Chapter 42: A Sister’s Scrutiny

“Hmm, little brother, this scent on you isn’t Yueyue’s, nor Nana’s, and certainly not Yuanyi’s. It couldn’t possibly be Xinyue’s, could it?”

“Are you a dog?”

“Cows have excellent senses of smell too, you know.”

“…”

Alright, my older sister truly is something else.

Even though I was aware that ordering food in the bustling Gourmet Town inevitably led to some close contact with Fifth Ziyuan due to the crowds, how much scent could possibly cling to me from that?

What’s more, I had not only changed my clothes and showered, but a considerable amount of time had passed since then; yet, there was still a lingering trace.

Could it be that this was simply the high-end product used by a young lady of noble birth?

‘No, wait, this woman isn’t trying to trick me, is she!’

“Hmph~ Your attitude clearly shows it’s not Xinyue. You’re being naughty, little brother; you already have three, and yet you’re trying to add more?”

“Come on, forget about others, but how can you not understand the situation?”

‘Ah, I’d truly fallen right into her trap without realizing it.’

‘It seemed she was determined to pin a crime on me, finding any excuse to do so.’

“Oh, right, when you went to see Xinyue, you weren’t late, were you?”

“No, she was very happy. By the way, how did you know?”

“Because you never check social media.”

“Oh…”

“Ah, it’s such a pity. If the club hadn’t suddenly had something come up today, I would have loved to give Xinyue her gift today too…”

Saying this, she flopped onto my bed, burying her face in the pillow, her bent legs lightly patting the sheets without cease.

“Then why don’t you just go now?”

“Hey~ You heartless, good-for-nothing little brother! What kind of logic dictates that your youthful, beautiful, and most, most, most, most beloved older sister should go out alone at ten at night?”

“So you just want me to go with you, and why are you sprawled out on my bed anyway?”

Had she not showered immediately upon returning, I likely would have already thrown her off.

“Because I don’t have to bother standing; otherwise, why would I bother?”

“Then don’t be so self-righteous about it.”

She even dared to glare at me, which was quite infuriating.

However, these past few nights, she had been pulling similar stunts. It was clear her emotions hadn’t fully stabilized, and she wanted someone to talk to, especially me, her younger brother, who could naturally allow her to speak freely.

This mindset was good; it was far better than a certain young lady who currently dared not face the situation.

‘That’s not quite right, though; at least she did come with me to the Sunday coffee shop.’

Recalling this, I couldn’t help but turn my head to look out the window, where I saw the living room lights still on in the house next door.

“You shouldn’t try to disturb a girl living alone at this hour, you know; you might get electrocuted at the door.”

“I never said I was going.”

I retorted testily, returning my gaze to the book on my desk, and the room immediately fell silent.

After reading a few pages, Zhao Qingxia brought up the topic again.

“Seriously, little brother, all three are good girls. Have you decided who you want to choose?”

“…Can’t we talk about something else?”

‘She truly couldn’t stay off this topic for more than three minutes. She needed to get rid of that damned love-struck brain!’

“But if things continue like this, it will eventually lead to major problems. You don’t want to see that kind of scene, do you?”

“But from beginning to end, none of us, not a single one, has ever expressed any such intentions. Couldn’t this just be your own imagination?”

“Little brother, I finally understand why Yueyue always says you don’t understand women’s hearts. Things like this… how could they be easily spoken aloud?”

I first glanced at my older sister, who had clearly grown disheartened, and couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

“Huh?~ But they were all very bold in confessing to the people they liked. It’s not like I’d suddenly become shy if it were me, so you must just be overthinking it.”

“Hmm… wait a minute. I know the situation with Yueyue and Yuanyi, but Nana hasn’t confessed to anyone, has she? Are you including her in this too?”

I tilted my head and thought for a moment.

“I haven’t looked into that, and as you said, how could I actively ask about something like that? When Nana wants to talk about it, I’ll naturally know.”

“Uh… that’s true, but I think even if she isn’t as shy as I am, she’d probably keep it to herself.”

“Shy? Where were you shy?! It would have been better if you hadn’t mentioned it. Have you forgotten what happened last Saturday, and why it occurred in the first place?!”

“Waaah~ Don’t poke at my sore spot…”

“Hmph, it’s good that you know yourself.”

Regarding what happened last Saturday, I only found out after interrogating her when I got home that she was entirely to blame.

Had she not posted photos of herself playing in Linting Park on social media, those two scoundrels wouldn’t have been drawn there.

Not only was it truly her own doing, but it also implicated others.

Even now, I was still seething with indignation.

So, how could someone who did such a thing be considered shy?

It also indirectly confirmed that while she was indeed famous in the university district, there were also many people who couldn’t stand to see her succeed.

‘Ah, it truly was strange. Aside from her occasional scatterbrained moments, my older sister’s personality was actually quite good, so why was her popularity always so consistently poor?’

‘Well, I suppose I’m not really in a position to say that.’

“But little brother, what if—and I mean *what if*—one day, one of them truly falls for you and confesses their feelings? What would you do then?”

“…”

‘So, this topic was going to continue after all.’

‘And… was such a possibility even real?’

I considered it carefully before offering my response.

“What else could I do? Of course, I’d give it serious thought and then give them a reply.”

Beyond that, I couldn’t imagine anything else.

“Sigh… it seems you truly don’t have feelings in that regard. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be ‘serious consideration,’ but a decisive ‘yes,’ wouldn’t it?”

“Yes, after all, they are all very outstanding.”

“You wouldn’t deny that, would you?”

“How could I deny it?”

‘Was this person’s occasional habit of saying strange things something that could never be cured?’

“Speaking of which, isn’t Yueyue working on the club’s journal? Aren’t you going to put in a little effort? You’re just leisurely reading your own book.”

“It’s precisely because of this that I’m flipping through books here. Otherwise, I would have already chased you away and been sleeping soundly.”

I said, showing her the cover of the book in my hand.

“Oh~ that’s commendable, but my dear little brother, ‘Though the Otherworld is Overly Dangerous, My Detection Skill is Unstoppable’—isn’t that just a regular light novel? Who exactly are you trying to placate?”

“Then you tell me first: generally speaking, for a club whose main purpose is very clear but cannot be casually mentioned to others, what kind of content would its journal publish?”

“…Ah~ you’re right. If the published articles had to adhere to the club’s main purpose, it would turn into a public execution for Yueyue and Yuanyi. That’s no laughing matter.”

‘I thought you hadn’t even considered that.’

“That’s why I can only flip through more books I find interesting, looking for inspiration and borrowing some ideas. Well, even in the best-case scenario, I can only ensure that what I write is passable, but that should be enough, right?”

“That’s quite perfunctory.”

“That’s called acting within one’s capabilities. Are you expecting me to suddenly write an article that wins a world-class award?”

“Hmm~ another hundred years of study might get you there.”

“You’re certainly not shy about pouring cold water on my efforts.”

“Because I originally thought you’d just copy some paragraphs, then write your own thoughts or casual comments, and just gloss over it to save yourself trouble.”

“Huh?…”

‘Oh, right, why didn’t I think of such a brilliant method?’

“Wait, wait! I just said that casually, don’t actually do it! Yueyue definitely won’t let you off the hook, alright?”

“Why should she necessarily let me off the hook? I’ve already sacrificed quite a bit of my integrity for her.”

Believing it necessary to have a proper discussion with her about this, I temporarily closed my book and set it aside, then swiveled my chair to face her.

“Eh?!~ That sounds completely wrong! Generally speaking, isn’t it just about putting in effort?”

“Would an ordinary person diligently go and stalk a male student from another class?”

“Uwah~ No matter how many times I hear it, it still sounds quite bad, but wasn’t that done for Yuanyi?”

“However, the one who brought it up was that young lady herself. Every wrong has its perpetrator, and every debt its debtor; if not her, then who?”

Zhao Qingxia first froze with a hint of awkwardness, then sat up and waved her hand at me.

“Oh, come on~ Don’t be so petty! Can’t you just obediently write something? With your reading volume, no one would laugh at you anyway.”

“…While that’s true, praising someone at a time like this seems a bit too transparent, doesn’t it?”

“Haha, well, you’re my little brother, after all. I’m just looking out for you.”

“Do you even believe that yourself?”

“Tsk~ Don’t undermine me at a time like this.”

“Then don’t go smacking your lips so carelessly, especially when we’re out. Your rare image as a beauty is completely ruined in an instant.”

“Whoa?!~ I thought I’d never hear words like that from you. Mmm, mmm, it seems you still know your older sister is a beauty, huh?”

‘This person truly brightened up at the slightest encouragement.’

“Then what are the others planning to publish?”

‘The topic switch was certainly seamless.’

“I’m not too sure about Xinyue. As for Yuanyi, she’ll likely be in charge of the cover art or something similar, no surprise there. Oh, you weren’t there today, so you didn’t get to see it, but the painting she gave Kexin would probably stand out even in some well-known art exhibitions.”

“Oh~ that must be really impressive, since you rarely praise someone’s special talents like that.”

“Well, I’m not stingy to the extent you imagine. As for the new members, I’m even less clear. Since you’ve looked at social media, you should know who it is. As for Nana, she’ll probably contribute something in a guest capacity.”

“Hmm~ Shurou is also a very endearing girl. It’s just that I originally thought Nana was already a club member, so it’s surprising to hear the word ‘guest appearance’.”

“Aren’t you quite clear about our club’s purpose? And you were just speaking up for Nana earlier, but now you want to turn around and blame her? You’re contradicting yourself too much.”

“Hmm~ I just feel like it makes Nana seem a bit isolated?”

She crossed her arms, looking quite troubled, indicating that she was genuinely concerned for Nina.

“That’s absolutely impossible. No matter what, she’s a mutual friend of mine and Xinyue’s. Eh!?”

Zhao Qingxia suddenly puffed up, grabbed a pillow, and threw it at me. I quickly caught it in my arms.

“What are you doing?”

I tossed the pillow back.

Zhao Qingxia caught it, then angrily squeezed the pillow into a strange shape with force.

“Hey~ That’s not a cushion or a doll, and it’s mine! Can’t you be a bit gentler?”

“I don’t care! When are you finally going to admit that Yueyue is already half our family?”

‘Sigh, so this was what she was upset about.’

“Stop fooling around. That’s your and Mom’s arbitrary recognition. While I don’t know Dad’s exact thoughts, he definitely wouldn’t think that way, and he’d have many reservations. After all, how can someone suddenly barge into another’s family dinner and become ‘half a family member’?”

It could only be said that Lan Xinyue had an excellent image and a sweet tongue; she was not only skilled at all household chores but also diligent and proactive. Moreover, she had encountered the special circumstances of my soft-hearted mother and my sister, who loved to stir up trouble.

In any other household, she probably would have been chased out long ago, no matter whose young lady she was.

‘Hmm, no, that’s not quite right. There are probably countless people who would want to curry favor with the daughter of Dragon Orchid Heavy Industries.’

‘Wait, why does it suddenly sound like I’m just praising her? How strange.’

In any case, if someone were to say that she and I are friends now, I would readily admit it.

Because our current relationship is indeed infinitely better than that of strangers.

However, to say that she has truly become a part of the family, or even ‘half a family member,’ honestly, I don’t think she herself would admit it.

Given my sister’s reaction, I could only hope that she and Mother hadn’t spoken this way outside the house.

After all, it would be fine for those unaware of Lan Xinyue’s specific situation, but those who knew her identity would likely immediately accuse us of fantasizing and making baseless claims about our relationship.

“Sigh… you really don’t understand Yueyue enough. Never mind, I won’t talk about this with you for now.”

‘That’s what I should be hoping for, since it’s practically like talking to a brick wall.’

“Or perhaps, when you can casually chat with Yueyue like you’re chatting with me now, you’ll understand.”

“Didn’t you say we wouldn’t talk about it for now? Why are you suddenly twisting the knife again?”

“If I really wanted to twist the knife, I’d call Yueyue over right now.”

“Oh, please. It’s so late. If it were you, you’d definitely get electrocuted at the door too.”

“Hmph~ Underestimating your older sister, are you? Believe it or not, if I went over now, I’d not only enjoy a soft, fragrant Yueyue pillow all night, but I’d also wake up tomorrow to a steaming, loving breakfast.”

“Even if that situation you described were to happen, it would definitely be out of her helplessness, and partly considering our neighborly relations, a half-hearted acceptance. It’s nothing to brag about.”

“Huh?”

I finished speaking, feeling helpless, but Zhao Qingxia was stunned in surprise.

“What’s wrong?”

“Shouldn’t it be ‘reluctantly’?”

“…Didn’t I just say that?”

“You said ‘half-hearted acceptance’.”

“…Are you sure?”

‘I wouldn’t use the wrong idiom at a time like this, would I?’

“Positive. I just didn’t record it. Think carefully yourself.”

“…It seems, you’re right.”

‘Damn it, I’ve definitely been influenced by Nana.’

“Pfft, hahahaha~ You actually made such a mistake too! That’s rare!”

“Don’t laugh so exaggeratedly.”

‘It was just a tiny mistake, wasn’t it?’

Zhao Qingxia didn’t go too far this time, quickly stopping her exaggerated laughter.

“But there must be a reason for everything. Who exactly influenced you?”

‘As expected of my own sister.’

“Nana, of course. Sometimes she deliberately uses opposite idioms to be playful.”

“Deliberately?”

“Yes, while she is indeed very innocent, she’s also smart. For many things, she just doesn’t want to waste time thinking about them intentionally. In truth, once an event passes, she understands everything clearly.”

“Hearing you say that, Nana seems to be a problem child too. You should keep an eye on her.”

“Calling her a problem child is a bit much, and even without your reminder, I’d definitely look out for her.”

“Heh~ That’s truly an enviable friendship, isn’t it~”

Watching her mischievous grin, I couldn’t help but feel annoyed.

“You deliberately emphasized that, didn’t you?”

“Yes, didn’t you hear it?”

*Slap*

I immediately clenched my right fist and struck my left palm.

“Zhao Qingxia, are you looking for a fight again?”

“Who’s afraid of whom, Zhao Wangqiu? Come on if you dare.”

“Why don’t *you* come over? That’s *my* bed. If it gets messed up, won’t I be the one who has to tidy it?”

“Because I’m your sister, and given your undefeated record in our wrestling matches so far, do I need to add anything else?”

“…Speaking of which, how did you meet Sister Qi?”

‘I really hadn’t asked that question before.’

“…The topic change is too abrupt! Take this!~”

“Whoa!~ You’re cheating!”

“Then just admit defeat obediently, and then read your book properly, and then…”

“Whaaaat?!”

She suddenly loosened her grip, which almost caused me to pull her down onto the bed with me.

“Sister?”

Zhao Qingxia, however, suddenly hugged me.

“You must treat them well and not betray their true feelings, my best little brother.”

“Uwah~ That’s too sappy, let go!”

“No way~ This is what I was waiting for!~”

Saying this, she began to attack my sides and armpits with her hands.

“Wait! Ahahaha!~”

“Hee-ho, hee-ho, hee-ho~”

‘I’m doomed. All my weak spots. I can only hope we don’t wake Mom and Dad.’

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