Chapter 319: Gather, Prepare for Team Battle
Things being what they were, it was tough for the Jiang family to have a warm and fuzzy New Year. Everyone showed their true colors and weren’t trying to pretend anymore. Not surprisingly, this family dinner ended in a sour mood.
Afterwards, back in her room, Jiang Hanhang collapsed onto the bed: “Sis, living in this house sucks big time. I miss Xia Ling. Tomorrow can we go find them?”
Jiang Kekai also noticed that the atmosphere at home wasn’t exactly rosy, but tomorrow was New Year’s Day. If they left like this, it would be a bit awkward. Hesitating for a moment, she replied: “Let’s go on the second. For now, let’s celebrate New Year.”
“Ah? Alright.”
Hanhang pouted a little, clearly disappointed, even though she understood that her sister had the bigger picture in mind. She really wanted to hang out with Xiao Yu and Xiao Ling. On the other side of things, though, things in the Xia family home weren’t any better. Although it wasn’t as extreme as Jiang’s place, the vibe was still a bit off, especially with Xia Ling and Xia Le around. Of course, it being New Year’s, the whole family should’ve been sitting together watching the gala. But Xia Le and Xia Ling couldn’t agree on one thing—Xia Le wanted Xia Yu to go out and enjoy, while Xia Ling wanted her to stay safe at home, no one giving up.
As for Xia Hong, Dad who hoped his youngest son would grow up more normally, supported Xia Yu going out with his older brother Xia Le. But Wang Wenjuan knew Xia Yu’s stuff, so she wanted Xia Yu to stay at home safely.
In this way, the family atmosphere started getting a bit weird, and Xia Yu decided not to get dragged out. Eventually, Xia Yu couldn’t take it anymore, stood up and said: “I’ll… go to the roof and watch the fireworks.”
With that, Xia Yu grabbed a chair and went up to the roof. As expected, she preferred being alone at times like this.
When Xia Yu ran away, Xia Ling naturally wouldn’t miss the chance to cling to her. She grabbed a chair and followed Xia Yu to the roof.
This kind of method wasn’t Xia Le’s style at all. He had no choice but to go by himself: “Dad, Mom, I’m going out to play.” “Alright, stay safe and come back early.”
Understanding his son, Xia Hong didn’t say much, just regretting that Xia Yu didn’t want to go with them. Otherwise, maybe Xia Le could have pulled her back on track.
Back at the rooftop, with no fireworks yet as time was still early, Xia Yu took out her phone to chat with Jiang Kekai. She didn’t play games, so she didn’t really know what else to do with her phone except for chatting and streaming TV shows.
BOOM
A chair landed beside Xia Yu, and Xia Ling sat down next to her too, still clinging to Xia Yu: “Little sis, don’t follow Big Bro out, alright? Remember what happened last time?”
Xia Yu: “… Don’t worry, I won’t act like before.”
Her tone was genuine, relieving Xia Ling who couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief: “Don’t you think Big Bro has changed, and it’s more than just a little bit? I feel like he’s off his meds or something.”
Xia Yu: “… You always find a way.” “Of course, I’m always right.”
Then Xia Ling pulled out her own phone to start playing a game. Well, it didn’t matter where she played—it was at least nice having Xia Yu chat with her. Even though they couldn’t meet in person, in the virtual world…
“Hanhang, you ready? Hurry up, make the most of your time.” “Got it, got it, chill out.”
“Not fun, hurry up. The more you play, the better!”
“Okay, okay, it’s starting. Hey, me and Sis decided we’re coming over on the second. Excited?” “What? Come on the second? Then hurry up! I think Big Bro wants to steal Xia Yu away.”
You see, Xia Ling believed Xia Yu was safer with Jiang Kekai rather than Xia Le, even if Big Bro was her brother, which made her uneasy about it.
Seeing this message, Jiang Hanhang’s face brightened, and she rolled over to Jiang Kekai, lifting the phone: “Big sis, someone wants to steal your Xia Yu. Shouldn’t you go grab him back sooner?”
“Really?”
Jiang Kekai was initially skeptical; who else would want Xia Yu besides Lin Jie? But seeing Jiang Hanhang’s grinning face holding out the phone, her face darkened.
Who would have thought that inside and out, there would still be a thief to watch out for. Jiang Kekai wished she could hop on a plane right then and snatch Xia Yu back. But she calmed down—rationally.
Besides, Xu Yu had been texting her non-stop without mentioning this. She really wanted to grab Xia Yu and give her a spanking for keeping such important news a secret.
“Alright, got it, but the plan stays the same. We’ll leave on the second.”
Jiang Kekai forced herself to return the phone calmly: “The plan is unchanged, back on the second.” “Huh? Why?”
Hanhang puffed her cheeks, disappointed—she thought her sister might just fly off immediately. She pinched Hanhang’s cheeks and sighed: “One day when you grow up, you’ll understand. Now, go to sleep, okay?”
With her sister not flipping out, Hanhang felt bad but continued anyway, rolling and gaming with Xia Ling. Time flew by, and soon the first firework went off.
BOOM
BOOM
…
Time sure flies, another year’s almost here. Xia Yu was thinking exactly this at that moment.
She didn’t know why, but ever since that kidnapping incident, time moved really fast for her. One year flew by.
After staying up well past half the night, Xia Yu’s lower back was a bit sore. Getting up and twisting her body, she looked at Xia Ling, who was still smashing through the competition:
“Let’s go, let’s head down.”
“What? Already heading down? Sit a bit longer, I’m almost done!”
Faced with Xia Ling’s pleading eyes, Xia Yu couldn’t do anything but coddle this little sis who acted like a big sis: “Alright, alright, move fast. I have no clue why you like those games.”
“Sis, you just don’t get it. This is called linguistic artistry in our culture!” Xia Ling replied to Xia Yu as she played the game, always wary of Xia Yu bailing out any moment, which was cold.
Xia Yu: “… Whatever. Play faster.”
“Alright.”
Xia Ling wasted no time, observing the situation quickly, and tapped a few spots on her phone for… BOOM
