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Join the Server“Lin, I am truly very sorry.”
“I have profoundly realized that my attitude just now was entirely a mistaken display stemming from my own prejudice.”
“I hope you can accept my apology and, at the same time, grant me an opportunity to make amends!”
“Ah… well, actually, it’s really fine.”
“If anyone should apologize, it ought to be me.”
“So, it’s I who should trouble you to introduce me to Kexin again.”
Lin Shurou’s flustered and awkward demeanor, quite the opposite of what I expected, stirred a pang of guilt within me.
It turned out she had been deeply blaming herself for what happened last Friday, even though I had long since stopped caring…
“Mm, thank you for your understanding.”
After I spoke, I looked over at Cao Kexin, only to see her happily smiling and flashing a peace sign, as she softly uttered:
“V-da~”
When I turned back to Lin Shurou, I saw the other three also expressing their relief to me in their own ways.
Lan Xinyue smiled gently, her expression soft.
Nina playfully covered her mouth, chuckling.
Su Yuanyi simply nodded, the wariness in her eyes towards Lin Shurou having considerably softened.
Indeed, Lin Shurou wasn’t one of those despicable people who required a harsh approach.
Even when resolving issues, a gentler method was always preferable.
“So, Kexin, your big brother will introduce you.”
“This is Lin Shurou, the secretary of our club.”
“She is diligent and eager to learn, humble and polite, and possesses both patience and kindness.”
“She also has excellent calligraphy.”
“She is a woman of remarkable inner virtue and outer grace, truly exceptional.”
“I’m certain you two will get along splendidly.”
“Eh? M-m-m…”
Lin Shurou, instead, found herself unable to utter a single word, lowering her head in considerable embarrassment.
“Ah~ Big Brother, you’re really… quite extreme, aren’t you?”
“Sigh, and please don’t make it so difficult for Kexin.”
As Cao Kexin sighed and hung her head in apparent dejection, the other three also simultaneously displayed rather awkward expressions.
“Eh?”
‘Why?’
‘I had merely stated Lin Shurou’s virtues truthfully.’
‘[50 points…]’
“Zero points.”
“Do it again!”
Su Yuanyi, Nina, and Lan Xinyue spoke one after another.
‘I didn’t mind, but why had this suddenly turned into some sort of competition venue?’
“The three older sisters are right, Big Brother, do it again!”
“…Fine.”
“No, no need!”
“I already fully understand Student Zhao’s sincerity.”
“That, that, Kexin, hello, I am Lin Shurou.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“And, and… I am but a humble young woman, so please take good care of me from now on!”
“…Ah…”
“…”
Silence descended upon the scene for a moment.
“Haha, Sister Lin, there’s no need to be so nervous.”
“Don’t let Big Brother lead you astray!”
“I’m very happy to meet you too!”
“Now, let Kexin formally introduce herself.”
Saying this, Cao Kexin puffed out her cheeks and glared at me, then performed a playful and adorable curtsy towards us.
“To my four older sisters, I am but a humble young girl named Cao Kexin.”
“This year, oh, today I just turned eight years old.”
“I attend Class 3, Grade 2 at the Ninth Public Elementary School.”
“I am also the universally acknowledged, adorable, charming, and mischievous signature mascot and poster girl of my mother’s ‘Sunday Cafe,’ located in District Sixteen.”
“Please take good care of me from now on!~ *Pat-pat-pat-pat*~ *Pat-pat-pat-pat*~”
“Why does she even have to take responsibility for the strange clapping sounds herself?”
“Big Brother, no complaining!”
“Eh?~”
Of course, we all clapped eventually.
“Well then…”
Lan Xinyue said this, looking towards me.
The other three companions also looked over in unison.
‘So, I was still the one who had to shout the slogan, was I?’
‘Alright.’
“Then, one, two~”
“““““Kexin, Happy Birthday!~”””””
Oh!~ I hadn’t expected it to be so perfectly synchronized; it was truly touching.
“\(^o^)/~Thank you!~ Thank you!~ Thank you all so, so much for specially coming to give Kexin your birthday wishes!~”
After making a joyful, flower-scattering gesture with a beaming smile, Cao Kexin, as always, rushed towards me.
“Big Brother, even though it wasn’t exactly as planned, Kexin’s happiness is more than ten times what was expected, so I can give you a separate hundred points!~”
“I really wish I could have gotten that from the start.”
“You’re not allowed to ask for so much; it was clearly your own mistake.”
“That’s true, hahaha…”
“Mm~ And don’t laugh like that either, honestly.”
‘However, I thought nothing could be better than seeing her so happy.’
“Well then, Kexin, I wish you health and happiness.”
“This is a small token of your big brother’s affection; I hope you like it.”
As I spoke, I took a gift out of my bag.
“Thank you, Big Brother, may I open it and see?”
“Of course.”
Cao Kexin first examined the gift wrapping, then carefully unwrapped it.
“Oh~ An annual borrowing card for the regional public library!~”
“It really is exactly as I expected, no surprises at all, hee hee hee~”
“Oh, really, she’s undermining me right to my face.”
“Because it perfectly matches Big Brother’s personality~”
“Don’t worry, Kexin will actively use it as expected!”
Heh heh.
‘She truly lived up to her reputation as a mischievous signature mascot.’
“Once you’ve given your gift, don’t hog the spot.”
Lan Xinyue unceremoniously pushed me aside.
“Kexin, I wish you all the best.”
“This is a small token from your Sister Lan; I hope you like it.”
‘Judging by the packaging, her gift seemed to be of the same type as mine.’
‘That itself wasn’t an issue; it was just… I only hoped it wasn’t what I was imagining.’
“Thank you, Sister Lan, then Kexin will open it without hesitation~”
“Oh, you’re even teasing your sister now, are you?”
“Go on, open it and see.”
“Hee hee hee~… Wow! It’s an annual family pass to See You Park!!~”
“But, Sister Lan, this isn’t a ‘small token’ at all, and isn’t it a bit too valuable?”
After an involuntary cheer, Cao Kexin became a little flustered.
‘Indeed, while it certainly wasn’t what I had imagined, the cost for a family of three to enjoy one day at that amusement park already far exceeded my ‘imposed current debt.”
‘Moreover, an annual family pass, allowing entry at any time, held an implicit value that would naturally make her hesitant.’
“Oh, you’re truly too sensible for your own good.”
Lan Xinyue, both exasperated and amused, ruffled Cao Kexin’s head, then leaned in and whispered something into her ear.
“Eh? Is that true?”
After hearing it, Cao Kexin stared blankly at Lan Xinyue.
‘It seemed some of Lan Xinyue’s financial background had been revealed.’
“Mm, so your sister really hopes you’ll use it actively.”
“Just accept it without worry.”
“…Alright, Kexin will gratefully accept it then.”
“Thank you again, Sister Lan.”
Saying this, she hugged Lan Xinyue, playfully nestling in her embrace for a moment.
‘Speaking of which, why was it that no one jumped out at a time like this to make the young lady receive the same treatment as me?’
‘So, you guys are sometimes really too much, you know.’
Next, it was naturally Nina’s turn.
“Kexin, I wish you happiness and joy.”
“This is something Sister Nina carefully chose for you, quickly open it and see.”
“I’m sure you’ll love it~”
What she handed over was a gift box slightly larger than a mini speaker.
“Thank you, Sister Nina, Kexin’s heart can’t help but race with anticipation.”
“Heh heh~ Just hearing you say that already makes your sister very happy.”
After Cao Kexin unwrapped the packaging, she took out a meticulously crafted, pink three-dimensional cartoon cat charm, displaying a cheerful smile.
“Wow!~ So cute~ Mm…”
She gazed at the charm for a moment, then directly clipped it onto the left side of her schoolbag.
“Sister Nina, this spot should be quite good, what do you think?”
“Mm, it really suits it perfectly.”
“For such an exquisitely cute charm, Sister must have spent a lot of time on it, right?”
“Kexin will cherish it dearly.”
“Then your sister hopes you can always carry it with you, can you?”
“Mm! Kexin will do that!”
‘Ah haha, it’s good that you’re happy, but why do I feel that the cat’s left eye, gold, and right eye, blue, look a little… off?’
‘Nevermind.’
‘When two young ladies of their standing made a move, their gifts naturally had to be meaningful and also fitting for their status, didn’t they?’
‘Moreover, the charm wasn’t large, and its color and design were quite common, so unless one observed it closely, it wouldn’t draw too much attention.’
Su Yuanyi, meanwhile, took an object from her bag that was slightly larger than a common exercise book by about two times.
It looked like a photo frame.
She handed it to Cao Kexin.
“Kexin… I wish you… constant good fortune… Please accept this.”
Saying this, she had already pressed the gift into Cao Kexin’s hands, unable to say anything more.
“Thank you, Sister Su, then Kexin will open it now.”
“Mm, mm.”
‘This trick again?’
“Wow!~ What a beautiful painting!~ Did Sister paint it herself?”
“Mm, mm.”
‘Alright, I suppose this habit wouldn’t change anytime soon.’
Moreover, the painting, already framed, which Cao Kexin held in her hands after opening it, was indeed stunning.
It depicted a family of three on a beach under a brilliant night sky.
In the center, a little girl with twin pigtails raised her hands towards the dazzling starry heavens, while her parents, on either side, reached out to hold her hands.
Although they were all seen from behind, it was likely a scene Su Yuanyi had constructed from her imagination, based on Lan Xinyue’s verbal descriptions of Cao Kexin over the past few days.
Yet, even I, someone without much knowledge of art, could discern not only the delicate and vibrant personalities of the family members from the exceptionally intricate composition and fluid, powerful lines, but also the overflowing warmth and happiness of a family gathered together.
There was even a profoundness that I couldn’t immediately find words to describe.
‘How impressive.’
‘Su Yuanyi’s talent in painting might even surpass Nina’s in singing and dancing.’
“Sister is so amazing, Kexin feels so full of blessings.”
“If you like it, that’s good.”
Su Yuanyi shyly covered what must have been her upturned lips with her bag.
“Kexin, I wish your life to be warm and beautiful.”
“This is a token from your Sister Lin; I hope you like it.”
Once Cao Kexin placed the framed painting into her schoolbag, Lin Shurou stepped forward, offering a gift whose packaging was roughly the size of a seven-inch screen, but thicker than the packaging we had used for cards earlier.
“Thank you, Sister Lin, Kexin will open it and see now~”
“Mm.”
“Oh~ What a beautiful jasmine flower!”
“It’s a pity Kexin doesn’t recognize this leaf.”
“Is this what they call an everlasting flower (TL Note: A preserved flower, often treated to maintain its appearance and longevity.)?”
The square bookmark Cao Kexin took out was made of transparent resin, approximately four centimeters wide and fifteen centimeters long.
I couldn’t precisely state its thickness, as it encased a blooming jasmine flower, with a Bodhi leaf (TL Note: A sacred fig leaf, often used in Buddhist symbolism.) beneath it, re-dyed green, making the lower part slightly thinner.
“Mm, the jasmine is from my own garden, and the Bodhi leaf below was made from stock the shop had previously prepared.”
“So this leaf is called a Bodhi leaf, and this jasmine flower has bloomed so beautifully!”
“It instantly makes me imagine Sister carefully tending to them, and the abundant sincerity of your thoughtful consideration for Kexin.”
“Kexin truly loves it, and will certainly use it well.”
“Thank you, I’m so glad you like it.”
“Why is Sister thanking me?”
“It’s Kexin who should thank everyone for choosing such wonderful gifts for me.”
Saying this, Cao Kexin stepped forward and hugged Lin Shurou.
I noticed that as Lin Shurou somewhat awkwardly returned the embrace, she also quietly let out a sigh of relief.
‘The jasmine flower symbolizes ‘purity, elegance, and beauty,’ while the Bodhi leaf represents ‘enduring wisdom and everlasting hope.”
‘From this, it was clear that Lin Shurou had given much earnest thought to selecting this gift, considering its practicality, aesthetic appeal, and the blessings it conveyed.’
‘Furthermore, transforming a freshly picked jasmine flower into an everlasting flower requires at least two days, proving that she had put considerable effort into preparing it as soon as she learned about the occasion.’
‘Considering all this, I couldn’t help but feel even more remorse for my earlier actions.’
“Alright, since the gift-giving segment is over, Kexin, let’s head back together.”
“As for the idler, kindly step aside.”
Once Cao Kexin released Lin Shurou, Lan Xinyue playfully smirked at me, effectively dismissing me.
‘Indeed, who else could she be referring to as the idler but me?’
“Eh? Big Brother, are you leaving already?”
“Yes, Kexin, I’m truly sorry, but Big Brother still has to go to work.”
“So, our originally planned outing will have to be postponed for now.”
‘After having the school doctor check me yesterday, perhaps it was due to my youth?’
‘In any case, after confirming that my physical condition had recovered well enough for a certain degree of strenuous labor, I took the accident report and specifically went to the convenience store to explain the situation to the manager, receiving permission to start work an hour late today.’
‘After all, while last week’s accident was something no one wished for, if my physical condition still couldn’t support working today, I would have likely considered proactively resigning to avoid causing further trouble.’
‘But since I could work, I naturally couldn’t take another day off; such an attitude would disrespect both the kind and accommodating manager and the job itself.’
‘Though I felt both guilty and regretful about being unable to keep my promise to walk Cao Kexin home and play along the way, I could only find an opportunity to make it up to her later.’
“It’s okay, Big Brother, work hard!”
“And Kexin is already very satisfied; thinking that I’ll even get a second blessing on Sunday is just incredibly satisfying!~”
“Then Kexin, just go home happily with your four older sisters, and don’t hold back on the way; spoil them with your cuteness.”
“Mm, so Big Brother really hasn’t learned his lesson.”
“You shouldn’t speak so shamelessly.”
“To receive active help from four older sisters means you’ve gained their care and trust, so you should express your gratitude.”
“Mm, you’re absolutely right.”
I ruffled Cao Kexin’s head, then waved to the others.
“Thank you all for your help, I’ll be taking my leave now.”
“Kexin is in your care.”
“You’re really being overly sentimental, just go quickly.”
“We’ll take good care of Kexin, don’t worry.”
“Yes, Qiuqiu, don’t worry, but while you should work hard, don’t push yourself too much.”
‘[Be careful on your way, you still have plenty of time, don’t rush.]’
‘[I’ll drop by to check on you when I head back.]’
“Student Zhao, I’m also very happy to have given Kexin birthday wishes today.”
“Please take care of yourself.”
“Alright, I’ve noted everything.”
“Kexin, bye-bye, see you this weekend.”
“Bye-bye, see you this weekend~”
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