Chapter Thirty-Six: How Did You Know I Like to Drink Cola

“Xie?” That evening, Qin Lin’er couldn’t help recalling Nan Zhiyi, feeling as if the way she looked at her brother was a little strange. Unable to resist her curiosity, she hugged her Pikachu plush and slipped into Liu Ruoxi’s room.

Liu Ruoxi was still flipping through a book when she saw Qin Lin’er burrowing under her covers with determination. What now? Hadn’t she already experienced the depths of despair?

Suddenly, Qin Lin’er felt the weight on her face and struggled desperately.

“Xie! I have something serious to discuss!” Qin Lin’er was on the verge of losing it—her big sis was getting more and more mischievous lately!

“Oh? What is it?” Liu Ruoxi let go, puzzled.

Qin Lin’er pulled her head out, gulping air to recover, then buried her face into the pillow. “Xie, don’t you think there’s something off about Nan Zhiyi?”

Liu Ruoxi snapped her book shut. “What’s off? She seemed pretty normal to me.”

“She… Didn’t you notice she keeps looking at my brother?” Qin Lin’er was getting anxious.

“Did she?” Liu Ruoxi thought back, but honestly, she hadn’t noticed—she’d been too busy eating.

“That’s unlikely. Nan Zhiyi and Qin Xuan shouldn’t know each other.” Liu Ruoxi mused. Qin Xuan had grown up right under her nose, and she didn’t know Nan Zhiyi herself, so how could her brother? Oh, right—except for that one summer when she went abroad, but surely it wasn’t that much of a coincidence?

“Well, who knows! Maybe we should just ask my brother?” Qin Lin’er bit her lip, offering the suggestion.

“Great idea, let’s go!” Liu Ruoxi threw off the covers and jumped out of bed.

“Wait! Can’t you at least change your clothes?” Qin Lin’er stared in horror at Ruoxi’s scandalous pajamas.

“No worries. You know, Qin Xuan actually likes this kind of thing!” Liu Ruoxi whispered slyly into her ear.

Qin Lin’er was speechless. With her own figure, she could never pull off that style…

At Qin Xuan’s door, Liu Ruoxi tried the handle. Locked, of course.

“Let me.” Qin Lin’er fished out a key from her bag and unlocked it in a few quick moves.

Liu Ruoxi: You actually have this sort of thing?

“Confiscated! Kids shouldn’t play with these.” Quick as lightning, Ruoxi snatched the key from Lin’er before she could even put it away.

“You!” Qin Lin’er stomped her foot in rage. Shameless!

Liu Ruoxi ignored her and strode straight into the room.

Qin Xuan, who had been happily gaming for a while, was in a sour mood after his teammates threw the match. Frustrated, he’d turned off the game and was now lying in bed, scrolling through videos.

Before he knew it, his door was “picked open,” and in stormed Liu Ruoxi and Qin Lin’er, pouncing like hungry wolves.

“What are you two up to?” Qin Xuan felt a pang of guilt and pulled the covers tighter.

But Qin Lin’er and Liu Ruoxi slid in on either side, pinning his arms.

“Spill! Do you know Nan Zhiyi?” Liu Ruoxi pressed a hand to his waist, her eyes sharp.

Qin Xuan swallowed hard. “I… I don’t know her!”

“Really? Then why did she keep looking at you during lunch?” Qin Lin’er grilled him.

“I really don’t know her!” Qin Xuan hesitated. “I just saw her once in the library…”

At that, Liu Ruoxi tightened her grip, making Qin Xuan yelp in pain. “See! I knew you’d be interested!”

“No, I didn’t know she was Nan Zhiyi when I saw her!” Qin Xuan hurried to explain, and only then did Liu Ruoxi slowly let go.

“But if that’s all, why did she keep glancing at you at lunch?” Qin Lin’er pressed.

“That’s something you should ask her. I have no idea.” Qin Xuan replied.

“Hmph! We’ll let you off for now,” Liu Ruoxi said, dragging Qin Lin’er out with her. She never did return the key.

After they left, Qin Xuan sprawled on his bed, hands behind his head.

I really don’t know her, but there’s this strange sense of familiarity… As he sorted through his memories, he found nothing about anyone named Nan Zhiyi. Lost in thought, he drifted off to sleep.

When he woke, it was already the next day.

Qin Xuan cooked himself a bowl of sweet rice dumplings and decided to sneak out for some internet time while Qin Lin’er and Liu Ruoxi were still asleep.

He tiptoed out, careful not to wake them.

The internet café was right across the street, but as he left the complex, he unexpectedly ran into Nan Zhiyi, dressed in sportswear.

Remembering last night, Qin Xuan greeted her a bit awkwardly. Nan Zhiyi was gracious, though her cheeks were tinged pink—Qin Xuan just assumed it was from exercise.

“Back from a run?”

“Yeah, after eating so much yesterday, I had to burn it off.” Nan Zhiyi wiped her sweat with a towel, a bag of buns and soy milk in her other hand.

“Where are Lin’er and Ruoxi?” Nan Zhiyi glanced around, surprised to see he was alone.

“They’re still sleeping. Lazy as ever.” Like you have any room to talk.

“I see. So where are you headed?”

“Just… out for a bit. Got bored at home,” Qin Xuan offered lamely.

Nan Zhiyi’s eyes sparkled with an idea, recalling something her mother had said last night. “Want to come over to my place for a while?”

Qin Xuan felt awkward—he’d wanted to go online. “Uh, isn’t that a bit inappropriate?”

“It’s fine—we’re friends, aren’t we?” Nan Zhiyi used her mother’s words. Was this kind of “friend” really proper?

“Of course we’re friends,” Qin Xuan replied quickly. “Alright, then…”

He followed Nan Zhiyi to her building, and for the first time, noticed how talkative she was. Yesterday at the shop she’d been reserved, but today… it was downright odd!

“Come in, you’re the first guest I’ve ever had here,” Nan Zhiyi said with a bright smile, stepping aside to let him in.

“Really? I’m honored.” Qin Xuan scratched his head awkwardly.

He glanced around. The word “simple” described the place perfectly. There were no fancy decorations—the only adornment in the living room was a glass photo frame, facing away from him so he couldn’t see the picture.

“Make yourself comfortable. Want something to drink?” Nan Zhiyi called as she headed to the fridge.

“Anything is fine,” Qin Xuan replied casually.

After a moment’s thought, Nan Zhiyi took out a can of cola and handed it to him.

“Huh? How did you know I like cola?” Qin Xuan was surprised at the cool can in his hand.

“Guess,” Nan Zhiyi answered mysteriously.

“I don’t just know you like cola—I know everything about you,” she added, to his astonishment. His hand froze midair.

“Wait! Did we know each other before?” Qin Xuan asked, thinking hard.

“Guess!” Nan Zhiyi pulled up a stool and sat across from him, fixing him with a steady gaze.

Qin Xuan felt flustered under her stare and quickly lowered his head. “Honestly, I really don’t remember. Maybe you could give me a hint?”

“Hmph! I knew you wouldn’t remember. Figure it out yourself,” Nan Zhiyi huffed. Though she’d expected this, she was still annoyed.

Qin Xuan was bewildered, and Nan Zhiyi refused to explain further, until… his phone suddenly buzzed with an onslaught of messages from Liu Ruoxi.