Chapter Fifty-Five: Checking Up

When Qin Xuan and Qin Lin’er were each lying down and about to drift off to sleep, Qin Xuan’s phone suddenly lit up. It turned out that Liu Ruoxi, having finished visiting relatives and returned home, was feeling a bit bored and decided to call Qin Xuan for a video chat—a little “spot check.” Qin Xuan fumbled to answer, and when he saw Liu Ruoxi on the other end, freshly showered, his eyes brightened—so much so that he almost felt blinded and hurriedly dimmed the phone’s brightness.

“You’re going to bed this early?” Liu Ruoxi, drying her damp hair, noticed that Qin Xuan was already lying down.

“Yeah, it’s good to sleep early,” Qin Xuan replied, a little awkwardly. The reason was Qin Lin’er—her hand, once again, was sneaking in! He quickly reached behind to block her, but she still managed to invade, her cold little hand slipping under his shirt and pressing against his back.

Qin Xuan’s eyes widened in shock—this was even more exhilarating than spicy beef noodles!

Liu Ruoxi noticed Qin Xuan’s odd expression and sensed something was off.

“Qin Xuan? What’s wrong with you?”

Qin Xuan struggled to keep his composure. “It’s nothing, just nothing.”

But Liu Ruoxi was not so easily fooled. After thinking for a moment, she shouted,

“Qin Lin’er! Are you looking for trouble?”

“Oh no, I’ve been found out~” Qin Lin’er popped her little head out from behind Qin Xuan, smiling mischievously at Liu Ruoxi. After all, with this distance, you can’t touch me!

“Qin Xuan! Why is she in your bed?” Liu Ruoxi was in full battle mode, and Qin Xuan felt inexplicably guilty…

“She said she couldn’t sleep well without someone nearby, so she asked me to warm the bed.” Damn! Qin Xuan was startled—this way of redirecting the blame was a bit off!

“Don’t listen to her nonsense,” Qin Xuan hurriedly explained. “Grandma’s place doesn’t have enough rooms, so we’re just squeezing in, but we’re sleeping separately.” He even used his phone to show Liu Ruoxi Lin’er’s spot. Only then did Liu Ruoxi’s anger subside, though she still glared fiercely at Qin Lin’er.

“Just wait until you come back tomorrow—I’ll decide whether to beat you or not!”

Qin Lin’er thought it over and decided she’d stick close to Mom tomorrow, not straying a single step—let’s see if you dare lay a hand on me!

Afterwards, Liu Ruoxi chatted with Qin Xuan for a while longer before hanging up, her teasing words making Qin Lin’er squirm with embarrassment.

When Qin Xuan ended the video call, he found Qin Lin’er still burrowed in his blanket.

“What are you still doing here?” he asked.

“I want to sleep next to you!” Qin Lin’er replied, not very confidently.

“No, you’re still young.” Qin Xuan pushed her shoulder.

Caught off guard, Qin Lin’er nearly rolled out, but she flipped herself back in.

“Brother! My hands and feet are freezing—warm me up, and I’ll go back once I’m warm.”

Qin Xuan thought for a moment. “Fine, you said it yourself.”

Grinning, Qin Lin’er handed him her hands, and Qin Xuan warmed them, then took her feet and tucked them against his thigh. With that, Qin Lin’er had no room to cause trouble.

She had promised to leave once she was warm, but Qin Xuan, half-asleep, drifted off just like that.

The next morning, Wang Manshu came to wake them for breakfast. When she opened the door, she found the two tangled together, clothes in disarray. What on earth had they been up to?

Wang Manshu nearly exploded with rage at the sight.

Only then did Qin Lin’er notice her mother standing by the bed. Remembering her antics just moments before, she blushed furiously, mortified beyond words.

“Qin Lin’er! Come outside with me!” Wang Manshu felt it was time for a lesson.

“Oh…” Qin Lin’er, seeing her mother leave, quickly got up and dressed, giving Qin Xuan a glare before exiting.

Qin Xuan was baffled—why glare at me? I haven’t even scolded you yet!

By the time Qin Xuan got up, neither Qin Lin’er nor his mother were around—they were probably inside having a serious talk. Serves her right.

Qin Xuan went downstairs for breakfast. He’d hoped to go fishing, but his father said they had to visit the ancestral graves first, so fishing would have to wait. He’d make sure to bring Lin’er along next time.

When Wang Manshu led Qin Lin’er downstairs, she glanced at her brother, her face strangely flushed, but Qin Xuan was chatting with Liu Ruoxi and didn’t notice.

After breakfast, the family carried paper offerings, candles, incense, and other items out the door. Without firecrackers, it felt as if something was missing from the ritual—a bit awkward and incomplete.

...

By the time Qin Xuan picked up his fishing rod again, it was already past ten. Qin Lin’er complained about the cold and refused to fish with him, leaving Qin Xuan alone by the riverbank, shivering in the wind—a truly invigorating experience!

When lunchtime came, Qin Xuan trudged home with an empty bucket, inevitably suffering Lin’er’s mockery. He couldn’t understand it—do fish recognize people or what?

After lunch, the family drove back. They’d hoped to have Grandma stay with them for a few days, but she insisted there were still vegetables to harvest from the soil, and the car was packed full of produce. They decided to bring her over for the New Year instead.

Before they even made it home, as soon as they got out of the car, they ran into Liu Ruoxi. Qin Lin’er’s eyes darted as she quietly hid behind her mother.

Liu Ruoxi merely gave her a glare and ignored her, but Qin Lin’er knew her luck was running out today!

With some time to spare, the group decided to buy some New Year goods.

The nearest commercial street had transformed for the season, with shops selling couplets and lanterns. The family split up to shop. Qin Lin’er wanted to follow her mother, but Liu Ruoxi, with a ruthless grip, pulled her aside. Tearful and resigned, Qin Lin’er knew Qin Xuan wouldn’t be able to protect her now—she’d better buy some pain relief medicine while she was at it.

“Hiding, are you, Lin’er?” Liu Ruoxi wickedly pinched her wrist. “Now that Mom isn’t around, where do you think you can escape?”

In the end, Qin Xuan, seeing so many people nearby, suggested… to save the punishment for home.

After a long shopping spree, the three returned to the car with armfuls of goods. Qin Xuan handed Liu Ruoxi the red envelope Grandma had given her, and Liu Ruoxi, delighted, held it close, reluctant to open it.

That night, Lin’er’s room was filled with excitement! The next day, she barely got out of bed.

...

The following days saw Qin Xuan caught in a cycle of visiting relatives—again and again and again. No wonder people say you gain weight during the New Year—eating everywhere you go, it’s impossible not to!

The day before the New Year, Qin Jianguo made another trip to the old home to bring his mother over, along with another carload of vegetables.

“Grandma!” Liu Ruoxi waited downstairs, watching them return and going to help Grandma.

“Ruoxi is getting prettier!” Grandma smiled, patting Liu Ruoxi’s hand, very pleased with her granddaughter-in-law. She’d always liked her, even back when they visited the old home.

“Thank you, Grandma, you’re as lively as ever,” Liu Ruoxi replied.

“Of course—I haven’t held a great-grandchild yet. I must stay energetic!” Hearing this, Liu Ruoxi’s cheeks took on a rosy hue.

Seeing Ruoxi at a loss for words, Grandma’s smile deepened. The secret to staying young was to tease the younger generation!