Chapter Four: Might As Well Let Me Have It

After enduring two days of sorrow, the evening of the thirty-first finally arrived.

Class One of Finance, the first class meeting of university.

Qin Xuan looked at the scattered students in the classroom; some huddled in groups, others kept to themselves. His approach to relationships was simple: neither actively seeking nor rejecting them.

Quite a few students tried to strike up conversations—not with him, of course. Though Qin Xuan’s appearance was hardly lacking, most were more interested in the two girls beside him. Liu Ruoxi was absorbed in her book, "The Great Game," while Qin Lin’er clung to her brother’s arm...

From time to time, unusual glances were cast toward the trio.

Soon, a female teacher wearing a uniform entered from outside. Qin Xuan had seen her once during registration; she was the class counselor.

“Everyone, please quiet down,” she adjusted her metal-rimmed glasses, scanning the students as if attempting to memorize their faces. Her lips, painted in a color Qin Xuan couldn’t name, parted gently: “Hello, everyone. My name is Liu Qin. Barring any surprises, I’ll be your counselor for the next four years. I hope you’ll get along well, both in life and in studies. If you encounter any problems, feel free to come to me.”

Then came the customary introductions. When it was Qin Lin’er’s turn—

“Hello, everyone. I’m Qin Lin’er from Peng City. Currently single, but don’t get any ideas—and don’t bother my brother either!” she announced with a sly smile.

Qin Xuan: ...

When it came to Qin Xuan’s turn—

“Hello, my name is Qin Xuan.” He paused. “Qin Lin’er’s brother.”

“Pfft! Haha!”

“This brother and sister are quite interesting.”

Beside them, Liu Ruoxi, watching their little performance, marched up to the podium with a huff: “Hello, my name is Liu Ruoxi. I’m Qin Lin’er’s sister-in-law.”

She finished, then shot Qin Lin’er a provocative glance.

Qin Xuan was a little embarrassed: Don’t drag me into your rivalry.

Beyond that, he felt a hint of something strange after hearing her words. Perhaps he didn’t quite understand it himself. This wasn’t the first time, after all, and he was already used to it.

Returning to his seat, Qin Xuan met Qin Lin’er’s gaze, but offered no explanation—only exchanged looks with her.

A while later, after the meeting ended, Liu Qin reminded everyone not to forget tomorrow’s freshman ceremony.

Back in their little shared apartment, Qin Lin’er seemed to have been holding herself back for a long time.

As soon as she entered, she pushed Liu Ruoxi onto the sofa and sat on her waist.

“Liu Ruoxi! I’ve had enough of you!” For once, Qin Lin’er took the upper hand, squeezing Liu Ruoxi’s cheeks and growling, “I absolutely refuse to let you be my sister-in-law!”

Liu Ruoxi teased, “Oh, what’s the matter? In the end, isn’t it better that the advantage comes to me?”

Qin Lin’er froze in her tracks; Liu Ruoxi seized the opportunity to flip her over and pin her beneath her.

“As if! If you marry my brother, won’t you bully me whenever you please?” Qin Lin’er struggled, but it was futile.

“Aren’t I already bullying you whenever I please?” Liu Ruoxi tapped Qin Lin’er’s blushing cheek with her finger.

“My brother can’t accept a violent woman!”

“Oh? How would you know if you don’t give it a try? I’m actually very gentle,” she said, pretending to act demure.

“Ahem,” Qin Xuan watched the two ignore him completely, “I say, could you two not involve me?”

“If not for you two, I would’ve found a girlfriend by now!”

“Hm?”

“Hm?”

A minute later.

Pinned to the sofa, Qin Xuan dared not utter another word.

“Behaving now?” Liu Ruoxi and Qin Lin’er each seized one of his arms. “With such a beautiful childhood friend, and you still want to find a girlfriend?”

“And a sister!” Qin Lin’er added, clearly dissatisfied that Liu Ruoxi had left her out.

“I was wrong...” Qin Xuan, oppressed, teared up: Next time, I’ll still dare.

“That’s more like it!” The two let him go.

“Come on, let’s continue!” Liu Ruoxi beckoned Qin Lin’er.

Seeing Qin Lin’er cower and shake her head frantically.

“Do you have a choice?” Liu Ruoxi clenched her fist and walked toward Qin Lin’er.

“Brother, save me!”

Qin Lin’er tried to grab Qin Xuan’s hand, but he pulled back, watching as his sister was dragged toward Liu Ruoxi’s room. He could only offer his sympathy.

Listening to the cries echoing in his ears, Qin Xuan felt no ripple within.

After much commotion, the room finally quieted. When Qin Lin’er came out, she glared fiercely at Qin Xuan, then fled to her room, clutching her aching backside.

Throwing herself onto her bed, Qin Lin’er complained, “Crazy woman, always smacking me, hurts so much.”

...

The next day, Qin Xuan frowned at his sleepy sister across the breakfast table.

“Hey! Eat your noodles quickly, or they’ll get soggy!” He tapped Qin Lin’er’s bowl.

Startled awake, Qin Lin’er jolted. “Oh.”

She glanced at Qin Xuan, her cheeks tinged with red.

Liu Ruoxi, happily eating the noodles Qin Xuan topped with an extra egg, teased, “Maybe she spent all night thinking about her brother and couldn’t sleep!”

Qin Lin’er immediately retorted, “Nonsense, you... Don’t talk rubbish! I just didn’t sleep well.”

Unable to withstand the teasing, Qin Lin’er took her bowl and fled to the balcony: Pervert, how does she always guess right!

The freshman ceremony was scheduled for eight o’clock in the school auditorium.

When the three arrived, they almost couldn’t find their class and nearly were late.

Time slipped away with the speeches from the school’s leaders. Qin Xuan glanced around, discovering many students as sleepy as Qin Lin’er.

So this is the reality of university students?

Just then, Qin Xuan faintly heard singing in his class’s area.

“That year, eighteen, the alma mater’s evening gala...” Though the lyrics were slightly off, they somehow fit the mood!

Qin Xuan looked at the figure ahead. Though he’d been introduced, he still couldn’t recall the name. Yet the silhouette seemed inexplicably tall, quite impressive.