386. Both Sides Suffer Losses
As Ning Chu got into the car, she noticed a girl sitting in the passenger seat.
“Xiao Xi?”
“Morning!” Xiao Xi turned around with a cheerful smile and asked, “Is that your boyfriend?”
“Um… what are you doing in the car?”
“Just here to see you off.”
“??? Isn’t your brother scared stiff of Xiao Xi? He’s been bullied by her since college, and after a week apart, their relationship seems way closer all of a sudden!”
Not to mention, the awful smell of gasoline had disappeared, replaced by a bottle of perfume wafting a light, pleasant fragrance instead of being overpowering and nauseating.
Wen Yang, who didn’t know Xiao Xi, leaned in closer to Ning Chu and asked, “Is she your sister-in-law?”
“Hard to say, I haven’t confirmed yet.” Ning Chu’s ears turned a bright shade of red. She shot a glare at Wen Yang, fuming, “Stop breathing in my ear! You’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you!”
“Not really.”
She huffed and shifted her b*tt away from Wen Yang, propping herself up to peek at her brother who just got into the driver’s seat. “Bro~”
“Stop chattering, buckle up.”
Ning Yuan started the car with a blank expression, but there was a hint of blush on his cheeks.
He had no clue how to explain this to Ning Chu…
He couldn’t just say Xiao Xi didn’t play fair, taking advantage of him when he was drunk and had no self-control, right? That would be so embarrassing as a brother! Plus, he couldn’t just say that straightforwardly to his innocent sister.
Though he knew Ning Chu was way more naïve than he was, little siblings are always pure in the eyes of their older siblings.
He sneakily glanced at Xiao Xi sitting next to him, with a touch of tenderness in his eyes.
Transforming brotherly love into romantic love between a guy and a girl didn’t seem as hard as he thought… especially since Xiao Xi’s looks and figure were just too good.
Ning Chu leaned in closer to Wen Yang, biting back laughter as she whispered, “Remember that girl who’s always bullying my brother?”
“They must be together now! That was quick!”
“Just look at the way he’s acting, must be drained dry! He needs to eat more goji berries to replenish himself.”
“Thinking about how my brother’s gonna be pummelled by sister-in-law during the day and squeezed dry at night—my heart aches!”
Wen Yang glanced down at her puffed cheeks, smothering a laugh as she looked like a steamed bun. “You’re not heartbroken; you’re about to burst out laughing!”
“My poor brother!”
Ning Chu almost laughed out loud and quickly covered her mouth, letting out a stifled “pfft.”
Xiao Xi turned around, confused, and Ning Chu’s demeanor suddenly got serious as she called out to Xiao Xi, “Sister-in-law~”
Sure enough, Xiao Xi didn’t get mad at that title; instead, she perked up, “Hey~ Have you eaten yet? Want to find a place to eat? Your brother’s treating!”
“Why am I the one treating…?”
“Already ate, maybe next time!”
At that moment, Ning Chu was fully convinced about her brother and Xiao Xi’s relationship.
Wow, that was fast!
Last week, her brother was terrified of Xiao Xi, and now he’s already been drained half dry!
Sister-in-law really needs to work harder! If she doesn’t drain him fully, his mind is bound to wander to all sorts of nonsense. Plus, she knew her brother well—he loved those harem novels! She couldn’t let him have any opportunity with those thoughts.
This theory only applied to normal guys though; with a literary main character like Wen Yang, she figured it was best to just keep things mellow.
About an hour later, the car pulled into the underground parking lot of the train station.
One by one, they got out of the car, and Ning Chu checked the time—still had about forty minutes before the train arrived.
She was about to say something when she saw Xiao Xi limping slightly while linking arms with her brother. Noticing her gaze, Xiao Xi sheepishly smiled at her.
Xiao Xi’s complexion was rosy and glowing, courtesy of spending time with a guy, but the way she walked…
Wow, looks like both sides have suffered losses! Sister-in-law didn’t fare any better!
“Bro, why don’t you drop us here? Sister-in-law looks a bit uncomfortable.”
“I’ll take you to the waiting room.” Ning Yuan helped Xiao Xi, sternly reminding Ning Chu, “Have fun, but focus on your studies. Get more certificates—don’t assume what you learn in school won’t matter after graduation.”
“I’ll just give you your living allowance directly from now on so mom won’t take a cut. How about two thousand a month?”
“Thousand is enough; Wen Yang and I can make a bit too.”
Ning Yuan nodded, and the group gathered their bags, slowly leaving the parking lot toward the waiting room entrance.
“Don’t let writing novels distract you from studying… Wen Yang, keep an eye on her, don’t let her play games all day.”
Wen Yang nodded with a smile. “Don’t worry, I’ll whip her into shape—she’ll definitely focus.”
“Right, she needs a few whacks to get moving.”
Ning Chu snuck her hand under his shirt, grabbing the soft flesh at his waist and giving it a hard twist.
You could tell that whip wasn’t very serious!
Wen Yang grimaced, turning pale from the pinch.
Ning Yuan continued to drone on obliviously, “Make sure to eat more fruits and vegetables. They’re not that expensive. If you rent an apartment, cook for yourselves; takeout is greasy and unhealthy…”
Having gotten used to her brother’s chatter, Ning Chu half-heartedly responded.
As they reached the waiting room entrance, Ning Yuan finally stopped and turned back to the two trailing behind. “Hurry up, don’t miss your train.”
“Off we go~”
“Bye!”
Watching the tall and short figures walking side by side toward the ticketing area, Ning Yuan sighed and muttered softly, “I wonder if Wen Yang is reliable.”
Though he had spent some time with Wen Yang and thought well of him, he still worried he might be a deep-seated chauvinist or an abuser or have some gambling addiction.
In the beginning of a relationship, everything looks perfect, but living together and marriage? That’s a whole different story.
“You should worry about yourself instead.” Xiao Xi gave him a glare and lightly punched his bicep. “I bought you a gym membership; you have to go today!”
“Fine…”
Even though Xiao Xi’s punch was softer now, lacking the smashing force from before, Ning Yuan still put on a miserable face.
He figured he’d better hit the gym to get back at Xiao Xi later!
Inside the waiting room, Ning Chu sat on a chair, her head resting on Wen Yang’s arm as she gazed at the electronic screen.
She sighed softly, “Winter break is over, huh~”
Wen Yang gently rubbed her little head. “Miss your family?”
“Not really, it’s just… I think I should stay in the girls’ dorm.”
Previously, the one- or two-hour car trips with Wen Yang were unbearable; with those days of living together, just them two without interruptions, it would probably be even worse.
So much for trying to stop being naïve—how come it’s even harder to escape it?
