Chapter 50

Chen Jing stammered so much that telling a ghost story was out of the question.

Dai Ning’s playful antics resulted in Chen Jing deciding to personally supervise her homework. It dawned on him then—he had never actually seen her reading or doing assignments before.

Qingtuan: Hahaha!

Dai Ning dragged her feet, pulling out a pen and rummaging through her bag before fishing out a history workbook she used only for appearances.

“It’s so late. How about I do it tomorrow instead?”

Chen Jing firmly placed a hand on her shoulder.

Pouting, Dai Ning opened the workbook. Chen Jing’s sharp eyes caught sight of its entirely blank pages. A vein throbbed at his temple as he began to suspect what was going on.

Dai Ning quickly changed the subject. “Brother, look! I can spin a pen!”

The bright yellow duck-patterned pen twirled between her fingers. Chen Jing shot her a glance, and Dai Ning immediately dropped the pretense. “I don’t know how to do it, and I don’t want to. Just let me drop out already.”

She was ready to throw a tantrum, and no one could really do anything about it. Chen Jing certainly wouldn’t let her drop out for real.

The two stared each other down for a long while before Dai Ning leaned lazily against his shoulder, boneless as a doll.

For some reason, Chen Jing was reminded of a morally questionable TV drama he had once seen.
Brother and sister, huh…

He pushed her head away, straightened up, and wrote a serious note:
“Men and women are different. You need to understand boundaries. Stop leaning on men so casually.”

Qingtuan thought to itself, Finally! Someone with proper morals! Zhao Yu didn’t teach her anything, but at least there’s Chen Jing. What a model brother!

Dai Ning glanced at him with amusement before leaning closer with a mischievous smile.

“Brother, can I lean on my boyfriend in the future?”

Chen Jing frowned, then reluctantly nodded.

“I got it.” Dai Ning straightened up, sitting just as upright as he was, no longer flopping around. She was surprisingly obedient this time.

Turning to Qingtuan, she said, “I’ve never met anyone who dislikes me. If he begs me in the future, I won’t lean on him either.”

Since Chen Jing insisted on being the perfect older brother, she would indulge him.

Qingtuan covered its head with its little paws, casting a pitiful glance at Chen Jing.

Dai Ning tossed her pen aside and went to bed. But as she climbed into bed, she suddenly rushed back, standing before Chen Jing with a serious expression.

“You’re not allowed to sneak off to see Chen Lianxing while I’m asleep. If you do, I’ll be mad!” Her small pout made her intentions crystal clear.

“Okay,” Chen Jing said as he packed her history book back into her bag.

Satisfied, Dai Ning clasped her hands behind her back and left.

—

Meanwhile, in the infirmary, Ji Tian was accompanying Chen Lianxing as they waited for Chen Jing.

“Don’t worry. My brother will definitely come. He’s always listened to me since we were kids.”

Ji Tian smiled. “Of course, I believe you. I’m so envious. You have such a caring brother. If only my brother were like that.”

Chen Lianxing couldn’t help but feel a bit smug.

Though she usually couldn’t stand Chen Jing, Ji Tian had been subtly praising him over and over recently. Chen Lianxing didn’t understand why this wealthy young lady thought so highly of her gloomy, stammering brother. However, if Chen Jing could help improve her relationship with Ji Tian, she was more than happy to oblige.

When Chen Lianxing fell off the stage today, Ji Tian had taken the initiative to help her, leaving her pleasantly surprised. Ji Tian had even expressed a desire to thank Chen Jing personally for protecting her the other day. Chen Lianxing readily agreed. She was certain that upon hearing of her injury, Chen Jing would rush over like the loyal lapdog he had always been.

Yet, after waiting a long time, there was still no sign of him.

Chen Lianxing glanced at Ji Tian, whose previously warm expression had cooled. A pang of unease struck her. In this friendship, she was the one constantly currying favor. If Ji Tian got upset and decided to end things, what would she do?

Her phone buzzed suddenly, and for the first time, she desperately hoped it was a call from Chen Jing.

Instead, it was a bank notification: Chen Jing had transferred her 3,000 yuan.

The message read:
“You have classmates taking care of you. I won’t be coming today. Rest well.”

Chen Lianxing stared wide-eyed at the screen, unable to believe it.

For years, everyone who knew Chen Jing knew how much he doted on her. He was always there whenever she called, no exceptions.

She had grown accustomed to summoning him at will—unless she didn’t want to see him. But for the first time, he had refused to come, settling instead for sending her money.

In the past, she would have been overjoyed if he chose not to show up, as long as he sent money. But now that he had done just that, she didn’t feel happy. Instead, an unfamiliar emptiness filled her chest, leaving her unsettled.

Ji Tian, noticing her strange expression, asked, “What’s wrong?”

Snapping out of it, Chen Lianxing forced a light tone. “My brother said he’s busy and can’t come right now. He transferred me money and told me to rest well.”

Ji Tian’s disappointment was evident, though she masked it with polite indifference.

Still, she couldn’t help but feel irked. She had planned to use tonight’s meeting to get closer to Chen Jing, but now Chen Lianxing had failed to bring him here.

Nonetheless, Ji Tian wasn’t ready to sever ties just yet. Forcing a smile, she stayed to chat with Chen Lianxing for a bit longer, though both were clearly distracted.

“It’s late, so I’ll be heading home now. Rest well.” Ji Tian picked up her bag and left the infirmary, muttering to herself about the wasted time.

As she walked away, her thoughts grew darker. What could have kept Chen Jing so occupied? She needed to investigate his recent activities thoroughly.

—

Chen Jing kept his word and didn’t visit Chen Lianxing that night. The next morning, he personally took Dai Ning to school.

On the bike ride, he noticed Dai Ning hesitate. Instead of hugging his waist like she usually did, she opted to lightly hold the fabric of his shirt—a clear sign that his “lesson” about boundaries had sunk in.

As he started the bike, a vague sense of melancholy crept in, though he quickly pushed it aside.

After dropping her off at school, he handed her the bag.

“Brother, are you going to see Chen Lianxing now?” she asked, perceptive as always.

Chen Jing nodded. Since she was injured, he had to check on her eventually.

Dai Ning gave his long leg a light kick before running off. Though displeased, she didn’t stop him this time.

Chen Jing watched her lively figure disappear into the school gates, then headed toward Fengming University.

Upon seeing him, Chen Lianxing’s initial expression of grievance quickly turned into her habitual dissatisfaction. “I called you last night. Why didn’t you come?”

Chen Jing noticed her injuries had been treated. Placing the apples he brought on the table, he casually opened his notebook and started writing.

His message was simple, written with little effort, as he assumed she wouldn’t bother reading it.

But this time, Chen Lianxing leaned closer and paid attention.

“Didn’t you tell me not to come to your school often? Besides, you have classmates taking care of you.”

Chen Lianxing clenched her teeth. “Dad told you to take care of me. Is this how you do it? What if something serious had happened? How would you explain it to him?”

Chen Jing looked up.

His pupils were of a very cold shade, and the scar on his throat added a menacing edge to his demeanor. Even without malice, his silent presence carried a faint air of intimidation.

Though Chen Jing treated others well, he was far from being a pushover. He had his own temper.

Chen Lianxing, recalling the way he looked when fighting, immediately backed down, pursing her lips without saying another word.

Seeing her quiet, Chen Jing’s mood improved considerably. He picked up his pen and wrote:
“Do you have enough money?”

“Just barely,” Chen Lianxing replied, choosing her words carefully. She finally remembered to ask about her mother. “How is my mom doing?”

“She was sick a few days ago but has recovered now. If you have time, go visit her.”

“I got it.”

The two didn’t share much of an emotional bond. When Chen Jing stood up to leave, Chen Lianxing couldn’t shake off the feeling that something had changed. She used to be the one losing patience with Chen Jing, and he would always tolerate her. But now, his cold gaze carried an air of indifference, as if he no longer cared.

Her instincts as a girl told her that her brother didn’t cherish her as much anymore.

“Won’t you stay and take care of me?” she asked.

“It’s inconvenient,” he replied.

As soon as he said that, his phone rang. Chen Jing glanced at it—it was from Teacher Mao.

Coincidentally, the previous night, while he was with Dai Ning, Chen Lianxing had called him. Now, as he visited Chen Lianxing, it was Dai Ning’s teacher calling him.

Chen Lianxing watched helplessly as he answered the call and walked out.

On the line, Teacher Mao said, “It’s like this: over the past few days, I’ve been observing Chen Dai Dai’s situation. She really enjoys sleeping. She even taped a note to her head saying she has Narcolepsy. Has she shown this kind of behavior before?”

Chen Jing: “…” He wasn’t aware that his rebellious little sister claimed to have Narcolepsy. She might appear sluggish, but she was full of energy when causing trouble. This mischievous brat was blatantly sleeping at school!

There was no way Chen Jing would expose her in front of the teacher. Sitting on his bike, he covered for her: “She does… have mild symptoms.”

Teacher Mao continued, “As her guardian, please take her to a hospital for a proper examination. If untreated, this condition could seriously affect her studies.”

Her words were already quite diplomatic. In truth, Chen Dai Dai wasn’t attending classes at all—she was either lying on her desk or asleep on her unicorn pillow during lessons!

Chen Jing clenched his teeth. “I’ll make sure to… take her to the hospital.”

What a rascal! Sleeping at school—what wouldn’t she dare to do next?

As for early relationships, that was something Dai Ning wouldn’t have entertained before.

In her eyes, no one was ever good enough for her beauty. Even Zhao Yu had once asked her if she was dating in school, and she had scoffed at the notion.

However, now that she was inexplicably repeating her sophomore year of high school, Dai Ning had found someone intriguing: Li Hu.

Li Hu was undeniably handsome, exuding a masculine charm beyond that of his seventeen or eighteen-year-old peers. Many girls saw him as their ideal crush.

Dai Ning, who had encountered all sorts of people—including the flirtatious Shen Tuo She—found Li Hu far more dangerous than anyone else.

Shen Tuo She might look untrustworthy, but Li Hu’s nature was genuinely sinister.

Lately, during gym class, her class and Li Hu’s class shared the same period. While Dai Ning skipped gym to nap, Li Hu skipped class as well to come to her classroom and feed her snacks.

Sitting on her desk, he would look down and hand her food.

Dai Ning, eyes shut, figured there was no harm in accepting the snacks—it wasn’t like she was paying for them. And his snacks were way better than the ones Chen Jing provided.

Qingtuan watched this scene with despair.

“Jing Dai Ning, stop eating! Li Hu is obviously bad news!”

Dai Ning replied, “But his snacks are tasty.”

“What if he has ulterior motives?”

“They’re still tasty.”

Qingtuan gave up, practically pulling its feathers out as it watched Li Hu hand her a carton of milk.

To be fair, Dai Ning, as wealthy as she was, had never tried this brand of milk. Sipping through the straw, she finally opened her eyes to look at him lazily.

Her eyes were bright and dark, glistening with the kind of freshness that came from long hours of sleep. Her lashes curled beautifully, complementing her soft curls. She looked irresistibly cute.

Li Hu whistled and chuckled.

“Dai Ning, is it good?”

She nodded. “Do you have more?”

Li Hu spread his hands. “That was the last one.” The milk wasn’t on the market yet; it was an expensive prototype developed by his family’s company. He’d taken one bottle just to amuse her.

Hearing there wasn’t any more, Dai Ning ignored him.

As she lay back down to sleep, Li Hu gently pinched her chin, giving it a slight shake. She was stunning—her lips rosy, her gaze innocent yet alluring.

Li Hu curved his lips into a sly smile and leaned closer, his voice low and husky. “How about a kiss?”

Half-asleep, Dai Ning rubbed her eyes and muttered, “No. Go away.” Aside from her past pranks on Zhao Yu, she couldn’t understand the appeal of such things.

Li Hu clicked his tongue. For the first time, he’d asked a girl for a kiss and been turned down.

As the weather grew hotter, the school was stingy and wouldn’t turn on the air conditioning until mid-July.

Seeing her lying down, Li Hu went to the front door of the classroom to turn on the fan. Then he returned with a small portable fan, perfumed with a faint scent, and set it up to blow cool air at her.

Dai Ning basked in the comfort.

Ah, school life was truly delightful.

Some students returning early caught sight of Li Hu in the classroom and whispered among themselves.

Li Hu jumped off the desk, adjusted the fan, and gently tucked the strands of hair blowing onto Dai Ning’s cheek behind her ear. Only then did he leave the room.

Dai Ning called out to him and Li Hu turned back.

“Take the trash with you,” she said bluntly, stuffing the pile of snack wrappers into his hands.

Li Hu stared at the trash in disbelief before breaking into laughter. Qingtuan watched him leave, looking like a worried parent. If it could talk, it would’ve shouted: “Chen Jing, someone is trying to lure your sister into a high school romance!”