Chapter 52

After such an incident, the matter of Dai Ning dozing off in class—something Teacher Mao had mentioned earlier—suddenly seemed trivial. Even the reason behind Dai Ning being picked on, which Chen Jing had overheard on the phone, wasn’t something he would address at this moment.

Though Dai Ning claimed she wasn’t scared, her wide eyes and flushed, rabbit-like red corners told a different story. While taking her bath, she kept calling out intermittently, “Brother, are you there?”

“Yes,” Chen Jing responded, unable to do much else. Seeing how truly frightened she was, he stood outside the bathroom to reassure her.

As the sound of running water echoed, Chen Jing opened the window and lit a cigarette, trying to calm his turbulent emotions.

For years, he had lived like a hollow shell, consumed by thoughts of earning money to support the Chen family’s mother and daughter. This raw mix of fury and tenderness he felt tonight was something he hadn’t experienced in a long time.

Chen Jing rarely smoked, but as the tendrils of smoke curled in the air, he stubbed out the cigarette and let the wind carry away its traces.

Inside the bathroom, Dai Ning’s uneasy voice called out again, “Brother.”

Chen Jing rapped his knuckles lightly on the door to let her know he was still there. Reassured, she continued her bath, this time focusing on washing off the suds.

Chen Jing stood there for a long while before Dai Ning finally emerged in her pajamas, holding a hairdryer. In a nasal tone, she said, “Brother, dry my hair for me.”

He beckoned her over, and she smiled softly before sitting down on the sofa.

Holding her damp hair, Chen Jing carefully began drying it. Despite her naturally curly hair, its texture was incredibly soft and fine, with just the right amount of volume. Her porcelain-white face and obedient demeanor made her look as endearing as a little animal, evoking a deep sense of affection.

The warm airflow from the dryer was strong enough, and her hair was soon dry.

Tonight, Dai Ning had a legitimate excuse to skip her homework and head straight to bed. She looked at him pitifully. “Brother, can you stay with me until I fall asleep? Please?”

Understanding how devastating school bullying could be—sometimes even ruining lives—Chen Jing feared the incident might leave lingering psychological scars. He nodded in agreement.

Her eyes lit up with joy as she climbed into bed and tucked herself under the covers. She pointed to a chair in the room and said, “Brother, sit here.”

Chen Jing obliged and sat by her bedside.

Dai Ning closed her eyes but soon peeked through a small gap, checking to see if he was still there. Chen Jing, watching her from above, found this little act endearing and heartwarming.

Only after confirming he hadn’t moved did Dai Ning finally drift off to sleep.

Her curls spread across the pillow as she slept. Though restless at first, her breathing soon became steady.

Though lively during the day, Dai Ning was remarkably well-behaved when she slept. Her soft pink lips, half-clenched hands resting near her cheeks, and the faint redness around her eyes from crying earlier all tugged at one’s heartstrings.

Chen Jing knew she was like a little devil when awake, but asleep, she could soften anyone’s heart more than a little angel.

He thought back to when Chen Lianxing was her age—she hadn’t been nearly this endearing. Gazing down at Dai Ning’s sleeping face, Chen Jing gently brushed a stray strand of hair away from her cheek.

By all logic, he should have left now that she was asleep. But seeing her so tender and peaceful, Chen Jing couldn’t help but stay a little longer.

Her elegant collarbone was exposed, its graceful curve reminding him of the scene from earlier that evening. He had been half a minute too late, and those girls had already stripped off her outer clothes. Though it was unintentional, he had seen what he shouldn’t have.

This thought filled him with an inexplicable sense of guilt. While Dai Ning had been awake, he’d suppressed it entirely, but now, in the quiet of the night, the memory resurfaced vividly.

Her tear-filled eyes, her arms clutching her chest, the delicate, youthful beauty of her body, and the frightened look in her gaze…

For some reason, the TV drama they’d watched together recently came to mind. Chen Jing felt his breath hitch. This sensation was something he had never experienced before. He couldn’t stay any longer. Closing her curtains, he left Dai Ning’s room.

It’s nothing, he told himself. I was just overly emotional today. The discomfort he felt, he rationalized, stemmed only from guilt over not protecting Dai Ning better.

But this matter was far from over. Since those girls had dared to lay a hand on his sister, he would make them pay.

The next day was the weekend. Dai Ning woke up as energetic as ever.

The breakfast table was unusually lavish, with no fewer than fifteen dishes. While Chen Jing had always treated her well, this extravagance was clearly a gesture to soothe her after yesterday’s ordeal.

Dai Ning didn’t hold back—if there was good food, she’d eat it.

“After breakfast, I’ll take you to the hospital for a checkup,” Chen Jing said, handing her a notebook with the words written inside.

Munching on a crystal bun, Dai Ning shook her head. “No need, I’m not hurt, and I’m not scared anymore.”

Chen Jing paused, then wrote again:

“Teacher Mao said you have hypersomnia. I’m taking you to get checked.”

Dai Ning, unbothered, replied, “But I don’t like hospitals.”

“You have to go,” Chen Jing insisted.

“Fine, but afterward, I want to watch a movie and buy dresses.”

“Deal.”

At the hospital, Dai Ning cooperated with non-painful procedures but resisted any that hurt.

Chen Jing popped a candy into her mouth and coaxed her softly, “Be good.”

Dai Ning ate the candy but still tried to leave.

Frustrated, Chen Jing grabbed her and held her hand firmly in place for the nurse to draw blood.

Unable to overpower him, Dai Ning sulked once the blood was drawn, clearly upset.

A nearby nurse chuckled and said, “Your boyfriend is very patient with you. He’s much better than most men.”

Before Chen Jing could respond, Dai Ning earnestly denied it. “He’s not my boyfriend.”

“Then he’s your brother?”

Dai Ning pouted and nodded reluctantly.

Her firm denial left Chen Jing with an inexplicable pang of discomfort, though he couldn’t quite pinpoint why. Fortunately, the feeling passed quickly as he went to retrieve her test results.

After a full day of examinations, the reports were finally ready.

Having seen numerous medical reports due to his mother’s frequent illnesses, Chen Jing could understand most of them. He had assumed Dai Ning was merely mischievous, but her enzyme levels turned out to be abnormally low.

His brows furrowed deeply.

Several of her readings were significantly below normal, explaining her lethargy and occasional sleepiness.

Aside from this issue, everything else was normal.

The hospital couldn’t prescribe any medication for her condition and only recommended good rest and care.

Dai Ning, unconcerned with the results, waved at him cheerfully. “Brother, let’s go watch a movie now!”

Although she had been upset earlier about the checkup, she was quick to let it go. Seeing her vibrant energy, Chen Jing’s worry eased, and a faint smile appeared on his face.

Filing away the reports to review later, he thought, As long as it’s not life-threatening, I’ll take good care of her, and she’ll be fine.

Since he had promised her, he naturally intended to follow through. Dai Ning picked out movie tickets, and with two hours before showtime, they had time to shop.

While in the dressing room, a staff member lowered their head and walked in. Dai Ning grinned sweetly and called out, “Gunan!”

In disguise, Qiu Gunan zipped up her dress and whispered in her ear, “Miss, Ji Tian is investigating Chen Jing.”

“Has she found anything on me?”

“Not at all. As per your instructions, we’ve been keeping an eye on her. Whenever she investigates, we intercept and erase any information about you.”

“Good job. I’ll stay cautious as well. Gunan, fetch me the primrose-colored shoes.”

Qiu Gunan handed her the shoes and casually braided two pigtails for the young lady.

Chen Jing waited outside. This was his first time accompanying his sister on a shopping trip. Although Dai Ning took her time inside, he showed no signs of impatience. She eventually chose a bright orange-red dress paired with light sandalwood-colored flats. The vibrant dress was a challenging color to pull off, but her fair complexion made it work beautifully.

As she stepped out, Chen Jing’s eyes fixed on her. Dai Ning didn’t care whether he approved or not. “Brother, I want this outfit,” she declared.

She had a knack for picking pricey items, and whatever she wanted, Chen Jing bought for her without hesitation.

Everything Dai Ning fancied came with a hefty price tag, but Chen Jing paid without blinking. Her sudden interest in his work arose from curiosity—how had her once-frugal brother suddenly become so willing to splurge?

Passing by an ice cream waffle stand, Chen Jing thoughtfully bought her a serving as a snack.

Qingtuan, the little spirit, chuckled to itself. If Ji Tian found out, she’d probably explode with anger. After all, she was paying Chen Jing to work for her, and he was using that money to spoil Dai Ning. The irony was almost too good.

After a fulfilling shopping spree, the two headed to the cinema.

At the ticket check, Dai Ning realized it was Chen Jing’s first time at a theater. He was unfamiliar with the process, fumbling through it like a complete novice.

How amusing! Chen Jing, twenty-five years old, had never been on a date, much less set foot in a cinema. Such a pity, though; he had chosen to make her his “sister.”

Inside, Dai Ning picked a romantic drama typically loved by girls. For her and Qingtuan, however, the overly dramatic and heart-wrenching plot was nothing short of hilariously absurd.

The more over-the-top the tragedy, the funnier it seemed to Dai Ning. Qingtuan, initially resistant, had grown desensitized under her influence and began to find the absurdity entertaining too.

Chen Jing, on the other hand, felt out of place. Action or kung fu movies would have been more his style, but this sappy love story held no appeal. Still, he was there to accompany Dai Ning, experiencing the novelty of a cinema visit while holding her snacks.

Throughout the film, Dai Ning reached into his arms to grab her treats.

A few times, she was laughing so hard she didn’t notice her hand straying. Chen Jing stiffened, his face tightening as her hand nearly ventured somewhere it shouldn’t. With a quiet sigh, he gently redirected her hand into the popcorn bucket.

Sitting with his legs crossed, Chen Jing focused intently, as if he were in a boxing match rather than a movie.

Qingtuan crouched in the corner, sympathizing with the poor man.

But things were just getting started. The cinema’s dark atmosphere had encouraged a couple behind them to get overly affectionate.

With his sharp senses, Chen Jing was painfully aware of the intimate noises coming from behind. He glanced at Dai Ning, who remained oblivious, engrossed in the dramatic scene where the male lead was lamenting after stabbing the female lead.

Relieved that Dai Ning hadn’t noticed, Chen Jing’s discomfort eased slightly. But his acute hearing amplified the unwelcome sounds of kissing and murmuring behind him, leaving him irritated.

This was a world he was only beginning to navigate since Dai Ning entered his life, adding splashes of color to his once-monotonous existence.

Expressionless, Chen Jing brooded over why someone would kiss for so long. Surely, the female lead in the movie could have fully recovered from her injuries by now, but the couple behind him hadn’t even stopped!

Things escalated further as fabric rustling suggested the couple was getting carried away. Chen Jing’s expression darkened.

Dai Ning finally noticed something off and tried to turn around to see what was happening. Chen Jing quickly held her head in place.

“Brother?”

He coughed lightly. “Focus on the movie.”

“Okay.” Dai Ning smirked but complied, continuing to watch the film.

The movie eventually ended, much to Chen Jing’s relief. He excused himself to the restroom while Dai Ning waited outside, grinning mischievously. “Let’s time him! After nearly witnessing that, do you think he’s mad or just flustered?”

Qingtuan sighed, unsure and unwilling to guess. After all, it had spent a good twenty minutes in a metaphorical “dark corner” to avoid the awkwardness.

As expected, Chen Jing took longer than usual.

“Brother, let’s go home,” Dai Ning chirped when he emerged, clearly unsettled.

Still feeling on edge, Chen Jing was just grateful the ordeal was over. He never realized watching a movie could make him want to swear.

Back home, the awkwardness lingered as Chen Jing reprimanded Dai Ning. “You should watch fewer movies in the future.”

“Why?”

“You’re a student. Focus on your studies. Entertainment will only distract you.”

Dai Ning nodded obediently. “Alright, I’ll cut back.”

She unwrapped a lollipop, popped it into her mouth, and leaned toward him with a sweet smile. “I had such a great day. Brother, I believe you’ll be an amazing boyfriend one day.”

Chen Jing’s grip on the shopping bag tightened.

“So…” Dai Ning paused for effect, still smiling. “When are you going to find me a sister-in-law? I’d love to go shopping with her!”

The air seemed to freeze. Chen Jing raised his gaze, his gray-brown eyes locking onto hers, searching for any hint of teasing.

But Dai Ning was serious, her eyes brimming with hope.

“Brother, don’t you think it’s a good idea?”

Chen Jing averted his eyes, his mood souring inexplicably. Without a word, he turned and walked away, leaving her behind.