“What are you doing here?”
Liu Xie had originally intended to scoot a bit further away, putting some distance between herself and her dear younger brother, Liu Anran.
But when the burning sunlight pricked at her arm, she obediently moved back to Liu Anran’s side.
She even tilted the sunshade more toward herself, not caring in the slightest that her dear brother now had half his body exposed to the sun outside the umbrella.
“Mom and Dad asked me to check if you’re adjusting well at school, if anyone’s bullying you.” Liu Anran didn’t look at Liu Xie as he said this.
“They sure have a lot of free time. Before, they were always telling me not to bully others at school just because our family’s rich.” Liu Xie curled her lips, reached into Liu Anran’s pocket, and as expected, fished out a small electric fan.
Then she pointed it at herself and started blowing.
“So, did you find anyone to bully?” Liu Anran turned his head slightly, lowering it to look at the blonde girl beside him.
“I’m a law-abiding citizen.”
Her smooth golden hair brushed lightly against his shirt as she moved, and he watched as Liu Xie opened her mouth wide in front of the portable fan set to maximum power.
It looked like she was about to swallow the whole fan.
A moment later, Liu Xie closed her mouth, swallowed, and said, “Feels like the fan dried out my saliva. I’m a bit thirsty.”
As if he’d anticipated this, Liu Anran picked up an unopened bottle of mineral water from beside his feet, still slightly chilled.
Liu Xie took the bottle with a somewhat odd expression. “Why do you always have whatever I need? Do you have a blue robotic cat in your pocket or something?”
“I just know you well enough.” Liu Anran’s face remained calm.
“Uh…” After taking a sip, Liu Xie glanced down at the bottle. “Doesn’t taste as good as iced tea.”
“Drink fewer soft drinks.”
Liu Xie raised an eyebrow. “Are you mixing up the big joker and the little joker? Are you the older brother or am I?”
Then, Liu Xie fell silent, as if waiting for something.
But her dear brother’s sharp tongue didn’t make an appearance. Only after she looked over did she finally hear him say, “You’re the big sister.”
All her retorts got stuck in her throat.
Frowning, Liu Xie hugged her shoulders and scooted away a bit.
But of course, she didn’t leave the shade of the umbrella.
“Gross. You never used to talk like this.”
Back then, her dear brother would definitely have snapped back: You’re only a few months older than me.
Then he’d start mocking her incompetence, belittling her to nothing.
Liu Xie didn’t know why her brother’s attitude had changed so much just because her identity had shifted.
Now he was more like the obedient little boy she’d picked up from a trash heap when they were kids.
But after at least two or three years of her brother’s Rebellion Period and all his cold sarcasm, Liu Xie really couldn’t get used to this suddenly warm and friendly attitude.
“I admit I was a bit too strict with you before. If you’re really uncomfortable with it, I’ll just stay here and let you do whatever you want.” Liu Anran spread his hands, looking at Liu Xie with a calm face.
In those eyes—so different from Liu Xie’s—there was a guilt that wouldn’t fade.
Of course Liu Xie wouldn’t actually take revenge on the little brother she’d brought home herself.
And besides, Liu Anran was just sharp-tongued; whenever she truly needed help, he’d never once been absent.
“Then why were you so mean before?” Liu Xie tilted her head, genuinely puzzled. “You used to be so caustic, and now you’re not. Isn’t that a contradiction?”
“Because I realized I was wrong. Maybe making you happy matters more than anything else, and right now you’re not really suited to get involved in other things.” Liu Anran shifted the umbrella a little more, making sure Liu Xie was completely under its shade.
“I’ll handle those things.”
“Has anyone ever told you that you sound like you’re speaking in riddles?” Liu Xie frowned. “Is this how all business people talk?”
The air was quiet for a while, and Liu Xie’s brows eased just a bit.
Looking on the bright side, at least now her brother wouldn’t be so mean to her anymore.
“This time you sponsored me just to see if I’m being bullied?” Liu Xie asked. “Isn’t that a bit of overkill?”
“It’s also about building a positive image.” Liu Anran paused. “Didn’t you almost get bullied just now? So coming here was pretty useful.”
“That was just a rare case. Usually, I’m the boss of the school.” Liu Xie pointed at herself with her thumb.
“What about your leg? Is it fully healed?”
“Healed ages ago. I’m just not joining the sports meet because I don’t want to traumatize the other students.” Liu Xie crossed her arms, putting on a mysterious pose.
The truth was, back then Ye Qingchang had insisted on dragging her along to the sports meet, pulling her to the track to try it out.
That’s when she realized she was carrying a lot more weight than she thought.
And when she ran, that weight bounced up and down, drawing way too much attention.
“If you don’t believe me, ask my roommate…” Liu Xie turned to look beside her, only to find that at some point, the seat next to her was empty. “Where’d she go?”
Zhu Niao naturally couldn’t stay any longer, especially with Gou Yu constantly messaging her to bring him some water.
While her dorm’s number two was chatting with her family, Zhu Niao didn’t feel right butting in.
But the sunhat was pretty useful, helping her light-sensitive eyes feel a lot better.
She bought a bottle of cold sports drink and stood on tiptoe, scanning the field.
She didn’t spot Gou Yu until his name was called at the check-in.
She trotted over with quick, small steps, heading straight for Gou Yu.
Apologizing as she squeezed into the crowd, she handed the water to Gou Yu amid the complicated gazes of the boys around.
There was jealousy, envy, confusion, and of course, a lot of anger—wishing they could tear Gou Yu apart.
Gou Yu acted as if he didn’t notice the uproar at all, just took the water and gulped it down.
“Little Bird, thanks. I’ve got events all morning. You might have to buy me another bottle later.” Gou Yu flashed a smile.
The familiar scent of lavender that rushed into the crowd didn’t hesitate at all, saying to the boy, “No problem, we’re buddies. Just don’t forget to pay me later—ten yuan a bottle.”
“You could have just robbed me, but you actually brought me water?”
Just then, a voice came from the restless crowd nearby: “Junior, can you bring me water too? I’ll pay extra!”
Zhu Niao didn’t even look back. “Nope. I only bring water for him, and I only take his money.”
Gou Yu couldn’t help but laugh. “Well, thanks a lot.”
“No problem.” Zhu Niao grinned. “Worst case, I’ll just help you deliver a few more takeout orders tonight.”
As soon as she finished speaking, the wails of the other boys around them became even more pronounced.