Chapter Forty: The Drumstick in Hand Tastes Even Better

After dinner, Qin Xuan lounged on the sofa, feeling too lazy to move. Maybe watching a movie wasn’t such a good idea after all? But he knew saying so would do no good; he might even get a tongue-lashing from Liu Ruoxi. Ah, how he longed to play chess—nothing beats a fierce duel with the Blade Maiden!

Of course, in the end, with a resigned expression, he followed Liu Ruoxi and Qin Lin’er to the cinema.

Sitting between the two girls, both happily munching popcorn, Qin Xuan could only sigh in helplessness. Qin Lin’er, after watching for a while, began to drowse and leaned against his shoulder, drifting in and out of sleep, while Liu Ruoxi watched with rapt attention.

When Qin Xuan took out his phone to play for a bit, he suddenly felt his right hand being grasped. Turning his head, he discovered that Liu Ruoxi had quietly entwined her fingers with his. Fortunately, the darkness of the cinema kept it hidden from Qin Lin’er, but Qin Xuan felt uncomfortable. He wanted to break free, but her grip tightened, and he dared not make any large movements.

They say if you can’t resist, you should just accept it—and now Qin Xuan was experiencing the truth of those words firsthand.

Liu Ruoxi interlaced their fingers, savoring the feeling. It was nothing like that time on the school bus—if that was shyness, this was simply a desire to hold on forever.

Halfway through the movie, Qin Lin’er was nearly asleep. Perhaps growing bored of her little game, Liu Ruoxi picked up Qin Xuan’s hand and placed it on her own thigh—though still over her pants.

Qin Xuan was startled and quickly tried to pull his hand away, but as he met Liu Ruoxi’s determined gaze, his resolve melted. Fine, maybe there was a hint of mischief in his heart after all.

Yet, feeling the unusual warmth in his palm, his thoughts grew more and more peculiar. Although they had accidentally touched while fooling around before, Qin Xuan glanced around nervously—there were people nearby! Couldn’t this wait until they got home...

Despite his best efforts, his breath quickened.

“Hmph!” Liu Ruoxi, seeing his reaction, couldn’t help but feel a surge of pride.

Just as Qin Xuan was about to get carried away, Qin Lin’er murmured sleepily, “Is this movie not over yet?” Rubbing her aching neck, her voice was plaintive. Startled, Qin Xuan withdrew his hand at once.

Liu Ruoxi’s eyes flashed with annoyance. Qin Lin’er! Just wait until tonight—I’ll settle the score with you.

Poor, innocent Qin Lin’er shook Qin Xuan’s arm in boredom. Having missed much of the film, she was now completely lost in the plot.

Liu Ruoxi, having been preoccupied with teasing Qin Xuan, was just as uninterested in the film she’d chosen, and as for Qin Xuan, well, he could barely endure until the credits rolled.

When the lights came up, Qin Lin’er got up, looked around to make sure no one was watching, and rubbed her aching backside. Qin Xuan, seeing her do so, coughed twice, struggling to stifle his laughter. Qin Lin’er stopped at once, embarrassed.

Liu Ruoxi noticed but said nothing—she’d have her revenge tonight anyway, so Qin Lin’er might as well start soothing the pain early.

By the time they left, it was already nine o’clock.

“Shouldn’t we head home now?” Qin Xuan, nostalgic for the sensation but longing to play games, tried to suggest.

“Let’s go buy something to eat!” Qin Lin’er, having finished all her popcorn, felt uncomfortable without something to nibble on.

“Alright then...” The light in Qin Xuan’s eyes faded, but he agreed without protest.

Qin Lin’er grabbed his hand and ran ahead, leaving Liu Ruoxi behind, fists clenched in silent fury.

The night market was quieter than last time. Qin Lin’er hunted for snacks in front, while Qin Xuan followed behind, paying for her spoils.

“Lin’er?” Nan Zhiyi had rarely come here for a late-night bite; she knew she’d have to run two extra laps the next morning to make up for it, but tonight, she couldn’t resist the craving.

Qin Lin’er spotted Nan Zhiyi nearby, chicken drumstick in hand.

“Sister Nan, you’re out for a late snack too?” Qin Lin’er asked curiously.

Nan Zhiyi also saw Qin Xuan and Liu Ruoxi behind and greeted them.

Qin Xuan eyed the drumstick in Nan Zhiyi’s hand, making her a bit self-conscious. She didn’t know where to put the drumstick after just two bites.

“Sister Nan, where did you get the drumstick? Is it good?” Qin Lin’er finally broke the awkward silence, and Nan Zhiyi took the chance to chat with her.

The four of them wandered the market until late. Before parting, Qin Lin’er shared some of her favorite snacks with Nan Zhiyi. Though Nan Zhiyi initially declined, she couldn’t refuse Lin’er’s earnest eyes and accepted them.

As they said their goodbyes, Qin Lin’er continued gnawing on her half-eaten drumstick. She had to admit, it was delicious.

Watching her, mouth smeared with oil, Qin Xuan couldn’t resist wiping the corner of her mouth with a tissue. Qin Lin’er froze—her brother hadn’t done that for her in a long time!

A surge of joy warmed her heart, making the chicken taste even better.

Later, when Qin Lin’er finished her midnight snack and lay on her bed reading, the door swung open. Liu Ruoxi entered, face dark as thunder. Qin Lin’er’s heart thudded: Tonight, I’m doomed!

Sure enough, the next day, Qin Xuan noticed Qin Lin’er hadn’t gotten up yet. Knocking on her door, he found her lying face-down on the bed in her pajamas, utterly defeated.

“Lin’er! Time to get up and eat,” Qin Xuan said, and, as if possessed, gave her a light smack on her bottom.

“Ouch!” Qin Lin’er hadn’t been asleep—she’d wanted to see how her brother would react. But after last night’s thrashing, her bruised backside protested at the fresh injury...

“I thought you were still asleep.” Qin Xuan scratched his head, a little embarrassed.

“That hurt, brother! Liu Ruoxi just spanked me yesterday, and now you too!” Qin Lin’er complained, a bit aggrieved, though the sensation from her brother felt entirely different from Liu Ruoxi’s. Why did it… excite her?

Liu Ruoxi, enjoying her pickled vegetables and porridge, nearly burst out laughing when she saw Qin Xuan helping the limping Qin Lin’er out of her room.

Qin Lin’er shot her a glare but, recalling last night, decided to let it go—she couldn’t afford to provoke her.

With Liu Ruoxi off to training, the house was left to Qin Xuan and Qin Lin’er.

Qin Lin’er’s eyes sparkled with mischief.

“Brother~” she cooed, hugging him from behind as he washed the dishes. Qin Xuan saw her hands around his waist and tried to struggle, but his own hands were covered in soapy bubbles—he could only sigh.

“If you’ve got something to say, just say it. Don’t mess around.”

“Brother, how about we go to the internet café later?” Qin Lin’er’s suggestion was nothing short of shocking.

“You? With me?” Qin Xuan asked, puzzled.

“Of course! Who do you think you’re underestimating?” Qin Lin’er lifted her chin provocatively.

Qin Xuan hesitated. “Are you sure? Do you even know how to play?”

“Well… but you’re here to teach me!”

“Fine, fine,” he agreed, though he had a bad feeling about it.

Half an hour later, in the internet café, Qin Xuan was utterly speechless.

They were both assigned to the bottom lane. Qin Xuan looked at his own stats—1 kill, 7 deaths, 0 assists. Qin Lin’er: 0 kills, 8 deaths, 0 assists. The only kill Qin Xuan had was stolen from the jungler, and to ensure Qin Lin’er’s “good mood,” the first thing he’d taught her was how to mute teammates.

Watching Qin Lin’er still haggling with the shopkeeper in-game, Qin Xuan could only marvel—outstanding, truly outstanding!