Chapter Seventy-Six: Do You Know What It Feels Like When Loving Someone Becomes a Habit?

At the dining table, Liu Ruoxi watched Nan Zhiyi with curiosity. “Why are you blushing?” she wondered, but since it was Zhiyi’s birthday, she decided to let it go and not pick a fight.

“Ruoxi! Put some beef tripe in the pot,” Nan Zhiyi leaned back in her chair and instructed Liu Ruoxi.

“You!” Liu Ruoxi was happily eating. “Can’t you do it yourself?” But despite her words, she still dumped a plateful into the hotpot.

“Thank you, Ruoxi!” Nan Zhiyi nodded in satisfaction. This feeling… it really was wonderful.

…

Unfortunately, even with all the food they’d bought, they couldn’t finish it. Their appetites just weren’t up to the challenge.

After clearing the table, Nan Zhiyi gazed at the birthday cake, candles already lit. She felt a little embarrassed to admit it, but this was probably the first time someone other than her parents had celebrated her birthday.

As she closed her eyes to make a wish, Qin Xuan was suddenly struck by a wave of warmth.

“Qin Xuan!” He was still lost in thought when someone called his name. Before he could react, a piece of cake smashed into his face! Blinking in confusion, he wiped his eyes, only to see Qin Lin’er throwing another piece at him.

“Hey! Stop wasting food, alright?” Qin Xuan protested helplessly. “It’s meant to be eaten!”

“Let’s throw one more!” The others burst out laughing at Qin Xuan’s sorry state.

When Qin Xuan finished cleaning up and returned, he saw the three of them sitting on the sofa, giggling as they ate cake. He suddenly felt more aggrieved than when he’d lost three rounds in a row at cards.

“Qin Xuan, will you take me home?” Nan Zhiyi looked over at Qin Xuan, who was eating cake and playing with his phone.

“Well... alright,” he agreed. After all, it was Zhiyi’s special day—he couldn’t spoil her mood.

Ignoring the look from Liu Ruoxi, Nan Zhiyi took Qin Xuan’s arm and led him out.

“Ruoxi?” Qin Lin’er nudged Liu Ruoxi, who was glaring after them.

“It’s nothing,” Liu Ruoxi replied, snapping out of it. She’d told herself she wouldn’t go after Zhiyi today.

Outside, it was only a few dozen meters, but as soon as they got downstairs, Nan Zhiyi stopped in her tracks.

“Qin Xuan, carry me,” she called weakly from the stairs, licking a trace of cream from her lips.

With a resigned sigh, Qin Xuan crouched down in front of her, and without hesitation, Nan Zhiyi leapt onto his back. So comfortable!

Shielded from the wind by Qin Xuan’s head, Nan Zhiyi couldn’t help but murmur, “Qin Xuan, I like you.”

“Uh…” Qin Xuan’s heart was in turmoil, but he had no idea what to say.

By the time they reached Zhiyi’s room, Qin Xuan felt that the short distance had never seemed so long. He dropped Nan Zhiyi onto the sofa and was about to leave when she hugged him from behind.

Just as Qin Xuan was about to speak, Nan Zhiyi spoke first.

“Do you know what it feels like when loving someone becomes a habit?”

“You…” Qin Xuan was stunned, his urge to pull away dissipating.

“I do,” she said. “I still remember the person who wanted to walk me home, even though we got lost…”

“It wasn’t until I started caring about my appearance that I realized that was love.”

“I really envy Ruoxi and Lin’er for growing up with you, but… I guess I haven’t missed out on your youth, either.”

Qin Xuan listened quietly, only to feel a scalding drop fall on his neck.

“Hey, don’t cry,” he pleaded. He couldn’t stand to see a girl cry, especially when it came so suddenly.

He turned, crouched down, and reached out to wipe the tears from Nan Zhiyi’s cheeks, but the more he wiped, the more she cried, making him all the more anxious.

“Alright, stop crying or you’ll ruin your pretty face,” he soothed, pulling her into his arms and patting her back.

“Hmph… You’re the ugly one!” Nan Zhiyi bit her lip in protest and smacked him lightly.

After that, a heavy silence fell over the room. Both seemed a little embarrassed.

“Will you stay with me tonight?” Nan Zhiyi pushed him away slightly, her reddened eyes fixed on him, even her lashes trembling.

“Alright.” Qin Xuan couldn’t bring himself to leave, seeing her like this.

Hearing his answer, Nan Zhiyi couldn’t help but smile.

Meanwhile, Liu Ruoxi and Qin Lin’er looked at the brightly lit room across the way, wondering what the two of them were up to.

After a while, Liu Ruoxi started to worry that Qin Xuan might be taken advantage of. She changed her shoes and headed out, leaving Qin Lin’er alone, still processing what was happening. Was Ruoxi really going to “catch them in the act”?

She thought about it, then decided it wasn’t her place to interfere. Better to sit back and watch the drama unfold.

When Liu Ruoxi knocked on the door, Qin Xuan jumped in surprise. But Nan Zhiyi had expected this; she’d have been shocked if Ruoxi hadn’t come.

“What are you two doing?” Liu Ruoxi asked, arms crossed, casting her gaze between them like a boss.

“Ruoxi~” Unfazed by Ruoxi’s suspicious look, Nan Zhiyi pulled her into her room.

Qin Xuan was left alone facing the door. Should he make a run for it? But he’d already promised Zhiyi…

While he was chatting with the curious Qin Lin’er, the two girls emerged from the room.

“Hmph! Just for tonight!” Liu Ruoxi threw the words at Qin Xuan before storming off. Qin Xuan scratched his head in confusion. Was that it?

“Hehe! Tonight, you’re all mine!” Nan Zhiyi plopped herself onto Qin Xuan’s lap, lifted his chin with a finger, and looked every bit the mischievous temptress.

Qin Xuan: Shameless!

…

Qin Lin’er tiptoed to the balcony to see Ruoxi returning, curiosity piqued.

She watched as Liu Ruoxi pushed open the door and sat on the sofa, arms folded in deep contemplation.

“Ruoxi?” Qin Lin’er poked her shoulder. “What’s up? Where’s my brother?”

“Your brother’s been stolen!” Liu Ruoxi snapped.

“What?” Qin Lin’er thought she must have misheard.

Liu Ruoxi looked up at Qin Lin’er’s bewildered face. “He’s spending the night at Zhiyi’s.”

Qin Lin’er: He really was stolen?

Seeing Lin’er’s anxiety, Liu Ruoxi stopped teasing and explained what she and Nan Zhiyi had discussed in the room, finally setting Lin’er’s mind at ease.

“Zhiyi really said all that?” Qin Lin’er asked awkwardly, brows furrowed.

“Having another sister is no loss!” On the surface, Liu Ruoxi seemed pleased.

“Aren’t you worried something might happen between her and Qin Xuan tonight?”

Of course Liu Ruoxi had thought about that, but she answered with confidence, “No, Qin Xuan isn’t that kind of person!”

Still, she couldn’t help but wonder again if there was something wrong with Qin Xuan… Did he need fixing?

Meanwhile, Qin Xuan had finished washing up and flopped onto the bed, fully clothed, playing on his phone. He caught a faint, unfamiliar scent on the blanket and wondered why his own didn’t smell like this.

After her shower, Nan Zhiyi crawled into bed, poking her head out from under the covers with a bright smile.

“Does it smell nice?”

Qin Xuan: As if you didn’t know!

“It does.”

“There’s something even nicer—want to smell it?” Nan Zhiyi grinned like a sly little fox.

“No thanks, I’m sure it’s marinated enough already!” Qin Xuan teased, and Nan Zhiyi wanted nothing more than to kick him.

“You’re the one who’s marinated! This is fragrance, okay?” Nan Zhiyi retorted.

“Fine, fine, let’s sleep,” Qin Xuan ended the banter, afraid he might lose control if it continued.

As Qin Xuan lay down and closed his eyes, Nan Zhiyi stared wide-eyed at the ceiling. As if she could sleep at a time like this…