When Xu Huo was home alone, he rarely used the coffee table; it was usually a junk table, with all sorts of miscellaneous things piled on it.
Jiang Ran was back, and not wanting to miss the TV, she tidied the coffee table, clinking her chopsticks against her bowl, and waited for her brother to feed her.
Xu Huo brought the dishes to the table, and the two sat side by side.
Seeing her still glued to her phone, he bent a finger and gently tapped the table, stern-faced: “It’s time to eat, still playing?”
“Tsk, tsk! Brother, I didn’t know until I looked her up, but that Han Xiao has a lot of scandals…”
“She’s not even famous, where would she get scandals from?”
“Things like being pretentious and acting like a big shot, that’s why she’s never really taken off. Qin Yimo, who debuted with her, is super popular now.”
“Doesn’t that just scream someone’s trying to smear her?”
“Why?”
Jiang Ran bit her chopsticks, looking puzzled.
“Isn’t being pretentious and acting like a big shot normal in the entertainment industry? Why do you think so few of those stories get exposed?”
Jiang Ran thought seriously for a moment, then shook her head.
“On one hand, it’s hidden well. Those who know are usually involved in some way, like from the same film crew. Those higher up won’t be bothered, and those lower down don’t dare to speak up. On the other hand, news space is limited. Would they ignore truly big stars to focus on an eighteen-tier nobody? With her status, even if she did act like a big shot, she should have quietly disappeared. How could you just easily find it by searching online?”
“Good point!”
“I don’t even need to look to know that it’s probably only a few sources repeatedly saying the same thing.”
“It seems so… How do you know all this?”
“What doesn’t your brother know?”
Xu Huo smugly raised an eyebrow at her.
I’m an internet warrior, commenting on affairs and stirring up words; with a single click, I’m invincible.
“Then why doesn’t she explain?”
Xu Huo casually said, “Many of people’s troubles are self-inflicted. Don’t make things hard for yourself, and don’t argue with foolish people. Whatever they say, just say, ‘Okay, you’re right,’ and that’s it. Otherwise, you’ll be dragged into the mud pit, especially in the entertainment industry.”
“Where did you get such twisted logic…”
Jiang Ran glanced at him, frowning, and said, “What’s the difference between not clarifying something like this and admitting it?”
Xu Huo picked up his chopsticks, nodded while picking up a dish, “Yes, you’re right.”
Jiang Ran let out a soft “hēng”.
At one point, she suddenly looked at him with meat still in her mouth, unswallowed, and asked, “Were you just subtly calling me stupid?”
Xu Huo shook his head, ”I didn’t.”
Jiang Ran was suspicious, “Really not?”
Xu Huo nodded vigorously.
“We’re siblings, I wouldn’t call you names.”
Jiang Ran wrinkled her nose, “Then swear!”
“I swear, I really didn’t!”
When parents are away on business, being home alone certainly has many benefits.
But being alone for too long can still be a bit boring and lonely.
Jiang Ran’s constant chattering was a little annoying, but it did help pass the time.
“Hurry up and eat… So many dishes can’t even shut your mouth.”
When it was just the two of them, Jiang Ran’s eating manners weren’t very elegant.
But even when a pretty girl eats inelegantly, it’s still pleasing to the eye.
“What are you looking at?”
Jiang Ran sharply noticed her brother’s mischievous gaze, swinging her feet and pouting, “I always feel like you’re up to no good!”
“Hmph…”
The siblings exchanged meaningless banter as they ate their dinner.
Suddenly, Jiang Ran pouted her little mouth and said mysteriously, “Brother, someone confessed to me again!”
Her eyes sparkled, and her charming face practically screamed, “Ask me for the follow-up!”
Xu Huo, as expected, stared at her and said blandly, “Did you refuse?”
“This one’s a bit different. He said he wants to get into the same university as me. He seems quite ambitious. Although his competition results weren’t as good as mine, he still got a second prize. He’s not one of those guys who just loafs around all day.”
Jiang Ran rested her chin on her palm, smiling as she gazed at him.
“Did you agree?” Xu Huo squinted at her again.
Seeing her brother’s expression change, she became even happier.
But to avoid a beating, she knew when to quit while she was ahead.
After showing off, she immediately widened her eyes, “How could I? I have looks and talent, how can I be so cheap with them? I need to wait for a better offer!”
The two began their game of “owl training” again.
Jiang Ran tried to suppress her brother with her gaze, and Xu Huo coldly resisted.
In the end, she was the first to give in, averting her gaze and grumbling, “I told him my brother doesn’t allow early relationships, or he’ll break their legs.”
“So, I become the bad guy?”
“For your sister’s peace of mind, what’s wrong with being the bad guy for once?”
“…You’re right.”
Everyone has that age where they first experience romantic feelings, and Jiang Ran was no exception.
But she lacked cunning and was easily deceived by those with ulterior motives.
Xu Huo never thought of himself as “bad.”
No brother would eagerly hand their sister over.
To deal with those ill-intentioned brats, the most ruthless methods of punishment should be used.
Jiang Ran meticulously picked out minced garlic from her bowl with her chopsticks, then asked absent-mindedly, “Brother… Do all you guys like girls like me – well-behaved, sensible, pretty, and speaking sweetly?”
“You’re truly shameless.”
Jiang Ran was exasperated, “Huh? Can you just lie with a straight face?”
“Brother~~” Jiang Ran’s eyes were full of resentment.
“Nothing is absolute. To each their own. Of course, almost everyone likes good-looking people.”
Jiang Ran sighed and asked, “Are all you guys so superficial?”
“Don’t you like handsome guys?”
“I think the key is still compatible personalities; looks are at most a first impression…”
“Good point.”
Xu Huo picked up a spare rib for Jiang Ran and casually said, “I also think looks aren’t important; the key is that you like them yourself.”
Jiang Ran eyed him with interest and asked, “So what kind of person do you like?”
“I like pretty ones.”
Jiang Ran’s hand, gripping the chopsticks, trembled.
Who was the shameless one here?
“Then what about me? Am I considered pretty?”
“Aside from being thick-skinned, you’re barely passable in looks…”
“Hehe.”
Jiang Ran was someone who loved hearing sweet talk, so she immediately became very happy.
Although, to anyone but her, that sentence wouldn’t have the slightest relation to sweet talk.
“Then, out of everyone you’ve ever seen in your life, who do you think is the prettiest?”
“Do I need to include you?”
Xu Huo sized her up.
As he looked, he saw Jiang Ran’s ears turn red, then a flush appeared on her neck, followed by her entire cheeks.
She whispered, “Y-you… you can include me?”
“Han Xiao,” Xu Huo answered honestly.
Purely in terms of looks, every girl’s appearance has her own unique characteristics.
But from a guy’s perspective, Han Xiao won without a doubt.
Jiang Ran narrowed her eyes and smiled happily, “I also think Han Xiao is good-looking.”
Crack!
The spare rib Xu Huo had just given her was bitten through, bone and all.
Xu Huo watched her “crunch, crunch” as she ground her teeth, and couldn’t help but swallow.
He said, “Don’t take it seriously, I was just joking. Chew slowly, don’t ruin your teeth.”
Being cheeky comes with a price.
Xu Huo’s price for being cheeky was Jiang Ran throwing a tantrum.
The sister didn’t act like a sister; she fiercely fought her brother for food.
When her small mouth couldn’t hold any more food, she angrily kicked her brother under the table, blaming him for snatching her food.
Xu Huo didn’t indulge her either.
Both their cheeks were puffed out, afraid of getting the short end of the stick.