Liu Ruoxi's hand.

Liu Ruoxi's nerves tensed instantly, but she didn't move her hand away. On the contrary, she held Qin Xuan's hand in return. Her hand was delicate and slender, completely enveloped by his. For the first time, Liu Ruoxi experienced this feeling—perhaps it was warmth.

Just as Liu Ruoxi was still savoring the moment, Qin Xuan suddenly woke up. He looked at Liu Ruoxi, who was staring up at him with wide eyes, her face flushed, and thought she looked irresistibly cute.

“Huh?” Qin Xuan found their hands stuck together and tried to break free, but Liu Ruoxi gripped him even tighter.

Amused, Qin Xuan reached out with his other hand to pinch Liu Ruoxi’s blushing cheek. Liu Ruoxi tried to fend him off, and the two began a playful tug-of-war.

Bang!

“You shameless pair! Prepare to die!”

Qin Lin’er burst into Qin Xuan’s room, brandishing a stick with murderous intent. She had woken up, gone to the bathroom, and on her way back, peeked into Liu Ruoxi’s room. Sure enough, the “vixen” was missing—she had to be in her brother’s room!

She hefted the stick that had accompanied her for over a decade, thinking, “After all the times this stick was used to beat me, it’s finally my turn to use it on someone else.”

The pair on the bed exchanged a glance as they saw Qin Lin’er enter, brimming with hostility.

Ten minutes later.

“Shameless pair, is it?”
“Prepare to die, is it?”

With each question, Liu Ruoxi landed a swat on Qin Lin’er’s backside. Meanwhile, Qin Xuan weighed the stick in his hands, apparently deciding from which angle to strike—or rather, to bring down the stick.

Qin Lin’er looked utterly aggrieved! She knew she was no match for them, but still insisted on taking both of them on at once!

Yet she wouldn't stop talking, complaining how this wasn't what she expected, and how the atmosphere was far too cheerful.

After this simple morning exercise, Qin Xuan looked at Qin Lin’er, sprawled pitifully on the sofa, and shook his head in sympathy. Judging by her condition, she’d be lying face down for the entire day. At least Ruoxi had shown some restraint.

“Bro, give me a sip of water,” Qin Lin’er demanded, pointing at the bowl on the coffee table when she saw Qin Xuan looking at her.

“Do you not have hands or what?” Qin Xuan retorted.

Qin Lin’er, sensing an opportunity, put on her best performance: “It’s all your fault! Both of you bullied me. Look, my backside is swollen!”

She made as if to pull down her pants.

“Stop, stop, stop!” Qin Xuan hurriedly stopped her. If Liu Ruoxi saw this, wouldn’t there be another round of beatings?

“So you’re not afraid Ruoxi will hit you again later?”

“Hmph, now you’ve even called Ruoxi into this!” Qin Lin’er grumbled.

“You know, none of this would’ve happened if you hadn’t stirred things up. Why provoke her?” Qin Xuan tried to reason, knowing full well the two were natural enemies.

“I... she—!” Qin Lin’er was at a loss for words, her eyes darting around. “I’m just helping you see the truth. Sister Ruoxi is a tigress! Bro, you must never marry her, or you’ll be forced to kneel on a washboard after you’re wed!”

Qin Xuan looked at her, puzzled. “What nonsense is this? We’ve just started college. Who’s talking about marriage? You’re getting ahead of yourself!”

“I call it being prepared,” Qin Lin’er said, her eyes evasive.

“I don’t believe a word. You just can’t help picking fights.”

“I—”

“Well, well, having a lively chat, are we?”

Liu Ruoxi had gone out to buy buns, and upon returning, saw the siblings deep in conversation.

“Enough out of you,” Qin Xuan said, taking the buns and soy milk from her and stuffing a bun into Liu Ruoxi’s mouth.

“Oh!” Liu Ruoxi fell silent too, though she’d been planning to tease Qin Lin’er a bit herself.

“You heard her, you’re spared for today! But next time…” Well, with Lin’er, there’s always a next time.

“Hmph!” Qin Lin’er turned her face away, burying herself into the sofa to avoid Liu Ruoxi.

Liu Ruoxi, seeing this, couldn’t help but laugh with delight.

After several chapters of absence, the cat Maru finally awoke from slumber—drawn, no doubt, by the scent of buns. It leapt onto the coffee table, meowing insistently. Liu Ruoxi tore off a piece of bun skin and offered it.

Maru sniffed but didn’t eat, apparently unimpressed. It sprang toward Qin Lin’er, landing right on her sore backside—dead on target!

Qin Lin’er gasped in pain and turned to look at Maru, nearly in tears. Maru, oblivious, made itself comfortable, kneading with its little paws. Qin Lin’er could distinctly hear the fabric of her pants being tugged and torn. Thankfully, it stopped after a short while.

Qin Xuan, watching Maru stretched out on Qin Lin’er’s rear, found the sight both hilarious and heartwarming. He snapped a quick photo with his phone.

“Hm?” Qin Lin’er heard the sound and instinctively turned her head, but Qin Xuan was too quick—she saw nothing.

Liu Ruoxi, however, caught everything and shot Qin Xuan a warning glare.

Taking advantage of the gentle morning sunlight, Qin Xuan suggested a trip to the amusement park nearby. Their mother had never taken the three of them there when they were little—the only time was for Liu Ruoxi’s birthday, when the trio had snuck off on their own.

They all changed into fresh clothes for the outing, and Liu Ruoxi put on her white hat again.

Passing through the campus park, they happened to spot a familiar face—their counselor, Liu Qin, sitting under a tree with a book in her hands.

“Sister Qin!” Qin Xuan called out in greeting, with Qin Lin’er and Liu Ruoxi close behind.

“Oh?” Liu Qin closed her book and smiled. “It’s you three! Where are you off to?”

“We’re going to the amusement park. Would you like to join us?” Liu Ruoxi chimed in.

“Me?” Liu Qin pondered for a moment, then nodded. “If you don’t mind me tagging along as a third wheel.”

“Of course not,” Liu Ruoxi replied, then realized how it sounded. “I mean…”

“I’m just teasing. Could you wait a moment?” Liu Qin glanced at her casual attire, asking for a moment to freshen up.

“Sure, we’ll wait for you right here,” they agreed.

Liu Qin got up, put her book in her bag, and nodded before heading off.

After she left, the three sat on a bench in place.

“So, do you think Sister Qin has really moved on?” Qin Lin’er asked, skeptical.

“I doubt it’s that easy,” Qin Xuan replied. “After all, they were together for years.”

“What a pity! And the other guy’s already married,” Qin Lin’er sighed.

“Pity, my foot! That Yang Sheng was a scumbag,” Liu Ruoxi said indignantly. “If you ask me, Sister Qin is better off without him.”

“Is that so?” Qin Lin’er looked at Liu Ruoxi slyly. “What if your future boyfriend cheats on you?”

“I’d beat him so badly his own mother wouldn’t recognize him!” Liu Ruoxi declared without hesitation. “He’d cheat on a girlfriend as beautiful as me? Who does he think he is!”

“What if it’s Qin Xuan?”

“Then—” Liu Ruoxi fell silent, lost in thought. After a moment, she replied, “Then I’d beat him so badly his own sister wouldn’t recognize him!”

Qin Xuan: “?”