Chapter Forty-Seven: When I Tire of Watching, I Won't Blush Anymore

On the ride home, Qin Xuan lay numbly with his head on Qin Lin’er’s lap, feeling as though he were nothing but a hollow shell. Qin Lin’er frowned, gently stroking his hair, and grumbled, “So annoying! I told them not to make you drink, but they kept pushing you!”

“It’s fine, he’ll be alright after a good sleep,” their mother said, glancing at the rearview mirror, her heart aching at the sight of Qin Xuan’s discomfort.

Liu Ruoxi looked at the groaning Qin Xuan and sighed. Well, so much for romantic candlelit dinners in the future—they could be skipped from now on.

It was past four in the afternoon by the time they got home. Wang Manshu, who still had errands to run, left Qin Xuan in the care of the two girls, trusting them completely.

They helped Qin Xuan to bed. Liu Ruoxi started to undress him. Even with her usual boldness, she couldn’t help but blush when she saw his bare body.

“Ruoxi, wipe him down a bit, will you? He reeks of alcohol—it’s awful,” Qin Lin’er said, placing a basin of water on the floor.

“Alright, leave it to me!” Liu Ruoxi replied, promptly ushering Qin Lin’er out of the room.

Qin Lin’er stared at the closed door, disgruntled: It’s just a look! It’s not like I haven’t seen him before!

Inside, Liu Ruoxi hesitated for a long moment, towel in hand, before giving Qin Xuan a quick rubdown—skipping over the more sensitive areas, of course.

Leaning against the wall outside, Qin Lin’er watched Liu Ruoxi emerge, clicking her tongue teasingly.

“Well, well, Ruoxi, you can still blush?”

“Obviously! Wait till I’ve seen enough—then I won’t blush anymore.”

Qin Lin’er was taken aback. “You really don’t know the meaning of shame!”

“Out of my way!” Liu Ruoxi retorted, heading off to pour out the water, while Qin Lin’er slipped back into the room.

She found Qin Xuan already dressed in pajamas. She touched his forehead; he seemed to sense it and turned his head away, trying to avoid her.

Seeing him like this, Qin Lin’er put aside her mischievous thoughts.

Qin Xuan drifted in and out of sleep. When he finally woke, it was already dark outside. His head still ached a little, but the dizziness was gone. Finding the room empty, he wondered where the girls had gone.

He was about to message Liu Ruoxi when he heard the front door open. Liu Ruoxi and Qin Lin’er came in, carrying dinner.

“You’re awake!” Liu Ruoxi set the food on the coffee table and looked at Qin Xuan, relieved to see he seemed fine.

“Yeah. What’s all this—dinner?” Qin Xuan gestured at the spread.

“Of course. You looked so pitiful today, we won’t make you work for it,” Liu Ruoxi said with a wave of her hand.

“I really have to thank you two,” Qin Xuan replied, opening a box and finding all his favorite dishes.

After dinner, Qin Xuan lounged on the sofa, relaxing as Liu Ruoxi gently massaged his temples.

Qin Lin’er sat nearby, obediently peeling an apple. For a moment, Qin Xuan felt he was in paradise—so comfortable! If only this could happen more often.

The cozy moment soon ended. Liu Ruoxi insisted he go back to bed, declaring she would “take care of him” and insisted on sleeping with him.

Perhaps out of caution, Liu Ruoxi behaved herself that night, nestling quietly in Qin Xuan’s arms without any of her usual games, which left Qin Xuan’s hopeful anticipation quickly deflated.

Half asleep, he only vaguely felt her lips press softly to his, but drowsiness overcame him.

...

The next morning, Qin Xuan woke to find Liu Ruoxi still in his arms. He couldn’t help but hug her a little tighter. Perhaps sensing it, she rolled over, her back to him.

Feeling the softness in his arms, Qin Xuan was at a loss as to where to put his hands.

But Liu Ruoxi was already awake, content to bask in his warmth and in no hurry to move. Nothing was as comfortable as being in her boyfriend’s embrace! Single people could never understand—right?

They stayed like that until noon before finally getting up. Their eyes met, both filled with warmth, savoring the last day of the New Year’s holiday. Only Qin Lin’er, still holed up in her own room, fretted about her brother being devoured by Ruoxi—“Leave me some, will you!”

“Let’s go, I’ll take you shopping today,” Qin Xuan suddenly suggested over lunch. Though he dreaded ending up as a human clothes rack again, he decided to go along.

“Great! I was just thinking we should pick out some winter clothes,” Liu Ruoxi agreed.

After the meal, Qin Xuan was washing dishes when something occurred to him. He called out, “Is Zhi Yi back? Should we invite her along?”

“Not sure, I’ll ask her,” Liu Ruoxi replied, texting quickly. Nan Zhiyi responded almost immediately.

“She said she got back this morning. I’ll ask her to join us.” Though a bit awkward after yesterday, they were still friends—so why not? As long as she didn’t steal from their house, it was fine!

At that moment, Nan Zhiyi was at home.

“Mom! I’m heading out—something at school!” She called out with her mouth still full, then hurried off to pack, ignoring the odd looks her parents gave her.

“Ah, daughters really can’t be kept close once they grow up,” Aunt Yang lamented.

Her father put down his chopsticks, disgruntled. “I don’t see what’s so great about Qin Xuan. Why should he get to take my daughter?”

“Hey, you’ve got it backwards—your daughter’s the one throwing herself at him,” Aunt Yang retorted irritably. “And Qin Xuan isn’t even interested!”

“Nonsense! My daughter’s so pretty, she’s worth ten of him!”

“Still, Qin Xuan is Wang Jie’s son. If she hears you, she’ll have your hide!” Aunt Yang joked.

Nan Zhengyi stuck his neck out stubbornly. “I don’t approve of them, no matter what!”

“But your daughter likes him…” Aunt Yang poked right where it hurt.

Nan Zhiyi and her father had been at odds since she was young—both stubborn, neither willing to back down. When she was little, he could still discipline her, but now that she was grown, he didn’t dare lay a hand on her anymore. As a result, whenever she came home, she’d barely speak to him—and neither would budge. If it weren’t for her mother, Nan Zhiyi probably wouldn’t come home at all. She’d rather spend her holidays out, teasing Qin Xuan on the side. Wasn’t that the life?

...

Meanwhile, the three had taken ages to get ready and only then headed out, planning to meet Nan Zhiyi on the other side of the street, so there was no rush.

Liu Ruoxi even instructed Qin Xuan to buy milk tea—making sure not to forget one for Nan Zhiyi. When they finally met up, the three stared at the four cups of milk tea in Nan Zhiyi’s hands, falling into silence…

Qin Xuan thought, If we finish all these, we’ll be running to the bathroom all day! In the end, the four decided to take one home, figuring they could skip dinner altogether.

Unsurprisingly, Qin Xuan couldn’t escape his fate as a clothes rack—worse now with Nan Zhiyi on board, making his burden even heavier.

They found a seat, and Qin Xuan finally set the bags down with a sigh of relief.

Perhaps still brooding over her doubts from yesterday, Nan Zhiyi couldn’t hold it in any longer. Sipping her milk tea, she tried to sound nonchalant as she asked, “Ruoxi, are you and Qin Xuan dating?”

“Um… yes. Otherwise, why would I call Aunt Wang ‘Mom’?” Liu Ruoxi replied, her answer leaving Nan Zhiyi undaunted.

“No wonder you two seem so close!” Nan Zhiyi said, a hint of jealousy in her tone. “Childhood sweethearts—how fitting. Ninety-nine points! Better keep Qin Xuan in check, or he’ll be out causing trouble!”

Qin Xuan: Is it you who wants to cause trouble for me?

He wasn’t blind—Nan Zhiyi’s interest was all too obvious. He’d have to find a chance to set things straight with her, or else this powder keg would explode!