Chapter 20 - What Should I Do if My Younger Brother’s Crush Has Taken a Liking to Me?

Chapter 20 "Ah, does that mean I don't stand a chance, except for looking good, nothing else fits." "Haha? Just have a charming face." "By the way, it's not that interesting to have less talk and more conditions, Nianxi, don't be so strict with your standards." ^_^Si^_^Tu^_^Com^_^ ... The noise around her ears continued. Xi Ning took out her phone from her pocket. Mr. Xi asked their weekend plans in the "family" group. Usually, Mr. Xi and Mrs. Xu would go out on weekends for a "two-people world" date, and only remembered that today was the weekend for their two children. Mr. Xi reminded them in the group chat to be safe if their son wouldn't be coming home. Xi Ning saw the messages in the group chat and casually replied. She knew Mr. Xi's temperament too well. Although he had taken a "hands-off" approach to them after high school, he always wanted instant responses to his messages when he checked in. True to form, after Xi Ning replied, he started asking about Xi Mu. But at this time, that guy was probably playing games with his friends and most likely wouldn't see the messages. Thinking about last time after the basketball game ended and how Xi Mu didn't bother her anymore, Xi Ning subconsciously compared him to Kong Nianxi's ideal type. Out of the three criteria, Xi Mu, this secret admirer, probably only barely met one of them. That fellow had always had an easy life, and he was so narcissistic about his looks. Last time at the basketball court, he lost in front of Kong Nianxi, sulking with a bitter face. But it's probably for the best, so that he knows when to back off. Thinking of something, Xi Ning unconsciously smiled. She put down her phone and picked up the paper cup beside her. When she raised her head, she unexpectedly met a pair of bright eyes. Staring at Kong Nianxi's face, Xi Ning paused, her mouth involuntarily stiffened. She subconsciously avoided eye contact and lowered her head to drink the sour plum juice. After a while, she noticed that the gaze was still on her face. Unable to hold back, she moved her lips, but before she could speak, the girl with big wavy hair spoke, "According to these standards, several of our school's intelligent and aloof scholars seem to meet them. Is there nothing else you're looking for?" Kong Nianxi withdrew her gaze, casually picked up a skewer of grilled mushrooms, not particularly interested in continuing this topic. However, everyone at the table was curious and looked at her, so after thinking for a moment, she added, "The ability to make me feel safe and have the courage to step forward and protect me at the first instant." "Wow..." Huang Mao whooped, "So, Nianxi, do you really need someone to protect you?" Glaring at him, Kong Nianxi retorted, "Look at yourself! Get lost, frog!" The boy, glaringly reprimanded, finally couldn’t hold back and spat out. He grabbed a stool nearby and strode forward, Huang Mao also stood up. The two groups were heated, and there were already conflicts among the students. Facing each other, the tense atmosphere seemed like it would escalate into a fight at any moment. The gaze of the surrounding customers fell on them, and the landlady hurriedly went inside to call for help. At this moment, the previously quiet barbecue stall sounded a lazy voice, "Alright, sit down, both of you." Two seconds later, Kong Nianxi's smiling voice was heard clearly, "What's wrong? Do I need to repeat myself?" Led by Huang Mao, the boys "hmphed" and without further ado, turned back to sit down. The boys from the neighboring school, who were observing them from the next table, were surprised by the turn of events. After glancing around, they left without finishing their meal. The landlady, who had rushed to call for help, upon seeing that the fight had been averted, waved her hand and continued to serve the customers. It was not unusual for her to encounter conflicts between students at her school. However, it was the first time she had seen the situation de-escalate so quickly with so many people present. ... In the corner, Xi Ning looked at Kong Nianxi, her eyes showing a hint of complexity. In just one week, her understanding of Kong Nianxi had subverted her previous impressions. The more she interacted, the more she found her unpredictable. Normally, she would distance herself from such "troublesome" individuals, but their contact had been increasing uncontrollably lately. Moreover, she didn't seem to mind this kind of contact... After finishing the barbecue, it was a little past 8 p.m., and according to their plans, Xi Ning and her friends would naturally return to the dormitory before the weekend curfew. "Since we are already out, let's go to the supermarket and buy some food for tomorrow's breakfast. After all, we're going to sleep in tomorrow," Tu Xiaoyuan suggested as they left the barbecue stall. Suyu Qi sat back on the stool and pointed to a nearby mini-mart, "You guys go. There's a supermarket diagonally opposite, I'll wait here for you." "You're not going?" Tu Xiaoyuan asked. "I'll just order breakfast to be delivered to my apartment tomorrow. Why bother to go shopping?" Suyu Qi replied. Xi Ning and Tu Xiaoyuan entered the supermarket. Xi Ning picked up a packet of bread and a few bottles of milk, and also bought some fruits. When she turned around to find Tu Xiaoyuan, she saw her enthusiastically selecting snacks, pushing a large shopping cart in the snack section. Not wanting to disturb her, Xi Ning went to the cash register to pay and waited at the entrance. This mini-mart had a wide range of products and was frequented by many students on weekends, so there was a constant flow of people at the entrance. "Xi Ning?" A student with long black hair, carrying a bag, emerged from the shop and saw Xi Ning under the streetlight. Xi Ning looked up at the girl's approach and recognized her after a few seconds, "Zhou Wan?" Zhou Wan was delighted, "I didn't expect to run into you here! You've disappeared since graduating, and I couldn’t contact you. Are you studying at Qingye now?" Xi Ning's gaze involuntarily flickered, but she maintained a faint smile on her face, "Yes, because... I changed my number." "Ah, I see." Zhou Wan paused, then said, "What a coincidence, I'm studying next to your school now. If you're free, we can hang out together. Let me add your number again?" After a brief hesitation, Xi Ning took out her phone and added her as a friend. "Who is this beauty? I've never seen her in school." After Xi Ning left, another girl approached Zhou Wan and inquired. "We were in the same school before. She was quite popular and seemed to have changed a lot," Zhou Wan said. The girl was curious, "Oh? Is there a story behind it?" Zhou Wan looked at Xi Ning's distant figure, "We were in the same middle school. She was already very famous back then, she was good-looking and responsible, and she was the class monitor. Everyone liked her. But unfortunately..." "Unfortunately what?" "Unfortunately, beautiful people always attract those with complicated intentions. Indiscriminate kindness attracted an oddball to our school. Anyway, it caused a lot of trouble afterward." "After that, Xi Ning's personality changed a lot, and she didn't talk much." Zhou Wan sighed, "That was a long time ago." ... Due to unexpectedly running into her former classmate, Xi Ning did not stay there and headed back to the barbecue stall. The group of students, including Kong Nianxi, was still there at the dining table. "Neither of you want to go; I won't go either," Juan Mao said, sitting with his legs crossed. "If you don't want to go to the internet cafe, how about going to the haunted house? There's one newly opened at the end of the street, the low-budget version of an escape room. I can take you through in half an hour!" Huang Mao suggested enthusiastically. The girl with wavy hair brightened her eyes, "That sounds good, Nianxi, how about we go together? It’s a rare weekend off." Kong Nianxi, seeing Xi Ning approaching, adjusted her posture and sat more upright, "Mm... I am not very interested." Seeing her lack of enthusiasm, Huang Mao quickly began to sell the idea, "It’s really fun! Especially at night, it's so thrilling!" "What's thrilling about it? Is it fun?" Just then, Tu Xiaoyuan caught up to Xi Ning, and hearing Huang Mao's words, she asked excitedly. Huang Mao looked at her, "It's a haunted house that just opened on this street." "A haunted house?! Great! Ning Ning, let's go and play," Tu Xiaoyuan grabbed Xi Ning's hand. Xi Ning looked at the time, wrinkled her brow, hesitant. She was worried about the dormitory's closing time. "Let's go together; I think it's quite interesting." Kong Nianxi stood up, walked to Xi Ning's side, and seemingly casually leaned against her from behind. She lightly rubbed her chin on Xi Ning's shoulder and looked at Tu Xiaoyuan. Seeing Nianxi, who had said she wasn't interested, suddenly wanting to go, the group was stunned. Just as Xi Ning was suddenly embraced from behind by Kong Nianxi, her heart beat erratically for a moment. She lifted her foot to break free, but Tu Xiaoyuan blocked her in front, "Let’s go, Ning Ning!" Xi Ning: "..." Kong Nianxi’s actions were natural and casual, something familiar between girls, as per the bystanders. Although they were unclear about when exactly these two had become familiar, it wasn't a big issue. Xi Ning, who stood in the middle, was momentarily immobilized, pondering how to refuse when Kong Nianxi's chin again rubbed restlessly against her shoulder, coquettishly saying, "Come on~" "...” The people nearby who had earlier thought it wasn't a big deal all gasped. They had seen Nianxi act coquettish before, but this was the first time she was this sweet, genuine, and deadly! And it was with the studious and ruthless scholar! They could hardly believe that they were not dreaming! Xi Ning, who was about to refuse, felt her mind in disarray, and to her own disbelief, she said, “Fine.“ … And so, the group set off towards the newly opened haunted house at the end of the street. "Don't worry, Scholar. It won't take more than an hour. I guarantee to swiftly get you back before the dorms close at ten," Huang Mao assured them. "Nianxi, you follow me later. I'll handle the NPCs for you!" All along the way, Huang Mao was talking, and soon they arrived at their destination. At the end of this street was an area devoid of lights, with fewer and fewer illuminated storefronts, until at the entrance of the haunted house, only the dim streetlights were visible and these seemed like they could wink out anytime. Beside the pitch-black road, a creepy lamp emitting a faint green glow stood on the ground, displaying the words "Haunted House." Next to the sign was an entrance to an underground passage, faintly glowing from inside. A sudden chill swept through the air, and Juan Mao rubbed his arms, "Is this really a haunted house? Why is it so eerie?" Huang Mao, who had been boasting all along the way, swallowed hard, his voice trembling, "Of course it's eerie. If it isn't, how can it be called a haunted house? I... I came here in the daytime, and the boss said this was his own modification. It's a prototype, nothing compared to the South District's really scary escape room." Juan Mao nudged him, "Then you go down first." "I..." Huang Mao suddenly hesitated and temporized, standing at the entrance of the passage. The group hesitated outside; no one dared to be the first one to go down. Xi Ning frowned, unlocked her phone and seeing it was already 8:30, she turned off the screen and walked to the front, stopping at the entrance of the passage, and turned to ask, "Are you sure you really want to play? If you're scared..." The crowd fell silent, but it was Kong Nianxi who raised her hand first, "Yes~" she coquettishly drawled. Following her lead, several boys also chimed in, and Xi Ning turned and walked into the passage. Kong Nianxi blinked her eyes, her lips curled upwards, and in a pleasant mood, she took a leap forward, following closely behind.