Chapter 36: Keep up the good work

Xie Yan finally understood why his comrades’ matchmaking dates had higher success rates after watching this movie—because in the film, the couple kissed openly and unashamedly. For unmarried young people, it was almost too much to handle.

Xue Qingdai tried to pull Xie Yan’s hand away. What couldn’t she watch? She was known for being rebellious. But by the time Xie Yan let go, the scene that had everyone holding their breath was already over. All she saw was nothing. She pouted and glared at him.

“How could you! Hmph! I’m never watching a movie with you again!”

Xie Yan quietly held out a small handful of peeled sunflower seeds and two peeled oranges. He had barely watched the movie, only catching the kiss scene—he’d spent the rest of the time preparing snacks for her. What kind of logic was that?

Xue Qingdai didn’t hold back, taking the snacks and nibbling slowly.

“I’ll tell you the plot when we get home. Don’t be mad. Want the rest of the corn?”

She was already full. Half the corn was cold, so she casually handed it to Xie Yan. He finished it in just a couple minutes and stuffed the cob back into the paper bag.

As the movie drew to an end, Xue Qingdai suddenly shoved half of her leftover orange into Xie Yan’s mouth.

“Xie Yan, you’re the best. Let’s watch a movie together again next time.”

The sweet-tart juice burst in Xie Yan’s mouth, just like the bittersweet feeling swelling in his heart. He had ignored her teasing earlier, but now he replied with a soft, “Okay.”

The Xue family really raised a little tyrant, he thought. Sweet words and sharp jabs just flow from her like they cost nothing.

On the way home, the night sky was dark but filled with glittering stars, dispelling some of the loneliness that came with living under someone else’s roof.

“Xie Yan, how long until Third Brother comes back for me?”

Even after the movie, Xue Qingdai didn’t feel that happy. Romance films weren’t her thing, and her thoughts had wandered back to her third brother, Xue Yongkang.

“He said once you’re not afraid of acupuncture anymore, he’ll return for you.”

Xue Qingdai clung tightly to Xie Yan’s waist and rested her head on his back.

“My acupuncture doesn’t even hurt—it’s just that he has too much cold energy in his body.”

“Then Daidai, you can stick needles in me all you want. I’m not afraid,” Xie Yan said, trying to comfort her, knowing she was thinking about her brother again.

Keep dreaming, Xue Qingdai shouted internally.

Her hands, cold again, slipped into his thick cotton coat for warmth. For some reason, she also wanted to pinch his waist—but found it was hard like a rock. She could only lift a bit of skin. Embarrassed, she gently touched it again to cover up her little scheme.

“Xie Yan, your muscles are really well trained,” she muttered. “There’s nothing soft to grab.”

Xie Yan clenched his jaw to suppress a ticklish shiver. His dark eyes twinkled as the corners of his mouth lifted. In a low voice, he replied, “Oh, really?”

“Mhm. Keep it up. Still doesn’t feel as solid as Second Brother.”

That completely amused Xie Yan. He had always been stronger than Xue Fengrong since military school—it was practically common knowledge. He hadn’t even done targeted muscle training; just his daily routine was tougher than most. Plus, he was taller. And yet here she was, saying he didn’t measure up?

So, all her brothers are amazing, huh?

“Alright, alright. Just wait, I’ll show you next time…”

A cold gust of wind made Xue Qingdai shiver, but luckily they had arrived at Xie Yan’s house.

Holidays always felt short. Xue Qingdai dragged out her final day before heading back to the medicine hall to chat with her senior brothers and sisters.

She went with Zhang Shuying to the public bathhouse, but she never wanted to go back. It was packed like dumplings in boiling water. With her skin now carefully maintained and noticeably fairer, she stood out even more in the crowd.

Every curious glance felt like it burned through her skin. Worse yet, she ran into Aunt Liu from the neighboring street. While chatting with Zhang Shuying, the aunt said, “This girl’s skin is so white and soft—your son sure is lucky.”

Xue Qingdai’s skin flushed from pearly white to blazing red, from head to toe. The moment she took off her clothes, she practically froze in shame.

After that socially traumatic experience, she was in a foul mood.

When she saw Xie Yan drying his hair, a little fire sparked in her eyes.

“All done? Did you grab all your clothes from the locker? Don’t lose anything. Want some juice? It has pulp—lots of kids love it.”

Most kids shared a single bottle of juice, but Xie Yan had bought her two. The glass bottles were beaded with condensation—he was worried she wouldn’t have enough. He really did treat her like a child.

Then he must know how I felt being teased back there, she thought.

“Xie Yan, they laughed and said I looked as white as a tangyuan. Do you agree?”