### Chapter 237: Little Sisters
Upon returning home, after settling everything, Xia Ling immediately came over to invite Xia Yu out: “Sis, how about you go out and have some fun with me? It’s been such a long time since we got back home.”
Indeed, Xia Ling couldn’t wait to show off her little sister Xia Yu to her group of close friends. She wondered, “What would their reaction be when they saw this adorable Xia Yu?” She was almost too excited.
Alas, Xia Yu decisively refused, stating plainly, “No.”
To Xia Yu, who still had her own insecurities, going out to be seen by others just wasn’t her thing. She wasn’t naive enough to let them mock her if something embarrassing happened. Furthermore, she and Xia Ling’s group of friends weren’t exactly on speaking terms.
“Aw? Come on, sis! You’re coming with me, right? Or you can just drink my milk tea, alright?”
Seeing Xia Yu turn down her invitation, Xia Ling got a bit desperate and started clinging onto Xia Yu’s arm, pleading cutely. She really wanted to take Xia Yu out and enjoy their day.
At that moment, Xia Hong chimed in, “Xia Yu, what are you doing at home all day? Go out and get some fresh air with your sis, and who knows, maybe you could catch up with your brothers like your big brother does.”
Xia Yu: “…”
“Not gonna happen,” replied Xia Yu, finding an excuse. “I have to stay here and clean the mats; my room is full of dust.”
“Clean the mats? Just sleep in my room from now on; problem solved. Come on, we’re leaving!” Xia Ling forcibly dragged Xia Yu along, worried that Xia Yu might hurt Xia Ling’s newly healed hand which lacked strength.
Watching the two sisters walk away, Xia Hong looked at Wang Wenjuan helplessly and asked, “Did Xia Yu sleep with Xia Ling last night? Aren’t they growing up and sharing the same room? Won’t that cause any problems?”
“Don’t worry about it. They are sisters. Besides, I need to handle other things now—just let me take care of it.”
Wang Wenjuan knew that Xia Yu and Xia Ling were now sisters and didn’t see any issue with them sleeping together. She did not want to overthink any of this and went on to attend to her own business without hesitation. Xia Hong, seeing his wife’s confidence, felt no need to ponder further.
With Xia Ling’s weakened left arm around Xia Yu’s, and Xia Ling holding her milk tea with her right hand as they walked, Xia Yu had an unmistakably joyful and content expression.
Xia Ling made her way towards the basketball court, expecting to find her group of friends playing basketball. Sure enough, she spotted a few of her dear little sisters jumping rope nearby. Seeing this, she decided even more firmly to bring Xia Yu along, believing that having a sibling by her side brought so much comfort.
However, Xia Yu wasn’t really interested in the game.
Beside the basketball court, a large banyan tree towered. Many elderly residents lounged under its shade, chatting away. Xia Yu avoided their gaze. She may not have superpowers or the ability to turn invisible, but she was pretty sure she’d be noticed if she wandered there.
So, Xia Yu focused intently on listening to the murmurs of these people, hoping to hear comments about her and Xia Ling, yet anxious about negative remarks. And there, she heard them:
“Hey, aren’t those Xia Hong’s twins?”
“Yes, they just got back from the city for the holidays. What’s wrong? Didn’t you recognize them?”
“Hmm, I remember them being a boy and girl, right? But what’s with this new look?”
“Don’t know. Heard that kid Xia Yu, after being rescued and running back, changed drastically. She doesn’t want to cut her hair and rumor has it she attempted s*icide—mentally unstable, I guess.”
“Really? She seems quite normal at the moment; just harder to tell who’s the older brother or sister.”
…
As they moved further apart, Xia Yu could hardly make out their conversation anymore. She was truly at a loss whether to feel happy or sad about these villagers’ comments.
She finally understood why her grandma was so insisting on her getting a haircut—it was because of the gossip. However, she didn’t want to comply.
Xia Yu believed she shouldn’t cater to villagers’ opinions and should remain true to herself. After all, she was only back for a few days. Soon, she’d return to the city with her parents to see Sister Xiao Ning.
Meanwhile, Xia Ling’s friends were stunned as they watched Xia Yu and Xia Ling walk hand-in-hand.
The girls, knowing Xia Yu as Xia Ling’s second older brother, were intrigued by her appearance. If they didn’t already know better, they might have thought Xia Yu and Xia Ling were twins.
“They’ve only been gone for four months. Do you really need to gawk like that?”
Noticing all the attention on her and Xia Yu, Xia Ling chuckled.
“What’s got you so fascinated? Xia Yu is your second older brother, isn’t he? Why did he change so much? Is he your brother or your sister?”
Xia Ling glanced at Xia Yu, who was sipping on milk tea, and said affectionately, “Don’t you mean ‘sister’? She’s obviously my sister now.”
Xia Yu: “…”
A curious voice then addressed her, “Are you a boy or a girl?”
Seeing Xia Yu, the girl couldn’t help but laugh at the confusion, “Not telling.”
Seemingly, Xia Yu felt playful today.
Xia Ling, who noticed the tension between her friend and Xia Yu, quickly intervened, “Stop it, guys. Let’s play jump rope together!”
“Fine, since you asked nicely,” her friend finally relented.
However, Xia Yu had zero interest, “I don’t wanna.”
Unbothered by Xia Yu’s attitude, Xia Yu sat down and began playing a puzzle match-3 on her phone.
Xia Ling observed Xia Yu engrossed in her game, exclaiming, “How can you play this, it’s so boring! Play some exciting games like King of Glory!”
“But people talk too much,” Xia Yu retorted.
Xia Ling considered her words but ultimately laughed, “Forget that. C’mon, sister, let me help you fly through the levels!”
And just like that, Xia Ling led them into a gaming session.
The basketball court gradually filled with sounds of balls bouncing as Xia Yang and others started playing.
If Xia Yu looked up now, she’d see Xia Le among the familiar faces.
