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Chapter 34: Beginning the Crossdressing Mission? I Only Like My Sister, Don’t Think Too Much…
Gu Si: ???
Initially sneaking downstairs carefully to avoid being noticed, Gu Si straightened up immediately upon seeing the scene. With his tall 188 cm frame, he strode quickly toward the kitchen while questioning loudly:
“What are you doing?”
Ning Qingyan, caught in the act, trembled slightly as she held the bowl of noodles. (JPG format for full effect.)
Before finishing his question, Gu Si had already stepped into the kitchen. Seeing two plates of noodles, each topped with fried eggs, he leaned casually against the doorway. His rebellious eyebrows arched slightly, and his voice drawled lazily:
“Ning Qingyan, you’re so kind, aren’t you? Knowing someone didn’t eat dinner, you got up in the middle of the night to make them a snack.”
Green Tea System: “Huo Qi’s affection +1.”
Because of Gu Si’s remark, Huo Qi’s ears quietly turned red. Was she really up just to cook noodles for him?
The cold lines of his face softened slightly, his thin lips pressed together into a straight line. Without a word to Gu Si, he took his plate of noodles in front of the fuming Gu Si and moved to the small table nearby. His tone was restrained as he said:
“Thank you.”
Noticing Gu Si glaring at him coldly, Huo Qi clenched his fists. For the first time, he lowered his voice and repeated:
“Thank you… Qingyan.”
Gu Si, increasingly aggrieved: ?
What happened when he wasn’t looking? How did the usually aloof Huo Qi suddenly start calling Ning Qingyan by her nickname? When did they get so close?
Leaning against the doorway, Gu Si clenched his fists and gave a mischievous smirk. His long, narrow phoenix eyes narrowed dangerously as his low, lazy voice cut through the room:
“So now you won’t even talk to me, huh?”
Ning Qingyan calmly finished serving the noodles, turned around holding the plate, and gave Gu Si—still putting on airs—a flat look. She set the noodles down at the small kitchen table and replied lightly:
“How could I not talk to my mentor? I’m counting on inheriting your skills, after all.”
Gu Si glanced at Huo Qi, who was already eating. His heart burned with frustration and jealousy, his lips pressed into a thin line. Still, he sulked:
“I haven’t eaten dinner either.”
Although Ning Qingyan wasn’t actually hungry, Gu Si’s stubborn yet pitiful puppy-dog expression softened her resolve.
She approached him, grabbed his arm, and led him to the small table. Despite his towering figure, Gu Si allowed her to drag him along obediently. Sitting him down, she coaxed gently:
“I knew you hadn’t eaten, so I was planning to call you after cooking. Who knew you’d come down on your own?”
Her tone was warm, filled with indulgence, and her words wrapped around Gu Si like a comforting melody. The frustration, anger, and stubbornness he’d been holding onto all day dissolved into a twinge of vulnerability.
Green Tea System: “Gu Si’s affection +1.”
His usual sharp, defiant gaze softened. Though his voice retained its usual brashness, he poked at the noodles with his chopsticks and muttered:
“You do have a conscience.”
Regaining his usual vigor, Gu Si glanced smugly at Huo Qi and taunted:
“You know, these noodles were just made for me, and you got the extras. It’s not like she got up specifically for you, so don’t get the wrong idea.”
Huo Qi remained impassive, his gaze cold and detached. Ignoring Gu Si entirely, he stood, picked up his plate, and said softly to Ning Qingyan:
“I’m heading upstairs… Qingyan.”
Ning Qingyan nodded and reminded him, “It’s dark outside; be careful, okay?”
Just as Gu Si was feeling triumphant, thinking he’d driven Huo Qi away, he was caught off guard by their exchange. He choked on his noodles, coughing violently.
After Huo Qi left, Ning Qingyan tossed Gu Si a bottle of water. He grabbed it and downed a couple of gulps before his coughing subsided.
“Why do you call everyone ‘brother’?” Gu Si complained.
“I’m the youngest, right? It’s only natural to call my seniors ‘brother.’ It’d be too awkward to use full names all the time,” Ning Qingyan replied as she returned to the stove to clean up.
Seeing this, Gu Si immediately shouted:
“Stop! Leave it there; I’ll wash it later.”
Ning Qingyan gave him a surprised look and teased:
“You? Washing dishes? The sun must be rising in the west.”
Gu Si coughed, trying to sound confident. “What can I say? I’ve got good manners. Unlike that Huo whatever-his-name-is. He just left with his plate, but I’ll stick around to help.”
Even though Huo Qi wasn’t present, he somehow ended up getting blamed.
Ning Qingyan nodded, her eyes full of admiration. She praised him, “True, you’re the best mentor ever!”
Green Tea System: “Gu Si’s affection +1.”
Feeling pleased with himself, Gu Si was about to respond when Ning Qingyan added:
“Then you can wash the dishes next time too.”
Gu Si: …
Back in her room, Ning Qingyan quickly showered and climbed into bed. Opening the Green Tea System, she reviewed the stats:
The story continued the next morning with the program director announcing a gender-swap mission, throwing everyone into chaos. The princes had to dress as girls, and the princesses as boys!