58. So you are Sicily.

Qin Zhaoyi watched the drama unfold from the side, listening to Zhong Ling lecturing Zhong Yu and Zhong Yu retorting back at Zhong Ling.

The two sisters quarreled in low voices just like they did at home, but after a while, they made up.

This time, the sisters were united in their rebellion against their parents.

Zhong Ling was experiencing a delayed rebellion in her twenties.

Zhong Yu, on the other hand, was rising up after enduring long-term oppression.

The three of them gathered to play a round of cards. When they got hungry, Zhong Ling suggested going out to eat, but Qin Zhaoyi shook her head, “You cook.”

Zhong Ling: “?”

Miss Qin’s habit of bossing her around hadn’t changed at all.

In fact, it had only grown stronger.

Zhong Ling instinctively started walking toward the kitchen, but halfway there, she stopped, turned back, and snapped at her, “Do you even have any food in your kitchen, you kitchen disaster?”

Qin Zhaoyi: “…”

“Go buy some groceries.” Qin Zhaoyi rubbed her stomach. “I don’t want to eat at any of the places on the island.”

Too much gossip.

She had already felt suffocated from hearing Luo Yue’s stories a few times before. If people saw her walking with Zhong Ling, with Zhong Yu in tow, who knows what they’d say about these “foreign invaders.”

Plus, how long had it been since she had eaten Zhong Ling’s cooking?

Qin Zhaoyi had always believed that everything required talent.

Even moving bricks at a construction site; a talented person would do it faster and better than others.

When she shared this theory with Zhong Ling, Zhong Ling scolded her, saying she was crazy and made up definitions for talent.

But Qin Zhaoyi held firm to her belief.

No matter how hard she tried, once she stepped into the kitchen, she became a kitchen disaster.

At worst, she would blow up the kitchen; at best, she’d burn the house down.

She could even make instant noodles taste awful—a kind of indescribable awfulness.

But Zhong Ling rarely cooked, mostly eating at the school cafeteria or with the crew. Yet, when she did cook, it was always delicious.

So delicious, in fact, that it satisfied Qin Zhaoyi’s picky stomach.

Now that she finally had Zhong Ling around, there was no way she’d let her go.

“But I’m not your housemaid,” Zhong Ling folded her arms. “You haven’t used the stove once since you came here, and I’d have to wash the pots and pans too. Do I look crazy to you, coming all this way to play servant to Miss Qin?”

“Xiaoyu is having lunch here too,” Qin Zhaoyi said matter-of-factly. “She’s been good with her hands since she was little.”

Zhong Yu: “?”

Zhong Ling was left speechless.

Qin Zhaoyi continued, “Alright, it’s settled then. We’ll go buy groceries.”

Zhong Ling wasn’t about to get pulled into her odd logic and quickly called a stop, “Wait, wait, wait. Why am I the one cooking, my sister doing the dishes? What about you? What are you doing?”

Qin Zhaoyi: “…Eating.”

Zhong Ling laughed, “Do you have no shame? Miss Qin, are you really willing to throw your dignity away just for a meal?”

“I’m providing the place, the utensils, the ingredients.” Qin Zhaoyi looked at her, “Or would you rather keep staying at the hotels in town? Fine if you don’t want to go home, but can Cheng Shiyu really stay away from home forever?”

Zhong Ling: “…”

There was no denying that Qin Zhaoyi had hit her weak spot.

“Those hotels’ facilities are outdated, to say the least,” Qin Zhaoyi continued. “You’re rough enough to bear a few days there. But Cheng Shiyu’s brother—his mood has been so dark lately, it’s unbearable to look at. He’s been snapping at people for no reason. If you take his sister away for a while longer, and he finds out Zhong Yu is your sister, who knows? He might just throw Zhong Yu into the ocean to feed the fish.”

The first part sounded reasonable, but the latter half veered into suspense territory.

Zhong Ling had been listening intently, but after hearing this, she rolled her eyes at her, though still ready to protect her, “He wouldn’t dare.”

Zhong Yu, however, shivered on the side, “N-no… he wouldn’t, right?”

Judging by Qin Zhaoyi’s interactions with Cheng Shijing, he was definitely the ultimate protective brother, a sister-loving devotee.

Yesterday, when Luo Yue defended her, Cheng Shijing had been furious.

But all Cheng Shijing had done was call her naïve.

“Who knows.” Qin Zhaoyi shrugged. “Cheng Shijing is very good to his sister, and they’re close in age, having grown up together, which makes them even closer than you and Zhong Yu. Besides, from what I’ve observed these past few days, Cheng Shijing becomes a total madman when it comes to his sister, the kind that would slay gods or Buddhas—completely unhinged.”

A guy who almost lost it when Luo Yue’s dog nearly died.

It’s hard to say he’s not crazy.

“You’re provoking a madman.” Qin Zhaoyi clicked her tongue, “He might just show up at the hotel door with a knife looking for you.”

Zhong Ling: “?”

Zhong Yu frowned at this and timidly suggested, “Maybe… you should stay away from Shiyu for a few days?”

Zhong Ling: “Why?”

“Wait until Yi-jie and I leave Moon Island,” Zhong Yu offered, “then you two can elope.”

Zhong Ling: “…?”

Oh, what wonderful friends and family she had.

In the face of danger, each one flew further than the last.

But—

“How do you know Cheng Shiyu, anyway?” Zhong Ling flicked her finger on Zhong Yu’s forehead, leaving a pale red mark.

Zhong Yu just pursed her lips, covering her forehead as she backed away, feeling guilty.

“How long have you been on Moon Island?” Zhong Ling asked. “And how did you know I dated Cheng Shiyu?”

“I recognized her on my first day here.” Zhong Yu pointed to Zhong Ling’s pocket, “You used to keep her photo in your wallet, and then you put it in your phone case.”

Zhong Ling: “But she’s changed a lot.”

Her hair was longer, and her personality had softened considerably.

Even in bed, she was gentler than before.

She used to be reckless, driven by a brash and headstrong temperament, doing her best to wear Zhong Ling out.

Zhong Ling would cry and beg her, but that only made Cheng Shiyu go even harder.

Now, it was different—maybe out of guilt, maybe out of regret.

If Zhong Ling said to stop, Cheng Shiyu would withdraw her hand immediately, even if she was in the middle of it. She’d clean her up first, then go wash her hands.

A cautious tenderness mixed with distance.

But there were perks; as long as Zhong Ling was willing, Cheng Shiyu would accommodate any position.

They could go all night.

There used to be some limits; Cheng Shiyu would have class or morning runs the next day, so they usually stopped by 3 a.m.

But not anymore. They holed up in the hotel.

Even if it was 5 a.m., if Zhong Ling woke up, snuggled into her arms, kissed her, and reached for her, Cheng Shiyu would still oblige.

Zhong Ling thought about how they’d been these past few days and found it hard to pinpoint exactly how Cheng Shiyu had changed.

But it felt like she had changed in every way.

Zhong Yu simply said, “Don’t forget what I do for a living.”

Zhong Ling paused slightly, “Did you tell her you’re my sister?”

Zhong Yu shook her head. “I’m not stupid.”

She still wanted to stay on Moon Island. She loved the atmosphere there—watching the sea at sunrise, listening to the waves at sunset, and when feeling down, walking a long stretch along the coastline, then returning exhausted with no energy left to think about anything else.

Most importantly, whenever she stepped into the coffee shop and saw the silhouette of someone sorting coffee beans at the counter, she would inexplicably feel at peace. This feeling was addictive.

Zhong Ling, however, reacted, “Is it embarrassing to be my sister?”

Zhong Yu hid behind Qin Zhaoyi, afraid that her sister might suddenly yank her ear again. “No. I don’t know what happened between you two before, and Sister Shiyu is quite nice. I was just thinking, if you had done something wrong before, and she found out I’m your sister, she might take revenge on me… I’m timid…”

Zhong Ling: “?”

Basically, she thought her past behavior was bad, and was afraid that after Zhong Ling dumped Cheng Shiyu, Cheng Shiyu would retaliate against her, right?

“You sure think a lot.” Zhong Ling scoffed lightly. “Your sister may be perfect, but she was the one who got dumped.”

Zhong Yu: “Oh?”

Zhong Ling flicked her hair. “She did something wrong in the past. Now that she knows you’re my sister, she’ll treat you like a treasure—there’s no way she’d retaliate. So if you mention my name on Moon Island, you can walk around like a queen, got it?”

Zhong Yu and Qin Zhaoyi exchanged a glance, and Qin Zhaoyi immediately interrupted, “Stop bragging. Let’s go buy groceries and cook.”

Zhong Ling: “…”

Zhong Ling’s lengthy speech that she had prepared was abruptly cut short, leaving her momentarily blank.

Qin Zhaoyi was already at the door with Zhong Yu, looking back to ask, “Are you coming or not?”

Zhong Ling quickly caught up, but she couldn’t resist snapping, “Qin Da Writer, are you misleading my sister while I’m not around?”

Just as she said this, the door opened.

Cheng Shiyu was standing at the entrance, her hand raised, ready to press the doorbell.

Qin Zhaoyi and Zhong Yu nearly bumped into her, both stepping aside at the same time.

Zhong Ling, who was about to rush over and hit Qin Zhaoyi, ran too fast and couldn’t stop in time, colliding directly into Cheng Shiyu.

Her nose bumped into Cheng Shiyu’s chest, making her gasp in pain, but she could still hear Cheng Shiyu’s strong heartbeat.

And a few seconds later, it seemed to speed up.

Cheng Shiyu wrapped her arm around Zhong Ling’s waist the moment she collided.

Qin Zhaoyi and Zhong Yu watched the scene unfold.

When Zhong Ling turned to rebuke Qin Zhaoyi, Qin Zhaoyi preemptively said, “I know you love her, but don’t be too obvious about it.”

Zhong Ling: “?”

“She hadn’t even stepped inside.” Qin Zhaoyi’s tone was annoyingly smug. “And you’ve already thrown yourself into her arms—can’t bear to watch.”

Zhong Ling: “…”

Zhong Yu chimed in, “Exactly.”

A blush swiftly spread from Zhong Ling’s ears to her face.

But the look she gave Qin Zhaoyi was filled with a clear intention: You’re on tonight’s hit list for sure.

She never expected this kind of teasing, reminiscent of high school romance, to happen years after graduation on a nameless island.

Zhong Ling didn’t leave with Cheng Shiyu, only chatting for a while on the side.

Qin Zhaoyi, like Zhong Ling had waited for her in the morning, stood off to the side, bored, waiting.

She noticed Cheng Shiyu’s attitude toward Zhong Ling was incredibly good, much better than how she treated her before.

Before long, Cheng Shiyu roared off on her black motorcycle.

Before she left, Qin Zhaoyi called out, “Want to stay for dinner? Zhong Ling’s cooking.”

Cheng Shiyu paused slightly while adjusting her bike stand. “No, I’m heading home.”

Qin Zhaoyi simply nodded and reminded her to take it slow. Once the bike had gone far, she started walking ahead.

Zhong Ling asked curiously, “Are you two on good terms?”

“Pretty good.” Qin Zhaoyi replied. “I’ve eaten her watermelon before.”

Zhong Ling: “So why the concern?”

Qin Zhaoyi thought for half a second. “Love me, love my dog.”

Zhong Ling chuckled at the phrase but maintained her pride. “I never said I loved her. Besides, she’s not my family anymore.”

Qin Zhaoyi looked at her in surprise. “What nonsense are you talking about?”

Zhong Ling, confused, asked, “What’s wrong? Aren’t you good to her because you’re close to me?”

Qin Zhaoyi made a face of disgust.

Zhong Ling: “?”

Qin Zhaoyi leisurely explained, “You’re overthinking. Luo Yue and she are close, hence ‘love me, love my dog.'”

The latter half of the idiom was deliberately slowed down, making it sting even more as it reached Zhong Ling’s ears.

Everything had been misunderstood.

Zhong Ling had sent Cheng Shiyu home to eat just to cook for this picky young lady.

And yet…

Zhong Ling gritted her teeth. “I’m going to kill you, Qin Zhaoyi!”

Qin Zhaoyi smiled teasingly. “Murder is illegal.”

Zhong Ling: “…”

The bickering along the way actually relaxed everyone’s mood.

For a moment, it almost felt like they were on vacation together.

It was Qin Zhaoyi’s first time at the market, and she almost got lost.

In the past, she only passed by this place briefly, and it was Zhong Yu who helped with directions that made finding it possible.

Unlike the large farmers’ markets in Jiayi, most of the stalls here are small ones.

However, they had everything needed.

Seafood was the cheapest, and the prices of fish and shrimp, compared to Jiayi, felt almost like they were giving it away.

The key was that it was fresh, and it was truly fresh seafood.

Zhong Ling walked past several stalls, skillfully picking and buying vegetables, while Qin Zhaoyi adeptly paid the bills.

She even bought a pound of meat, two pounds of shrimp, and because the clams looked so good, she bought a few pounds of those as well.

Qin Zhaoyi paid while staring at the items in her hand with a frown, “Can the few of us finish all this?”

Zhong Ling glanced at her, “Aren’t you going to pick up Teacher Luo? What, you don’t plan to feed her?”

Qin Zhaoyi: “…”

“Alright.” Qin Zhaoyi said, “She probably doesn’t have any classes in the afternoon.”

Zhong Ling looked at her repeatedly and still felt that, although she wasn’t smiling, whenever she mentioned Luo Yue, her voice always carried a sort of unexplainable, cheap joy.

Zhong Ling bought enough ingredients to make a very sumptuous meal.

The group returned from the market with a load full of groceries.

After arriving home, Zhong Yu took on the responsibility of washing the pots and dishes. Since the kitchen hadn’t been used in a while, even the gas stove wouldn’t light up. Qin Zhaoyi didn’t know how to fix it, so she had to seek help from Luo Yue.

Luo Yue had just finished class and asked what she was planning to make.

Qin Zhaoyi answered honestly.

Luo Yue suggested that Cheng Shijing should come over to take a look.

Qin Zhaoyi was still hesitating when, shortly after, Cheng Shijing knocked on the door.

Standing at the door, Qin Zhaoyi and Cheng Shijing stared at each other in silence.

The aftermath of yesterday’s incident still lingered; seeing him now, Qin Zhaoyi didn’t know what to say. Instead, Cheng Shijing spoke first, “Luo Yue said your gas stove wouldn’t light up, so I’m here to take a look.”

Qin Zhaoyi stepped aside to let him in, “Alright.”

Today, Cheng Shijing seemed more serious than the previous times they had met.

Qin Zhaoyi also subconsciously became more serious and said to his back, “Thank you.”

Cheng Shijing paused slightly, “What?”

“Thank you for coming.” Qin Zhaoyi said.

Cheng Shijing suddenly smiled, “I’m helping Luo Yue, not you.”

He was clear about his priorities.

Was he also stern with her yesterday on behalf of Luo Yue?

That’s what Qin Zhaoyi thought but didn’t ask.

It was clear that Cheng Shijing intended to let yesterday’s issue slide, and Qin Zhaoyi was grateful that he had rushed over to save the dog but also disliked that he had scolded her for lacking common sense, which had put the dog in danger.

With mixed feelings, Qin Zhaoyi didn’t want to say anything more.

She didn’t feel like saying “thank you,” nor did she want to say “sorry.”

That “thank you” was merely for today’s assistance.

After entering the kitchen, Cheng Shijing saw the sisters Zhong Ling and Zhong Yu, but he only briefly observed them without saying anything.

Even though he had met Zhong Ling in town before and had even warned her not to hurt Cheng Shiyu again, Zhong Ling had only smiled and asked, “Are you sure you know who is hurting whom?”

Later, due to Cheng Shiyu’s coldness, Cheng Shijing had no choice but to seek out Zhong Ling.

The relationship was somewhat awkward.

This time, however, he acted like he didn’t know them and didn’t want to know them.

He asked Qin Zhaoyi whether she had used the gas since moving in and if she had checked the gas bill; Qin Zhaoyi answered all his questions.

He rolled up his sleeves, crouched down, opened the cabinet, and fiddled with the gas appliance for a bit.

After tinkering for a while, he stood up and tested it; the stove finally lit, but the cabinet underneath wasn’t very clean, and he ended up getting dust all over himself.

“All done,” Cheng Shijing said, “It’s been left unused for too long; one of the connections wasn’t secured properly. I fixed it for now, but I’ll come by later this afternoon to replace it with a new one.”

“Will there be any risk of an explosion?” Qin Zhaoyi was very cautious about her safety.

Cheng Shijing shook his head, “No, it should be fine for a few days.”

“If you’re still worried, you can start washing the vegetables first,” Cheng Shijing suggested, “I’ll go to the hardware store to buy a part, and you can cook once I return and install it.”

Qin Zhaoyi, afraid of any accidents, said, “Let’s do that. How much does the part cost? I’ll transfer the money to you.”

“No need,” Cheng Shijing said as he left.

There was a sense of a hero hiding his merits and fame.

After he left, Zhong Ling looked in the direction he had gone and remarked, “He seems like a decent person.”

“Yes, he’s very good,” Zhong Yu affirmed, “He’s one of the most emotionally stable people I’ve met.”

“Hmm?” Zhong Ling and Qin Zhaoyi both questioned in unison.

Zhong Yu explained, “A few days ago, he was extremely upset with Shiyu, but all he did was sit alone by the seaside, then slowly walked home. Plus, he knows I’m socially anxious, so he rarely initiates conversations with me or forces me to speak. He’s quite considerate.”

Zhong Ling: “…”

So that’s her sister’s standard of a good person!

Turns out, it’s really easy to be considered a good person.

Cheng Shijing worked quickly and returned shortly after with the part, installing it properly.

Qin Zhaoyi handed him a towel, but he didn’t take it. Instead, he pulled out a wet wipe from his pocket and quickly wiped his hands, “Alright, you can continue. I’ll be leaving now.”

It was the middle of the day, and he had worked hard for quite a while.

It wouldn’t be right to let him leave just like that.

Qin Zhaoyi hesitated and said, “Um, how about staying for a meal?”

There was a bit of a stutter in her invitation, and she seemed a little embarrassed.

Upon hearing this, Zhong Ling immediately added, “Yes, you’ve helped us so much, you should stay and eat.”

“No, thanks,” Cheng Shijing replied, “I’ll eat at home.”

“Just stay and eat,” Zhong Ling insisted, “Isn’t your sister already back home with your parents? Luo Yue will be picking her up later, so there’s no need to be shy.”

The invitation was casual, as if it were just friends asking another friend to stay.

It didn’t seem at all like she was his sister’s girlfriend.

No, ex-girlfriend.

So Cheng Shijing looked at Zhong Ling, hesitating to say something.

Zhong Ling, however, smiled and said, “We’re all about the same age, right? Let’s just be friends.”

Cheng Shijing: “…”

For some reason, looking at Zhong Ling’s sweet face gave him the creeps.

As if she were saying, “I took everything from you, but it’s okay, we can still be friends.”

But Cheng Shijing, on the other hand, couldn’t avoid being entangled with her.

Right now, Cheng Shiyu’s heart was left there.

Cheng Shijing could only see what kind of tricks she was up to, so he agreed, “Alright.”

Zhong Ling started cooking, and Qin Zhaoyi, having no skills to contribute, left to pick up Luo Yue.

Zhong Ling called out to her, reminding her to grab two bottles of drinks from the supermarket on her way back.

Qin Zhaoyi agreed to everything.

She reached the school just in time for dismissal, as the children lined up neatly to head to the cafeteria.

Luo Yue also led her class of students.

As Qin Zhaoyi walked over, the students in Luo Yue’s class eagerly called out, “Teacher Qin!”

This was because a while ago, Qin Zhaoyi had helped supervise their reading class in the library.

Perhaps because the adults had no boundaries among themselves, the children were also more open and cheerful, asking her right away if she would join them for lunch.

It was at this moment that Qin Zhaoyi felt a sense of reality—a sense of doing charity.

The money she had donated in the past had been used to support the education of these children.

It was worth it.

However, she didn’t agree to join them for lunch; instead, she asked Luo Yue to settle the children for their nap before going home with her.

This meal, she and Luo Yue watched over.

Even while eating, the children were not quiet, asking many strange and funny questions.

Luo Yue patiently answered every one of them.

After a few visits, Qin Zhaoyi could recognize some of the students, like the most boisterous ones—Cheng Wushuang and Guo Maojie—and a sweet-looking girl named Cheng Wuxing, who was born mute.

She was Cheng Wushuang’s twin sister.

Cheng Wushuang, being the older brother, was lively but would always sit next to Wuxing at mealtime. When he saw her picking through her food, he would reprimand her, and Cheng Wuxing would just stare stubbornly at him.

Cheng Wushuang would then pass her the dishes she liked and take the ones she didn’t from her plate, finishing them all himself.

He looked just like the head of the family, muttering away.

Cheng Wushuang had a rebellious charm about him.

As Qin Zhaoyi watched the children eat, her eyes couldn’t help but linger on them.

Especially after learning about their stories from Luo Yue.

Their parents had left to work away from home very early on, and a few years ago, there was a sudden accident at the construction site, and their parents both died.

Since then, they had been raised by their grandparents, but their grandfather also passed away last year, leaving only their grandmother.

With little means of livelihood, the children’s clothes were mostly donations from the neighbors on Moon Island. The community was warm-hearted, always sending suitable clothing their way.

Island residents would also spontaneously provide rice, flour, and oil, and the island chief applied for scholarships for them.

Although the younger sister couldn’t speak, she excelled in her studies and was quite clever.

This was the first time Qin Zhaoyi heard the term “island chief” from Luo Yue; it was akin to a village chief.

Given the family’s special circumstances, the island chief would also send them money at the end of the year.

However, their grandmother would often return most of it, saying that they had already received too much help and could not accept more, as it would make it hard for the children to hold their heads up at school.

Mindful of the children’s pride, the grandmother would wake up early to set up a stall, earning a living with her own hands.

Qin Zhaoyi asked, “Was there no compensation for the construction site accident?”

“There was,” Luo Yue replied. “But their uncle’s family took it.”

The grandparents on the father’s side were reluctant to take the sister because she was mute and seen as a burden.

They only intended to take in the brother, but he refused to go without his sister, so in the end, both siblings were left on Moon Island.

Fortunately, their grandmother was still a dignified and clean person, raising the children well.

While observing them eat, Qin Zhaoyi was caught off guard when Cheng Wushuang rolled an egg across the table to her, smiling and saying, “Teacher Qin, you look hungry.”

Qin Zhaoyi: “?”

“I’m not hungry,” she said, returning the egg to him. “You’re still growing.”

“My sister and I don’t like eggs,” Cheng Wushuang said, his eyes curving into crescent moons as he smiled, looking particularly cheerful. “Teacher Qin, you eat it.”

He rolled the egg back to her.

This time, Qin Zhaoyi didn’t refuse his kindness. “Thank you.”

He gestured with an “OK” sign, saying, “No thanks needed!”

Quite adorable, indeed.

Whenever Qin Zhaoyi saw the siblings, she always felt the urge to do something for them.

She even tagged her aunt in a group chat that day, asking if she would be interested in sponsoring two more children.

Her aunt’s response was straightforward: she was willing to provide financial support, but taking them in was not an option.

Adopting Yang Shu and Yang Zhi years ago had already exhausted her and her husband’s energy.

And she promptly transferred twenty thousand yuan.

Qin Zhaoyi, holding the money, didn’t have a clear way to gift it, so she was preparing to find an opportunity to ask Luo Yue.

After escorting the kids to their nap, the two of them walked back, and Qin Zhaoyi asked Luo Yue how to donate money to the siblings in a reasonable manner.

Luo Yue shook her head, “Just hold on to it for now; we might not get a chance later.”

Qin Zhaoyi raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

Luo Yue explained, “Wuxing has a talent for math; she can already solve trigonometric functions. As for Wushuang, he has a knack for writing. Recently, I had him write an essay for a provincial-level competition, and he won first prize.”

Qin Zhaoyi was intrigued, “What did he write?”

“A themed essay,” Luo Yue replied. “The prompt was just one word: ‘Emotion.’”

“What did he write?” Qin Zhaoyi asked.

Luo Yue opened her phone and handed it to her, showing her the title: “Corner.”

The essay was beautifully written with smooth prose, vividly capturing the scene with concise language. The ending was abrupt but not jarring, leaving space for imagination.

It wasn’t the usual sentimental kind of essay you often see.

It was hard to believe it was written by a primary school student.

Qin Zhaoyi even felt a bit eager, wanting to see more of his writings, curious about the extent of his talent.

Luo Yue added, “I asked their language teacher, and she only helped correct a few typos.”

Qin Zhaoyi sighed, “Then I guess they don’t need my help.”

In remote areas like this, good academic performance usually meant various scholarships and assistance.

If they managed to get into Jia University from the local high school, the tuition would be fully waived. Additionally, since it would raise the school’s advancement rate, the government would award hundreds of thousands in bonuses.

Luo Yue shrugged, “Not necessarily. They have some obvious weaknesses too.”

“Like what?”

“Subject imbalance.”

Isn’t that just like her?

Facing language studies, she was a valiant warrior; but when it came to math, she instantly wilted like a salted fish.

On their way back, Qin Zhaoyi and Luo Yue chatted about the students in her class while strolling, making the time pass quickly.

Before long, they had reached home.

Standing at the door, Luo Yue asked, “Will I be interrupting your reunion if I go in?”

“We don’t have any old times to reminisce about,” Qin Zhaoyi said. “Let me introduce you properly.”

Luo Yue raised an eyebrow, “You want me to get along with her?”

Qin Zhaoyi nodded, “Wouldn’t that be good? Just like how I get along with Cheng Shijing.”

Luo Yue, standing a little apart, laughed softly at her words.

The slight curve at the corner of her mouth momentarily dazzled Qin Zhaoyi. She whispered, “Or, like how I get along with Yan Ci.”

“That’s because you know I won’t be with either of them,” Luo Yue pointed out bluntly.

“I’m not going to be with Zhong Ling either,” Qin Zhaoyi explained.

Luo Yue chuckled softly, her gentle voice carrying a hint of depth, “But baby, you let her hold you.”

Qin Zhaoyi: “…”

Luo Yue remembered the morning incident even now.

It seems Miss Luo is someone who holds grudges.

“That was an accident,” Qin Zhaoyi admitted, feeling a bit guilty. “I didn’t let her near me for the rest of the morning. Plus, isn’t she cooking for you to apologize? She’s a great cook.”

Afraid Luo Yue wouldn’t believe her, she added, “Really.”

To Luo Yue, it seemed as though Qin Zhaoyi was doing her best to sell Zhong Ling, worried that Luo Yue wouldn’t accept her.

Luo Yue pulled her closer, leaned in, and whispered into her ear, “Baby, do you know what your behavior looks like right now?”

Qin Zhaoyi’s ear tingled, and she instinctively glanced around to ensure no one else was nearby, then asked, “Like what?”

“Like you’re introducing your concubine to the main wife, hoping the main wife will graciously accept her back home.” Luo Yue nibbled on her ear, “Princess Qin, you really know how to enjoy the blessings of having multiple partners, huh?”

Qin Zhaoyi: “??”

Qin Zhaoyi’s heart raced from Luo Yue’s teasing, but she still explained, “I’m not.”

Luo Yue continued walking ahead, her tone dripping with sarcasm, “If I don’t accept today, it would mean I don’t appreciate the gesture.”

Qin Zhaoyi: “…”

“How about you skip it then?” Qin Zhaoyi conceded, “Let’s eat out.”

Luo Yue had already opened the door and walked inside. Her first glance fell on Cheng Shijing sitting on the sofa. It was their first encounter since their argument the day before, and there was a faint hint of awkwardness.

Meanwhile, Zhong Ling was busy cooking in the kitchen.

Luo Yue asked Qin Zhaoyi, “Where’s Shiyu?”

Qin Zhaoyi replied, “Zhong Ling sent her away.”

“What’s Zhong Ling doing?” Luo Yue guessed, “Setting up a feast for Shijing?”

Qin Zhaoyi: “… Not quite.”

While Qin Zhaoyi wasn’t paying attention, Luo Yue sent Cheng Shiyu a message: 【Hurry up! Your brother and Zhong Ling are at it!】

In less than five minutes, the sound of a motorcycle arrived outside the little red house. Panting, Cheng Shiyu stood at the door, expecting a fight but instead found a table full of delicious food.

Everyone in the room was cheerfully gathered.

Luo Yue glanced up and said, “Shiyu, come and sit.”

In the midst of puzzled looks, she arranged Cheng Shiyu between Qin Zhaoyi and Zhong Ling.

Cheng Shiyu looked bewildered, but Luo Yue handed her a pair of chopsticks, “You must not have tasted Zhong Ling’s cooking for a while. Try it.”

Zhong Ling: “?”

She was unsure of Luo Yue’s intentions.

Luo Yue continued in a leisurely manner, “I only just found out about your relationship. Isn’t it a bit late to discuss it?”

Cheng Shiyu cleared her throat, “Well, sis…”

“Since we’re all familiar, I’ll be open about it,” Luo Yue turned to Zhong Ling, “You were with her a few days ago, right? So… are you now her ex or current partner?”

Zhong Ling sensed the hostility in Luo Yue’s tone. Her gentle face carried a firmness when she spoke.

“Does it concern you?” Zhong Ling retorted.

Luo Yue smiled, not taking the hostility to heart, and said slowly, “Not much, but it depends on how I should treat you. As a friend of Zhaoyi’s, or… as my sister’s ex.”

Zhong Ling: “…”

F*ck.

Trying to suppress her with family ties?

Truly a dog.

But there was no way around it.

Eventually, Zhong Ling gritted her teeth and said, “Treat me as your girlfriend’s childhood friend, okay?”

Everyone was startled: “???”

Yan Ci asked softly, “When did you get together? You didn’t say anything, and I forgot to bring a red envelope.”

Cheng Shijing: “… As expected.”

His gaze towards Qin Zhaoyi carried a hint of hostility and a touch of seriousness.

Cheng Shiyu glanced between Luo Yue and Qin Zhaoyi, then pursed her lips, “So the ‘Sicily’ you mentioned before is Qin Zhaoyi? I didn’t realize despite meeting her so many times. But when did you find out about my relationship with Zhong Ling?”

Cheng Shiyu looked at Qin Zhaoyi with clear eyes.

But when “Sicily” was mentioned, the atmosphere suddenly grew tense.

Luo Yue teasingly said in a playful tone, “Ah? So you’re Sicily, the one Zhong Ling’s favorite from the end of ‘Silent.’”

Taking advantage of the surprise, Luo Yue leaned close to Qin Zhaoyi’s blushing ear and whispered, “So, darling, is Zhong Ling the one you love most?”

Qin Zhaoyi: “…”

Grass.

A type of plant. ((F*ck but censored so this phrase is put after to show it’s the curse word.)

Why is she the one being exposed when they argue?

She glared resentfully at Zhong Ling—let’s just have a mutual assassination tonight and be done with it.

Qin Zhaoyi: Kill you.

Zhong Ling: Let’s die together.

Zhong Yu: Throwing a handkerchief and running away~~