Chapter Fifty-One: All Are My Flesh and Blood

The next morning, Qin Lin’er looked at Liu Ruoxi with a peculiar expression, watching her act bashfully, reminiscent of her own demeanor after being spanked by Ruoxi. She couldn’t help but wonder what strange things they’d done last night.

Qin Xuan, feeling perhaps he’d been too rough the night before, specially fried a few eggs for breakfast to make it up to Ruoxi.

Liu Ruoxi ate her fried egg with a look of grievance, staring at Qin Xuan—he really was ruthless! She still couldn’t bring herself to sit on a chair.

Once Qin Lin’er retreated to her room for a nap after breakfast, Liu Ruoxi couldn’t hold back her complaints, “You were way too rough—give me a massage later!”

Qin Xuan was awkward, “I’ll be gentler next time?”

“There’ll be a next time?!” Liu Ruoxi’s eyes widened, disbelief written all over her face. “Are you out for revenge for Lin’er?”

Qin Xuan grinned, unable to hide his amusement, and reassured her, “Just kidding, no more spankings.”

“Hmph! You just bully me. Anyway, I can’t beat you anymore!” Ruoxi muttered unhappily.

“How could I ever bully you?” Qin Xuan said, wrapping his arm around her shoulder.

“Get lost,” Ruoxi brushed his hand aside, changing the topic, “Let’s have hot pot for lunch!”

“Hmm?” Qin Xuan let his hand slide to her thigh. “Sounds good. The last hot pot of the semester!”

“Let’s invite Sister Qin and Zhiyi. Just those two,” Ruoxi suggested.

Qin Xuan could only nod, though he worried a little that Nan Zhiyi might stir up trouble.

Ruoxi then checked with each of them. Sister Qin would be leaving in a few days—her hometown was near Shudu, so she wasn’t in a hurry. Nan Zhiyi was from Shudu herself, so she was even less pressed for time.

After arranging the meetup, Ruoxi let her guard down—and Qin Xuan slipped away to play games! Ah, she wanted to hit him!

On second thought, she figured gaming was better than him getting into trouble elsewhere, and decided to focus today’s fun on Qin Lin’er instead...

Qin Xuan was puzzled why Ruoxi didn’t stop him from gaming, then heard screams from the next room. Looks like he could enjoy his games today! Wonderful!

Near noon, Qin Xuan closed his computer, questioning his life after dealing with terrible teammates, and sighed deeply. Just then, Qin Lin’er emerged from her room; their eyes met, and both saw tears in the other’s eyes. Tough day.

Ruoxi sat on the sofa peeling apples, watching their little drama and feeling amused.

Checking the time, the three dressed casually and headed out.

...

Ruoxi had already booked the hot pot restaurant.

Nan Zhiyi and Liu Qin arrived early and waited at the door. Liu Qin was surprised—wasn’t Nan Zhiyi rumored to dislike gatherings like this?

Nan Zhiyi, knowing Liu Qin was a friend of Qin Xuan’s circle, greeted her warmly.

Just as things started to get awkward, the three arrived with milk tea in hand.

“Let’s eat our fill today,” Ruoxi said, oblivious to the tension.

Nan Zhiyi looked at Ruoxi and remembered how she refused to pay for her yesterday! So frustrating! But she could only swallow her anger.

Ultimately, Nan Zhiyi focused on the hot pot, eating heartily—she didn’t need to worry about appearances in front of Qin Xuan...

“Sister Qin, when will we get our grades?” Qin Xuan, anxious about failing his courses, asked.

“In a few days, probably. Nervous about flunking?” Liu Qin swallowed a slice of pork belly and teased him.

“No, I just... want to see if Ruoxi failed any!” Qin Xuan, ever sly, shifted the blame.

Ruoxi was just about to eat her meat but was so annoyed by Qin Xuan’s words that she stopped short.

“You play games all day and dare say that? Shameless!”

Qin Xuan, unable to retort, decided to eat his meat instead.

After more than an hour of eating, everyone was stuffed—especially Qin Lin’er, who kept piling meat into her mouth with a distended belly.

Qin Xuan, watching, felt his head ache—would this silly girl make herself sick?

On the way home, Lin’er clung tightly to Qin Xuan’s arm, unable to walk anymore, overwhelmed by delicious food.

Back home, Qin Xuan would have skipped a shower if not for the lingering scent of hot pot. All he wanted was to lie down and recover.

After his shower, he sprawled on the sofa, resigned to the fact that gaming was out for the afternoon.

Soon, Qin Lin’er, freshly showered, sat beside him. Qin Xuan noticed her scent—strange, since they used the same shampoo. Why didn’t he smell the same?

He glanced at Lin’er’s belly—so prominent that he couldn’t help but laugh. He stood up and offered her the VIP recliner spot on the sofa.

Lin’er lay down contentedly, rubbing her stomach, looking for all the world like a woman several months pregnant. “These are all my children—ribs and pork belly!”

...

“Brother, fetch me some water. I’m thirsty!” Lin’er grinned and ordered Qin Xuan.

“Two cups of milk tea and still thirsty?” Yes, Qin Xuan’s cup had been snatched by Lin’er.

“Nope, hurry or I’ll die of thirst!” Lin’er was anxious—her brother wasn’t as obedient anymore!

Qin Xuan sighed helplessly, but got up and went to fill her cup.

Liu Ruoxi, just out of the shower, caught the scene as she dried her hair, and asked Lin’er,

“My boyfriend’s being ordered around by you? Don’t you have your own boyfriend?”

Lin’er, instinctively uneasy at Ruoxi’s presence, still retorted defiantly, “I can order my brother around if I want! He doesn’t mind, so why are you complaining?”

Ruoxi: Seriously? If my hair weren’t wet, I’d definitely teach you a lesson. Before we leave, I have to find a reason to give you a good beating—otherwise, it’ll be too late.

“Let’s see if you’re still so mouthy tonight! We’ll ‘discuss’ a few issues!” Ruoxi threatened.

Lin’er: Heh, if not for your predatory glare, I’d believe we were just discussing things! You promised to help me but never did!

...

Time flew by. After another day, the three packed up early in the morning, turned off the utilities, and left.

Sadly, Ruoxi hadn’t managed to find an excuse to thrash Lin’er even once in two days.

The weather was cold; Lin’er and Ruoxi huddled close to Qin Xuan for warmth, each clinging to one side.

Good thing I run hot, Qin Xuan thought, otherwise I’d have been drained dry. He gripped a hand in each of theirs, a little annoyed—he’d told them to wear more, but they never listened!

On the plane, seats were scarce, so only two were together. Lin’er and Ruoxi argued for ages, but Lin’er won, claiming she’d get airsick if she didn’t sit next to Qin Xuan.

Qin Xuan didn’t mind—just a few hours, after all. But Lin’er was different; she truly got airsick. Every flight left her uncomfortable, with ear ringing and all.

Yet, whenever Qin Xuan was beside her, her symptoms eased considerably. She’d had it checked at the hospital, but doctors said it was psychological—nothing could be done.

Lin’er gripped Qin Xuan’s hand, resting her head on his shoulder, feeling inexplicably reassured. As if, with her brother beside her, even the end of the world wouldn’t be frightening.