Chapter Fifty-Two: Hey, My Good Child

The restless fragrance of her hair drifted before Qin Xuan’s nose, and he felt a little intoxicated. He reached out and wrapped his arm around Lin’er’s shoulders.

“Brother~” Qin Lin’er murmured softly, sensing his gesture.

“What is it?” Qin Xuan turned his head, noticing Lin’er’s slightly pale face.

“Hug me tighter...”

At her words, Qin Xuan tightened his hold. As the plane ascended, he could feel Lin’er’s body tense. She looked up at him, frowning, but he offered a reassuring smile. Only then did Lin’er relax her grip on his leg—a grip so tight it hurt! She was surprisingly strong.

A few hours later, Qin Xuan was rubbing his leg, sure that it would bruise.

After exiting the airport, the three of them took the subway home. But as soon as they opened the door, they saw their parents already eating, a table full of leftovers in sight. Qin Xuan suddenly felt abandoned...

Since Liu Ruoxi’s parents weren’t home, she had come straight over too. After all, they were all family, so it wasn’t a big deal.

“You’re back? Ruoxi, come sit,” Wang Manshu called out to her. The two siblings, meanwhile, felt numb.

“Mom! Dad...” Liu Ruoxi hesitated to call Qin Jianguo “Dad,” but braced herself and managed it.

“Mm,” Father Qin Jianguo squeezed out a smile.

He pulled a red envelope from his pocket and handed it to Liu Ruoxi, who looked confused. What was this for?

Seeing her puzzled, Father Qin smiled and explained, “Today counts as your first visit. Take it.”

He pressed the envelope into her hand. Only then did Liu Ruoxi understand—was this acceptance?

She gripped the envelope tightly, beaming. “Thank you... Dad!”

Qin Lin’er, seeing this, was displeased.

“Dad! What about me?”

Qin Jianguo glanced at her. “What for? You’re not in the same situation.”

Qin Lin’er thought: Actually... I could be!

It wasn’t that Lin’er coveted a red envelope—it was more about the new title she wanted to use.

“All right, let’s eat first. Ruoxi, I made your favorite fish,” Wang Manshu brought out a spread of dishes, many of them Ruoxi’s favorites, set aside just for her.

But when Lin’er looked, none of her favorites were there! Clearly, she didn’t belong here!

After dinner, Wang Manshu took Liu Ruoxi and Qin Lin’er out shopping, saying she wanted to buy them some clothes.

Qin Jianguo glanced at Qin Xuan, who was lounging on the sofa like a salted fish.

“Qin Xuan!” his father suddenly called, startling him.

“Yes, Dad?” Qin Xuan looked up in confusion.

Father Qin closed his book. “What do you think of Lin’er?”

Without thinking, Qin Xuan blurted, “She’s my little sister.”

“Mm? Good,” Father Qin sighed in relief. When Manshu relayed Lin’er’s words, he’d been startled—thankfully, it was one-sided. There was hope yet.

Qin Xuan asked, “Why is that good?”

“Nothing. So, how’s university life?” Satisfied with the answer, Father Qin switched the subject.

“It’s all right,” Qin Xuan nodded, then recalled something. “By the way, Dad, how do you know Nan Zhiyi?”

“Nan Zhiyi? You mean Uncle Nan’s daughter?” Father Qin replied. “He and I were comrades-in-arms. We’ve known each other for years.”

“Really? How come I’ve never heard you mention him?” Qin Xuan was puzzled.

“Why concern yourself with grown-ups’ business?” his father retorted, then eyed him curiously. “What, you fancy Uncle Nan’s daughter? Don’t forget about Ruoxi!”

Qin Xuan was speechless. What wild ideas was his father imagining?

“Of course not! We’re just friends,” Qin Xuan explained quickly.

“Oh, I thought I’d have to prepare another red envelope,” Father Qin joked.

...

Meanwhile, Liu Ruoxi and Qin Lin’er each clung to one of Wang Manshu’s arms. The scene was warm—if you didn’t look behind them.

Behind Wang Manshu’s back, Liu Ruoxi and Qin Lin’er were swatting at each other, though outwardly they smiled sweetly. Truly, women were all born actresses.

Perhaps tired from shopping, Wang Manshu found a place for them to sit. Naturally, women’s conversations soon turned to gossip.

“Ruoxi, how far have you and Qin Xuan gone? Any plans to get engaged?” Wang Manshu inquired.

Before Liu Ruoxi could respond, Qin Lin’er interjected, “She sneaks into Qin Xuan’s room every night! It’s so annoying!”

Liu Ruoxi hurried to cover Lin’er’s mouth. You gossipmonger!

“Oh, is that so? Be careful, you’re only in college,” Wang Manshu advised, holding Liu Ruoxi’s hand and watching her blush with embarrassment.

“I... we haven’t...” Liu Ruoxi stammered, but Wang Manshu understood perfectly.

Qin Xuan, my boy! Can’t you be a little more useful?

Qin Lin’er broke free from Ruoxi’s hand and gave her a strange look. Could her brother be... incapable?

After strolling a bit more, Wang Manshu grew tired and took them home, their car loaded with clothes.

At home, Qin Xuan was nowhere to be seen. Liu Ruoxi’s first instinct was to check his room. Sure enough, there he was, secretly playing games alone, thoroughly enjoying himself.

He greeted her as she entered.

Liu Ruoxi dropped herself onto his lap, blocking his view of the screen. “Choose—me or the game!”

“You,” Qin Xuan replied without hesitation, but gently pushed her aside. “Let me finish this match first.”

“You big oaf!” Liu Ruoxi scolded, then leaned close to his ear. “I bought black stockings~”

“Hmm? Black stockings?” Qin Xuan’s attention snapped to her. He quickly typed: Guys, something’s come up. Gotta dash!

His teammates replied in a flurry: “At least you’ll feed fewer kills if you AFK!” “Trash teammate!” “Ready up, next match.”

...

Of course, Qin Xuan never got to see the end—his father dragged him out to play chess. With Qin Xuan’s skills, it was no contest; he was thoroughly beaten.

Father Qin regained his confidence, his frustration from recent defeats by friends finally soothed.

That evening, Liu Ruoxi’s parents returned and invited Qin Xuan’s family over for dinner. Being neighbors, the two families were close, and this had become a tradition. This year was special, as the children were now together.

Qin Xuan, carrying gifts, went over with Lin’er.

As soon as the door opened, he was greeted by Aunt Bai.

“Aunt Bai, you look younger every time I see you,” he said cheerfully.

Ruoxi’s mother laughed. “Still as sweet-tongued as ever—I like it! But now that Ruoxi has started calling my husband ‘Dad,’ shouldn’t you stop calling me Aunt Bai?”

Qin Xuan quickly caught on. “Mom!”

“Come in, sit down,” Aunt Bai said, taking the gifts. “And next time, don’t bring anything—no need to be so formal.”

Entering the living room, Qin Xuan found Ruoxi’s father, Liu Hao, playing games on his phone, grumbling about useless teammates and poor item builds.

It was Uncle Liu who first got Qin Xuan into gaming—from cartridge consoles in childhood to computers later on. Uncle Liu was truly Qin Xuan’s guide to the world of games. They shared another trait: both were terrible at games, but loved them all the same!

“Uncle Liu, gaming again?” Qin Xuan greeted him.

Liu Hao glanced back. “Still calling me Uncle?”

Qin Xuan was speechless. “Dad?”

“Good boy!” Liu Hao replied with excitement, then added, “See, when you were little I wanted you to call me ‘Dad’ and you refused. Now you’ve come around yourself!”

Watching Uncle Liu act like a child, Qin Xuan was at a loss—couldn’t he be a bit more mature?