Chapter 66: Precious Company

YuXi, without a word, grabbed YuYang’s hand and pulled him toward the school gate.

Even though YuYang was a certified doting brother, he still needed to discuss this with her and at least try to persuade her.

He couldn’t just skip work without reason.

Keeping up the forward momentum, YuYang quickly said, “Xiao Xi? Wait a moment!”

Then…

She actually stopped on the spot.

For YuXi, her brother’s words were absolute. Even though she was emotionally stirred, she was afraid of troubling him.

She slowly turned around and looked at YuYang’s face. “What’s wrong… Brother? You might get a fever, you, you need to rest…”

Even though she spoke naturally, YuYang could see through it.

“There’s nothing wrong with that statement.” YuYang’s expression turned serious. “But Xiao Xi, haven’t I always told you: if something’s bothering you, you have to be honest with me and not bear it alone. That’s our family motto. When one feels down, we talk it out.”

“But… I didn’t mean anything else. I just hope you can rest a bit…”

“Do we really need to dance around each other like this? Then I’ll be straightforward, Xiao Xi. You’re rushing me home. It’s not really because you’re worried about me catching QingYu’s cold, is it? You know I’m physically strong—I’ve never been infected by her. So what’s really going on? You’re worrying me, you know.”

YuYang stepped closer, looking into her eyes from a short distance, as if trying to read her mood.

“Mmm…”

‘Brother, that’s cheating… you’re so close…’ YuXi almost blurted out, but she was naturally calm, so she took a deep breath and controlled herself.

She definitely couldn’t say anything about rebirth now.

But still… thinking about Mo Sishi’s rebirth, YuXi felt deeply unsettled. At least today, she really hoped her brother would stay at home, by her side.

For now, the priority was to put her brother at ease…

Really, when had she become so impulsive? That wouldn’t do.

YuXi’s ability to adjust her state was terrifyingly fast. In just a few breaths, she had almost returned to her usual demeanor.

“I’m sorry… Brother. I was too impulsive.”

She admitted her mistake properly and slowly let go of YuYang’s hand. “I’ve just been a bit tense lately… It’s the start of the semester, and with Sister QingYu suddenly falling ill, and you going to work every day, I got a little willful… Go to work, Brother. I’ll go home and cook, waiting for you. Come back early, alright?~”

‘Right, alright?~’ Little girl, you’re clearly forcing a smile.

No matter how naturally she acted, as siblings who had grown up together, how could YuYang not sense it?

But this reminded YuYang of something.

In his previous life, around this same time, there was an event he remembered vividly.

It was the time Xiao Xi had cried bitterly because of his part-time job.

Partly because she felt sorry for him—sorry that he worked so hard—and partly because she was lonely. Before this, the siblings had stuck together every day. Now that YuYang was working, it meant that after school, Xiao Xi would be home alone most of the time. It was already hard to see each other during school…

So back then, YuXi had released her emotions and cried in front of YuYang. It had broken his heart.

Now… was it around that time again?

Thinking of this, YuYang shrugged helplessly and said casually,

“I’ll take today off from work.”

“Huh? Why? I’m fine now, so…”

“You might be fine, but now I’m not. My Xiao Xi feels lonely. I want to take the day off to keep my sister company. Is that a valid reason for leave?”

“Ah…”

If she were a slightly tsundere sister, she might have said, ‘I’m not lonely,’ but YuXi really wanted this.

She gently pinched the hem of YuYang’s shirt, her cheeks slightly flushed, and said in a low voice,

“Thank you, Brother… Then, how about we buy more groceries on the way home? I’ve learned a few new dishes recently and have been wanting to cook them for you.”

YuXi couldn’t suppress the joy in her voice. It came out with a slight tremble.

Happiness was actually very simple.

She never imagined that her brother would actually stay home with her today.

From YuYang’s perspective, Xiao Xi had been frowning just a moment ago, but now the usually composed her was smiling so adorably, just like when she was a child.

The smile she couldn’t hide on her face seemed even brighter than when she got first place in the city exams.

Yes, companionship between family—so simple to say, yet so precious in practice.

YuYang had only one word in his heart now.

Worth it!

This leave—totally worth it!

“But Xiao Xi, can you wait here for me? I just came back from the neighborhood and haven’t gone back to the classroom. I need to grab my backpack. Looks like the second-year high schoolers are already dismissed.”

“Okay! I’ll go with you.”

“No need, no need. It’s tiring to run back and forth. Wait here. We’re going to buy groceries later, right? Just make a list of what we need in your notes. I’ll come back and we can go together.”

“Mm-hmm! Then you can look forward to it, Brother~ I’m really going to show off my skills today.”

‘No, no, Xiao Xi, with your little arms, even if you flex, there’s no muscle at all.’

YuYang was amused by her gesture and then jogged off.

It was true that he was going back to the classroom for his backpack, but if he wasn’t mistaken, there should be something else.

YuYang pushed open the classroom door. The setting sun cast an oblique glow, filling the room with the peaceful quiet unique to after school.

Everyone had already left.

Except for the person in front of his desk—Mo Sishi, who was still sitting there steadily.

She had been quietly doing her homework. When she saw YuYang come in, she immediately put down her pen and raised both arms, waving at him.

“Yahoo! The truant class monitor finally returns?”

“Hmm? You knew I’d come back? But everyone’s already gone.”

He walked behind her and picked up his backpack.

“Heh heh, you knew I’d be waiting for you too, didn’t you? That’s what they call the telepathy of an old married couple! That’s love!”

“Old married couple my head… Pfft, Sishi, are you calling yourself old by saying that?” YuYang cleverly spotted the trap she had set for herself.

Mo Sishi reacted instantly.

“Oh! Bai YuYang, how dare you say that about me! I’m only twenty-four… Ah, no, from the rebirth perspective, I’m eighteen now. Big win!”

“Yeah, yeah, big win. Don’t move.”

The classroom was empty.

YuYang slung his crossbody bag over his shoulder, turned around, and suddenly cupped Mo Sishi’s cheeks with both hands.

“Mew?!”

She was obviously startled, blinking in surprise through her thick bangs.

Feeling the warmth of YuYang’s hands on her cheeks, she felt her own face heat up rapidly.

Of course, even in her surprise, she reflexively rubbed her cheek against his palm.

“Don’t move. Let me take a look.”

YuYang’s voice was direct and serious, catching her off guard.

Mo Sishi’s face turned completely red.

“L-look?! Wait, um, YuYang, I’m totally fine with you looking, but can we do it somewhere else? The classroom is too… Ah, we can go to my place, I…”

“What are you saying? Just one look.”

“Huh?”

Mo Sishi vaguely felt she might have misunderstood something…

Sure enough.

As he spoke, YuYang used his left hand to take off her glasses, and with his right hand, he lifted her bangs.

Mo Sishi’s stunning face, now carrying a trace of surprise and a blush, was fully revealed before YuYang.

Then… her shyness instantly turned into speechlessness.

‘What the heck… He just wanted to see my face!’

Tsk, it seemed the path to victory was still long and arduous.

“Do I look good? Want me to give you another smile?”

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