Chapter Thirty-two: Is That All?

Watching Qin Lin’er flee in embarrassment, Liu Ruoxi raised her head in satisfaction: it seemed her own assets were more than adequate...

“Hmph, I’m definitely going to be your sister-in-law in this life,” Liu Ruoxi declared with full confidence. She rummaged in her drawer, pulled out a book, and kissed it twice with delight. “This book is always right!”

Feeling dejected, Qin Lin’er returned to her room and lay on her bed, her hand unconsciously moving to her chest. Was it because she had liked sleeping on her stomach as a child?

Unable to figure it out, she took out her phone and started scrolling through breast-enhancement tips, hoping she could still rescue herself before turning twenty...

The next morning, Qin Xuan and Liu Ruoxi couldn’t help but stifle their laughter as they looked at Qin Lin’er, who now sported two dark circles under her eyes.

Qin Lin’er sprawled across the table, nibbling on a steamed bun, too exhausted to bother with the two who were laughing at her. Monday had never felt more miserable.

“Why don’t you ask Miss Qin for a day off?” Qin Xuan suggested. Seeing her like this, she might as well get some sleep at home.

But Qin Lin’er didn’t respond; on closer inspection, she had already fallen asleep, still clutching the steamed bun. Qin Xuan could only shake his head in exasperation.

He and Liu Ruoxi helped her back to bed and sent a message to Miss Qin to ask for a leave of absence. Miss Qin was easygoing, simply telling them that Lin’er could hand in a note later.

For once, Liu Ruoxi could monopolize Qin Xuan, clinging to his arm all the way to class, only letting go reluctantly at the classroom door.

A dull half-day passed. Qin Xuan, thinking of Lin’er alone at home, decided to bring back some takeout for her. Liu Ruoxi, who was usually glued to his side, slipped away, claiming she had something to do.

When Qin Xuan opened the door, the house was silent—Lin’er was probably still sleeping. What on earth had she been up to last night?

He tiptoed to her bedroom door and opened it carefully, only to find a restless lump under the covers.

A vivid image flashed in Qin Xuan’s mind: an old man, a subway, a cell phone.jpg.

“Qin Lin’er!” He yanked back the quilt, his stick already poised and impatient!

There was Qin Lin’er, one hand holding her phone, the other frozen on an unmentionable part of her body, the lit screen illuminating her stunned face.

Qin Xuan caught a glimpse of the screen: “A few quick ways to save a flat chest! Tested by the author, fast and effective!”

Seeing Qin Xuan’s bewildered expression, Qin Lin’er’s face flushed bright red.

“Ah! Get out! Who told you to come in?” she shrieked.

She grabbed whatever was at hand—pillows, clothes, stuffed toys—and hurled them at Qin Xuan, who fended them off and beat a hasty retreat from the room.

Thinking back to the shocking scene, Qin Xuan couldn’t help but lift his right hand and size it up—was that it?

Inside her room, Qin Lin’er gradually calmed down, though the redness in her cheeks refused to fade. How mortifying! How could her brother have seen her like that?

But then again, at least it was just her brother. If it had been Liu Ruoxi! She’d probably have another embarrassing photo to add to the collection, maybe even displayed in the family album for all to see! Overcome by shame, she pulled the thin blanket up over her face.

Outside the door, Qin Xuan gave it some thought before knocking. “Come out and eat, you still have to go to school this afternoon.”

After a long while, Qin Lin’er finally opened the door. Qin Xuan noticed she was still in her pajamas but decided not to comment.

Qin Lin’er saw her favorite dishes on the table and immediately reached for her chopsticks.

But Qin Xuan blocked her with his own chopsticks. “Go wash up first! Look at yourself.”

Qin Lin’er touched her hair and shouted, indignant, “None of your business!”

But before Qin Xuan could retort, she scampered off to freshen up.

Qin Xuan, meanwhile, bent over his meal, digging in with focus.

When Qin Lin’er returned, she found that Qin Xuan had already eaten half the food—especially her beloved braised pork ribs, which he’d devoured with gusto.

“Save some for me!” she huffed.

“Hungry?” Qin Xuan scooted over to make room for her.

Qin Lin’er didn’t stand on ceremony, plopping down on the spot he’d cleared for her.

“Hmph!” she stuffed her mouth with food, grease running down her chin, and mumbled, “Where’s Sister Ruoxi? Did she disappear?”

Qin Xuan tried to interpret her muffled words. “She said she went shopping.”

“You’re getting grease everywhere—mind your manners!” Qin Xuan grabbed a napkin and wiped the oil from her lips.

Qin Lin’er obligingly lifted her chin, making it easier for him. If Liu Ruoxi were there, she’d surely be exasperated by the siblings’ easy camaraderie.

At that moment, on the other side of town, Liu Ruoxi found herself in the bookstore where she’d bought her last book. Alone, she shyly browsed the shelves in a quiet corner.

At the register, she deliberately grabbed a few extra books to cover the covers of her real purchases. The cashier, seeing her bashful demeanor and the titles she was scanning, thought to herself: Oh, this girl has great taste! Just like me back when I was fighting for my man.

She even kindly gave Liu Ruoxi a 20% discount, and in the end, Liu Ruoxi fled the store under her knowing smile.

Sitting on a bench in the school garden, Liu Ruoxi kept wanting to take out her book, but hesitated every time she saw classmates pass by. In the end, curiosity got the better of her, pushing shame aside.

Alone, Liu Ruoxi flipped through the pages, sometimes blushing, sometimes having sudden realizations, completely unaware of the two people standing behind her...

Qin Xuan and Qin Lin’er stood there, watching Liu Ruoxi, their faces a mix of emotions.

When Liu Ruoxi finally heard laughter behind her and hurried to hide her book, it was already too late.

Qin Lin’er snapped a photo with her phone—click! That look of utter embarrassment was destined to go straight into the living room photo album, becoming a running joke for years to come.

“Delete that right now!” Liu Ruoxi demanded, pointing at the gleeful Qin Lin’er. But Lin’er not only refused, she sent it straight to their group chat.

“Fine! Qin Lin’er, you’re dead tonight!” Liu Ruoxi threatened viciously.

“I’ll sleep with my brother tonight, come if you dare.” Whenever in danger, find her brother—that was Qin Lin’er’s latest tactic, conveniently forgetting how last time she’d ended up getting pounced on by both of them.

“Let’s go, class is starting,” Qin Xuan said, grabbing them each by the hand. If they started arguing in the middle of campus, they’d probably end up trending on the school forum again—just the thought was awkward.

Since she’d been caught, Liu Ruoxi stopped trying to hide, settling in next to Qin Xuan and reading her book with relish.

Lin’er leaned against Qin Xuan’s shoulder, watching Liu Ruoxi read with such enthusiasm.

“Sister Ruoxi~” Lin’er called sweetly. “Let me borrow one of your books?”

She knew Liu Ruoxi had bought several, and shamelessly asked to study as well.

Liu Ruoxi glanced at her, fished out a book from her bag, and tossed it over.

Lin’er cheerfully received it, but when she looked at the title—“Detailed Guide to College Entrance Exam Essays”—she was dumbfounded.

“What? What is this?” Lin’er waved the essay guide in the air.

“Didn’t you say you wanted to read? There you go.” Liu Ruoxi only now realized what book she’d grabbed, her smile nearly overflowing.

“Forget it!” Lin’er tossed the book back and pulled Qin Xuan’s arm under her head as a pillow, lying bored on the desk, lost in thought...