Chapter 139: Xia Le in the Dark
Xia Hong kept his word and took Xia Le to the computer mall after work to pick out a laptop.
As for Jiang Kekai and Xia Yu, Xia Ling, they stayed at home, too hot to go outside. Plus, Xia Yu had mobility issues, and there was safety concern with Jiang Kekai. So, if not going out, then not going out is best. Hence, without complaint, they cuddled together at home playing whatever they had on the computer, never feeling bored.
In the evening, Xia Le came back clutching a big box contentedly. The girls guessed that this must be the laptop Xia Hong had bought for Xia Le. Sure enough, when he got to the living room, Xia Le couldn’t wait to open the box carefully, placing the laptop on the sofa and starting to tidy up.
Curious, Xia Ling asked, “Big Bro, how much did your laptop cost?” “Original price was 3800 yuan, after discounts it’s down to 3500 yuan.”
Xia Le said proudly. This was the first time his parents had ever bought him something so expensive. He and Xia Ling were still using the old phones that their parents no longer used.
“Speaking of which, do we have an internet cable at home? What’s the Wi-Fi password?”
Eager to download his games, Xia Le couldn’t wait to get online. Why pay for a game at the internet cafe if he could just play here? “The password is eight eights.”
“So where’s the router?”
Smart idea, Xia Le thought. If he placed the laptop next to the router or directly plugged in, he could download faster. “It’s in your sister’s room.”
Xia Le had gotten used to the way Xia Ling referred to Xia Yu as her ‘sister’, so he knew she meant Xia Yu’s room. No hesitation, he headed towards Xia Yu’s room, thinking it was natural for a brother to enter his ‘little’ brother’s room.
But just as he was about to walk in, Jiang Kekai’s chilly voice stopped him in his tracks. “Stay right where you are! You can’t go into Xia Yu’s room.”
Xia Le protested, “Why not? Xia Yu is my ‘little’ brother, isn’t it okay for me to go into his room? Besides, I’m just putting the laptop there to download some games.”
“No way, Xia Yu’s room is also mine, and I say you’re not coming in.”
Jiang Kekai leaned against Xia Yu lovingly, a smug grin plastered on her face, refusing to let Xia Le invade their space. After staring down Jiang Kekai for a bit, Xia Le conceded. “Fine, fine. Good boys don’t quarrel with girls, I guess.”
Taking his spot back on the sofa, Xia Le sighed internally. The wireless network seemed decent anyway. He set the laptop to download by itself and grabbed some clothes to take a shower. It was always nice and normal to clean up in such hot weather.
Seeing her brother leave, Xia Yu felt bad. She nudged Jiang Kekai gently. “Sister Kekai, why don’t you help Big Bro move his laptop to Xiao Yu’s room? He’ll probably download faster there.”
“Nope,” Jiang Kekai retorted, “After how he bullies you, you still stick up for him? Nope.”
Hearing Xia Yu’s sulky tone, Jiang Kekai smirked, “Sure, I could help, but first, you have to do one thing for me.”
“What?”
“It’s nothing hard. Just give me a kiss.”
Jiang Kekai pointed to her own rosy cheek in triumph. She assumed Xia Yu would agree.
Meanwhile, Xia Ling was casually playing cards, until she heard Jiang Kekai’s unreasonable request. She paused mid-game and glanced at them with curiosity.
Yes, she was curious what Xia Yu would do. Lucky for Xia Yu and Xia Ling, only they were there; Wang Wenjuan and Xia Hong went to their rooms with some excuse, sparing them awkwardness.
An onlooker might swoon at Jiang Kekai’s bold display, but not Xia Yu. She blushed fiercely and averted her gaze.
“Alright, Xia Yu, answer me.”
Jiang Kekai prodded Xia Yu’s cheek, trying to snap her out of her daze. Xia Yu blinked, looking between Xia Ling who nodded with a smile.
Xia Ling met Xia Yu’s eyes but quickly looked away, hoping Xia Yu would summon the courage. Seeing Jiang Kekai’s expectant look, Xia Yu hesitated then leaned in.
Maybe it was for her brother, or maybe she wanted to on her own. Either way, she didn’t dislike the idea and felt a mix of excitement and nervousness.
Growing up, Xia Yu had only kissed her sister and mom. This was her first kiss with another girl. Jiang Kekai beamed with satisfaction, kissing Xia Yu’s cheek as well, adding a resounding smack for good measure. Mission accomplished, Jiang Kekai snatched Xia Le’s laptop and walked off.
Shock registered on Xia Yu and Xia Ling’s faces as the situation dawned on them. Xia Ling, irritated more than her sister’s shyness, seized the laptop.
“Xia Yu, let’s go to my room, forget about that Missy.”
“Oh!?”
Meanwhile, Jiang Kekai stepped out of Xia Yu’s bedroom after setting up the laptop. Xia Ling misinterpreted her intentions.
Jiang Kekai smiled triumphantly at Xia Ling, “I got here first.”
Indeed, after a week of recovery, Xia Yu could mostly walk without her wheel chair. Though her wounds still hurt, she was no longer confined.
Xia Le emerged from his shower promptly, clearly in a hurry. Maybe because it was quick and simple. “Where’s my laptop?”
Xia Le glanced at the empty spot, not at the three women huddled together.
“Your laptop is in Xia Yu’s room,” Xia Ling replied.
Expecting Xia Le to rush towards Xia Yu’s room, Xia Ling hoped Jiang Kekai would interfere. Xia Le, instead, approached the trio curiously asking, “What’s going on?”
Xia Le wasn’t worried anymore hearing about his laptop downloading in Xia Yu’s room; he was now intrigued by Xia Ling and Jiang Kekai’s interaction. Xia Yu used to follow him around, and while he once found her annoying, he was now genuinely confused by their rivalry.
Jiang Kekai sneered at Xia Le, “Just go elsewhere. Mind your own business.”
“Uh, okay…”
Maybe recognizing Jiang Kekai’s dominance, Xia Le backed off to a nearby sofa, perplexed at Xia Ling and Jiang Kekai’s fixation with Xia Yu.
