Chapter Thirty-Three: Afraid You'd Feel Inferior

After school, Qin Lin’er insisted on dragging Qin Xuan with her to get some photos developed, leaving Liu Ruoxi fuming and unwilling to look at her smug face, so she had no choice but to go grocery shopping alone.

Along the way, Qin Lin’er was no longer drowsy as she had been earlier, swaying while clinging to Qin Xuan’s arm. They attracted quite a few glances from their classmates. With no one to quarrel with her, Qin Lin’er could finally indulge in the role of a youthful beauty again—what a wonderful feeling.

Photo studios in this era were undeniably relics of the last century. Most had been upgraded to professional photography salons, with only a few remaining that still offered affordable prices and services like printing and photocopying. Qin Xuan still preferred holding real photographs in his hands.

This particular shop had been found by Liu Ruoxi. Each print cost three yuan, so Qin Xuan took the opportunity to develop a few photos he’d taken himself in the past. Looking at the small stack in his hands, though they hadn’t been laminated, he felt content.

He carefully placed the photos in his bag, and as soon as they stepped outside, Qin Lin’er impatiently linked arms with Qin Xuan again. By now, he was used to her doing this, though he remembered she’d never been like this before! It was true—people could change.

On the way back, Qin Xuan looked at the map and realized how far they’d come. Glancing at Qin Lin’er, who was rubbing her feet, he decided they’d better take the bus, especially since there was a stop right next to their home.

In today’s harmonious society, pickpockets were rarely seen—either because the area was too remote or for some other reason. There weren’t many people on the bus. Qin Xuan led Qin Lin’er to seats near the back, and she leaned against him, wide-eyed and blinking, lost in her own thoughts.

Qin Xuan was idly playing with his phone when, all of a sudden, he felt a tight grip on his other hand.

He started, trying to pull his hand free, but Qin Lin’er was prepared. Her other hand clamped down over his as well.

“Stop! We’re in public!” Qin Xuan hissed, a little panicked—after all, she was his younger sister. This was too much...

“It’s fine. No one here knows we’re related,” Qin Lin’er whispered.

Qin Xuan screamed inwardly: But I do!

Yet there was nothing he could do—her grip was far too tight, so he could only “reluctantly” endure.

He had to admit, there was quite a difference between Qin Lin’er’s and Liu Ruoxi’s hands. Liu Ruoxi’s were larger, with longer and finer fingers, while Qin Lin’er’s were smaller—Qin Xuan felt he could wrap his whole hand around hers. They were also softer, with a gentle plumpness that felt rather pleasant to squeeze...

Of course, Qin Lin’er had no idea what Qin Xuan was thinking. If she did, she’d have snatched her hand away immediately. Comparing hands? What nonsense!

Still, she clearly sensed Qin Xuan’s change, from initial nervousness to occasionally squeezing her palm. A strange feeling suddenly came over her; her face flushed pink. She hadn’t felt this way when she’d taken the initiative—Qin Lin’er found it quite odd.

Qin Xuan noticed her changing expressions, and seeing the persistent blush on her cheeks, he couldn’t help but think: Little rascal, you don’t have Ruoxi’s gall, yet you dare try this?

So from time to time, Qin Xuan teased Qin Lin’er, delighting in the shifting expressions on her face.

The result was that, before they’d even reached their stop, Qin Lin’er hurriedly let go of his hand. After all, she was thin-skinned. This made her think of Liu Ruoxi, who’d read so many guides to romance—compared to her, Qin Lin’er felt hopelessly inexperienced. It seemed she’d have to “borrow” a few of Ruoxi’s books and “study” them herself!

When they got home, they found Liu Ruoxi sitting cross-legged, eating sunflower seeds and reading.

Qin Xuan remarked, “Eating sunflower seeds in this heat? Aren’t you worried about getting pimples?”

Liu Ruoxi paused, “That won’t happen. I’m just not the type.”

Qin Xuan scratched his head helplessly, set down his bag, and slipped into his private kitchen. After four years, he was sure his culinary skills had improved immensely—should he open a restaurant after graduation?

Qin Lin’er gave Liu Ruoxi a glance, then went straight to her own room. But with a quick turn, she tiptoed stealthily into Liu Ruoxi’s.

She started with the bookshelf, but after rummaging around, she couldn’t find the books she’d seen before. The drawers? Still nothing.

“How odd,” Qin Lin’er muttered, scanning the small room. Where else could they be? She rubbed her chin in thought.

She didn’t notice someone entering, holding a cat.

“Ha!” Liu Ruoxi suddenly shouted, startling Qin Lin’er half to death.

Turning, Qin Lin’er saw Liu Ruoxi’s smiling face. “What are you doing? You scared me!”

“I was about to ask you the same thing. What are you up to?” Liu Ruoxi paused. “I even brought the cat, thinking a mouse had gotten in, but it was just you?”

“I...” Qin Lin’er was momentarily at a loss. Glancing down, she spotted the trash can and blurted, “I just came to see if you had any trash to throw out!”

With a blank expression, Liu Ruoxi pointed at her.

It took a couple of seconds for Qin Lin’er to catch on. She feigned annoyance and made to leave, but how could Liu Ruoxi pass up a chance to tease her?

“You’re here for my books, aren’t you!” Liu Ruoxi said confidently—Qin Lin’er’s sneaky behavior said it all.

“No way! I don’t need to read those!” Qin Lin’er retorted quickly.

“Oh, is that so? I was going to lend you some, just so you don’t get taken in by some jerk in the future,” Liu Ruoxi said with mock regret.

“Nonsense, my brother would never trick me. At worst, he’s just a scoundrel.”

“Oh?” Liu Ruoxi looked at her, puzzled. Realizing she’d slipped up, Qin Lin’er pursed her lips and said nothing.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk! Fine, forget it,” Liu Ruoxi relented, for once being generous. She reached into a hidden compartment in the bookshelf and handed Qin Lin’er a few books.

Qin Lin’er stared, dumbfounded. What kind of trick was this?

Still, she couldn’t resist. With a complicated expression, she took the books—and the cat from Liu Ruoxi’s arms as well.

After shooing Qin Lin’er out, Liu Ruoxi jumped onto her bed, burying her face in a pillow. She knew full well Lin’er was her rival, yet still... Was this “aiding the enemy”? Perhaps she was just too soft-hearted.

Standing at the doorway, books in hand, Qin Lin’er fell into contemplation.

When Qin Xuan called everyone to eat, he had to shout several times before Qin Lin’er finally looked up, still reluctant to tear herself away from her reading, and silently dug into her food.

Seeing Qin Lin’er like this, Liu Ruoxi gave a sly grin. She knew exactly what was going on—after all, she’d been the same at first.

“Ruoxi,” Qin Lin’er raised her head, wearing a sincere expression. “Let’s sleep together tonight, so we can discuss some things.”

Liu Ruoxi thought: If I sleep with you, how am I supposed to sneak over to Qin Xuan’s room?

But she told Qin Lin’er, “With this sort of thing, everyone has their own approach. It’s not easy to exchange ideas.”

“And besides...” Liu Ruoxi straightened up. “If we sleep together, I’m afraid you’ll feel insecure.”

Qin Lin’er stared at her, stupefied: Shameless! And I was hoping to patch things up with you—dream on!

Qin Xuan had no idea what they were talking about, but it all sounded rather racy. In the end, he decided not to get involved—he didn’t want to get burned.

That night, for once, Qin Xuan was smart enough to lock his door, thinking he could finally enjoy his games in peace.

Just as he expected, Liu Ruoxi, dressed in a camisole nightgown, twisted his doorknob only to find it locked. So much for the carefully chosen sleepwear—tonight, she wouldn’t get to see him.

But then, she changed her mind and headed straight for Qin Lin’er’s room. Didn’t she want to sleep together? Tonight, she’d show her what it meant to feel insecure—what it meant to have more than a handful.