They are still close to me today despite their negative feelings

"Is that so?" I said calmly, neither confirming nor denying.

"...I'm sorry, many things that happened today, including staying overnight, were probably arranged by my sister."

"Oh, I see. I didn't expect that."

"…………" Ling Chuqing probably didn't expect me to react and answer like this, and she was a little speechless.

"Hey, aren't you going to continue?" I asked with a smile.

"Yeah, I just feel, um... I feel like I'm despicable too."

"why?"

"Even though my sister didn't tell me beforehand, I still shamelessly went to the amusement park with her and even stayed overnight there."

Ling Chuqing lowered her head slightly, her fair feet in slippers lightly rubbing against the ground, looking somewhat listless.

"I don't know if I can be happy."

"To put it another way, if you're unhappy and depressed every day, will anyone find salvation in you?"

I turned my head and looked at the girl who was getting a little stuck on things.

"But how can I atone for my sins?"

"What's it to you? What sins are you trying to atone for by taking the blame for your sister's mistakes?" I said irritably. "You're taking the blame for your sister? That's not atonement, that's just paying the price for your stupidity."

"On this point, I'm not as open-minded as your stupid older sister."

I gently patted the middle school girl's head.

"So this is the last time. If we meet again, don't look so gloomy. My sister is much more cheerful now, so don't try to steal her past image."

"Of course, I won't always be a little sunshine. The weather changes every day. But at least be a little more positive—otherwise, I won't take you out next time!"

I still feel somewhat apologetic towards this girl who was once deceived by me and rejected my confession.

"...Yes. If that's what Brother Ruoyu says, then I'll do it."

Ling Chuqing squinted her eyes slightly, seemingly enjoying my patting of her head.

That's only natural, the market price is 150 yuan per 5 minutes.

I'm sorry, the trial period is over. Next up is paid content. Thinking this, I withdrew my hand.

Ling Chuqing opened her eyes, looked at me, and smiled shyly.

"So next time, can you come visit me more often? -- Can I continue to stay by Ning Ruoyu's side?"

Was this the issue we were just discussing?

I was shocked.

"...I remember we just agreed at the amusement park that no one was allowed to sneak away, Ling Chuqing."

While I was chatting with Ling Chuqing, I let my guard down because I was at home and forgot about something.

The sound of running water in the bathroom stopped sometime ago.

Wearing a thin, cream-colored nightgown, Ning Ruoxin stood quietly in the entryway between the bathroom and the door. Despite her petite frame, she appeared rather majestic and imposing against the light, like a demon king.

"It wasn't sneaking away, it was a heart-to-heart talk. That's not covered by the agreement."

However, Ling Chuqing refused to budge an inch.

Good heavens! Even Ning Ruoxin in this state would give way, and you actually went up there—how could I have mistaken you for a delicate young girl?!

I created some distance and then tried to interject.

"Um, what's the water temperature? If it hasn't dropped too much, can I go take a shower now...?"

You can fight all you want, I'm going to the toilet for political refuge first.

"I'm sorry, brother, Ling Chuqing and I need to clarify some things first. Could you please not speak for a moment?"

...I understand.

It's my rented room, but right now there's not even enough space for me to have a small emergency refuge.

"I remember just now at the amusement park, some frustrated fool was worried that he no longer had a chance, right?"

Wait, is this something I can hear, little sister?

"...That's still better than some idiot who goes from one extreme to the other, doesn't know how to get closer, struggles with the timing of being affectionate and physical contact, and even starts to be jealous of other senior girls!"

Excuse me again, do I really not need to go out for this conversation?

"Oh, I see. It seems you've forgotten that I'm the younger sister," Ning Ruoxin said with a smile.

“No,” Ling Chuqing stood up as well, retorting sarcastically, “It’s just my younger sister.”

I opened my phone and sent a message to Chen Di.

Do you have any spare rooms?

"I could sleep in the same room as my sister; she's in fifth grade, so she probably wouldn't mind. What's wrong?"

The rental apartment is about to explode, I'm packing up and coming over.

Although I don't know what happened on your end, please don't come over.

I was a little reluctant to give up after being politely rejected by Chen Di. Just as I was about to send a message to An Yu, I heard the doorbell ring.

Thank goodness, it was probably the front desk or the landlord's turn at this hour. I quickly ran to the entrance, intending to have that older woman teach those two arguing, disturbing teenagers a lesson.

Upon opening the door, Wu Yuehua appeared with a resentful and weary expression, her demeanor low.

"Hey junior, can you at least give me some quiet time to think? I can't even go to the amusement park because I'm rushing to finish articles for school and online..."

She was indeed exhausted, and she even casually mentioned the online article.

"Can't you be a little quieter as a neighbor? That college couple has been much better behaved these past few days!"

They probably broke up.

"Actually, it wasn't me..."

"Could it be Ning Ruoxin? That child is so well-behaved and sensible, you can't possibly be lying—"

She glanced inside the room.

Two middle school girls, dressed in pajamas and their boyfriends' shirts, are arguing.

"........."

"........."

The president glanced at me, his expression one of utter astonishment.

"Even my novels aren't that outrageous."

[Next chapter preview: "It seems we didn't choose this path."]

"Is it just my imagination, or are you really using force, Ah Xin?" Ling Chuqing began to struggle.

"Ah Xin turns into a sharp-tongued person whenever Ruoyu is involved."

"...coveting another man's brother's genitals!!"

Interlude: The Secret Alliance Agreement Between Two Girls

(A story that takes place on the "Romantic Journey" trail)

On the path of the theme park's "Romantic Journey," two adorable girls sat on a bench by the roadside, attracting the attention of passing tourists.

One of the girls had long, flowing black hair that almost reached her waist. Her cool and aloof demeanor and slightly conservative clothing gave her a maturity beyond her years. The other girl wore a white ruffled blouse and a plaid skirt, with a blue ribbon tied in her hair, giving her a literary and artistic air.

"It seems they didn't choose this route."

Ning Ruoxin said softly.

"Um……"

Ling Chuqing replied somewhat dejectedly.

Ning Ruoxin glanced at her friend and changed her tone.

"It's a pity that I can't play with my brother, but it feels good to do things together occasionally."

Do you think that way?

Ling Chuqing seemed somewhat insecure.

Ning Ruoxin sighed and reached out to pinch her friend's cheek.

"Huh?!"

Startled by Ning Ruoxin's icy fingertips, Ling Chuqing's eyes widened.

"Your lack of energy is so obvious, isn't it? I learned this method from my brother. How about it, does it cheer you up?"

Ning Ruoxin said with a smile.

“…Ruoyu’s hands are much warmer than yours,” Ling Chuqing retorted. “And he’s gentler.”

It seems her brother comforted Ah Qing in the same way when they were outside. Ning Ruoxin thought to herself.

I need to give my brother a good talking-to when I get back. How could he just touch a girl's face like that?

Only family members can do this, right?

"Is it just my imagination, or are you really using force, Ah Xin?" Ling Chuqing began to struggle.

"It's just your imagination."

Ning Ruoxin answered with a serious expression.

"It's here! This kind of person who lies the most but acts the most serious on the surface is exactly like Brother Ruoyu!!!" Ling Chuqing quickly escaped from Ning Ruoxin's grasp.

"Ah Xin becoming a brother-obsessed girl is terrifying..."

"What is that guy who secretly confessed his feelings to someone else's brother when no one was looking saying?"

Ling Chuqing, whose sore spot had been touched, covered her face with her hands.

“That, that’s not a confession.” Ling Chuqing’s voice came from her hands covering her face.

"I did it to express my gratitude. And I just wanted to tell Ruoyu about my feelings, but I never expected to be accepted, so it doesn't count!"

"Huh? Someone who jumps on top of someone else's brother after failing, and says they weren't prepared to be accepted?"

"........."

Ling Chuqing bent over completely, and it took her a long time to straighten up.

"Ah Xin turns into a sharp-tongued person whenever Ruoyu is involved."

"...Who told you to call someone a brother-complex first?" Ning Ruoxin blushed slightly and turned her head away.

"Because I'm so envious."

Ling Chuqing said softly.

Ning Ruoxin was slightly taken aback and sighed silently in her heart.

"What happened to your boyfriend afterward?"

"...I don't know, she doesn't want to tell me. One day she went out and was brought back by Brother Ma Hang with injuries all over her body."

"Eh?"

"She told her parents that she accidentally fell off her wheelchair, but it seems she was being targeted by the shady industry that Ruoyu mentioned. She ran into Ma Hang by chance that day when she went out and explained things to him. They definitely broke up, and Ma Hang has probably given up on his fantasies."

"..." Ning Ruoxin really didn't know what to say to that woman.

"Actually, I didn't want to agree to come to the club to take care of her. I was too ashamed to face the senior students. But she said that if I didn't come, she would work even harder to seduce Ruoyu."

Ling Chuqing laughed self-deprecatingly, "I knew in my heart that Brother Ruoyu would never be affected, but I still came along—maybe it was me, that I also had an ugly desire to get close to Brother Ruoyu deep down."

"Actually, just like you said, she's already been rejected. Why is she still clinging on and on?"

Ling Chuqing lowered her head and fiddled with the bracelet on her wrist, seemingly hesitating about something.

"I really should have gone back first..."

"My brother was actually looking at you just now."