Chapter 20: Hurry and Hide!

Something felt off, but Ling Yuan couldn’t pinpoint what.

“Thanks, Class President!”

Once he finished eating and listened to her explain the questions, he could leave this terrifying place, right?

Her food was really good, though—way better than Yan Xi’s. When would Yan Xi ever cook like this?

Watching Ling Yuan devour the meal she made, a faint smile lingered on Yixin Xue’s lips.

She propped her head on her hand, observing with interest until he downed the watermelon juice in one go.

“Phew—ahh—refreshing!”

He cleaned the bowl, not leaving a single grain of rice.

“You’re not eating, Class President?”

Ling Yuan noticed she hadn’t touched her food, just watched him.

“Hm… I’m just happy you didn’t run away~”

[I’d have to be able to run!]

“I didn’t want to see you upset…”

“Really? That’s sweet.”

Knock, knock—

The sudden knock startled them both.

“Xue’er, you home?”

Yixin Xue’s flame-red eyes widened. She grabbed Ling Yuan’s hand in a panic.

“Quick, hide in my bedroom!”

“!?”

Ling Yuan was baffled.

“Don’t you live alone? Your parents back?”

“No, just hide!”

She shoved him into the bedroom, fixed her clothes, and headed to the door.

Her heart raced, unease spreading across her face.

“What brings you here, Yingnan?”

“Ugh, Xue’er, what took you so long to open the door?”

Yingnan Xue crossed her arms, glaring into the apartment.

“I smell a guy.”

Yixin Xue waved it off, forcing a wry smile.

“No way. Am I the type to bring guys home? Men only slow down my studying.”

Yingnan nodded but didn’t speak, her eyes scanning every corner, landing on the table—one empty lunchbox, one untouched.

“Hmph.”

Yingnan seemed to catch on, leaning closer to whisper.

“Don’t you like Ling Yuan? Did he agree to be with you?”

“!?”

Yixin Xue’s face flushed red.

“Yingnan, what are you talking about!”

Her blush came from her recent actions with Ling Yuan. She’d gone that far, and he still rejected her. If Yingnan found out, it’d be the biggest joke of the year.

“Oh~”

Yingnan smirked knowingly.

“Your outfit’s off today~ You always wear a bra, but not today, and that top’s so thin. If you look closely~”

“Yingnan!”

Yixin Xue crossed her arms, turning away in embarrassment.

“It’s my house! I wear what I want!”

“Nuh-uh~”

Yingnan wagged a finger.

“Don’t fool your big sister. That skirt’s short too—trying to show off without showing off. Otherwise, you’d be wearing those wild clothes from your closet.”

She paused, grinning slyly.

“And your face is redder than usual~ Hiding some naughty secret?”

“N-no…”

Yixin Xue fidgeted with her hair, eyes darting, the air turning awkwardly tense.

“Come on~ New clothes? Even wilder than before?”

“Uh… yeah…”

Yixin Xue stood there, silently praying her sister wouldn’t go to the bedroom.

“Meow~”

“Eek!? When did you get a cat!?”

Yingnan scooped up the kitten excitedly.

“It’s pure white like you! Got a name yet?”

“Picked it up last night. Not yet…”

“Then let’s call it Xinxin Meow!”

“What kind of weird name is that?”

Yixin Xue stared, dumbfounded.

“It’s just like you, Xue’er, except for the eyes.”

Yingnan nuzzled the kitten’s soft belly.

“So cute~ Just like Xue’er~ I love it~”

Yixin Xue was floored. Why did she have such a weird sister!?

“I came to share good news~”

Yingnan set Xinxin Meow down, teasing it with her hand.

“Hm?”

“Next week, I’m transferring to your school!”

“Aren’t you supposed to go to Canada?”

Yixin Xue’s eyes widened in shock. At Slovia International School, top students transferred to partner high schools abroad by the second semester of sophomore year.

“Hehe, I wanna stay with you.”

Yingnan grinned.

“Lemme see your bed—big enough for two~?”

Before Yixin Xue could react, Yingnan pushed open the bedroom door, half-stepping inside.

“Wait, Yingnan!”

***

“Ah~”

For some reason, Ling Yuan felt overwhelmingly sleepy.

Propping himself against the wall, he struggled to keep his eyes open. His eyelids felt like lead, his limbs weak, his steps wobbly.

Where to hide…

Most people pick under the bed, but Yixin Xue’s bed had storage drawers—too small for a person.

Where, then…

So sleepy…

He felt like he’d collapse any second, like he’d stayed up gaming for three days and then sat through an English lecture.

His gaze landed on the wardrobe by the wall.

Those closets looked huge…

In a daze, he stumbled over, his tired mind certain they could fit multiple people.

So sleepy, so sleepy… How…?

Opening the wardrobe, he tipped forward, collapsing inside.

Girls’ clothes smelled so good. What laundry detergent did she use? Lavender… It’d make his dreams smell sweet…

***

“What’s with you today, Xue’er? All this fuss?”

Yingnan patted her chest. It was just a bedroom, but Yixin Xue’s scream was like she’d seen a ghost.

“Don’t rush, I’ll tidy up first…”

Yixin Xue blocked the doorway, trying to keep her sister out.

“We’re sisters, who cares?”

Yingnan just wanted to check the bed’s size.

“No, no…”

Ignoring her, Yingnan slipped past into the bedroom.

“It’s messy, huh. Stockings, bras, panties everywhere… and, uh…”