The siblings sat at the dining table, the atmosphere somewhat chilly.
It was mainly Jiang Zhiyao who felt a bit guilty. After all, no matter how you looked at it, she had kept things from Jiang Linyuan.
Even though he didn't seem to mind, she still felt a little embarrassed.
Jiang Zhiyao gently kicked him under the table, turned her face away, and whispered:
"Brother, I shouldn't have hidden things from you."
"It's fine. Your brother has also kept plenty of things from you."
Jiang Linyuan waved his hand dismissively, completely unconcerned.
Such a small matter. Silly little sister, feeling guilty over this.
With your attitude,
if I told you that the rabbit you raised for three months as a child didn't actually disappear by accident, but was secretly offered up to Mom to cook,
would you still make me kneel and apologize to you?
"What have you hidden from me?"
Hearing this, Jiang Zhiyao turned her head back, her bright eyes fixed on him:
"I felt something was off last time when you wouldn't let me see your WeChat! What are you hiding? Did you do something bad behind my back?"
Jiang Linyuan sighed with a look of regret:
"There are some things I just didn't tell you because I didn't want my little sister to worry."
As he spoke, he picked up a piece of braised pork rib and placed it in Jiang Zhiyao's bowl:
"Your favorite braised pork ribs. Eat more."
Jiang Zhiyao was already feeling a bit guilty. Seeing Jiang Linyuan like this, she immediately began to reflect on whether her questioning tone had been too aggressive.
Next time I press him for answers, I'll be gentler.
"Mhm, I know. But you still have to show me your WeChat contact list today, no arguments."
Jiang Zhiyao said softly.
This Haji Yao, why is she so stubborn!
Since that's the case, you show no mercy! Don't blame me for being ruthless!
Jiang Linyuan smiled slightly:
"I'm going to the restroom."
With that, he got up and left.
Jiang Zhiyao watched him walk towards the shop owner, presumably to settle the bill on the way.
This old brother of mine, he's not all bad.
The corners of her mouth lifted as she thought this.
Ten minutes passed, and Jiang Linyuan hadn't returned.
Jiang Zhiyao put down her phone after several calls went unanswered, her expression blank, finally confirming one thing.
Jiang Linyuan had most definitely run away!
Her face darkened as she looked at the smiling proprietress before her.
"Pretty lady, you're in cahoots with that handsome guy, aren't you."
The proprietress giggled, tapping on a calculator as she said:
"He took some skewers to go when he left, said to put the bill all on your tab. Total is one hundred sixty."
"Hehehe..."
Jiang Zhiyao let out a sinister, eerie chuckle that sent shivers down the spine.
Drop dead! Jiang Linyuan!
After paying, Jiang Zhiyao was already contemplating how to trick Jiang Linyuan into believing that people actually wouldn't die from jumping off the seventh floor.
Is the seventh floor too conservative? Maybe I should find time to take him hiking up Purple Mountain instead.
Hehehehehehe.
Just as Jiang Zhiyao was fantasizing, Jiang Linyuan video called her.
She answered almost instantly, asking with a smile:
"Brother, where are you?"
"I'm already back at school."
Jiang Linyuan revealed a simple, honest smile, clean and pure, reminiscent of Rick Astley, making you want to slap him but unable to reach.
"Hehehehe..."
Jiang Zhiyao first let out a series of low laughs, then flushed red with anger, shouting:
"I'm going to kill you! Jiang Linyuan!"
How can someone be this much of a dog! I'm so stupid, really! I actually felt a flicker of being moved!
"A maiden's blush surpasses all sweet nothings in the world. The saying is true indeed."
Jiang Linyuan said with a cheeky grin.
"What's written on my face is profanity! Jiang Linyuan, are you even human! You said you were treating, then left me behind to pay!"
Furious and flustered, Jiang Zhiyao gripped her phone and cursed:
"The rising eastern dawn, the azure sun's evening intent, the crimson mist at sunset!"
As mentioned before, the Jiang family was a scholarly household, and Jiang Zhiyao inherited a bit of that.
Only, she was of the graceful and restrained school, while Jiang Linyuan was of the bold and unrestrained school.
"Foolish little sister, you're still so soft, lacking in offensive power."
Jiang Linyuan looked disappointed, which made Jiang Zhiyao see red.
"You're done for! I'm going to..."
Beep...
He hung up.
Ah! So dog-like! This guy!
Jiang Zhiyao's angry huffing was cut off mid-cast, leaving her utterly uncomfortable, stomping her feet in fury. She called back several times, but none were answered.
Can't even huff properly anymore.
How could someone like this be my brother!
She thought irritably, fuming as she returned to her dorm. Pushing the door open, she found a large bag of snacks on her desk.
"Who bought these?"
She looked at her roommate and asked.
"We didn't buy them."
Her roommate shook the milk tea in her hand, smiling:
"It was your brother who sent them. I saw him downstairs when I came up."
"He asked us to bring these things to you. He even treated us to milk tea."
Jiang Zhiyao was stunned for a moment, pursed her lips, and rummaged through the plastic bag of snacks.
They were all her favorites.
While feeling around, she suddenly discovered a gift box buried in the snack pile.
She opened it in two or three moves. Inside was a sky-blue scarf.
It felt fluffy to the touch, quite warm.
There was also a greeting card on the scarf. Jiang Zhiyao looked at it; it read:
"If you're frail, pay attention to keeping warm. Don't just worry about your old brother. The weather's getting cold, take care. Remember to accept the red packet tonight. Your brother said he was treating, so he's treating."
Under the light, Jiang Zhiyao gently rubbed the scarf in her hands, her little mouth pouting, but her eyes held an unmistakeable, melting warmth.
Fine, I'll forgive you this time.
...
Entering November, Xingnan University began preparing for its annual sports meet.
The Student Union naturally became busy as well.
Student public servants, bringing glory to the school! Just kidding, actually taking the blame for the school, the glory stays with the leadership.
Monday, the Student Union's overworked beasts gathered for a meeting!
"Senior, senior! What does our External Liaison Department usually do during the sports meet in previous years?"
Lin Yilin leaned close to Jiang Linyuan, full of energy and curiosity as she asked.
This was, after all, a university-level event, so it was normal to be concerned.
Looking at Lin Yilin's face, Jiang Linyuan instantly felt a wave of relief wash over him.
First, running around for the Thief Saint, then having to deal with Auntie Shaqima for that cringe woman Xiao Su. It was truly mentally exhausting.
Now, seeing Xiao Yilin's innocent and adorable face, he suddenly felt the world brighten, and even his soul felt soothed.
Xiao Yilin, though a bit excessive, you might just be the good woman who can take over my burdens.
Now, seeing Xiao Yilin's innocent and adorable face, he suddenly felt the world brighten, and even his soul felt soothed.
"Well, actually, we have a lot of things to do. For example, going out to solicit sponsorships, preparing water, drinks, and such..."
"Mhm, mhm, mhm."
Lin Yilin listened very seriously, nodding repeatedly.
At that moment, an untimely voice intruded:
"Of course, if you don't want to do the work, you can just go be an athlete instead."
Jiang Linyuan turned his head to look. It was Shen Wanyu.
She very naturally sat down on Jiang Linyuan's right, looking straight ahead.
Hearing this, Lin Yilin immediately waved her hands, putting on a face that said "I will work hard and diligently":
"Minister, I would never slack off! What's the difference between that kind of behavior and being a deserter?"
"Ahem, Xiao Yilin, being an athlete can't be called slacking off, you know."
Jiang Linyuan said.
"But if you're a Student Union member, deliberately becoming an athlete means pushing the work onto others, doesn't it?"
Lin Yilin declared righteously.
"Some people think exactly that."
Shen Wanyu nodded calmly, then looked at Jiang Linyuan:
"This year, you're not planning to continue being an athlete, are you?"
Jiang Linyuan looked up at the sky, pretending not to hear anything.
Hearing this, Lin Yilin caught on, widening her eyes to look at Jiang Linyuan:
"Senior! Last year's sports meet, you didn't become an athlete just to avoid work, did you!"
This Binary Little Sister! Your successor qualification is revoked! Go back and keep simmering!
Jiang Linyuan spoke with grave sincerity:
"Xiao Yilin, do you know what it means that with great power comes great responsibility?"
"Back then, I had no choice but to become an athlete to prevent Minister Shen's talents from being buried, to give her a chance to fully display her abilities. It definitely wasn't to slack off!"
"Senior is talking nonsense again! You clearly just wanted to slack off!"
Lin Yilin's eyebrows shot up as she retorted.
This system must actually be broken, right? This Xiao Yilin is actually a bad woman too, isn't she?
Jiang Linyuan countered righteously.
"The organizing Student Union only needs to consider how to organize the sports meet, but the athletes participating in the competitions have to consider so much more!"
"Besides, what's wrong with being an athlete! Is being an athlete easy! It's exhausting too, you know! Xiao Yilin, you little freeloader, don't look down on others!"
Yah yah yah yah! Pisses me off! Who's looking down on athletes! And who's a freeloader!
I'm looking down on you, you dog senior! You big freeloader!
Lin Yilin glared at Jiang Linyuan, took advantage of his inattention to secretly stomp on his foot, then pretended nothing had happened.
A modern-day case of covering one's ears while stealing a bell.
Jiang Linyuan pinched her hand in retaliation.
Perhaps the little chuuni had developed resistance from being pinched too much. She didn't immediately cosplay Louis XVI. Instead, she blushed, glared at him, and secretly stomped on his foot again.
Pinch again! Pinch again!
Xiao Yilin was defeated, her face red as a steamed crab. She stood up in a fluster and fled to sit on Shen Wanyu's right.
Hmph, trying to escape?
You think I wouldn't dare to make a move just because you're next to Shen Wanyu!
The two of you are the same to me...
"I heard that some time ago, a student's parent came to the school to make trouble. That student's name is Yu Songsong. Do you know her?"
Shen Wanyu lifted her eyelids and suddenly asked.
How does the Minister know about the Thief Saint?
Was it Xiao Su again?
Just as Jiang Linyuan was about to answer, he saw Shen Wanyu look towards the door and say:
"Is that her?"
Turning to look, another group of people was entering the meeting room, and the Thief Saint was among them.
Yu Songsong had just entered. She met Jiang Linyuan's gaze, looked for a good while, then lowered her head and casually found a seat to sit down.
"Handled properly?"
Yu Songsong had just entered. She met Jiang Linyuan's gaze, looked for a good while, then lowered her head and randomly found a seat to sit down.
What's going on? How does this Minister seem to know everything?
Xiao Su, why does she blab everything! Biting the hand that feeds her!
"It wasn't Su Muzhi who said it. Yu Songsong's parent came to make trouble, so I paid a little attention."
Shen Wanyu added.
Holy crap! Mind reading!
Jiang Linyuan was shocked. He hadn't said anything yet!
Minister, do you also have a system? Are you a superpower user too!
"It's not mind reading."
And you say it's not!
Minister, I like you. Minister, I like you...
Jiang Linyuan chanted "Minister, I like you" a hundred times in his heart. Seeing Shen Wanyu's expression remain unruffled, he finally relaxed:
"Minister, you really are just a mortal after all."
Shen Wanyu sighed helplessly:
"After almost a year of interacting, there are still times when I can't understand you."
"Minister, are you pursuing me? I can give you a chance to enter my heart, you know, since I like you."
Jiang Linyuan said with a playful grin.
"But it's precisely at times like this that you're easier to understand."
Shen Wanyu looked into Jiang Linyuan's eyes and said calmly.
Wait, what do you mean I'm easier to understand when I confess?
Huh? Are you toying with my feelings?
System, say something!