Chapter Forty-Three: Wishing You Happiness!

Despite an inexplicable sense of shame, Qin Xuan was honest. “Sweet!”
Liu Ruoxi’s eyes curved into crescent moons as she smiled at his words.
Meanwhile, Qin Lin’er was lying in bed, tossing and turning, utterly unable to sleep. She knew that whenever she felt this way, something big was bound to happen.
After pondering for a while, Qin Lin’er got up and walked out of her room. Hearing movement in Qin Xuan’s room, she opened Liu Ruoxi’s door—empty! There was no need to guess; she must be with her brother.
Now Qin Lin’er was caught in a dilemma: should she go and look or not? Would she get beaten?
Ultimately, she gritted her teeth. What’s there to fear? At worst, you’ll kill me!
Standing outside her brother’s door, she suddenly noticed it was only half-closed. The courage she had painstakingly gathered collapsed in an instant—wasn’t this just asking for trouble?
Gently, she pushed open the door a crack. Through the light from the window, she could vaguely see Liu Ruoxi sitting on her brother. Qin Lin’er’s jaw dropped. When did their relationship get to this point? Lin’er was utterly stunned!
When she saw Liu Ruoxi lower her head to kiss Qin Xuan, Qin Lin’er felt as if she had a heart attack. Who could endure this? Always one step ahead of me!
At that moment, Marzi, exhausted from practicing her claws in the room, saw Qin Lin’er at the doorway and naturally padded over, her meows snapping Lin’er out of her daze.
Inside, the two lay side by side. Hearing Marzi’s calls, Liu Ruoxi laughed and remarked,
“There’s a cat peeking at the door!”
Qin Lin’er thought she was talking about herself.
With a sudden “bang,” she kicked the door open, startling the two inside.
Liu Ruoxi quickly caught on, teasing deliberately, “See? I told you there was a cat peeking!”
“Liu Ruoxi!” Truth be told, at that moment, Qin Lin’er did resemble a bristling cat.
Unable to bear it any longer, Qin Lin’er lunged onto the bed, wrestling with Liu Ruoxi. Qin Xuan, seeing this, tactfully retreated a bit.
Then, gleefully, he sat nearby with his phone, snapping pictures whenever he could. Marvelous!
Unfortunately, within minutes, Qin Lin’er was pinned beneath Liu Ruoxi, thoroughly defeated.
“Still dare to fight back, do you?” Liu Ruoxi slapped Qin Lin’er’s bottom. “Are your wings growing strong now?”
“Ah! Stop, it hurts!”

...
Listening to Qin Lin’er’s cries, Qin Xuan finally couldn’t stand it and stepped forward to pull Liu Ruoxi off of her. She turned, puzzled, to look at Qin Xuan.
“Don’t forget your status!”
Liu Ruoxi tilted her head, confused, and Qin Xuan deliberately licked his lips.
In a flash, Liu Ruoxi understood.
“Fine, since I’m happy today, I’ll spare you.”
Qin Lin’er lay on the bed, unwilling to move, but managed to lift her head to ask her brother, “What are you talking about? What status does she have?”
“She…” Qin Xuan didn’t know how to answer, but Liu Ruoxi enthusiastically interjected,
“Of course I’m your sister-in-law—just decided! Right, Qin Xuan?” She nudged Qin Xuan’s shoulder.
Qin Xuan nodded affirmatively. Qin Lin’er, seeing his reaction, took a deep breath.
She stood, glanced at the two, and said, “I wish you happiness!”
Qin Xuan and Liu Ruoxi: ??? What’s with this third-wheel plot?
“Huh?” Qin Xuan watched Qin Lin’er’s retreating back, feeling bewildered.
The two exchanged glances. Liu Ruoxi pursed her lips, and while Qin Xuan was distracted, she swiftly kissed him on the cheek.
“I’m going to check on Lin’er!”
Qin Xuan innocently covered the spot where she’d kissed him. A sneak attack?
The next day, Qin Xuan watched as Lin’er joked with Liu Ruoxi, lost in thought. He wondered what Liu Ruoxi had said to her to make things right so quickly.
Sadly, Qin Lin’er maintained a cold, indifferent face toward him, pretending not to hear even when he tried to speak! But Qin Xuan knew the reason, so he didn’t push it. The last time he angered Lin’er was back in middle school—because he’d stolen her cookie...
Today’s classes were light, the fewest of the week, since Liu Ruoxi had to host an event that evening and didn’t attend classes. The two siblings were left alone, and Qin Xuan was certain this was the least Lin’er had spoken to him since starting college.
After school, the two went to the cafeteria for dinner. Qin Lin’er simply followed behind him in silence, looking very much like an aggrieved young wife.
Arriving at the lecture hall, they found the entrance swarmed by crowds. Afraid Lin’er would get lost, Qin Xuan took her hand. At first, Lin’er tried to pull away, but when her resistance failed, she let him lead her.

Finding their class’s spot, they were soon surrounded by familiar faces. They weren’t close, but nods and greetings were exchanged.
Settling into a seat near the edge, Qin Lin’er stared at Qin Xuan’s hand holding hers, lost in thought. Qin Xuan followed her gaze, only then realizing and quickly letting go.
But as soon as he released her hand, Qin Lin’er grasped his in return.
Now it was Qin Xuan’s turn to be bewildered. All their classmates knew the siblings’ relationship—was this really okay?
Clearly, Qin Lin’er didn’t care. She simply held his hand, refusing to let go, and Qin Xuan could only try to hide it as best he could.
Watching his awkward efforts, Qin Lin’er finally spoke: “Now that you and Sister Xi are like that, do I not even have the right to hold your hand?”
Qin Xuan paused. “We’re just... Fine.”
Not long after, Liu Ruoxi and Nan Zhiyi took the stage in their host attire, stunning the audience. Two freshmen beauties, nearly identical in height and equally captivating, both wore subtle makeup—Liu Ruoxi, Qin Xuan noted, had only applied a bit of lipstick, familiar from recent close contact...
“Dear teachers, dear students, welcome to the New Year’s Eve Gala and Freshman Welcome...” Surprisingly, Liu Ruoxi and Nan Zhiyi spoke in perfect harmony. Qin Xuan detected no stage fright in Liu Ruoxi’s voice; perhaps she truly had a talent for this.
Calmly reciting their script, Liu Ruoxi and Nan Zhiyi took turns speaking. Perhaps Nan Zhiyi was a good teacher, for Liu Ruoxi treated the thousands in the audience as mere watermelons—except for Qin Xuan and Liu Ruoxi themselves.
As the program went on, Qin Lin’er grew sleepy. Noticing this, Qin Xuan let go of her hand and gently guided her head to rest on his shoulder. Lin’er was happy enough, but a glance from Liu Ruoxi on stage quickly soured her mood—that’s my boyfriend!
If not for being on stage, she would have given Lin’er’s bottom a couple of slaps. Weren’t they supposed to stick together? How dare you provoke me like this!
Nan Zhiyi saw Liu Ruoxi’s distraction and gently nudged her, bringing her back to focus.
...
Finally, the gala ended. Qin Xuan and Qin Lin’er waited at the door for Liu Ruoxi.
Seeing her come out arm-in-arm with Nan Zhiyi, still dressed as hosts, Qin Xuan couldn’t help but ask,
“Are you not going to change clothes?”
“It’s a keepsake! I’ll wear it for you again someday~” Liu Ruoxi replied unashamedly. Qin Lin’er made a show of rolling her eyes. At that moment, Nan Zhiyi had no idea the two had confirmed their relationship.
So Nan Zhiyi’s face lit up with surprise: So this is what Qin Xuan likes! Noted, I’ll remember this!