Chapter 49 - What Should I Do if My Younger Brother’s Crush Has Taken a Liking to Me?

Chapter 49 Light drizzles fell from the sky, bringing a damp and humid atmosphere. Students carrying backpacks were seen walking down the corridor, drawing frequent sidelong glances from others. A bright smile adorned Kong Nianxi's lips as she walked shoulder to shoulder with Xi Ning, commanding attention with their exceptional charms— one cold and the other enchanting. Despite their contrasting styles, they stood together in a harmonious yet enigmatic way, pleasing to the eye. Reaching the ground floor, Xi Ning opened the umbrella while Kong Nianxi instinctively followed, standing close under the protection of the umbrella, casually linking her arm with Xi Ning's. The newly purchased automatic folding umbrella felt slightly hefty in her hand, with a robust frame providing more than enough coverage for both of them. Stealing a glance at the hand entwined with her own, Xi Ning tactfully averted her gaze and walked towards the school gate without saying a word. Raindrops tinkled on the surface of the umbrella, creating a crisp sound. The path leading to the school gate was crowded with students under umbrellas, creating a private space solely for the two of them under the sturdy folding umbrella. As the rain worsened, traffic congestion grew near the school gate, causing the crowd to slow down, inching forward like snails. After a while, Kong Nianxi grew a little impatient and leaned her body against Xi Ning's shoulder, resting her chin on it, and rumbled in a bored tone, "So slow..." After a brief pause, she moved her chin and started studying Xi Ning's delicate earlobe, causing a sensuous warmth to sweep over it. Almost instinctively, Xi Ning's shoulder twitched, causing Kong Nianxi's chin to slide down. "What are you doing?" Kong Nianxi couldn't help but chuckle, lightly tapping Xi Ning's shoulder as she looked up. Right at that moment, the crowd started moving again. Xi Ning caught up, "We're almost out." Although her response did not address the earlier comment, it was imbued with a hint of shyness. Kong Nianxi glanced at her with a smile and suggested, "Let me hold the umbrella." As she lifted her arm, Xi Ning's grip on the umbrella handle didn't budge, "It's okay, the distance is not far." Kong Nianxi requested, "Can you at least change to the other hand to hold the umbrella?" Half of her tone was playful. Xi Ning found the request somewhat inexplicable, hesitated for several seconds, and then reluctantly made the change. However, after the switch, Xi Ning began to regret her decision. As they walked side by side, she had just put down her left hand when Kong Nianxi's back of the hand came closer, her slightly cool fingertips slipping into the gaps between Xi Ning's, interlocking their fingers. Xi Ning, who had not held hands with anyone since her elementary school days, let alone intertwined fingers with someone, felt an unfamiliar and strange sensation. She involuntarily withdrew her hand but was clasped tightly. "Don't move, I just want to verify something," Kong Nianxi said, looking at her. Xi Ning raised her eyebrows, "Verify what?" Hesitantly, she moved her fingers but as soon as their palms touched, the delicate and cool sensation stirred an unusual feeling in her heart. Immediately, she stopped. Kong Nianxi smiled and leaned towards her ear, whispering softly, "I want to verify if you have feelings for me too." Suddenly feeling a bit nervous, Xi Ning looked around. They had just reached the school gate, where the crowd was dense and the adjacent umbrellas were interlocked, making it an unsuitable place for a conversation. Fortunately, Kong Nianxi didn't say much more. Using the opportunity Xi Ning "compromised" on, she held Xi Ning's hand tightly, first interlocking their fingers and then letting go, comparing the sizes by stretching out their hands. Perhaps due to being slightly taller, Xi Ning's fingers were a little longer. Supporting the umbrella with one hand, while playfully playing with the other, Xi Ning felt a bit troubled, especially when Kong Nianxi subtly ran her fingers across Xi Ning's palm, causing a tingling sensation. Unable to withstand it, Xi Ning closed her fingers, but that didn't dampen Kong Nianxi's interest. Her icy touch covered Xi Ning's fingertips, lightly pressing and then intertwining their fingers again. Finally, she flipped Xi Ning's hand and caressed the faint black mole near the base of her thumb. Finally emerging from the crowded school gate, they reached the pedestrian walkway. Xi Ning abruptly pulled back her hand, feeling an abnormal warmth in her palm and the tips of her ears tingling. Feeling a sense of loss when Xi Ning's hand left, Kong Nianxi quietly suppressed her feelings, adjusted her demeanor, and straightened her long hair. "I'm done. I've come to a conclusion," she said with a touch of surprise. Xi Ning looked at her with curiosity. Kong Nianxi pursed her lips, her voice tinged with grievance, "Why are you looking at me like that? I've wiped everything clean, confessed to you so plainly. Can't I seek some sweet comfort for myself without rushing you for an answer?" Xi Ning hesitated, her heart tinged with a hint of guilt and bitterness, "I'm sorr—" Kong Nianxi suddenly covered her mouth, "I'm not listening." She blinked and withdrew her hand, squinting at Xi Ning, "That expression of yours, you're not going to say something that'll make me feel cold, are you?" Pitter-patter. Large raindrops accumulated on the leaves and pelted the umbrella, emitting a soft sound. Xi Ning, tall and slender, stood quietly holding the umbrella, her elegant fingers gently gripping the handle. Her sleek eyes remained bright in the dim shadow beneath the umbrella, her expression indifferent but with a hint of tenderness, "I just hope you can give me a little more time." Kong Nianxi chuckled, "I knew it. I still understand you very well." Understand? Xi Ning pondered her words, with a slightly puzzled gaze. Kong Nianxi's eyes swept over her face. She thought of something, then suppressed the corner of her lips, "But, perhaps not completely." For example, not understanding the things that had happened to you in the past. The road in front of the school had become congested with vehicles picking up students. Continuing to walk, Xi Ning turned to her and asked, "Is someone coming to pick you up?" Kong Nianxi tilted her head and smiled nonchalantly, "Who would come to pick me up? I'll go back to my apartment on my own." Xi Ning remembered the apartment she had near the school and furrowed her brows, "You're going alone?" Kong Nianxi glanced at her for a few seconds and then smiled tenderly, "Do you want to come to my place and keep me company?" Xi Ning froze momentarily, then turned her head. Just then, a head popped out of a black car parked by the school gate, shouting, "Xi Ning, over here!" Xi Ning turned to look, seeing Xi Mu leaning out of the car window and waving vigorously. Realizing something, she suddenly turned back, and Kong Nianxi had also noticed Xi Mu not far away. Furrowing her brows slightly, she paused for two seconds before raising her eyebrows and smiling, a mocking tone lacing her words, "Oh, him. I almost forgot about you, the childhood neighbor. So you two go home together after school, huh?" Xi Ning's emotions at that moment were extremely complex, even a little awkward, and she didn't know how to explain to Kong Nianxi. "He's not—" she started, but was cut off by Kong Nianxi raising her eyebrows, clearly feeling more embarrassed about their previous exchange than Xi Ning. "Since someone is here to pick you up, I'll go back on my own," Xi Ning stated, taking an umbrella out of her bag and walking away in the opposite direction without looking back. "Wait." Xi Ning unconsciously grabbed the hem of her clothes. Kong Nianxi stopped, turned around, and smiled, "What's up? Do you have something else to say?" Xi Ning, watching her expression, said, "Before you get angry—" "I'm not angry. Why would I be angry?" Kong Nianxi stared at her, then teased, "Are you so reluctant to part with me because you want to go home together?" Xi Ning hesitated for a moment and then withdrew her hand, "I have something to attend to this week." Kong Nianxi opened her mouth to say something, but seeing the car behind her, she held back, then sneered, "See you next week." Watching her safely reach the other side of the road, Xi Ning finally turned her gaze away. Kong Nianxi opened the car door and curiously asked, "Who was that just now? I couldn't see clearly under the umbrella. Why were you so close?" Xi Ning fastened her seatbelt and gave him a cold look, "Does it concern you?" Xi Mu was startled by the icy tone in her eyes and pouted, "Why are you so snappy lately? I'll stop asking then." Xi Ning felt a little annoyed and ignored him, turning her head to look out the window. Their driver had come to pick them up, and the car swiftly navigated through the road and arrived at their doorstep. As they entered the house, they were greeted by a well-dressed Xu Mrs., "You're finally back. Hurry and change into something presentable, we're about to leave." Xi Mu tossed his backpack onto the sofa and asked puzzled, "Where are we going in such a hurry?" Mrs. Xu replied, "It's my old classmate's daughter's 18th birthday banquet. Hurry and change, just keep it modest and proper." Xi Mu nodded and headed to his room. Xi Ning quietly went upstairs, but Mrs. Xu called out to her, "Oh, by the way, Ning Ning, my old classmate is Auntie Meng. Her daughter is Qiu Ying. I remember you two were classmates and got along well in junior high, right?" Hearing that distant name, Qiu Ying, Xi Ning suddenly froze. As Mrs. Xu continued chatting, "But did you grow apart in high school because you attended different schools? You used to be so close... Ah, Ning Ning, you need to make more friends." Xi Ning turned back, "Can I not go?" Mrs. Xu was somewhat surprised. Xi Ning had always been obedient, rarely opposing any request from them. Furthermore, it was just a birthday banquet; she inquired, "What's wrong? Why don't you want to go, sweetheart? Aren't you friends?" "Besides, Qiu Ying specifically expressed her hope that you would attend." Xi Ning remained silent. She had always been a well-behaved child, excelling in her studies and obedient to others' wishes. She was used to playing this role, and from a young age, she didn't like sharing her emotions. Despite being close family members, she maintained this image, and in her parents' eyes, she had smoothly sailed through life, except for that incident in her third year of junior high. However, she had acted normally afterward, and they had gradually forgotten about it. Mrs. Xu sighed as she took Xi Ning's backpack, "You're a good child, but you're too reserved. You hardly share anything with us. You've inherited your father's personality. If you could just be a bit more like silly Xi Mu, that'd be perfect." Mr. Xi walked out, adjusting his tie. Upon hearing this, he laughed, "It shows that my genes are strong. Just look at Ning Ning, she's inherited my smart brain. She's just a bit quieter, but she'll grow up just fine." "But why do I feel that she's becoming more like you, more reserved, especially when something's bothering her?" The two of them continued bickering, leaving Xi Ning alone for a moment, and she quietly climbed the stairs. Since the other party had mentioned her specifically, it wouldn't be right to decline. Sitting on her bed, Xi Ning fell into a trance. Hidden memories came to the surface, and she felt that the shadows she thought she had forgotten had been influencing her all along. At night, under the bright lights, Xi Ning stared down blankly, while Mrs. Xu was conversing with an exquisitely dressed lady. "Look how tall Ning Ning has become." "Yes, time flies. Little Ying Ying is already 18." A series of trivial discussions followed. Xi Ning kept her head lowered because behind the woman stood a girl. To be polite, Xi Ning quickly found an excuse and retreated to her seat. Xi Mu handed her a glass of juice, "Hey, why don't you slip out now? If you don't want to be here, just leave. You and Qiu Ying's tense relationship would make me not come." Having gone to the same school as her in junior high, Xi Mu knew about the incident involving her, but given that time had passed, his carefree nature meant he couldn't fully understand her distress. He remembered the time when a particularly unpleasant boy, jilted after confessing his feelings to her, purposefully approached Xi Ning under the pretense of friendship. Twisting the facts, he spread despicable rumors and, when confronted, feigned madness and jumped from the second floor of the classroom building. While his injuries were minor, the act had caused quite a commotion, leading to a significant impact. Qiu Ying, on the other hand, was Xi Ning's best friend during junior high, but their friendship had quietly soured, and Xi Mu didn't know the specifics. He only stumbled upon their argument and Qiu Ying's harsh words, which deeply hurt Xi Ning. The whole incident had taken its toll on her, and she had gradually lost contact with all her junior high schoolmates. Thinking about this, Xi Mu felt great pity for his sister. Such an incident at such a young age couldn't have left her without a lasting shadow. He understood why she had become the way she was and realized that, were it him, he might have lost faith in love. Taking the glass he offered, Xi Ning remained composed, "It's all in the past." Xi Mu widened his eyes, "Do you really think so?" Xi Ning took a sip of juice and was not in the mood to discuss these matters with him, "If you're free, go out and get some fresh air." Feeling rejected again, Xi Mu sniffed and got up, "Fine, I'll leave on my own." Left alone, Xi Ning placed the glass on the side table and lowered her eyelids, and a faint layer of melancholy clouded her eyes. A short while later, her phone buzzed in her pocket. Mrs. Xu had sent a message. 【Mrs. Xu: Darling, add a new friend~】 She sent over a WeChat ID. Xi Ning stared at her phone; she rarely added new contacts on her own. Her friends' list was only sparsely filled with a handful of numbers. After hesitating for a long while, she finally tapped the send button, and the other party immediately accepted her friend request. 【xxx: Xi Ning, it's Qiu Ying.】 This message made Xi Ning's fingers momentarily stiff. Afraid she would be blocked, a second message also came through, a long piece of text. 【xxx: Thank you for coming to my 18th birthday banquet. I thought you wouldn't show up. I understand that you don't want to see me again, so forgive my audacity in taking your contact details like this. I wanted to apologize to you because of the selfish and hurtful things I said before. I'm sorry that I should be feeling guilty and apologetic for it, but instead, shamelessly tried to shift all the blame onto you. I'm not deserving, yet I arrogantly believed that I understood you, so I wanted to do as much as I could to make amends for the burdens I caused you. I've let everything go, and I hope you won't be affected anymore. Lastly, thank you for making me realize how wonderful it is to like girls at such a beautiful age.】 Xi Ning stared at her phone, her slender fingers taut. Her lowered eyes betrayed no emotion, as if she were a still photograph, sitting quietly in her chair, exuding a melancholic aura. After a while, a faint smile tugged at her lips, and with a cold, dissonant laugh, she murmured to herself. From the window, he menacingly said, "You pushed me to die. You ruined me. You'll never have it good!" During their final argument, she pointed at her and said, "I turned into a freak because of you. You ruined me. You don't deserve to be liked." Now both of them had effortlessly let it go, just with a single "Sorry," did that erase the hurtful things they had done and said? Clearly, he was the person she trusted the most, yet he could turn around and stab her in the back without any guilt. It was as though she had returned to that summer, where people would point at her back from a distance, isolating her, subjecting her to gossip and strange looks. Even though it had been a long time, those feelings of frustration and anger were so vivid. She lowered her head, staring at her feet. Her vision gradually blurred, and a bitter, salty taste filled her eyes. As a teenage girl of sixteen or seventeen, how calm could she really be? How restrained could she be? For quite some time, "liking" had been a word she feared, like a Pandora's box filled with dark emotions, and she did not know what would emerge once it was opened. Amidst the bustling crowd, no one noticed her in this secluded corner. Wiping away the tears on her face, it seemed as though the haze of years of suppression had also evaporated. Her vision cleared again, and Xi Ning took a deep breath. Her chest felt much lighter. Since they no longer cared, why punish herself? The phone vibrating in her hands caught Xi Ning off-guard. After a prolonged pause, she lowered her eyes. Her eyes, which had turned slightly reddish, quickly dissipated into a serene smile. 【Kong Nianxi: Have you had dinner? I ordered takeaway for myself... Pitiful.jpg】 【Image】 【Image】 Kong Nianxi shared her dinner with her, a portion of vegetable salad, and another photo of a full plate of barbecue with a cup of milk tea. In the corner of the photo, there was also a fluffy paw belonging to her cat, Tata, which seemed to be attempting to steal a bite. Both photos appeared ordinary, but held a different significance for Xi Ning at that moment. Like a warm, bright sun, they filled every crevice of her heart with warmth and comfort. She previously thanked her hysterical self and shared her feelings about liking girls, which seemed genuinely positive and burden-free. It was neither out of control nor possessive. This positive emotion seemed to represent the essence of liking someone. 【Xi Ning: Drinking milk tea at night will keep me awake.】 【Kong Nianxi: Then don't sleep. It's a perfect time to think about you.】 【Xi Ning:...You're a bit old-fashioned.】 【Kong Nianxi:...】 【Kong Nianxi: You really? Can't chat?】 Sitting for long periods had made Xi Ning's back feel somewhat uncomfortable. She adjusted her posture, propping her arm on the table and taking a sip from the glass of juice. The sweetness spread in her mouth. Setting down the glass, she remained silent for a while, then began typing a message. 【Xi Ning: There's something I want to tell you.】 After a long silence, her conversation partner responded. 【Kong Nianxi: What is it?】 【Kong Nianxi: Wait, don't say it yet.】 【Kong Nianxi: How about you tell me at school tomorrow?】 Xi Ning:... She wasn't sure what Kong Nianxi was thinking, but she felt she should explain this matter as soon as possible. 【Xi Ning: He's my younger brother.】 【Kong Nianxi:...What?】 【Xi Ning: He was the one you saw when we left school.】 Yet another long silence followed. 【Kong Nianxi: Is this all you wanted to tell me? Anything else? Wait a minute... It's not one of those pseudo-sibling relationships, is it?】 Xi Ning clenched her fingers and typed, 【He's my biological brother.】 【Kong Nianxi: So, why are you telling me this now? I remember when he mentioned your relationship, you didn't disagree.】 Having paused for quite some time, Xi Ning suppressed the curve of her lips. 【Kong Nianxi: Siblings? That's quite interesting.】 【Xi Ning: I just want to explain things clearly.】 After a few seconds. 【Kong Nianxi: If I hadn't seen him this afternoon, would you even have thought to explain it to me? You... have never been serious, have you?】 【Kong Nianxi: I feel that at least I'm sincere. It was my first confession, the first time I lowered myself. I'm willing to wait, but I don't have the courage to let someone trample on me so much.】 Her heart suddenly raced, a mix of anxiety, confusion, and a jumble of emotions flooded her mind. She was eager to explain, but her fingertips were tapping frantically: 【Because only after explaining everything clearly can I sincerely say that I like you.】 "..." The atmosphere on the other side of the screen seemed to have cooled down significantly. The chat interface remained silent for a long time, prompting her to feel a sudden warmth in her ears upon seeing her last message. She even raised her hand to retract her statement. 【Kong Nianxi: Send the second half of your sentence again.】 You have retracted a message. 【Kong Nianxi:...】 【Kong Nianxi: Xi Ning, you can't play like this.】 Rubbing her hot ears, Xi Ning rapidly blinked but couldn't return to the previous moment. 【Kong Nianxi: Where are you now?】 【Xi Ning: xx Center】 【Kong Nianxi: Then I want to see you downstairs by my place before nine o'clock. Can I?】 "..." @SiTu@Network Xi Ning bit her lip. She had a premonition about what it meant to go and see Kong Nianxi now. 【Kong Nianxi: Forget it if it's inconvenient.】 【Xi Ning: It's convenient.】 She wasn't sure what had come over her, but when she snapped out of her thoughts, she had called for a car and was already seated in the driver's swiftly moving vehicle. Thirty minutes later, standing below the apartment building, she felt a bit disoriented. "Xi Ning? Xixi told me about it. You can go straight up," the housekeeper, who remembered her, greeted her warmly, ushering her inside and pressing the elevator button for her. Xi Ning politely smiled at the housekeeper and entered the lift. As it ascended floor by floor, her heartbeat became increasingly irregular, and she couldn't help but press her chest lightly, trying to suppress the strange feeling. As the elevator door slid open, she caught sight of Kong Nianxi's radiant face. "You're early by twenty minutes. I praise you," Kong Nianxi walked over, checking her phone and smiling as she pulled Xi Ning by the hand into the open room. The layout was still familiar to Xi Ning. She followed Kong Nianxi into the foyer, closing the door behind them. When she turned around, she found Kong Nianxi blocking her path. "Why did you retract your message?" Kong Nianxi's voice was lazy as she stepped forward a few times, until she had Xi Ning backed up against the door with no way to escape. The atmosphere instantly became ambiguous and unclear. Kong Nianxi was dressed in a thin nightgown. Though separated by the soft fabric, Xi Ning could feel the warmth emanating from her body. Their eyes locked, and Xi Ning slightly averted her face. “It was...a mistake.” Kong Nianxi sneered, “I've only seen mistakenly sent messages retracted, never as puzzling as this.” She continued, “I didn't see it clearly just now. Can you repeat the last sentence for me?” "..." Xi Ning turned to look at her, asking, "You didn't see it clearly?" Their gazes locked. The temperature beside her ear abruptly rose. Kong Nianxi smiled and, softening her entire body, pressed it closely against Xi Ning's. "Vaguely, I saw you saying that you like me~" Xi Ning took half a step back, pressing herself firmly against the door, creating a gap between their bodies. However, Kong Nianxi quickly closed the distance, pressing her soft body even more tightly against Xi Ning's. "Are you unwilling to admit unless the words come from your own lips?" Kong Nianxi raised her eyebrows. "Of course not." Xi Ning felt her chest constricted and suddenly found herself short of breath. She spoke softly, "You should stand up first." "Absolutely not," Kong Nianxi pouted, unmoving, "You have to say it honestly, and then I'll let go." "I..." A spoken sentence felt entirely different from one typed out. Xi Ning hesitated, feeling somewhat embarrassed, but since she had already uttered the words, there was nothing to be ashamed of. "I like you." Innocent and clear, her voice had a profound impact on the depths of her soul. "Say it again."