They are still close to me today despite their negative feelings

Page 42

On the contrary, this senior, who was clearly not related to her by blood, showed a rare look of panic and helplessness.

"It's nothing, I just stood up too quickly. Thank you for your concern, Senior Lü Ning."

Ning Ruoxin had already returned to her usual polite and well-behaved demeanor, subtly distancing herself from Lü Ning.

She doesn't like physical contact with others. Because of this, she's often been called fake innocent by other girls who don't like her.

"Oh, I see. It's good that you're alright. You can recover here for a bit, and we'll leave shortly."

Although Ning Ruoxin seemed somewhat distant, Lü Ning appeared oblivious, taking out an unopened bottle of water and a power bank from her handbag.

"I brought some things with me. Your phone is probably out of battery, right? If you want to let me know you're safe, it's best if the person in question comes in person."

After thanking her again, Ning Ruoxin didn't drink the water but instead sent a message in the group chat first.

I ran into Brother Lü Ning. Sorry for making everyone worry.

Xiao Xin is very clever; she stayed where she was, so she found it right away. Come back soon, Chen Di, could you bake some more flatbreads for us?

Ning Ruoxin saw Lü Ning fiddling with his phone as well. The boy winked at her, then lowered his head again, seemingly replying to other people's messages via private message.

Ning Ruoxin continued looking at her phone.

Ning Ruoyu did not reply to any messages in the group.

She opened the private chat interface.

It's all alright now. It's quite cold outside, so come back soon.

Okay. Be careful on your way back. Lü Ning is a nice guy, don't be too wary.

Snapped.

As if bitten by a venomous snake, Ning Ruoxin slammed the phone screen shut and turned it off.

He seems nice? No need to be too wary?

So you clearly saw the messages in the group chat and you clearly know what happened to me.

Why didn't you come? Why do you push everything onto others?

Am I a nuisance to you? Am I a burden that needs to be dealt with by others?

Why why why why why why why!

Can't I even have the slightest expectation? Do you have to shatter my hopes into glass and pierce my heart?

Ning Ruoxin suddenly felt like crying. She felt as if a cold, acidic liquid was flowing from her heart, coursing through her veins like a snake, making her feel as if she had fallen into an ice cave.

She just wanted a normal older brother. One who would bicker and argue with her occasionally, just like any other brother, but who would be there for her when she needed him most.

He's just an older brother.

"Are you OK?"

Lu Ning, standing beside him, looked worried.

"You don't look too good—are you feeling unwell?"

After he finished speaking, he wanted to put the back of his hand on Ning Ruoxin's forehead, but he stopped in mid-air, awkwardly withdrew his hand, and scratched his head.

"Is it too cold at night?"

As he said this, he took off his coat and handed it to him.

"I'm not good at taking care of people, and I'm not very perceptive. But please accept this situation."

Ning Ruoxin glanced at the boy. The boy looked resolute, as if this was the only thing he wouldn't back down from.

"……Thanks."

Ning Ruoxin took the coat. The coat, still warm from the other person's body, was draped over her shoulders, finally bringing a touch of warmth to her somewhat broken heart.

"I'm fine now, let's go."

Ning Ruoxin spoke up.

"Okay, if you feel unwell anywhere, remember to tell me. No rush, take your time. Chen Di is over there preparing food for us."

On a mountain path at night, a boy and a girl walked side by side. Although there was some distance between them, the boy, who was slightly ahead by half a step, would occasionally turn around to chat with the girl and observe her.

Beneath her nonchalant expression, a hint of worry would occasionally flash in her eyes.

The two seemed like an ordinary brother and sister.

Although both of them were actually aware of the truth at that moment.

They are not siblings.

……

The summer camping trip was abruptly cancelled because Ning Ruoxin developed a fever the next day.

[Next chapter preview: Wait, who are you? Why are you coming to someone else's house without permission?]

If I don't vent here soon, I have a bad feeling.

Not only did she not realize her mistake, she also stabbed me in the back. I am deeply troubled.

I hate Ning Ruoxin and myself for opening the door.

This secret, which I find too difficult to ask about, I intend to keep to myself for the rest of my life.

Chapter Thirty-Five: The Girl Next Door Has a Senior, and the Senior Has a Junior

My sister has been sick for several days, and today, with the medication taking effect, she seems to be drowsy the whole time.

It seems like it's my turn to shine!

It's time to clear our names of those who can't cook, mop the floor, or sort garbage!

Thinking this, I just tied on my apron.

Doorbell rang.

“They’re neighbors after all, so I came over to help.”

When the door opened, the senior student, wearing glasses and with messy hair, looked rather unhappy.

No, who are you? Why are you coming to someone else's house without permission?

“Junior Ning Ruoxin messaged me last night, worried that if she can’t get up today, no one will make you breakfast, so she asked me to take care of you, junior.”

The senior student's eyes looked somewhat cold.

"Junior, you should at least learn how to cook, do laundry, mop the floor, and take out the trash, right?"

"Your sister is a patient... so I guess I'll have to come and help her today."

President Wu Yuehua, who kept yawning, looked really sleepy.

I'm very touched. By the way, I'd like to ask if even my skill of using a washing machine to wash clothes is being rejected?

I have degenerated from a paramecium into a single-celled organism.

Let's get some chloroplasts and start photosynthesizing on the balcony from now on.

I didn't have much credibility with the president, so I couldn't refuse her help and let her into my house.

"excuse me."

She gave a polite bow, then took off her shoes and went inside.

"Hey, it's much cleaner than I expected. The junior seems to be working really hard."

I don't intend to protest. I will exercise my right to remain silent.

"Can I take a look inside the refrigerator?" the chairman asked.

I was still exercising my right to remain silent, so I simply nodded silently.

"Let me see—hmm, it seems like everything is quite complete. I'll make a toast with an egg then."

The president naturally reached out his hand.

"?"

I didn't realize it.

"Oh, sorry. I need an apron." She also started counting.

"I also need a mini electronic scale, a bread knife, and an egg beater..."

I froze as I was untying my apron.

I'm relinquishing my right to remain silent. If I don't vent here soon, I have a bad feeling.

"Excuse me, are you just making toast with eggs?"

"Yes." The president nodded seriously and earnestly.

"...Do you need an electronic scale, a bread knife, and an egg beater?"

"Ah."

"Why?" A faint hope still lingered in my heart.

Don't you need all these things to cook?

The president said it as a matter of course, then exclaimed "Ah!" and gave me an apologetic look.

I was relieved that she realized her mistake.

"I forgot that you can't cook at all, junior. Sorry."

Not only did she not realize her mistake, she also stabbed me in the back. I am deeply troubled.

"Look, here's the recipe."

Wu Yuehua pulled out a note from her phone. It contained detailed instructions on how to make simple toast bread, down to the second, specifying even the exact times for low and high heat.

"Ah, I made a mistake."

Senior Wu Yuehua said softly.

I remained expressionless. I'm all grown up now; I won't be fooled anymore—anyway, the things she got wrong must be really strange.

"I also need a slightly more accurate timer."

"What are you holding in your hand? A basic old-fashioned phone without a timer function?"

Why can't I control my urge to complain?

"I see. This slight deviation should be within an acceptable range."

The senior student nodded. "I'm sorry, junior, although it might affect the taste. But this is for convenience—I will try my best to be precise with the amount of seasonings."

This is my kitchen, not a chemistry lab!

"Why don't you try refining pills somewhere else?" I suggested.

"Ok?"

The president wore an expression of disbelief.

"...It's alright, I'll go downstairs to the convenience store and buy these things for you."

"No need, it seems you really can't cook. I'll just go back to my place and get it."

As Wu Yuehua said this, she placed the apron, which she hadn't tied yet, on the table and walked towards the door.

...Will my sister and I be able to get some food before we starve to death?

As I was deep in thought, a tremendous, avalanche-like sound came from next door.

"What happened!"

I ran over immediately.

...Damn it, is this a ruin?