Chapter 33: School Uniform

“You’re committing a crime.”

“I’m sorry.”

“You can’t do this again.”

“……Okay.”

In the living room, Li Xingya put her hands on her hips as she looked at Lin Jin’an, who was kneeling obediently on the sofa.

She held out her hand and said, “Give me back my toothbrush!”

In response, Lin Jin’an, who had been bowing her head to accept the scolding, looked up and tentatively whispered, “Xiaoya, the toothbrush… can’t I really have it?”

“No!”

“Oh.”

Seeing Li Xingya’s resolute attitude, Lin Jin’an could only obediently hand over the toothbrush with both hands.

‘I came in a rush this time.

Next time I’ll definitely prepare a same-colored toothbrush to swap!’

After taking back her toothbrush, Li Xingya looked at Lin Jin’an suspiciously and suddenly asked, “You… didn’t lick it, did you?”

“I didn’t have time.”

Li Xingya was taken aback.

“What do you mean you didn’t have time?”

‘Whoa.’

‘What a terrible adult.’

Lin Jin’an thought for a moment and said with a smile, “I just mean I didn’t lick it…”

“Don’t act cheeky.

I haven’t forgiven you for stealing my toothbrush yet.”

“……Sorry.”

Li Xingya took a deep breath and looked at Lin Jin’an.

“I really don’t know what to say to you.

You’re supposed to be an idol, yet you can even do something like stealing a sixteen-year-old girl’s toothbrush…”

‘I think the idol industry is hopeless.’

‘I should change careers soon.’

‘Maybe I should try developing in the acting direction?’

Faced with Li Xingya’s rebuke, Lin Jin’an, who was usually composed, rarely didn’t talk back.

As for the reason, it was actually simple…

‘Xiaoya’s expression is serious.’

‘This girl is really angry.’

‘I’d better not talk back.’

‘So she doesn’t complain to Jiang Chiyue tonight.’

Lin Jin’an could read Li Xingya’s expression, and when she realized the other was truly angry, she naturally didn’t dare to speak.

“Explain yourself.

Why did you steal my toothbrush?”

Li Xingya stared at Lin Jin’an with a “disgusted” look as if looking at a criminal.

“Because you’re too cute.”

“Huh?”

“That’s the truth.”

Lin Jin’an nodded.

“Seeing such a cute girl like Xiaoya, I think anyone would be unable to resist!”

Li Xingya couldn’t help but frown.

“What you’re saying right now… can already be considered a retirement declaration.”

“But you won’t let me retire, right?”

Lin Jin’an said while moving her numb feet from kneeling.

Li Xingya: “…”

“Guh… I’m going back to continue washing up.

You go ahead and prepare breakfast.”

Li Xingya left only that sentence and went upstairs without looking back.

In the bathroom, she stared at herself in the mirror, and a feeling of irritation rose in her heart.

‘My expression is quite ugly.’

Li Xingya tried to relax her facial muscles.

‘Lin Jin’an, that girl, is still really annoying.’

Li Xingya didn’t like this feeling of not being able to hide her thoughts.

But she had to admit that Lin Jin’an was right… Li Xingya indeed didn’t want Lin Jin’an to retire.

She didn’t know whether Lin Jin’an’s “liking” for her was sincere or just wanting to play around.

Li Xingya didn’t care.

She only hoped that if it was just playing around, such a relationship could last until her debut.

Lin Jin’an’s status as a “National Idol” was natural popularity.

For Li Xingya, who had to repay a debt of two million, she naturally didn’t want Lin Jin’an to retire.

But… what if Lin Jin’an truly liked her?

Li Xingya lifted her eyes, her amber-colored eyes looking at the her in the mirror—she shook her head.

‘No way.’

‘Lin Jin’an doesn’t really like me.’

She smiled.

‘What an ugly smile.’

‘If this fake smile gets seen through and she still likes me, then Lin Jin’an would be too lacking in taste.’

Li Xingya turned on the faucet, cupped her hands to gather cold water, and splashed it on her face.

‘Don’t overthink it.’

‘Before debut, win over all the connections you can, gather all the resources you can.’

‘After debut, become famous as fast as possible, pay off the debt, and then retire in glory.’

‘Finally, I can go live the life I want.’

After washing up, Li Xingya went back downstairs, and Lin Jin’an had already prepared breakfast.

It was simple steamed buns, fried eggs, and plain congee.

“Try it, my cooking.”

Lin Jin’an smiled.

Li Xingya pulled out a stool and sat down.

She picked up chopsticks, recalling the scene in the kitchen, and said, “You mean the skill of ordering delivery, right?”

‘Bad habit.’

‘I wonder who she learned it from.’

Caught in the truth by Li Xingya, Lin Jin’an didn’t feel embarrassed.

She just responded, “That’s right, it’s the skill of ordering delivery.

Big Sister here is very good at finding delicious places.”

Hearing this, Li Xingya picked up a steamed bun and took a bite.

To be honest, it tasted average.

“Is it good?”

“It’s good.”

Li Xingya said subconsciously.

Simple two words.

If it could make Lin Jin’an happy, Li Xingya didn’t mind saying the breakfast was good.

Hearing Li Xingya say that, the smile on Lin Jin’an’s face became even more indulgent.

‘Lying again.’

‘Next time, change to a different delivery place.’

‘But…’

‘I really want to see Xiaoya’s true expression at times other than when she’s angry.’

Lin Jin’an thought to herself, quietly watching Li Xingya finish her breakfast.

***

Standing in front of the stairs, Li Xingya looked at Lin Jin’an who had nothing to do.

“Aren’t you going back?”

“I’m not going back.”

‘I won’t go back until you’re willing to call me sister.’

“As you wish.

I’m going upstairs to rest…”

Before Li Xingya finished speaking, her phone suddenly rang.

Li Xingya took out her phone and saw the word “Package” on the screen.

‘Package?’

‘I didn’t buy anything.’

Li Xingya pressed the answer button.

“Hello?

Hi.”

“You’re already at the door?”

“Okay, wait a moment, I’ll be right out.”

Li Xingya hung up the phone.

Without changing shoes, she went straight out in her slippers.

This was Li Xingya’s habit.

For things like receiving packages or delivery orders, she always felt embarrassed to make the other person wait too long.

Li Xingya signed her name on the delivery slip, said “Thank you” to the other person, and then took the package back inside.

“What did you buy?”

Lin Jin’an’s voice came from the living room.

“I don’t know.”

Li Xingya shook her head and took a pair of scissors from the kitchen.

“I see it says… it’s sent from Starseeing Academy.”

“Starseeing Academy?”

Lin Jin’an, lying on the sofa, smiled.

She already knew what it was.

And when Li Xingya opened the package on the living room coffee table and took out the contents inside, she saw it was four school uniforms.

Two pairs: two summer uniforms and two winter ones.

Having been in school for a week, Li Xingya had been wearing her own clothes, and she had almost forgotten that Starseeing Academy had uniforms.

“Starseeing Academy’s tailor-made uniform, handcrafted.”

Beside her, Lin Jin’an sat up from the sofa.

She looked at Li Xingya with expectation.

“Try it on.

As your senior, I really want to see what you look like in the uniform… Oh, do you want me to teach you how to put it on?

There are quite a few scattered accessories on this outfit, and it’ll be troublesome the first time.”

Li Xingya glanced at Lin Jin’an.

With just that one look, she could tell the other had ulterior motives.

“No need, I can put it on myself.”

Saying that, Li Xingya picked up a summer uniform and went to the second floor.

‘Want to watch me change clothes up close?’

‘Pervert!’

‘Someone like you deserves a good shock!’