Chapter 25: Touring Lin Beixiu’s Room

Qin Muxue was taken aback, nearly giving herself away but covered it up by saying, “Anyway, I took a year off school, so I guess I’m technically your senior. Simplifying it to ‘sister’ works too.”

“Heh, let’s not dwell on ancient history. We’re in the same grade now, classmates.”

Qin Muxue scoffed and raised her fist, ready to strike again. Lin Beixiu tensed, preparing to be hit.

Seeing his resignation, Qin Muxue lost interest in continuing the assault. She had wanted to play a bit longer.

“Anyway, I’m definitely older than you, so you calling me ‘sister’ isn’t unwarranted.”

Lin Beixiu stood up, stretching his sore limbs.

“Heh, I don’t believe it.”

“What year were you born? I’m ’02.”

Calculating the time, Qin Muxue was precisely 20 years old.

Hearing this, Lin Beixiu felt somewhat guilty and reluctantly admitted,

“’04.”

At 18, Lin Beixiu was two years younger than Qin Muxue, which, for her, was a significant enough difference.

Qin Muxue’s lips curled into a satisfied smile, “So it’s settled then, little Bei.”

Lin Beixiu, blushing, turned away, unable to bring himself to call her ‘sister.’

“We’re not related, why should I call you ‘sister’?”

Qin Muxue laughed silently, reminiscing about whether this was the boy who used to follow her around as a child, calling her ‘sister’ endlessly like a little tail.

“I’m hungry.”

Lin Beixiu smirked, “I thought you were always full of energy.”

Qin Muxue raised her fist again, “Where to eat?”

“Come with me.”

Lin Beixiu kept a safe distance, speaking reluctantly.

Qin Muxue, amused by his fear, followed him.

…

Lin Beixiu led her onto the main street, which Qin Muxue noticed was not the way home. She curiously asked,

“Aren’t we going back to eat? I really wanted to try Grandpa’s buns.”

“My grandpa can only make so much. We shouldn’t take away from those who need it. I’ll make some for you another time; it’s all the same.”

Qin Muxue didn’t press further and followed him to a noodle shop.

“The mixed noodles here are pretty good; let’s eat here.”

Since Qin Muxue was indifferent, Lin Beixiu ordered two servings of mixed noodles.

Soon, the owner served them two bowls of noodles, which Qin Muxue found quite tasty.

“Mm, this is good.”

…

After eating, Qin Muxue rushed to pay, then headed outside.

“It’s on me today. I got a little brother; I’m in a good mood.”

She wanted to thank Lin Beixiu for letting her stay but feared his smug reaction might infuriate her. Thinking it over, teasing him seemed the better option.

Lin Beixiu’s calm demeanor quickly crumbled, exasperatedly saying,

“When did I agree to that?”

“It’s a fact. You can’t deny it now.”

Lin Beixiu accelerated his pace, with Qin Muxue laughing and following.

They bickered all the way back. The breakfast shop still had customers coming in. Entering, Zhang Yunwu chuckled,

“Weren’t you two out playing? Back so soon?”

He had seen Lin Beixiu dart out, followed by Qin Muxue. Young people, their energy was admirable.

Lin Beixiu twitched his mouth, “Didn’t really play, just got beaten up.”

Lin Beixiu remained silent, and Qin Muxue didn’t expose him, helping him move foam boxes back inside.

At home, Qin Muxue watched him work and asked,

“Can I see your room?”

“What’s there to see in my room?”

Lin Beixiu set down what he was carrying, looking at her,

“Aren’t you the host? Shouldn’t you offer a tour to your guest?”

“Fine, but don’t expect much.”

Lin Beixiu led her to his room. She had only glimpsed it before, but now she saw the bookshelf filled with books. She casually picked up a science book, its pages filled with notes, flipping through them.

Qin Muxue couldn’t believe it. Was her childhood friend also a top student?

Meeting her gaze, Lin Beixiu felt a surge of pride.

“Why are you looking at me like that? Studying is supposed to be good.”

Qin Muxue scoffed and continued browsing the desk, finding novels and then test papers.

She accidentally pulled out a paper, and Lin Beixiu, seeing her action, started to approach,

“It’s not…”

Qin Muxue hid the test behind her back,

“Let me see.”

Lin Beixiu nervously clenched his fist. Even from afar, he could see the glaring whiteness of the paper, its bright red zero in the corner stark against the white.

Qin Muxue laughed, “Wow, so white. You could’ve guessed at least one right to avoid a zero.”

Reading the comment, “Hopeless!!!” she noted the three exclamation marks, indicating the teacher’s frustration.

Lin Beixiu felt utterly embarrassed.

Qin Muxue flipped through more papers, Lin Beixiu pleading,

“Can you look at something else?”

“No, no, I find your tests fascinating.”

Lin Beixiu sighed as Qin Muxue unearthed more papers, joking about his rare high scores,

“Who did you steal this from?”

“Can’t it be my own work?” Lin Beixiu retorted.

After browsing, Qin Muxue realized Lin Beixiu was a late bloomer academically.

“I’d love to hear about your childhood.”

Her genuine curiosity about Lin Beixiu’s past prompted a dismissive eye roll from him.

At noon, Zhang Yunwu returned from the shop, and Lin Beixiu began preparing lunch.

Qin Muxue and Zhang Yunwu chatted,

“Grandpa, did little Bei learn cooking from you?”

“A bit, but mostly he taught himself. He wanted to spare me, so he always insists on cooking when he’s here, giving me a break.”

Qin Muxue’s heart ached seeing Lin Beixiu’s efforts, understanding there had been some family issues, but she knew it wasn’t her place to probe.

Even though she had suspicions, she remained an outsider.

“Lunch is ready,” Lin Beixiu called them over.

Qin Muxue helped serve, while Zhang Yunwu lamented the lack of proper dishes to accompany his drink,

“Are you doing this on purpose?”

“What are you talking about? I don’t understand,” Lin Beixiu feigned ignorance.

They ended up drinking soda instead of alcohol.

Qin Muxue insisted on doing the dishes, overpowering Lin Beixiu’s objections. Remembering her strength from the morning, he shook his head and left the kitchen to her.

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