As Ning Chu got into the car, she suddenly noticed a young girl sitting in the passenger seat.
"Xiao Xi?"
"Morning." Xiao Xi turned around, smiling brightly. "Is that your boyfriend?"
"Uh... why are you in the car?"
"Oh, I'm coming along to see you off."
"???"
Wasn't her brother supposed to be scared to death of Xiao Xi? From being bullied by her in college until now, how had their relationship suddenly become so much closer after just one week?
Not only that, but the unpleasant gasoline smell in the car was gone, replaced by a light fragrance from a bottle of perfume. It was subtle and not overpowering, giving the car a pleasant atmosphere.
Wen Yang, unfamiliar with Xiao Xi, leaned over and whispered in Ning Chu's ear, "Is she your sister-in-law?"
"Hard to say, not confirmed yet." Ning Chu's ears quickly flushed red as she glared at Wen Yang in embarrassment. "Stop breathing into my ear like that! You’re doing it on purpose, aren’t you?"
"Nope."
She huffed and scooted over to put some distance between herself and Wen Yang. Then she leaned forward, supporting herself on the back of the seat, and called out to her brother, "Hey, bro~"
"Stop chattering and buckle up."
Yuan Yuan started the car with a stoic expression, though his cheeks had a hint of color.
He had no idea how to explain this to Ning Chu...
He couldn’t exactly say that Xiao Xi had taken advantage of his lack of self-control when he was drunk and had made a move on him, could he? That would be embarrassing for him as her brother, and he couldn’t just spell it out so bluntly in front of his innocent little sister.
Even though he knew Ning Chu was far from innocent, younger siblings were always viewed as pure by their older family members.
He stole a quick glance at Xiao Xi, sitting beside him, with a hint of affection in his eyes.
Transitioning from a brotherly relationship to one of romantic feelings hadn’t been as difficult as he’d thought... especially since Xiao Xi was quite beautiful and well-proportioned.
Ning Chu watched the two of them in the front seats, holding back a laugh as she whispered into Wen Yang’s ear.
"That's the woman who used to bully my brother all the time~"
"They’re definitely together now~ That was fast!"
"Look at my brother’s face—he looks absolutely drained! He needs to eat some goji berries to replenish his energy."
"Just think of him getting pummeled by her during the day and then getting drained at night~ It breaks my heart~"
Wen Yang looked down at her puffed-up cheeks, which made her look like a little dumpling as she tried not to laugh. He couldn’t help but chuckle. "Are you really heartbroken? You look like you’re about to burst out laughing."
"My poor brother~"
Ning Chu nearly let out a laugh, quickly covering her mouth with both hands, letting out a stifled giggle.
Xiao Xi turned around, confused, to see what was going on, and Ning Chu immediately straightened up, calling out sweetly, "Sister-in-law~"
Sure enough, Xiao Xi didn’t get mad at the title. In fact, her face lit up with joy. "Oh~ have you eaten yet? Should we stop somewhere for a meal? Your brother’s treat."
"Why am I the one treating...?"
"I've already eaten; maybe next time~"
Seeing this interaction, Ning Chu was completely sure about the relationship between her brother and Xiao Xi.
The pace was fast!
Last week, her brother had been scared stiff by Xiao Xi, and now he was half-drained.
Sister-in-law really needed to work hard! Men are such creatures that if you don’t drain them dry, they’ll start having all sorts of wild ideas. Knowing her brother’s love for reading harem novels, Ning Chu thought he shouldn’t be given any chances to entertain fantasies.
This theory might work for regular guys, but as for Wen Yang, who was more like the protagonist in a royal romance, she could only hope she wouldn’t end up being the one exhausted by him.
About an hour later, the small car pulled into the underground parking lot of the train station.
The group got out one by one, and Ning Chu checked the time. There were still forty minutes before her train arrived.
Just as she was about to say something, she noticed Xiao Xi clinging to her brother’s arm, limping slightly. Xiao Xi noticed her gaze and gave a slightly embarrassed smile.
Xiao Xi’s face had a healthy glow, showing the signs of having been well-loved, but her walking posture...
Wow, it was mutual destruction! Even sister-in-law hadn’t come out unscathed~
Her brother wasn’t holding # Nоvеlight # back either!
"Bro, why don’t you stop here? Sister-in-law doesn’t look very comfortable."
"I’ll take you to the waiting area," Yuan Yuan said, supporting Xiao Xi while advising Ning Chu, "Remember to study hard when you’re at school. Get as many certificates as you can. Don’t think the stuff you learn is useless once you graduate."
"I’ll transfer your allowance directly to you in the future, so Mom doesn’t act as a middleman and take a cut. Two thousand a month?"
"One thousand is enough. Wen Yang and I both make a little money."
Yuan Yuan nodded. The group grabbed their luggage and walked leisurely toward the waiting area entrance.
"Don’t let your writing interfere with your studies... Wen Yang, keep an eye on her. Don’t let her play games all day."
Wen Yang smiled and nodded, "Don’t worry, I’ll keep her in line. She won’t dare slack off."
"Yeah, she won’t move unless you give her a little push."
Ning Chu, however, sneakily reached under Wen Yang’s shirt, pinched the soft flesh at his waist, and gave it a hard twist.
It was clear that his idea of "keeping her in line" wasn’t exactly upright!
Wen Yang winced, his face paling slightly.
Unaware of what had just happened, Yuan Yuan continued nagging, "Make sure you eat more vegetables and fruits. It’s not that expensive. If you’re renting, try cooking for yourselves. Takeout is too greasy and unhealthy..."
Already used to her brother’s lectures, Ning Chu nodded along absentmindedly.
They reached the entrance to the waiting area, where her brother finally stopped, turning back to the pair. "Go on, don’t be late."
"Alright, see you!"
"Bye-bye."
Watching the two figures, one tall and one short, walking side-by-side toward the ticket check, Yuan Yuan sighed with a worried expression and mumbled to himself, "I wonder if Wen Yang is reliable."
Even though he’d spent some time with Wen Yang and had a decent impression of him, he couldn’t shake his concern that Wen Yang might have a hidden authoritarian streak, or worse, bad habits like gambling.
People can seem perfect while dating, but once they’re living together or married, who knows what might come out.
"You should worry about yourself first," Xiao Xi scoffed, lightly punching him on the bicep. "I got you a gym membership. You’re going today!"
"Fine..."
Xiao Xi’s punches felt more like a gentle massage now, not nearly as intimidating as before, but Yuan Yuan still made a face of mock distress.
If working out meant he could turn the tables on Xiao Xi at night, then so be it.
In the waiting room, Ning Chu leaned against Wen Yang’s arm, staring up at the electronic display.
She sighed softly. "The winter break is over~"
Wen Yang gently patted her head. "Feeling homesick?"
"Not really, just... I think I’ll stay in the girls' dorm after all?"
Just the thought of being alone with Wen Yang, with no interruptions, made her feel a bit apprehensive.
So much for abstinence... The more she tried to abstain, the worse it seemed to get...
