They are still close to me today despite their negative feelings

I said this and watched the two girls leave.

As the sun set, the evening breeze darkened the last vestiges of the sky. The noisy sounds of the playground gradually subsided, replaced by the chirping of insects in late summer.

About ten minutes later, Senior Wu Yuehua hurriedly pushed the door open and came in.

"Sorry to keep you waiting! The meeting covered more topics than I expected. I apologize for the inconvenience!"

As soon as I entered, the president apologized to me.

I waved my hand.

"It's nothing. Senior, is there something you wanted to talk about, about Qiu Luxi?"

"...Yes, it is indeed about that junior." Seeing that I was straightforward, the senior quickly got to the point.

"Actually, you're aware of Qiu Luxi's special circumstances, right?"

"I guess that's why you recommended An Yu and me to join this club—if they had known Qiu Luxi was participating, this club would never have been reduced to the brink of collapse, right? Unless..."

I paused for a moment, and Senior Wu Yuehua's eyes also darkened.

Unless it's a special case like Senior Sister Chu Guyin, who is so widely respected that no one dares to join the club or bother her. But now, that situation has disappeared.

Judging from the president's reaction, he probably knows very little about the abolition of Senior Sister Chu Guyin's club.

"...In short, I think Qiu Luxi's participation in the literary society, and even the fact that she participated in club activities, is a secret, right?"

"Although I originally planned to tell you privately, it seems I couldn't hide it from you, junior." Senior Wu Yuehua gave a wry smile.

"Qiu Luxi genuinely wants to participate in the literary society's activities. And as you know, Qiu Luxi's identity is too special. The school doesn't want her to receive too much attention."

Indeed, if you knew that she also had the identity of a "little princess" in the gray industry, you would probably have a better understanding of this "special" situation.

"Moreover, I don't want the literary society to be revived because of 'idol worship'. That kind of excitement, which is completely contrary to the original intention, is better off dead in my opinion."

"As for junior Qiu Luxi, I hope that at least in the club, people will pursue our common passions not because she is some idol or star, but simply because she is a classmate and a like-minded partner."

It's so youthful! As someone who wants to live a different second life, I'm somewhat drawn to it.

"...So, President, you specifically kept me here so that I wouldn't tell anyone about this?"

Senior Wu Yuehua shook her head.

"Perhaps others still have misunderstandings, but I know that everyone here, especially you, junior, would never talk about this as a joke or something to brag about. On this point, Chen Di, An Yu, and Chu Guyin are probably all certain of this."

"I'm here to apologize."

"It's because I dragged you into this club without permission, and also because of the consequences I caused." Senior Wu Yuehua laughed self-deprecatingly.

Huh? What?

"To outsiders, bringing you into the literary society might seem like a way to scare away classmates who might be interested in An Yu or Chen Di. I never really thought of that, but after hearing some rumors today, I realized I hadn't considered your feelings. So I feel I still can't keep quiet about it."

"So even if you want to leave now, it's perfectly fine." Senior Wu Yuehua bowed her head again to apologize, "I'm sorry for sacrificing your club life for Qiu Luxi's sake."

The bright moon hung high in the inky sky, its light shining into the vase by the window, inexplicably reminding one of the book "Tonight".

"...There's no need to live such a tiring life. If it were me, I probably wouldn't bring up such a little thought."

She must have overheard something at the previous club meeting, because she looked so guilty. I've sensed it before—Senior Wu Yuehua seems to possess an extreme sense of integrity. This integrity is like that of Hai Rui, the upright official in unofficial history, who would rather let his daughter starve than violate certain principles.

It just doesn't seem like something that should happen to an ordinary girl.

However, I don't intend to delve into it further.

I smiled and shook my head.

"Don't worry, those things and statements aren't worth my pain. Besides, you helped me a lot during the summer vacation—if this makes you feel better, consider my participation this time as repaying a favor."

"Honesty is a good thing, but whether it was last semester or now, I personally think there is a difference between being honest and being at odds with yourself."

"...Thank you. I've learned my lesson from that overconfident mistake, and I'll try my best to correct it," Senior Wu Yuehua said with a wry smile.

"That's good. Oh, I just remembered I need to go see someone halfway through, so I won't be going back together." I picked up my bag from the sofa. "Also, my dear, upright senior, you need to be honest with yourself—if you publicly revealed that you're the president of the Literature Club, I bet a lot of people would come after you, right?"

"Varied!"

Before Senior Wu Yuehua could suddenly blush and realize what was happening and start complaining to me, I laughed, closed the door, and ran away.

Don't put so much moral constraint and pressure on yourself at such a young age. Even if it's for someone else's sake.

This is something that I, with my naturally gloomy nature, find extremely unpleasant to look at.

Having spent almost half a year in this world, I've developed some of the temperament of a student—a real step forward! My goal is a wonderful campus life, and I'll keep striving for even better results.

With that thought in mind, I glanced at my phone and walked towards the school gate.

……

"Has that club with hardly any members disbanded?"

As I passed the road outside the school gate, the conversations coming from the rows of black cars parked on my right made me glance at them.

"Um... they've already disbanded..."

"That's it."

The driver's side window of the car closest to me was not closed. A gentle woman, dressed simply but elegantly and looking quite young, was looking in the rearview mirror, clearly talking to someone in the back of the car.

I frowned, took out my phone, and stepped back slightly against the wall, pretending to wait for the bus.

"Although it's a bit of a pity, your upcoming competitions and studies are quite demanding. I really want you to experience more of the life that's unique to your age, but I'm still worried that you won't be able to take care of everything."

"...In terms of time...that's how it is..."

"Yes, I understand. Guyin, you've always been very sensible since you were little, and I rarely interfere with you in matters other than music. But Mom believes that even a genius can't be perfect in everything."

"Can that kind of squeezed-out time really be used efficiently? Trying to chase a rabbit and catch a deer at the same time will result in catching nothing. Xiaoyin, you understand, right?"

"........."

"Besides, wouldn't that kind of time-sharing attitude make things difficult for other members? Didn't you tell me that your club has a great junior? Do you think you can guide him well if you're squeezing in so much time?"

"...Mom...do you still remember?"

"Oh dear, it's because Xiaoyin rarely talks about other people's affairs, especially a boy. Of course, Mom remembers this."

"........."

"Ah, it's almost time for our appointment with the teacher. Let's go, don't keep the teacher waiting, we have to go to practice tomorrow."

The black sedan started its accelerator and gradually drove out of my sight.

Amidst the billowing dust and exhaust fumes, I fanned myself with my hand.

"It seems the cause has been found... but it feels like there's no way to resolve it at all."

I said to myself.

While there were some things about what the woman said in the conversation that made people frown, it couldn't be said that she didn't consider the girls in the back row at all.

Rather, it's because she genuinely cared about the girl in the back row that her words were so persuasive. Not to mention the somewhat reserved girl in the back, even I found it hard to refute her.

Forget it, since it's a mutual agreement, what business is it of mine what they call family matters? I've satisfied my gossip craving, time to go home!

With that in mind, I finally returned to my rented room after it had completely darkened.

Then came the familiar sounds from inside the room.

"Too slow, brother!!!"

Next chapter preview:

I glanced at the bathroom next to the entryway, where two toothbrushes were already placed in the toothbrush holder on the sink.

Looking into Ning Ruoxin's innocent, untainted eyes, I chose to firmly refuse.

"It's a youth hostel that costs thirty yuan."

"I, I, we're about to take our entrance exams, and to stay awake at night, I'm buying a wrench. That's reasonable, right..."

Chapter 53: Sister Living Together (Black and White 1)

I closed the door.

It seems like a girl who looks a lot like Ning Ruoxin broke into my rented apartment.

Not long after I sent the message to the "We Are a Loving Family" group, the door I had just closed was opened again.

"Brother, stop fooling around outside. Standing in the hallway will only cause trouble for others."

"Yes, sir, I'll come in right away."

Ning Ruoxin looked genuinely angry, so I obediently went inside.

"Didn't we just have a family meeting yesterday? Why are you here today?"

Now that I've convinced my parents, I'm thinking of moving my things over as soon as possible. Tomorrow's Saturday, so I plan to go and try out the route from here to school in the morning.

Ning Ruoxin was tidying up her suitcase in the living and dining room. "I've packed all my toiletries, but I brought even more clothes this time than I did during summer vacation. Can I borrow your locker, brother?"

"Yeah, my cabinet was pretty empty anyway, feel free to use it."

I glanced at the bathroom next to the entryway, where two toothbrushes were already placed in the toothbrush holder on the sink.

"Okay~ then the hair dryer, um, I'll put it here."

Unlike her summer stay where she traveled light, Ning Ruoxin had clearly brought more everyday items this time. I sighed and squatted down beside her.

"Is there anything I can help you tidy up?"

"Oh, then could you please put this in the closet for me?"

Ning Ruoxin smiled and piled a stack of clothes into my hands.

Hmm, do young girls these days wear this style of underwear? Silk, lace, cotton—it feels so innocent.

...I remember An Yu saying that even a father wouldn't want his partner to collect his personal belongings?

"You'll have to put these away yourself when the time comes; I don't know your preferred placement order."

Looking into Ning Ruoxin's innocent, untainted eyes, I chose to firmly refuse.

"……cut."

She pursed her lips quietly.

I can hear you, dear sister.

"Brother, could you please put these things in that cabinet over there? Oh, and this hair tie too."

This time, the notes and textbooks handed to me were finally more normal, and I no longer refused them.

With Ning Ruoxin's tidying up, the rented room became more lived-in.

"...It feels completely different from when you came over during the summer vacation."

I looked at the tidied room and sighed.

“Back then it was just a temporary stay. Now that I’m going to stay long-term, of course I have to do my best in all aspects,” Ning Ruoxin replied without hesitation.

"You thought this place was a hotel back then?"

"It's a youth hostel that costs thirty yuan."

Isn't that going too far?

"...But now, this is my home too." Ning Ruoxin gently tugged at my sleeve, revealing a sweet smile. "We'll be living together from now on, please take care of me, brother~"

There was nothing I could do; she was already there, and I couldn't just kick her out.

"That's a bit too polite." I ruffled her hair. Since she's my sister, it shouldn't be a problem if her hair is messed up, right?

"...So, if we're going to sleep, this time I'll sleep on the wooden plank bed outside?"

I felt as if I had been bitten by a snake, and I immediately withdrew my hand from my head.

Ning Ruoxin looked at me, her smile carrying a hint of expectation for some reason.

"Actually, if you don't mind, I think it's fine for siblings to share a bed, right? Besides, we can return the wooden bed to the landlord and not cause trouble for others."

“I think you’re absolutely right! How could I let my dear sister sleep on a makeshift wooden bed?” I waved my hand righteously. “I’ll give you the master bedroom, and I’ll buy a cheap single bed this weekend.”

Ning Ruoxin's expression froze for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure.

"I understand. But remember to buy a good quality bed, otherwise there won't be any way to fix it if it collapses."