Chapter 70: Have I Been Deceived?

Qin Lin'er held her face, tilting her head to try and catch more of Aunt Yang’s words.

“I've said all I need to. In the end, what happens between you young people is up to you, but I still hope you’ll consider Zhi Yi,” Yang Ying said amiably as she chopped the meat, yet Qin Xuan couldn’t shake the slight hint of threat he sensed in her tone…

Before Qin Xuan could respond, Yang Ying continued, “But if I ever find out you've bullied Zhi Yi—hmph!” She brought the knife down hard on the cutting board, making Qin Xuan jump.

“I understand, I understand…” Qin Xuan hurried to assure her.

“All right, go on, leave the rest to me,” Yang Ying waved him away.

“Okay,” Qin Xuan put down what he was holding and quickly slipped away.

Qin Lin'er, caught at the stairwell, hadn’t had time to escape and ran right into Qin Xuan coming up. Both were surprised, but Qin Xuan grabbed her hand and made a dash for it.

Meanwhile, after Qin Xuan left, Yang Ying’s irritation only grew. How had her precious daughter ended up so attached to that boy?

At that moment, Nan Zhi Yi was basking in the sun on the balcony with Liu Ruoxi. When she saw Qin Xuan bringing Lin'er upstairs, she was a little curious—then noticed the puzzled look Qin Xuan shot her.

While Liu Ruoxi and Qin Lin'er lounged on the chairs, Nan Zhi Yi tugged on the hem of Qin Xuan’s shirt.

“Hm?” Qin Xuan looked up from his phone, curious.

Nan Zhi Yi pulled him into her room.

“What did my mom say to you?” she asked, genuinely curious.

Seeing her like this, Qin Xuan couldn’t resist teasing, “Aunt Yang said she’s leaving you to me. From now on, you belong to me.”

Nan Zhi Yi: There’s a deal this good?

“All right!” She hurried to wrap her arms around his, leaving Qin Xuan momentarily stunned.

“I was joking, just joking!” Qin Xuan quickly said, holding her back.

While the two tangled, Liu Ruoxi, unable to find them, walked to Nan Zhi Yi’s door and quietly pushed it open—just in time to see them nearly tumbling onto the bed.

“Nan Zhi Yi! What do you think you’re doing?” Liu Ruoxi shouted.

Startled, Nan Zhi Yi released Qin Xuan, finally seeing it was Liu Ruoxi, who grinned mischievously.

“I was just trying to steal home…”

Liu Ruoxi: That direct?

“You wish!” Liu Ruoxi marched over, shoved Nan Zhi Yi onto the bed, and, ignoring Qin Xuan’s odd look, delivered a swift flurry of blows to Nan Zhi Yi’s backside.

Qin Xuan stood there dumbfounded. So Ruoxi really had been going easy on Lin'er all this time…

“Ugh!” At first, Nan Zhi Yi tried to fight back, but soon she was overwhelmed—especially with Qin Xuan watching from the side! If only she hadn’t been so cocky!

After over ten minutes, it was only when Aunt Yang called them down for dinner that Liu Ruoxi finally stopped, looking satisfied as she dragged Qin Xuan out with her.

Left alone, Nan Zhi Yi lay sprawled on the bed, doubting her life choices. She rubbed her probably swollen backside. Liu Ruoxi! Just you wait! Brute force can never defeat intelligence! But… ouch, that really hurt—she didn’t hold back at all!

She limped out of the room, leaning on the wall, and met Qin Lin’er’s sympathetic gaze. Nan Zhi Yi felt annoyed—weren’t they supposed to be allies? Why hadn’t she helped?

Qin Lin’er seemed to read her thoughts and came over to support her.

“Why did you provoke Ruoxi for no reason?” Qin Lin’er said helplessly.

“Oh, hush! I have to find a chance to get back at her. Help me!” Nan Zhi Yi, rubbing her sore backside, was not about to let this go.

“Good luck! I’ll support you in spirit!”

“And not in action?” Nan Zhi Yi tightened her grip around Qin Lin’er’s waist.

“I… I’m afraid of getting beaten!”

“What’s to be afraid of? After all these years, don’t you want revenge?” Nan Zhi Yi tempted her, “Think about how many times you’ve been hit? Your backside’s been smacked so much it curves now!”

Qin Lin’er: Should I be grateful for that?

“Didn’t we get our payback at New Year’s?” Qin Lin’er recalled the satisfying feeling—it was addictive.

“But… haven’t you been beaten again recently?” Nan Zhi Yi was speechless. Did she have no sense of resistance?

“Hey, you just want revenge—and you want to drag me in with you!” Qin Lin’er saw through her.

“So, are you in or not?”

Qin Lin’er hesitated until Aunt Yang’s voice came up from downstairs. Gritting her teeth, she finally said, “I’m in!”

“Great! Here’s the plan…”

Downstairs, Liu Ruoxi watched Nan Zhi Yi and Qin Lin’er coming down arm in arm, glancing at her from time to time. It was obvious they were plotting something! But who was she? If she flinched, she’d be a coward!

After dinner, Nan Zhi Yi unexpectedly decided to return to the school area with Qin Xuan and the others, surprising Yang Ying. Was she really leaving without learning some skills?

This time, they didn’t bike back; having been exhausted in the morning, they took the bus instead. Yang Ying had mahjong plans and didn’t see them off.

Once back at the complex, Nan Zhi Yi naturally followed Qin Xuan’s group home.

Qin Xuan headed straight to his room to play games. Liu Ruoxi said she was going to change clothes, but Nan Zhi Yi and Qin Lin’er followed her upstairs.

“What are you two up to?” Liu Ruoxi asked, halfway through changing, as the two walked in, rubbing their hands together like a pair of rascals.

“Heh! Liu Ruoxi, enjoyed beating me up earlier, didn’t you?” Nan Zhi Yi reached out and grabbed her raised hands.

“Wait—let me finish changing!” Liu Ruoxi protested.

But Qin Lin’er gave her no chance, tickling her ruthlessly.

“Qin Lin’er! You’re dead meat!”

In another room, Qin Xuan, wearing headphones, thought he heard something. He took them off, realized the sounds were coming from Liu Ruoxi’s room, and shrugged—it was probably just Ruoxi bullying someone again.

Soon, the ruckus from the adjacent room grew louder. Qin Xuan couldn’t take it anymore—he’d lost his game twice because of the noise! He pushed open Liu Ruoxi’s door and saw her pinned on the bed by Nan Zhi Yi and Qin Lin’er, half her backside exposed and getting smacked…

Seeing Qin Xuan, Liu Ruoxi widened her eyes and shouted, “Qin Xuan! Help me!”

Qin Xuan was utterly confused—Ruoxi, you’re getting bullied? He leaned against the door, watching with curiosity, even wanting to grab some popcorn.

Half an hour later, Liu Ruoxi lay exhausted on the bed. You two are ruthless! Just you wait! And Qin Xuan, not only did you refuse to help, you just watched?

Liu Ruoxi had never, in her entire life, suffered such humiliation!

Outside, Nan Zhi Yi and Qin Lin’er sat on the sofa, sipping drinks in satisfaction.

“Feeling better?” Nan Zhi Yi asked.

“Much better. If we could do it again, I’d be even happier!” Qin Lin’er rubbed her hands with excitement. It was her first time hitting Ruoxi while she was fully alert—what an exhilarating feeling!

“Er… do you want to stay at my place for a few days?” Nan Zhi Yi suggested kindly.

“Huh? Why?”

“Are you sure you won’t get beaten up again after I leave?”

Qin Lin’er: Have I been tricked?

“Oh well, at worst I’ll just get hit back. You hit her more than I ever did—so I’m still ahead! I’m not afraid!” Qin Lin’er declared bravely.

“All right, I’m heading back then,” Nan Zhi Yi decided it was best not to linger and made her escape.