Chapter 98: You don’t want your aunt to know, right?

In the afternoon, the Town’s commercial street bustled with activity.

The atmosphere of the upcoming New Year permeated the air, and even the damp chill couldn’t dampen the spirits.

“Mom… do I really have to get the injection… cough, cough, cough…”

The girl stood in front of the Clinic, watching a small child inside scream miserably as a sharp syringe pierced their bottom, causing her scalp to tingle with unease.

“Maybe… I should just go back and keep taking medicine instead…”

Lin Xinyuan was scared.

She had only been injected once before in her life, and that experience hadn’t been pleasant…

Now that she thought about it, it had seemed like an intern doing the injection.

She was the guinea pig, getting poked repeatedly in the bottom, leaving her with a lasting psychological shadow…

Hearing this, Lin’s mother gave her a sharp look. “Wishful thinking. Judging by how you look, who knows how long it’ll take for the medicine to work! Besides, you’re already here.”

Seeing her mother’s firm attitude, Lin Xinyuan knew there was no way she could get her unreasonable request approved.

Fear mixed with anxiety churned inside her.

She just hoped that the young Female Doctor would actually know what she was doing and wouldn’t turn her little bottom into a beehive…

“Oh…”

The girl’s expression was a mix of grievance and fear, making her incredibly cute.

Lin’s mother couldn’t help but smile inwardly, feeling as if she were taking care of a child.

She was happy—something she’d never felt before.

Back then, she didn’t care much about such feelings, but time and experience had made her realize her mistakes…

It wasn’t too late yet…

Perhaps because of the weather, there were especially many people at the Clinic today.

Lin Xinyuan still had quite a few ahead of her, so she had no choice but to wait.

Bored during the wait, she took out her phone to pass the time.

Glancing at the green notification bubble, Lin Xinyuan saw a message from Li Tang asking when she’d be free to hang out.

So Li Tang hadn’t forgotten about her after all…

After all these days without contact, Lin Xinyuan had almost thought Li Tang had forgotten.

But thinking of her own situation, she declined.

Ruyuan: “A Tang, I’m in Lei City right now. I’ve caught a cold, so I can’t go. Maybe after the New Year?”

Li He Tang Keyi Jiande: “Ah? Sick? Take care of yourself! Alright, after the New Year then!”

Li He Tang Keyi Jiande: “But just thinking about not seeing A Yuan for so long makes me a bit mad~ Hmph humph.JPG”

Li Tang then expressed some concern, and the two chatted for a while before saying goodbye.

From Li Tang’s complaints, it sounded like she’d been called to work by Li Mama.

Despite the teasing, Lin Xinyuan could feel the happiness and harmony in Li Tang’s family, which made her a bit envious.

But then she thought of her own mother and glanced at Lin Mama, and the envy gradually faded.

Instead, she felt a bit happy.

She… had family too.

Why bother envying others?

She was already very satisfied—something she never dared to hope for before…

Lin Mama seemed to notice her daughter’s gaze and looked over with some puzzlement.

“What’s wrong? You don’t feel well?”

“No.”

Lin Xinyuan shook her head, and Lin Mama just assumed she was scared, offering a few comforting words.

Once Lin Mama’s gaze shifted away, Lin Xinyuan’s lips curled slightly, murmuring in a voice her mother couldn’t hear, “I’m just happy because I have family now…”

There were still too many people waiting.

This was the only Clinic in Town with a somewhat larger scale.

Lin Mama didn’t trust the other Clinics, and as for the hospital—honestly, a cold didn’t warrant going there.

After waiting another ten minutes, only three people remained ahead of Lin Xinyuan.

But the more she looked, the more scared she became.

Most of those waiting were children.

Here, children’s injections were casual—done right in the outdoor seating area.

Adults, however, had more pride, so the Female Doctor would take them into a separate room to get the shot.

But even so, every time the Female Doctor carried that large syringe inside, Lin Xinyuan’s heart would start pounding…

Just then, her phone vibrated, pulling her back to reality.

Her hands were shaking slightly.

Looking at the screen, it was a message from Stinky Blondie!

Her heart calmed a little, and she opened it, curious what he wanted at this moment.

She couldn’t help but feel a little happy.

She couldn’t suppress this feeling.

She didn’t know why…

Maybe this was friendship?

A strange feeling indeed…

And only with Stinky Blondie… maybe because their relationship was closer?

Thinking that, Lin Xinyuan felt even happier.

She considered herself lucky to have roommates like Xiong Wei, a good friend like Li Tang, and even a close brother like Qin Nanfeng.

Though Stinky Blondie was sometimes annoying!

But he always understood her, which complicated her feelings for Qin Nanfeng—she felt he was different from the others…

The friend she absolutely didn’t want to lose?

Definitely Stinky Blondie.

q: “Are you free?”

Lin Xinyuan glanced around the Clinic and replied, “Why?”

q: “Just want to see if you’re gone yet? Peeking.JPG”

Her mouth twitched.

This guy, is he ever going to stop?

Does he just want her to be gone already?

Always thinking about it!

With that thought, Lin Xinyuan was more certain of her previous guess.

Indeed… only a best buddy could talk like that.

Heh heh…

The girl was both happy and annoyed!

Ruyuan: “Stinky Blondie! You’re not gone! I really wish your whole family happiness, ha!”

q: “Not bad, quite spirited! Looks like there’s still some breath, hmm, pretty good.”

Lin Xinyuan was speechless.

She really didn’t know how to retort.

Every time, this guy always made it feel like punching cotton.

Scold him?

She’d definitely lose…

Mock him? Who else could out-sass this guy…

The more she thought, the more frustrated she felt.

Her face almost betrayed her, and Lin Mama nearly noticed.

But at that moment, he sent another message.

q: “So, are you free or not?”

He really hadn’t forgotten his original intention, huh, haha…

Lin Xinyuan gritted her teeth: “Get lost, I’m not free!”

q: “Replying this fast? I don’t believe it. Tell the truth? Or should I call Auntie and ask?”

What was that? Was he begging or threatening? But would calling her mom help?

Just as Lin Xinyuan was puzzled, he seemed to anticipate her thoughts and sent another message.

q: “Auntie thinks highly of me, you know. If I told her we’re together, what do you think she’d say? You wouldn’t want Auntie to know our relationship isn’t simple, right? Smile.JPG”

What? What kind of Japanese internet user was he?

Lin Xinyuan was stunned.

She knew what her mother wanted—she hoped Lin Xinyuan would marry and have children like a normal girl.

Stinky Blondie was so outstanding in front of her mother and had helped her so much.

Maybe he had feelings for her?

So most likely, the answer wouldn’t be no?

Maybe even happy?

Just the thought of her mother looking at her with relief, and even her grandfather, imagining bringing children in the future, made her scalp tingle…

No way!

Absolutely not!

She admitted she was a girl now, but there was no way she could like a boy!

Especially not this scoundrel, Stinky Blondie!

This guy… was he trying to disgust her?

How cruel…

Just like him…

Lin Xinyuan thought bitterly, feeling uneasy.

She definitely didn’t want this to happen.

Endure the humiliation…

Hmph… you’re ruthless!

Don’t let me find a chance, Stinky Blondie!

Ruyuan: “What exactly do you want! Angry.JPG”

q: “So you’re free? Come video call me, I want to see if you’re really gone.”

Ruyuan: “That simple?”

Lin Xinyuan couldn’t believe it.

q: “Yeah, what else? You don’t really believe it, right? Or do you want to…”

Reading that, Lin Xinyuan’s expression immediately collapsed.

Luckily, she quickly turned to look elsewhere so Lin Mama, who was already watching again, wouldn’t notice.

Pretending to be calm, she walked away: “Mom… I… I’m going to make a phone call…”

“Alright, be quick. It’ll be your turn soon.”

Lin Mama looked at her daughter’s back with puzzlement, not understanding…

This girl…

What’s wrong with her?

Time to see a psychologist again?