Ning Yuan’s eyes lingered on the photo, drifting from one side to the other, occasionally settling on his sister in the middle.
He couldn’t deny that, among the three girls, Ning Chu’s looks and figure were top-tier... but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t muster any real interest.
Strictly speaking, Ning Chu was like a "heaven-sent" little sister to Ning Yuan.
But since they grew up together, and he knew every detail of Ning Chu’s past—down to the exact size and length—he found it hard to see the beautiful, seductive girl in front of him as a normal woman.
In his heart, it still felt like his little brother was simply wearing a girl’s skin.
Similarly, even though he knew that both his mother and sister were succubi, he couldn’t bring himself to apply the usual stereotypes about succubi to them.
It mainly came down to how little time they’d spent together. Since his brother became his sister, they’d barely spent a week together in total.
“I think... you can’t really force these things.”
Even though Ning Yuan had just said he wasn’t interested in relationships, his gaze wandered a bit. “Didn’t I say earlier that I’d seen the photos before? With my salary, I really don’t plan on dating. Don’t bring it up again.”
“The one on the right is Lili. She really wants a boyfriend~”
“She’s so pretty. I’m sure there’s a line of guys who like her stretching down the block.”
That was true.
But Lili’s personality was more introverted, and despite the many people who liked her, few could actually strike up a conversation with her.
Ning Chu was about to explain, but Ning Yuan abruptly stood up and hurried toward the kitchen as if he were fleeing. “Mom, what’s for lunch? I’m starving.”
“You come home and the first thing you do is say you’re hungry. Did you learn that from Ning Xinya?”
Watching her brother’s retreating back, Ning Chu muttered, “Why are you running away? So shy...”
“Brother’s such a shut-in~” Hei Dou, who had been sulking from earlier, was now playfully trying to tie her tail into a bow, her previous look of being scolded long gone.
“Well, if it’s not going to work out, then it’s a shame. There goes my rich sister-in-law.”
Ning Chu sighed. Her brother was actually quite handsome, and his scholarly, refined look was exactly Lili’s type. She wasn’t thinking about marriage, but setting them up wouldn’t have been a bad idea.
But with his extreme shut-in tendencies and fear of women, it seemed unlikely he’d ever be able to date.
“Lunch is ready.”
Prompted by Ning Yuan’s hunger, their mother reluctantly brought the half-prepared dishes to the table.
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“Don’t eat too much at lunch, there’s a big dinner tonight.”
No need for special reminders—Hei Dou was already eagerly running over to the table.
It was rare for the whole family to gather for a meal. With a warm smile, their mother served each person a bowl of seaweed egg drop soup.
“Mom, I got my year-end bonus,” Ning Yuan said after taking a few bites of rice, suddenly standing up as if he remembered something. “I’ll go grab it for you.”
“How much did you get?”
“Over ten thousand.”
What?! That much?!
Ning Chu immediately perked up, her eyes flashing as she looked at her brother, but Ning Yuan quickly caught the glint in her gaze.
“You’re just thinking about how to fleece me, aren’t you?”
“No~ I just thought you might not know how to spend it, that’s all.”
Ignoring his sister, Ning Yuan walked over to the TV cabinet, opened his bag, and pulled out a wad of cash wrapped in red paper.
“Cash, huh?” Their mother’s eyes lit up, though she maintained a modest smile. “You don’t need to give me any. I don’t need it—spend it yourself.”
“I’ll give you half.”
“Really, there’s no need~ You’re working hard for this. You should spend the money you earn on yourself and save for your future marriage.”
Ning Yuan acted like he hadn’t heard her and took out half of the money, placing it on the table.
“Oh dear~ I said I didn’t need it. I’ll just hold onto it for you so you don’t waste it.”
Despite her words, their mother was clearly thrilled. While she refused verbally, her hands quickly reached for the money. She instinctively wanted to count it, but feeling embarrassed in front of her children, she set it aside instead.
“Mom, if you don’t want it, can I have it? I’m a bit short on cash,” Ning Chu said, reaching for the money.
Her hand was swiftly slapped away as their mother tucked the cash into her pocket. “Your brother gave it to me. What’s it got to do with you?”
“Didn’t you say you didn’t need any money~”
“I’m saving it for your brother’s future marriage! And I still have to support you and Ning Xinya. How could I not need it?”
That proud attitude—Ning Chu finally understood where she had inherited her own stubbornness from.
She and Ning Yuan couldn’t hold back and burst into laughter at the same time. Their mother didn’t mind and smiled as she slowly counted the money, savoring each bill.
Hei Dou, who didn’t quite understand what they were laughing about, blinked in confusion. Her eyes darted around before she quickly snatched the last cola chicken wing with her chopsticks and shoved it into her mouth.
Who cared what they were talking about? The best food was already in her belly!
“Alright, this is the last time you’re giving me money.”
Their mother finished counting the cash, clearly delighted, and somehow conjured up a rubber band to neatly tie the bills together.
Ning Chu seized the opportunity. “Mom, doesn’t Brother still give you money every month for living expenses?”
“That’s different. The living expenses are for you and Ning Xinya. How much do I spend on myself?”
“That’s true. You’ve got that uncle~”
Her mother’s expression instantly darkened, and Ning Chu quickly backed down, awkwardly changing the subject. “Hei Dou! Why did you eat all the chicken wings? I only had one!”
“You weren’t eating them~”
“There’s more in the kitchen. I’ll go get some,” their mother said as she headed toward the kitchen, already typing a voice message to her friends on WeChat, her tone full of mock complaints. “My son, honestly! It’s enough that he came home for the New Year, but he insisted on giving me money. When I tried to refuse, he even got upset! Can you believe this kid...”
Ning Yuan, puzzled, muttered to himself, “When did I get upset...”
By the time lunch ended, Uncle had arrived, carrying bags of New Year goods.
Their mother proudly showed off the stack of cash to him, grinning like a schoolgirl.
Ning Chu sat on the couch, watching the cheerful interaction between her mother and the uncle, who smiled warmly in return. She bit her lip and kept glancing at her phone.
Wen Yang hadn’t come over for lunch today...
If she didn’t see him at noon, she’d probably have to wait until eleven at night.
She had been enjoying the meal earlier, but now, seeing her mother’s happy expression, she couldn’t help but feel a bit envious.
“Ning Chu, that contact info.”
“Huh? What contact?” Ning Chu blinked, looking at her brother sitting next to her.
Ning Yuan seemed a bit embarrassed and shy, his smile slightly sheepish. “You know... Lili...”
“Oh~ Didn’t you say you didn’t want to date? What changed?”
“No, I just thought it’d be good to make some more friends...”
“Pfft~” Ning Chu gave her brother a disdainful glance.
Men will be men, always unable to resist a pretty face.
But since it was Lili’s main account, Ning Yuan probably wouldn’t get to see her more wild side. He’d likely still think she was a shy and reserved girl.
That might actually be a good thing—Lili’s boldness might scare him off otherwise.
“I sent you her contact. The rest is up to you.”
She could hardly wait to see her brother drained and clinging to the wall for support~