Chapter 97: That Is Not a Good Habit!

To be honest, the first time Qin Xuan saw Li Ruoxi so sentimental and melancholic, he was both surprised and a little heartbroken. He reached out, pulled her gently onto his lap, and she rested her head against his chest as he tenderly rubbed her little face.

“All right, just sleep a while longer,” Qin Xuan said, usually a man of few words, but Li Ruoxi’s words from earlier today lingered deeply in his heart.

Feeling Qin Xuan’s heartbeat, how could Li Ruoxi fall asleep? Their eyes met, and she lowered her head to press a kiss on his lips, unwilling to let go. Sensing her movements, Qin Xuan felt a surge of vitality within himself…

Next door, Qin Lin’er was abruptly awakened from her sleep, bewildered by the noises in the room. What on earth was going on? She glanced at the clock—only five o’clock! Was this never going to end?

She threw back the covers to peek out but accidentally dropped an unfinished piece of clothing on the floor. Resigned, she bent down to pick it up and set it aside, thinking she’d give it to Zhi Yi later.

Standing on tiptoe, she stepped out and pressed her ear to the door, listening intently. Why was Sister Xi being so unrestrained?

Just as Qin Lin’er blushed, engrossed in eavesdropping, a hand suddenly reached out from behind and gave her a playful tap.

Startled, Qin Lin’er nearly screamed, if not for Nan Zhiyi quickly covering her mouth.

“What are you doing?” Qin Lin’er whispered, removing the hand from her mouth.

“I was going to ask you the same thing. What are you up to?” Nan Zhiyi replied.

“Listening at the wall! Any problem with that?!” Qin Lin’er answered defiantly.

“Me too!” Nan Zhiyi eagerly squeezed past Qin Lin’er. “Make some room for me.”

Soon, Li Ruoxi collapsed into Qin Xuan’s arms, only to be silenced again by his lips. Neither of them had any idea that two curious onlookers lingered just outside the door.

“Let’s sleep a little longer…” Li Ruoxi murmured, resting her head on Qin Xuan’s arm.

“Sleep then,” Qin Xuan said softly, holding her close as they both drifted into slumber.

Outside, the two listened until the room fell silent.

“Looks like they’re asleep,” Qin Lin’er said, standing up with a bored sigh.

“Seems so,” Nan Zhiyi agreed, wanting to go back and change since her clothes were dirty.

“Okay, see you!” Qin Lin’er rolled her eyes, tightened her clothes, and prepared to return to bed.

Both women, heavy with their own thoughts, immediately slipped back under their covers—too embarrassed otherwise!

…

A few hours later, Li Ruoxi looked curiously at Nan Zhiyi and Qin Lin’er across the dining table. It was just a meal—why were their faces still flushed?

On the way to school, Li Ruoxi still linked her arm with Qin Xuan’s, while Qin Lin’er and Nan Zhiyi walked behind them. Li Ruoxi glanced back and caught them whispering. She looked at them with some confusion, but whenever she turned, they quickly stopped and lowered their heads, shy as newlyweds!

Li Ruoxi twisted uncomfortably; it was truly awkward. If only she had known…

Sitting in the classroom, Li Ruoxi grew even more puzzled. Qin Lin’er was unusually distant from Qin Xuan today—something was definitely up!

“Lin’er~” Li Ruoxi waved across the two seats.

Qin Lin’er didn’t want to talk to Li Ruoxi, reminded unpleasantly of the earlier scene, but seeing Li Ruoxi’s threatening glare, she reluctantly gave in.

She squeezed past Qin Xuan and sat on Li Ruoxi’s other side.

“What’s going on between you and Nan Zhiyi today?” Li Ruoxi asked with a playful smile, holding her hand.

“N-nothing,” Qin Lin’er stammered. Sadly, she’d never been good at lying; Li Ruoxi’s grip prevented her from pulling away.

“Did you hear something?!” Li Ruoxi probed.

Qin Lin’er stared down, too embarrassed to look up.

“Hmph! Eavesdropping on us, huh?” Li Ruoxi rested her chin on her hand with a teasing look. “Lin’er, that’s a bad habit!”

“Just once…” Qin Lin’er admitted helplessly, blushing—but she wasn’t the only one!

“Tsk tsk!” Li Ruoxi teased, about to say more when the teacher walked in. She’d get her chance to reprimand them later.

At noon, after eating in the cafeteria, the three sat on garden benches. Li Ruoxi leaned toward Qin Lin’er’s ear.

“What did you hear?”

“Nothing at all!” Qin Lin’er was busy sending messages to Nan Zhiyi, warning her. When Li Ruoxi asked, she quickly shut her phone, but Li Ruoxi noticed anyway. Oh? So there was a partner in crime!

“Then that means you heard everything! You’re doomed!” Li Ruoxi said fiercely, though inwardly she blushed, knowing their voices had been overheard.

In the end, Qin Lin’er looked helplessly at Qin Xuan, who just shot her a glance—he wanted to scold them too! How daring to listen in…

Afternoon classes went on as usual, with Li Ruoxi still giving Lin’er some face in public.

But once home, Qin Lin’er sat obediently on the sofa, looking pitifully at Li Ruoxi.

“Don’t try to play the victim!” Li Ruoxi was about to scold her when Qin Xuan stopped her.

“Last time you said to let her off once.”

“Hm?” Li Ruoxi thought for a moment. “I guess you’re right…”

“Then this time is fine, but next time I’ll definitely get you!” she said, annoyed. Those two were hopeless!

“It’s all your fault…” Qin Lin’er muttered quietly.

“What?” Li Ruoxi asked, curious since the voice was so soft.

“I said, I was wrong. I won’t do it again!” Qin Lin’er said quickly.

“Next time you say? I’ll be recording then!” Li Ruoxi shot back.

Just then, Nan Zhiyi came in and caught the scene, her heart skipping a beat—this was not good!

Li Ruoxi, however, took Nan Zhiyi by the arm and went back to the room. Soon, Nan Zhiyi’s surprised exclamation echoed out.

Qin Xuan and Qin Lin’er exchanged glances on the sofa.

“Brother~” Qin Lin’er, seeing that Sister Xi wasn’t coming out anytime soon, clung to Qin Xuan’s arm and smiled sweetly at him.

This reminded Qin Xuan of her expression yesterday—this was something he couldn’t overlook!

“Say what you mean!” Qin Xuan pushed her shoulder gently.

“I’m just curious… what does it feel like…” Qin Lin’er whispered into his ear.

Qin Xuan was speechless. How could he answer that?

“You’re still young, better not know too much!”

But Qin Lin’er misunderstood, raising her little fist and playfully punching his arm. “You’re the one who’s little!”

Pouting, she ran back to her room, flopping onto her bed. Isn’t being small supposed to be cute? Seems like that’s all a lie!

In the room, Li Ruoxi hadn’t been harsh. Nan Zhiyi stood by the bed, rubbing the sore spot where she’d been hit.

“Sister Xi~ thank you!” Of course, Nan Zhiyi wasn’t thanking Li Ruoxi for the pain, but for what she had said to Qin Xuan this morning.

“Why thank me? The rest is up to you. I’m not responsible for what happens next!” Li Ruoxi sat on the edge of the bed, legs crossed, looking all boss-like.

“All right!” Nan Zhiyi said confidently.

Li Ruoxi shrugged indifferently and walked out, noticing Qin Xuan still sitting on the sofa, watching her curiously.

“What are you looking at? I’m hungry!”

Hearing that, Qin Xuan obediently got up and headed for the kitchen. You’re the boss here—you call the shots!