Chapter 318: The Unusual Xia Le
“Okay, then keep an eye on her later. After all, you only have one sister in the end.” —
Wang Wenjuan didn’t doubt Xia Ling’s words. She had seen that Xia Ling and Xia Yu were close. Thus, it was impossible for them to fight—so if Xia Yu was unhappy, there must be another reason.
Hearing her mother approve of Xia Yu being her own sister, Xia Yu became more energetic. “Don’t worry. I’ll take good care of my sister.”
…
During the thorough cleaning and pasting Spring Festival couplets, the whole family was involved—including Xia Le. Watching his brother drenched in sweat in earnest, Xia Le no longer found him annoying and repellent. “Xia Yu, little Qiang and the others are inviting me to go to war tomorrow. We should go together. I’ll give you a g*n for the occasion—whatever type you like.”
“Ahh?”
Xia Yu was really shocked by what her older brother said. In her mind, he didn’t like her, did he? The last time he took her out to exercise and abandoned her like that—so what about now?
Unfortunately, the Xia Yu of yesterday was not today’s Xia Yu: “No…. No, I don’t want to go. I’m fine just staying home.”
“Oh,” Xia Le felt a bit disappointed. “Then, what kind of g*n do you like? I’ll buy one for you tomorrow.”
“… You don’t have to,” Xia Yu was suddenly flattered. “Bro, you have plenty of friends, right? It doesn’t matter if I’m not around. You… need to enjoy your life.”
Mumbling something awkwardly, Xia Yu then turned away to do other activities.
From beginning to end, Xia Ling had been watching the whole scene. Therefore, after Xia Yu left, she approached her older brother. “Xia Yu is now my sister. When the New Year comes, she needs to stay with me, so you can’t get involved.”
Xia Le replied: “But she’s still a second or two older than you, isn’t she?”
“Doesn’t matter! Doesn’t matter! Stop nagging! Anyway, you can’t make your sister do dangerous things. Those things aren’t suitable for her anymore.”
With those words, Xia Ling quickly left without saying another word.
Soon, Xia Ling found Xia Yu again and clung onto her tightly, worried that she might be snatched away by Xia Le. Since Big Bad Egg Jiang Kekai wasn’t around, her sister was now hers.
After a hectic day, Xia Yu finally finished everything she needed to do before the New Year. That meant she could now relax. Feeling the sweat-soaked clothes on her body, Xia Yu decided to take a bath; otherwise, she might catch a cold.
Although most of her stuff had already been moved, some clothes remained in the wardrobe to allow Xia Yu the freedom to live comfortably in their old house and villa.
Looking at both men’s outfits and dresses, Xia Yu hesitated. Perhaps it was nostalgia, but now something felt different.
Throughout this, Xia Ling stayed close behind Xia Yu, always vigilant of Xia Le’s potential interference. This was the perfect opportunity, and she wouldn’t let it slip. “Come on, sis. Wear a dress. They’re cuter. As long as we don’t go out, everything will be fine.”
Persuaded by Xia Ling, Xia Yu leaned towards dressing up. Should she dare go all out? And what would look best? If Xiao Ning was here, she’d choose for her.
Glancing at the beautiful dresses hanging on the rack, Xia Yu finally extended her hand and made a selection…
Seeing Xia Yu pick her outfit, Xia Ling erupted with excitement. “Yay! Our sister is back! Go, go shower!”
Shoving Xia Yu into the bathroom, Xia Ling could hardly wait to see her dressed in that dress. A masculine Xia Yu couldn’t be held properly—too stiff.
Wang Wenjuan was sitting in the living room observing everything. “Xiao Ling, ease up on Xiao Yu. Otherwise, she might change her mind.”
“Why would she?” Xia Ling went to her mother and started clinging to her. “Sis now likes me the most. She won’t blame me.”
Wang Wenjuan pinched Xia Ling’s cheek and smiled. “You know, Xiao Yu has found someone she loves genuinely. Do you plan on finding one too?”
Xia Ling, unexpectedly asked about these matters, blushed instantly. “Mom, what are you talking about? I’m still young.”
“This is just preparation. If you ever find someone you like, don’t forget to tell your mom, okay?”
“Okay.”
Xia Ling stuffed her face with her small, red lips.
Fortunately, Xia Le was out playing alone. Otherwise, he would likely escape her mother’s questioning. Not long after, the fragrant Xia Yu emerged from the bathroom, cuter than ever.
Xia Ling couldn’t contain herself and hugged her sister, “You’re adorable even like this. Come, let’s go upstairs and dry your hair.”
Smiling affectionately, Wang Wenjuan watched her daughters with adoration. For her, nothing was better than seeing her children happy and healthy.
While upstairs was comfortable, Xia Yu still had to join everyone downstairs for dinner. If she were in regular clothes, she might not have noticed much. But now, in a dress.
With a nervous heart, Xia Yu walked down with Xia Ling. At that moment, Xia Hong and grandparents were preparing dinner. Seeing Xia Yu in a dress again, they were shocked.
“Xiao Yu, why are you dressed like that? Change back, or it’ll look weird,” the grandmother commented.
Xia Ling interjected, “It’s okay, grandma. Second Brother wore it last year, it looks great.”
The grandmother had no choice but to agree. Last year and now, however, were different. She couldn’t overlook Xiao Yu’s inappropriate attire, especially since in their eyes, Xia Yu wasn’t a girl.
Surprisingly, Xia Hong also started defending Xia Yu, “Let it be. They’re happy. Besides, Xiao Yu looks quite nice like that. With Xiao Ling, they look like sisters.”
The grandmother looked at her son, “Why are you joining in this nonsense? Do you remember what the elders in the village said when Xiao Yu dressed like that last year?”
“Umm, well,” Xia Hong chuckled awkwardly, “I think it’s fine. It’s not an issue as long as she wears it occasionally.”
The grandmother continued, “Are you saying Xiao Yu dressed like this in the city too?”
“Ah, yeah…” Xia Hong answered nervously.
Xia Ling gloated, secretly pleased. Their family seemed to accept Xia Yu’s new identity. There was a moment when Xia Ling almost revealed Xia Yu’s secret, allowing her to stop pretending.
But, she held back.
Carrying the dishes, Xia Ling began to set the table for the family dinner. Xia Le came back with two impressive toy guns. Clearly, he had used Lin Jie’s money he got to buy them.
Seeing Xia Yu in the dress, he had to readjust his stance. After a while, he approached Xia Yu. “Pick one. I’ll give it to you.”
But Xia Ling was quick. “Didn’t I say no dangerous things? And you, putting a brother in a dress? Is that how a sister treats her own brother?”
Xia Le and Xia Ling faced off. Xia Yu felt the tension and intervened, “Um, could you stop fighting?”
“To each other! Then Xia Yu, who should I pick?”
Xia Yu was conflicted. “Do we really have to do this?”
Just then, Wang Wenjuan approached. Seeing her kids’ predicament, she decided to step in, “What’s going on?”
Xia Ling and Xia Le exchanged glances, feeling guilty. Xia Yu ducked behind her mother, relieved and confused.
Wang Wenjuan stroked Xia Yu’s head and dismissed Xia Le and Xia Ling. “Go wash your hands and prepare for dinner.”
Once Wang Wenjuan left, Xia Ling and Xia Le glared at each other. Xia Yu felt helpless, Xia Ling’s behavior was understandable… but Xia Le’s sudden change baffled her.
In the end, family dinner began. Without Big Bad Egg Jiang Kekai’s presence and feeding, Xia Yu initially felt a little lost, missing Xiao Ning.
