Chapter Forty-Five: Almost Suffocating!

After finishing her meal, Nan Zhiyi lingered for a little while before slipping away to her own home. Once there, she savored the taste still lingering on her lips—if only she could eat like that every day! After experiencing Qin Xuan’s culinary skills, Nan Zhiyi was even more determined to “steal the house” for herself.

Meanwhile, on Qin Xuan’s side, he found it odd that Liu Ruoxi hadn’t come to “raid the camp.” What he didn’t know was that, in Liu Ruoxi’s room, Qin Lin’er was doing her utmost to keep her from leaving.

“Lin, isn’t it normal for me to spend the night at my boyfriend’s place?” Liu Ruoxi protested.

Qin Lin’er clung to her leg, indignantly saying, “Normal? I think you’re just lusting after my brother! Shameless!”

“Huh? Shouldn’t it be him lusting after me?” Liu Ruoxi retorted.

Qin Lin’er glanced up at her. “You really have no self-awareness, do you?”

“Plus, tomorrow we’re having dinner with Mom. If you show up with dark circles under your eyes, it won’t look good! I’m thinking of your image here.”

“It’s fine. Mom already knows I don’t care about appearances,” Liu Ruoxi replied, resigned.

“There’ll be friends there! Are you trying to embarrass my brother?” Qin Lin’er’s words hit home for Liu Ruoxi.

After a moment’s thought, Liu Ruoxi sighed. “Alright, alright, I won’t go. Can you let go now?”

Qin Lin’er loosened her grip slightly, and seeing that Liu Ruoxi wasn’t about to bolt, relaxed at last. Just as she was about to leave, Liu Ruoxi grabbed her back.

“If you’re not going to Qin Xuan’s, you’ll have to keep me company tonight!” she declared menacingly, like a sister-in-law staking her claim.

“Maybe you should go to my brother’s after all…” Qin Lin’er faltered, genuinely worried she’d be smothered in her sleep.

“Heh, too late! Into bed with you, little one! Tonight, I’ll take good care of you!”

Listening to Liu Ruoxi’s mischievous threats, Qin Lin’er was filled with nothing but regret.

In the middle of the night, Qin Lin’er woke up, gasping for air, nearly suffocating.

...

The next day, Qin Xuan watched as Qin Lin’er yawned repeatedly, puzzled about what had gone on the night before. Early in the morning, before they’d even finished breakfast, their mother called Qin Xuan, and none of the three dared delay. They hurriedly tidied up and went downstairs, where they saw their mother’s car—a red, somewhat obscure model parked by the roadside. She was a pragmatist, favoring this older car for personal outings.

“Mom!” Qin Lin’er called out from afar.

Hearing her daughter’s voice, Wang Manshu got out of the driver’s seat and glanced disdainfully at Qin Xuan, who had his arms linked with the others.

“You’re wearing that?” Wang Manshu nearly choked when she saw Qin Xuan in a T-shirt.

“It’s just a family meal, isn’t it?” Qin Xuan answered, puzzled.

“And you’re dressed like that? How am I supposed to introduce you to my friends as my son? Do I have no pride?” Wang Manshu was so exasperated she wanted to kick him.

“Go back and change!” she ordered.

With no choice, Qin Xuan broke away and headed back upstairs, lamenting the loss of his favorite, most comfortable—and cheapest—shirt.

After he left, Wang Manshu studied Liu Ruoxi, quickly noticing how she seemed different these days. Love, indeed, made people change.

And how had she learned about this? Thanks to her little informant—Qin Lin’er.

Wang Manshu beckoned Liu Ruoxi over, who promptly linked arms with her and sweetly called, “Mom!”

“Hmm~” Though Liu Ruoxi often called her that at home, hearing it in front of Qin Lin’er felt a bit awkward. But Wang Manshu shot Qin Lin’er a glare, and she immediately quieted down.

“Well? Qin Xuan hasn’t been bullying you, has he?” Wang Manshu asked, gently stroking Liu Ruoxi’s hair—a little envious of so much hair.

“No, not at all. He wouldn’t dare… He hasn’t bullied me,” Liu Ruoxi almost slipped up.

“That’s good. If he ever does, tell me—I’ll deal with him!”

Qin Lin’er, listening to this “mother-in-law and daughter-in-law” banter, was practically green with envy. She couldn’t hold back any longer.

“Mom, what about me?”

Facing Qin Lin’er’s plaintive gaze, Wang Manshu considered for a moment.

“You? Go play by yourself! Since when do you get to interrupt our conversation?”

Qin Lin’er was dumbfounded. Did she not count as family? Well, technically, she wasn’t…

A while later, Qin Xuan came down in a jacket, but their mother still looked displeased.

“Your taste in clothes is hopeless! From now on, let Ruoxi pick your clothes.”

Qin Xuan protested inwardly—Ruoxi had chosen this outfit!

Liu Ruoxi was left speechless, wondering if her sense of style was really that bad.

“Enough, it’ll have to do. At least it’s better than that T-shirt,” Wang Manshu said, ushering the three into the car. She pulled Liu Ruoxi into the front passenger seat, thwarting Liu Ruoxi’s hopes of sitting next to Qin Xuan.

But Wang Manshu didn’t start the car.

“Mom? Why aren’t we leaving?” Qin Xuan asked.

“We’re waiting for a friend’s daughter to join us,” Wang Manshu replied, fiddling with her phone.

A few minutes later, Qin Xuan spotted Nan Zhiyi outside, carrying a bag and looking around. No way, he thought.

Wang Manshu noticed her too and nudged Qin Xuan with her chin. “Go on!”

Qin Xuan reluctantly got out and waved to Nan Zhiyi, who waved back.

“So you’re my mom’s friend’s daughter? What a coincidence,” he said.

“Yes, I told you yesterday I knew Aunt Wang,” Nan Zhiyi replied, biting her lip. Coincidence? Everything you think is a coincidence is carefully planned.

“Save the chat for the car!” Wang Manshu called, gesturing them in.

“Aunt Wang!” Nan Zhiyi greeted enthusiastically as she climbed in.

“Mhm, Zhiyi, you’re getting prettier,” Wang Manshu praised her. She was genuinely fond of the polite, well-mannered girl.

As the car rolled forward, small talk filled the air. No one but Qin Xuan noticed Nan Zhiyi’s mischievous hand sneaking around his waist. Instantly, his scalp tingled. What on earth is she doing?!

Qin Xuan felt so nervous he was breaking out in a sweat—if they got caught, he’d be dead on the spot. He tried to pry her hand away, but she caught his hand instead. He barely dared to struggle.

Finally, seeing his distress, Nan Zhiyi mercifully let him go. Qin Xuan breathed a long sigh of relief and glanced around—no one seemed to have noticed.

But his perceptive mother had seen everything in the rearview mirror, as clear as day. Still, she only chuckled to herself, deciding to let the young people sort out their own affairs. But if things kept going like this... would her son turn into a heartbreaker? No, she thought, she’d have to find a time to talk with him. If all else failed, maybe his uncle could teach him the essential tricks of being a scoundrel.