Chapter 29 - What Should I Do if My Younger Brother’s Crush Has Taken a Liking to Me?

Chapter 29 "You are really obvious." "Sometimes certain emotions don't need to be suppressed." "You scored an eighty for today's performance." ... The scattered words from her memory pieced together, and Xi Ning's head buzzed like that of an old rusty machine. In an instant, it suddenly dawned on her that from a certain perspective, the implications in these words were already rather unmistakable. It's just that she had never thought about this aspect before. Even now, she found it unbelievable – she didn't know which part of her would be misunderstood as having a preference for girls. Could it be just that yuri manga? Moreover, it seemed that the other party not only thought she was a lesbian, but also... Xi Ning pressed her thin lips into a straight line. However, no matter why Kong Nian Xi misunderstood her, the root of it all should have started from the cup of milk tea she had delivered for Xi Mu, as their communication prior to that had been close to zero. Just as she was thinking about this, she heard a light chuckle from beside her. Kong Nian Xi lazily straightened her body and crossed her arms. " "Oh~" The playful and incredulous tone in her words was just too obvious. "...," Xi Ning took a breath, trying to explain seriously, "You may have some misunderstandings. I have never... liked girls." After saying this, she felt a bit frustrated. Why did she earnestly explain this? "Never before?" "Absolutely not!" Kong Nian Xi curled her lips, casually tucked her hands into the pockets of her shirt, glanced at her meaningfully, then laughed, "I see." Then, she stepped aside, leaned against Xi Ning's shoulder, and headed towards the staircase on the left. ...She understands? Did she just...clear it up that easily? Xi Ning turned around and couldn't help but speak, "Hey..." Kong Nian Xi, who hadn't walked far, paused at the sound, turned her head, and lightly tapped Xi Ning's shoulder with the tip of her shoe. Her girlish voice contained a hint of petulance, "You calling me 'hey'?" In the noisy corridor, Kong Nian Xi stood gracefully in the classroom's light, her bright features displaying a hint of alluring charm in the elusive light and shadows. With pursed red lips, she looked at Xi Ning with a suggestive smile. Xi Ning opened her mouth, momentarily unsure of how to respond. "Is there something else you want to say to me?" Xi Ning's lips faltered, wanting to ask something, but Kong Nian Xi's response made it difficult for her to speak. She had to say, "...Nothing." Kong Nian Xi raised her eyebrows, smiled, and walked away. ... The last self-study class had no teacher present, and according to the class representative's duty roster, it was Xi Ning's turn to be on duty today. She sat at the lectern, focusing on her exercise book, and the classroom was brightly lit. Apart from occasional murmurs from the back rows, it was very quiet, with the sounds of flipping book pages and scratching of pens being audible. Xi Ning felt a bit distracted tonight, but her speed in solving the exercises was not slower than usual. After completing a question, she heard a different kind of noise, and as she looked down, she saw two boys sneaking towards the back door, pushing it open quietly, and slipping out. These two old "offenders" did not elicit a response from Xi Ning, who quietly wrote down their names on the attendance record beside her. "Report~" It was ten minutes past the bell for class, and Huang Mao, who had been in the restroom, leisurely returned to the classroom, seeing Xi Ning seated at the lectern. He stood at the door and lazily called out to her. Xi Ning gestured for him to enter, while at the same time, she raised her hand to write on the attendance record. She heard Huang Mao stride over and say with a grin, "Studious one~ I'm just a few minutes late, could you let it slide this time?" In the past, Huang Mao would not have had the courage to say this, but after eating barbecue with Xi Ning as his tablemate last weekend and visiting a haunted house, he had considered this a sign of familiarity, so he dared to take a chance. But Xi Ning, maintaining her expressionless demeanor, proceeded to write down his name stroke by stroke. "Ah..." Huang Mao sighed and leaned against the table, looking at the attendance record and predictably finding the names of his familiar brothers. Shaking his head, he put on an exaggeratedly pained expression. Nevertheless, after scanning the names again, he suddenly felt that something was missing. He looked up and glanced at the front row, only to realize that Kong Nian Xi was not present at her seat. With a smirk, he playfully teased, "Studious one, you're being unfair. Only giving a free pass to Miss Xi?" Xi Ning's hand paused, and only then did she notice that Kong Nian Xi's name was indeed missing from the attendance record. She was momentarily stunned. While writing the names, she had skipped her unconsciously. Huang Mao, "..." Why did it feel like he just set a trap for Miss Xi? After Huang Mao left, Xi Ning continued to focus on her exercises. However, she was more agitated than before. After finishing the problem, she sighed and checked the time on her phone. There was less than ten minutes left until the end of class. For the first time, she had the thought of wanting to end self-study early. As she was about to turn off her phone, a message suddenly popped up. After seeing the name, she was slightly surprised. It was the first time Kong Nian Xi had messaged her since they became friends. 孔念溪：You didn't drink the yogurt I gave you in the morning, and you didn't drink the milk tea I brought you either. Do you not like me very much? In this context, Xi Ning's first thought was the kind of liking that stood in opposition to hating. She lowered her head and tapped the screen with her fingertips. Xi Ning: No, don't overthink it... 孔念溪: Then do you not like girls? "..." Xi Ning couldn't quite understand. Xi Ning: What does that have to do with me not liking girls? After a few seconds, a reply came from the other side. 孔念溪: Let's start as friends, okay? Xi Ning hesitated as she tapped the screen. While in the corridor, Kong Nian Xi had already given a clear response to Xi Ning's explanations, showing that she understood. However, Xi Ning still felt something was amiss. Although she logically still believed that Kong Nian Xi was not suitable for making friends, as tablemates, they could not avoid interacting, and their relationship couldn't be too tense. It wouldn't be good to refuse the straightforward inquiry face to face, right? On the other side, Xi Ning's hesitation appeared to Kong Nian Xi as an obvious sign of dissatisfaction. Hesitating and dissatisfied at the same time, tsk. She looked up at Xi Ning, seated at the lectern, and smirked. 孔念溪: Don't think too much, let's just start by being simple friends. With that, Xi Ning had no choice but to reply with a simple "okay." 孔念溪: Shouldn't friends at least take a sip of the milk tea I gave you? Or is it that this flavor doesn't suit your taste? Xi Ning glanced at the untouched milk tea on the table, then lowered her head to type a response. Soon after, another message came from the other side. 孔念溪: I chose the flavor based on what Yuan Yuan told me. Have you changed your taste? Hmm... looks like Yuan Yuan's information is not accurate. I should consult your male confidant next time. Xi Ning: Male confidant?? 孔念溪: Yes, that's right. I'm talking about Xi Mu, tonight. A chill ran through Xi Ning's heart. Without hesitating, she immediately raised the hand holding the straw and took a sip of the milk tea. Xi Ning: It's fine, this is the flavor I like. Kong Nian Xi raised her eyebrow. She pondered for a moment, then slid her fingertip, opening Xi Mu's friend profile. Xi Mu had sent her a message with an emoji pack and some banal small talk about fifteen minutes ago. Hmm... it was the same approach used by many guys who wanted to pursue her. Kong Nian Xi replied with an emoji pack, and received an immediate response. Xi Mu: Ahhh, goddess, you replied to me!! The next second, the message was retracted. "..." Kong Nian Xi raised her eyebrow, and a moment later, she squinted her eyes. The typing indicator at the top of the chat box kept showing that the other party was still typing, and she couldn't help but find it funny. She edited a message and sent it over. 孔念溪: Do you have a lot to say to me? You're taking quite a while to type. The other party's typing paused for a moment, and after a while, finally sent a message. Xi Mu: I... I've actually liked you for a long time. 孔念溪: Does Xi Ning know? Xi Mu: Of course she does. "Xi Mu" retracted the message.