Chapter 27: The Dairy Shop Encounter

“Ok… well, let’s stay put and I’ll go check it out with Xiao Meng.”

Senior Sister’s orders always boost Xiao Xi’s confidence, but this time seemed different. As soon as he finished speaking, he was pulled into her embrace and held tightly.

‘Sister Yuan,’ he thought, ‘what is she doing? This isn’t like her.’

‘Small Xi, what are you doing? You’re being so mysterious, it’s not cute~’ Sister Yuan pouted, looking down at him.

‘Eh…’ Xiao Xi sweat nervously. ‘Did she figure something out?’

‘Hehe, no, no, I’ll be quiet, I promise…’

‘Sweetheart, just rest here in my arms,’ Sister Yuan murmured, holding him close. She closed her eyes, seemingly drifting off to sleep. Xiao Xi tried to move, but was immediately pinned down by her grip. He couldn’t budge.

‘This can’t be happening…’ he thought. ‘I can’t get out?’

He tried to move again…

‘Ugh…’ He was choked by Sister Yuan’s arm, even in her embrace. ‘I can’t breathe…’

*Pant, pant*

Suddenly, Sister Yuan loosened her hold. Xiao Xi looked up to see her still smiling, but with a hint of danger in her expression.

‘…’

‘Dairy shop… dairy shop.’

Following Xiao Xi’s clue, Gao Meiyou navigated using the map until she reached the shop. It wasn’t far. She and Xiao Meng observed from a distance, confirming it was the right place. To be sure, Gao Meiyou used a pair of binoculars, spotting Xiao Xi lying in Sister Yuan’s arms through the glass window. She finally had her target.

‘It’s this shop, Xiao Meng!’

Senior Sister handed the binoculars to Xiao Meng, who nodded. They exchanged a glance, and Xiao Meng stood up, ready to dash in and grab Xiao Xi. Luckily, Senior Sister pulled her back just in time.

‘Let go, Senior Sister, I’m going to get my brother back!’ Xiao Meng’s voice was still groggy from sleep. She wasn’t fully awake, and her mind was foggy. She had woken up with the sudden resolve to take Xiao Xi away, but now… now he was in Sister Yuan’s arms again!

Thinking of this, Xiao Meng felt a surge of anger. This operation was a failure, and she felt like she had only increased the intimacy between Xiao Xi and Sister Yuan. This wouldn’t do!

‘I won’t let this stand! I have to settle this today!’ Xiao Meng grumbled, trying to shake off Senior Sister’s grip, but was held firmly in place. Senior Sister pressed her down onto a flower bed, where she sat, fuming.

‘…’

Gao Meiyou was a bit troubled. If only these childhood friends could switch personalities, the problem would be solved in an instant!

‘…’

What should she do? She decided to calm Xiao Meng down first…

‘No, no, we can’t go in, we’ll blow our cover and the whole plan!’ Senior Sister tried to reason with Xiao Meng, who paused…

‘Sister…’

‘Sister, Xiao Xi has already put in so much effort for this plan. Can you bear to let it fail now?’

Gao Meiyou continued to reassure Xiao Meng, but she still wasn’t convinced. She ruffled her hair in frustration, then looked up to Senior Sister for help.

‘Can’t we disguise ourselves and sneak in like before?’

‘Sorry, Xiao Meng, I thought of that too, but…’ Senior Sister pointed to the shop, encouraging Xiao Meng to observe carefully. ‘This place is too small, and there aren’t many seats. If we both go in, we’ll be too conspicuous, and we might be recognized immediately by Sister Yuan. It’s better to stay here…’

‘Then we’ll just stay here!’ Xiao Meng insisted, her voice rising. ‘But Senior Sister, you think of something! Make Sister Yuan dislike Xiao Xi!’

This girl…

Senior Sister shook her head with a wry smile. Xiao Meng was a bit too impatient, but Senior Sister understood. Tonight was off to a bad start. It was her own oversight, and Gao Meiyou felt a sense of defeat.

‘I’m truly sorry, this is all my fault… I didn’t plan for this situation, and without preparation, it’s hard to improvise. I apologize…’

‘Senior Sister, it’s not your fault… It’s just that Xiao Xi is a bit clumsy!’ Xiao Meng quickly shook her head, denying it. Gao Meiyou nodded, agreeing that Xiao Xi was indeed problematic!

It was time to call out the culprit and settle the score! That stupid Xiao Xi!

Gao Meiyou raised the binoculars, observing the shop. She noticed Sister Yuan’s body rise and fall gently, as if she was about to fall asleep.

‘Calling Xiao Xi~ Calling Xiao Xi~ Is your sister asleep? If she is, could you please make a heart shape with your hands at the window for Xiao Meng to see?’

Senior Sister chuckled into the walkie-talkie, and Xiao Meng, blushing, pushed her away.

Lying in Sister Yuan’s embrace, Xiao Xi sighed deeply, glancing out the window. He could see two suspicious figures near the flower bed, and judging by their silhouettes, one was definitely Senior Sister and the other, Xiao Meng.

But making a heart shape at the window? With Sister Yuan right here? That was impossible!

And… was Sister Yuan actually asleep? Xiao Xi tilted his head to look at her chin…

‘Surprise!’ He realized she was indeed sleeping, and he hadn’t noticed. He thought she was just lost in thought. ‘So, I’m on the same level as a boring educational video? Sister… how could you?’

He grumbled and shifted his gaze back to the window. Heart shape… heart shape…

Xiao Xi struggled to free one hand from Sister Yuan’s embrace, forming a small heart shape with his thumb and index finger, and held it up to the window.

‘Hehe, Xiao Meng, look! Your big brother is making a heart shape for you~’ Gao Meiyou teased, ruffling Xiao Meng’s hair. Xiao Meng’s face turned bright red, and she jumped up, protesting, ‘Don’t say that, Senior Sister! I don’t want to see this!’

‘Snicker, Xiao Xi, that’s not the heart shape I meant! Xiao Meng doesn’t want to see that. Make it bigger!’

Senior Sister continued, speaking into the walkie-talkie. Xiao Xi gasped, his eyes widening. ‘Bigger? Does she want me to use both hands?’

That was impossible! The movement was too drastic. Xiao Xi nervously glanced at Sister Yuan, wondering if she would wake up if he made such a gesture.