**Chapter 165: Is This Considered an Indirect Kiss?**
Put on the life jacket.
Settling into the little boat, Dragon Brother took the helm while the two of them placed their feet at the designated spots.
With a little pedal power, the boat slowly glided across the lake.
Dragon Brother waved back at Hu Yu Ying, who was energetically flailing her arms in the distance.
Li Qing Xue attempted to shout over to Hu Yu Ying too, but who knows if she could even hear it.
Hu Yu Ying flexed her ankle, feeling discomfort radiating from it, and looked back at the enthusiastic Dragon Brother waving at her; suddenly, a pang of bittersweet feeling flickered through her heart.
Seeing Hu Yu Ying’s effort to wave so cheerfully made Dragon Brother feel a tinge of sympathy—why did this silly girl have to be so sweet and considerate?
As the little boat drifted further away, Hu Yu Ying reined in her smile, her gaze unwavering, even though she could no longer see them; she just wanted to keep watching.
“You and your brother have known each other for quite a while, right?” Lin Wan Ning quietly asked as she also stared at the departing boat.
“Yeah, I met Dragon Brother in the second semester of senior year, so it’s been half a year,” Hu Yu Ying replied, proud to say she had known Dragon Brother the longest compared to Li Qing Xue and Lin Wan Ning.
“He cares about you a lot,” Lin Wan Ning said, casting a cheeky smile at Hu Yu Ying.
At this, Hu Yu Ying paused.
Yes, Dragon Brother cared for her—like, really cared.
Meeting Dragon Brother was the happiest thing in her life, bar none.
She eventually nodded, “Dragon Brother is the best brother in the world!”
Lin Wan Ning didn’t push further. Everyone has their own views, after all. Maybe because Lin Wan Ning hasn’t known many people, she didn’t have as strong emotional ties, allowing her to see more.
But that’s where it ended since everyone’s thoughts differ.
It’s similar to how exceptional people can see other exceptional people but don’t feel inferior.
Hu Yu Ying initially didn’t think too much of it but soon blinked and glanced at Lin Wan Ning.
Following Lin Wan Ning’s gaze, her eyes sparkled.
…
In the boat on the shimmering lake, Li Qing Xue was bubbling with excitement, looking around wildly. Her smile lit up the place as if the whole world’s beauty was encapsulated in it.
In the glow of her smile, the slight tug on Dragon Brother’s heart began to settle down.
Thinking about it, they would be living in Kyoto for four years; there would be plenty of time to bring Hu Yu Ying to have fun later on, right?
“Hey, Dragon Brother, why is the boat spinning around? Are we lost?” Li Qing Xue squinted at the glistening water, staring for too long and suddenly feeling like they were going in circles.
Dragon Brother looked at the boat doing just fine and said, “Nope.”
Li Qing Xue unexpectedly took a deep breath and turned to Dragon Brother, “I feel a bit dizzy, and my stomach doesn’t feel so great.”
Her energy drained, and her beautiful face turned pale, startling Dragon Brother into sitting up straight. “You’re not seasick, are you?”
“I don’t know,” Li Qing Xue said weakly.
Suddenly, Dragon Brother recalled something Li Qing Xue had once said: *“My mom has warned me since I was little never to go close to the water, it’s dangerous.”*
And there was that time she tried to cheer him up, nearly causing them both to take a dip!
“Stop staring at the lake,” Dragon Brother joked, realizing why she felt dizzy.
“I’m not looking at it now, but I still feel floaty!” Li Qing Xue turned away, trying not to look at the water, sounding a bit pitiful.
“You’re acting like you’re carsick. Close your eyes and adjust for a bit.”
“Oh, can I lean on your shoulder for a second? I’m feeling awful.”
Seeing Li Qing Xue’s typically vibrant face now ghostly white, Dragon Brother couldn’t refuse. He leaned closer to her. “Go ahead.”
Li Qing Xue sniffed, her voice a muffled mess, “You’re so nice.”
A gentle breeze flirted with her hair, framing her face, making her look both adorable and a bit tragic at the same time.
Leaning on Dragon Brother’s shoulder, Li Qing Xue really only felt queasy for a moment. Soon she was fine, yet she stayed nestled against him. “Dragon Brother, why are you always so nice to everyone?”
“Because you’re all my friends. Haven’t you heard? At home you rely on your parents, outside you rely on your friends?”
Li Qing Xue paused at this answer, seeming not quite satisfied with it.
“You’re not about to puke, are you? Please move back a bit; I’d rather not walk around with a bunch of vomit on me.”
“Ugh, you’re the worst!” Li Qing Xue actually felt a wave of nausea, but after Dragon Brother said that, she didn’t feel the urge anymore.
“Ouch,” Dragon Brother dodged slightly. “Little girl, you’ve got some fierce pinches now.”
“Well, you keep teasing me,” she retorted, sniffing again, “Dragon Brother, I’m a little thirsty.”
While steering the boat, Dragon Brother found a crumpled water bottle from his back pocket and handed it to her. Talk about busy; he was swamped!
“You’ve completely squished the bottle!”
“We drink the same brand of water. If I don’t squish it, and accidentally grab yours, how awkward would that be?”
He shot a glance at her. “So, what’s the deal? Drink or I will.”
Li Qing Xue immediately shielded the water bottle, mumbling, “I didn’t say I wouldn’t drink.”
As she opened the bottle, her luscious lips slightly parted, her slender, fair neck dazzling in the light.
With the last drop gone, she fidgeted, biting her lip but unable to hide her smile, “Thanks.”
Then, all pleased, she tucked the empty bottle cap into her pocket.
Was it just her imagination, or did that water taste super sweet?
Sweet enough to make her a little happy inside.
Stealing a glance at Dragon Brother, he wasn’t half bad looking, plus he was caring. Now that they had shared a bottle of water, didn’t that count as an indirect kiss?
Hehe, considering they’ve just had an indirect kiss, maybe she could give him a chance.
With that thought, her heart started racing more and more…
“Ouch! Did the sun pop out from the west today? Did I actually hear a thank you?”
Faced with Dragon Brother’s teasing, Li Qing Xue, who was previously floating on cloud nine, helplessly glared at him. “You’re really annoying.”
“Leaning on my shoulder, drinking my water, and turning around to call me annoying? Really?” The more he joked with her, the more fun he had, the happier he felt; this made him want to tease her even more.
Li Qing Xue ground her teeth. Why was he so bent on bothering her? Yet, as she thought about it… it was kind of fun. But her proud little lips wouldn’t let her be too forward.
So, with a light huff, she muttered, “Just leaning on your arm and drinking your water…”
**[Sometimes being a little cheeky isn’t too bad.]**
