Chapter Sixty-Eight: So You’re the Only One with a Husband, Huh?

“You two!” Qin Lin’er was flustered, pointing a trembling finger at them.

“Oh? Lin’er, you’re back. Have you eaten? Want some more?” Liu Ruoxi came over with a bowl, playfully picking up a piece of fish with her chopsticks, pretending to feed Lin’er. But just as Lin’er leaned in, she abruptly pulled it away.

Qin Lin’er: ??? Are you kidding me?

“Weren’t you two supposed to be napping?” Qin Lin’er brushed past Liu Ruoxi, who was blocking her path, and dashed to the table, snatching Qin Xuan’s chopsticks and digging in as she spoke.

Liu Ruoxi frowned as she watched Lin’er use Qin Xuan’s chopsticks, but said nothing.

“We got up right after you left—only, you were already gone,” Qin Xuan, now without his chopsticks, simply leaned back in his chair and stretched lazily.

“You two were just eating without me!” Lin’er’s cheeks were stuffed as she glared at Qin Xuan, her voice muffled by food. “You didn’t even call me for something this tasty? Was that on purpose?”

...

“Brother~ what should we do this afternoon?” Having indulged in two lunches, Lin’er was now sprawled on the sofa, rubbing her stomach.

“Watch Ultraman?” Qin Xuan ventured.

“Watch what? Nonsense! Let’s go out and play!” She tossed a cushion at him without warning.

“Hey!” Qin Xuan was caught off guard, the cushion hitting him square in the face.

In the end, Qin Xuan was dragged outside by Lin’er, while Liu Ruoxi claimed she wanted to take a nap, so for now, Qin Xuan was left at Lin’er’s mercy.

The moment they stepped out, Lin’er clung tightly to Qin Xuan’s arm, refusing to let go, and the grip was strong. Given the chilly weather and the layers they wore, Qin Xuan actually broke into a sweat.

“Brother~ I’m taking you somewhere special!” Lin’er said mysteriously, tugging him along.

After about ten minutes, Qin Xuan found himself standing before a flower market.

“What made you think of buying flowers?” He gently squeezed Lin’er’s small hand as he asked.

“Your room could use some decorating!” Lin’er beamed at him, her hand warm in his. “Besides, you spend so much time on the computer each day. Flowers will be good for your eyes.”

This flower market was well stocked, and Lin’er strolled lazily with Qin Xuan, stopping now and then to admire the blooms.

“Brother, how about this one for your room?” Lin’er pointed at a striking, vividly blooming flower.

Just as Qin Xuan was wondering what it was called, a shopkeeper emerged.

“You have a good eye, miss! That’s a camellia. It smells delightful—have a whiff.”

Lin’er leaned in and indeed caught a faint, delicate fragrance. It seemed just right for Qin Xuan. She checked the price tag—not expensive—so she made up her mind.

“We’ll take this one. Let’s see if there’s anything else.”

Soon, the two of them left the market, each carrying a potted flower. Lin’er had even bought a clivia for Liu Ruoxi.

Just as they were about to leave, Lin’er spotted a vendor selling candied hawthorn skewers and stopped dead in her tracks.

Seeing how she stared at the distant stall, Qin Xuan didn’t have to guess—she was craving a treat. He led her over.

“Sir, one skewer of candied hawthorn, please.”

The vendor was an elderly man, who grinned. “Young man, you’re the first to call me ‘sir’! Here, have a big one. Five yuan.”

Qin Xuan handed the skewer to Lin’er.

“Let’s get another,” Lin’er said, as if struck by a thought.

“Alright, another big one for you.”

As they walked away, Qin Xuan asked, puzzled, “Can you finish two?”

“Are you silly? This one's for Sister Ruoxi! She said she wanted candied hawthorn last time!” Lin’er bit into a hawthorn, giving Qin Xuan a sidelong look. “You can’t even remember what your girlfriend wants to eat. Maybe you two should just break up…”

As Qin Xuan reached for his keys at the door, Lin’er sidled up to him, pressing close.

“Qin Xuan~ want to taste what candied hawthorn is like?” she whispered in his ear.

A rush of sweet, icy sugar and hawthorn flavor swept over his ear, making it burn.

“Stay away from me!” Qin Xuan pushed her aside, ducking his head as he fished for his keys.

Irritated at being shoved, Lin’er seized the moment as he opened the door, darted in, and pressed a quick kiss to his cheek—then dashed inside to escape.

Qin Xuan froze, wiping his face. Ugh! Gross! There was sticky syrup on his skin!

Once home, Lin’er put the incident behind her and ran to Liu Ruoxi’s room, holding out the candied hawthorn to her lips.

“Hm?” Perhaps drawn by the sweetness, Liu Ruoxi stuck out her tongue for a taste, but Lin’er teasingly pulled the skewer just out of reach, like baiting a kitten. Liu Ruoxi’s eyes snapped open.

“Ruoxi—Sister Ruoxi,” Lin’er stammered, a little startled. She hurried to make amends, “Do you want some candied hawthorn?”

Liu Ruoxi licked her lips, realization dawning. “Qin Lin’er! You were teasing me, weren’t you?”

She promptly pinned Lin’er to the bed and caught the skewer between her teeth.

The two of them fooled around for a good while, ending with Lin’er eating all the sugar coating—so much sweetness she nearly felt diabetic. Liu Ruoxi only liked the tart hawthorn inside, just a hint of sweetness; too much, and she couldn’t stand it.

...

Meanwhile, on the other side, Nan Zhiyi was at home, peering through a telescope, secretly observing Qin Xuan’s place. She couldn’t let herself be discovered!

Watching the three of them laughing and playing together, she realized that despite all this time, she still hadn’t managed to join their circle.

“Beep beep!” Lost in thought, Nan Zhiyi was jolted by her phone’s sudden ringing. It was a video call from her mother.

“Mom!” she wailed as soon as she answered.

“Oh my! What’s happened? Got dumped?” Yang Ying’s teasing was merciless.

“Nonsense! How could I get dumped before anything’s even started?” Nan Zhiyi retorted, exasperated.

“Then why do you look so down?”

“I just told you…” Nan Zhiyi said, growing frustrated.

“Oh, poor thing!” Yang Ying mocked. “I could laugh!”

“You—Mom! Help me out here!” Nan Zhiyi ruffled her hair. She had originally sworn not to rely on her mother, but clearly, that resolve was crumbling.

Yang Ying thought for a moment. “Why not invite him over for dinner?”

“This evening?” Nan Zhiyi was caught off guard.

“No, next weekend. I forgot, I have a date with your dad tonight!” Suddenly remembering, Yang Ying grabbed Nan Zhengyi’s hand and waved it in front of the camera.

“Ugh!” Nan Zhiyi grimaced. “Go on your date, then!”

With that, she hung up at once. Show off your love somewhere else!

Yang Ying stared at the ended call, sighing. This child! Such a temper—no wonder you can’t win anyone over. Back in my day… cough! Best not to speak of the past.

Still, Yang Ying sent a follow-up message.

“Saturday next week, alright? And don’t forget, your dad and I are going out again this weekend!”

Nan Zhiyi looked at the message, an urge to smash something welling up inside. Show off, show off! So you have a husband, huh? It’s not like you’re the only one! Fine, maybe I really don’t…