Chapter 25: Sense of Crisis

“Don’t hug me! Waa… Brother’s such a jerk… Waa…”

Yan Xi tried to push Ling Yuan away.

As if he’d let go. If he did, she’d cry even harder.

To calm her, he had to hold her tight. She’d quiet down soon enough.

“Brother’s so mean… Waa…”

Unable to break free, she buried her face in his chest, sobbing.

After a while, her crying stopped. She looked up, teary-eyed, murmuring,

“Why do you smell so nice?”

“Huh… do I?”

He sniffed his collar but caught nothing.

“No smell, right?”

“There is. Lavender.”

“Really?”

Her words made him panic. He let go, sniffing his clothes frantically.

Yan Xi felt a wave of unease. Watching him, she asked warily,

“Did you do anything with Yixin Xue?”

He froze, not wanting to relive today’s nightmare.

“Nah, a bunch of classmates were there for the lesson. Probably her home’s air freshener.”

His excuse was flimsy. He was lying.

Her eyes narrowed like she was interrogating a criminal.

“Hm… You didn’t get stolen by Yixin Xue, right?”

His expression stiffened.

Women’s intuition was scary. She was almost spot-on.

“You think that’s possible?”

“Not likely. Yixin Xue wouldn’t fall for you.”

She mused thoughtfully.

“She’d want someone exceptional. I’m different. No one loves Brother more than me! No one’s better for you!”

“Emm…”

“Even if your grades suck, even if you’re useless later, it’s fine. I can support you!”

“I’m not that pathetic…”

His lips twitched, annoyed at her words.

“Let’s eat.”

He didn’t want to discuss Yixin Xue anymore and sat at the table.

“It’s all cold.”

“Oh… wait, I’ll heat it up!”

Yan Xi grabbed the dishes and rushed to the kitchen.

“Slow down, don’t fall…”

He called helplessly.

“I’ll be careful!”

Soon, she set a steaming plate of pickled fish on the table.

It was the fishiest pickled fish he’d ever seen. Others’ had more sprouts than fish—this was fish with barely any sprouts.

“Smells and looks good. Seems tasty.”

“Trust me, I tasted it all.”

She puffed out her chest proudly, brimming with confidence.

“Alright, let’s try.”

He picked up a fish slice, tender and springy on his chopsticks.

She really put in effort this time.

Thinking this, he popped it in his mouth. His brow furrowed slightly.

He loved spicy food, and so did Yan Xi, but some dishes weren’t better with more spice. It ruined the flavor.

This pickled fish was all peppery numbness—no fish or pickle taste.

Still, for Yan Xi, it was impressive.

“How is it? How’d I do!?”

“Pretty good. Less chili next time, and it’ll be perfect. You’ve improved a lot.”

Despite its flaws, he was genuinely impressed.

“Of course! I said this is my best cooking ever.”

Praised, her earlier gloom vanished, and she beamed smugly.

She wouldn’t tell him this dish took four failed attempts, sacrificing four fish. The other dishes were either too salty, too sweet, or bland.

“So, Big Brother.”

She leaned on the table, suddenly serious.

“You came back so late. Shouldn’t you compensate me for my emotional distress?”

“What?”

He paused mid-bite.

“My demands aren’t big. Tomorrow’s Sunday. Come with me to a movie, then hotpot, and some shopping. Not too much, right~?”

The old Ling Yuan would’ve refused.

Not now.

Compared to the Class President’s demands, this was nothing.

“Sure, no problem.”

“Eh? You agreed so fast!”

She looked stunned, expecting to beg.

“What movie?”

“Something new, Ocean Fortress, I think. Not sure if it’s good.”

She opened her phone and showed him.

“Heard it’s bad.”

“Maybe not. It’s got big stars, so I’m kinda excited.”

She scooted next to him, leaning on his shoulder.

“Besides, I just want to watch it with you.”

“Alright, your call. I’m fine with anything.”

He set down his chopsticks.

“I’m full. I’ll wrap these up—they’ll last a few days.”

The heavy flavors meant less food for more rice, saving money to offset that cat food hit.

“Sounds so stingy. I’ll treat you. These won’t last long.”

She took the dishes to the sink, rolling up her sleeves to wash them. He grabbed her hand.

“Your hand’s hurt?”

He stared at a bandage on her finger.

“Oh…”

She pulled back, cradling it.

“Just a little cut. Don’t worry.”

[No wonder she was so mad and cried so hard…]

“Dummy.”

“Hmph, who’s the dummy?”

“You. So clumsy you cut yourself with a knife.”

He pushed her aside and started washing.

“You’re an heiress, doing all this at my place. People might think you’re a maid.”

“Eh? Want to see me in a maid outfit?”

His words caught in his throat, brain short-circuiting.

After a moment, he managed,

“You switch topics fast.”

“Aw, come on, just say it~ Wanna see~?”