Chapter 50 - What Should I Do if My Younger Brother’s Crush Has Taken a Liking to Me?

Chapter 50 　　Confessing to someone for the first time, those mere three words seemed to deplete all her strength. Caught in Kong Nianxi's unwavering gaze, Xi Ning's throat moved dryly, rendering her unable to say a word. 　　Through the closely pressed fabric, she could feel Kong Nianxi's body temperature rising gradually. Her hands climbed up Xi Ning's shoulders, fingertips sliding down the neckline, gripping the collar tightly. Her breath was a bit destabilized as she whispered, "Shall we add some formality to this?" 　　Pressing her back against the cold, hard door, Xi Ning was suddenly engulfed in darkness as the light next to the door turned off. Then, her lips met a soft, moist, and tender touch. 　　Sensations were magnified in the darkness. Xi Ning stood there dazed as her collar was tugged, feeling the gentle graze of fingertips against her nape. Exerting a slight force, she was brought closer, held between warm lips and teeth. 　　Though she couldn’t see the girl's face, Xi Ning could sense the fragrant, moist breath against her nose as the soft tongue traced her lips, effortlessly slipping in before meeting closed teeth. Then, the hand latched onto her collar playfully tugged, misshaping the fabric and scratching her delicate skin on the collarbone with the nails. Xi Ning winced slightly, her lips involuntarily parting, allowing the intrusion. 　　Even though she had experienced a half-hearted kiss before, this time it was an entirely different feeling. Xi Ning numbly and passively adapted to the entanglement of lips and tongue, stirred by Kong Nianxi's hesitant yet bold kiss. It felt like an electric surge running through her, causing her heart to beat as if it might explode, dizzying her mind. 　　After an indeterminate amount of time, the girl's breath became short and disorderly. The entwined tongue withdrew and she was softly embraced, taking shallow breaths against Xi Ning's shoulder. 　　In the serene darkness, their breaths carried an ambiguous undertone. 　　Raising her hand to the wall, Xi Ning switched on the lights. 　　As the sight returned to brightness, Kong Nianxi uncomfortably closed her eyes and burrowed into Xi Ning's shoulder, listening to the breath next to her ear. After a few moments, she lifted her head to stare at Xi Ning for a few seconds, her upturned eyes slightly narrowed, her voice carrying a husky allure, "You want to kiss me too~" 　　"…." 　　Xi Ning's cheeks blushed gradually. She averted her gaze and gently pushed the girl away. "… I have something I want to tell you." 　　Unhappily, Kong Nianxi pouted after being gently pushed away. 　　With the brightness restored, the warm light from above illuminated their faces clearly. Xi Ning noticed a tinge of charming rosy hue on Kong Nianxi's usually aloof eyes. She lazily sauntered towards the living room, saying, "Come over here." 　　After being seated on the sofa, Kong Nianxi looked at Xi Ning, smiled, and leaned back against the couch. "Shall we define our relationship now?" 　　Xi Ning lowered her eyelids in silence for a while before slowly speaking, "I can confirm that I like you…" 　　Kong Nianxi's eyes curved in delight as she hooked her arm around Xi Ning's neck, deliberately speaking in a coquettish tone, "I really like it when you say those three words. Can you say them a few more times for me?" 　　"…." Xi Ning lowered her voice and said, "But we still can’t be considered in that kind of relationship." 　　The emotions swirling in her eyes were abruptly doused with a splash of cold water when Xi Ning's words hit her. Kong Nianxi's expression stiffened, the teasing smile at the corner of her lips faded slightly. "What do you mean?" 　　After a pause, Xi Ning admitted frankly, "Because I'm not ready yet, and… I don't know you well enough. To me, you are an exception." 　　I'm used to being prepared for everything, I'm used to confining myself within the realm of possibilities. But you are the first unexpected thing that I cannot control. 　　Kong Nianxi blinked her eyes, feeling somewhat calmer after deciphering this statement. She believed there was no hope for her because when Xi Ning said this, it felt like she was being wooed. She even found it somewhat sweet. 　　"Can I understand it as you have irreversibly fallen for me?" Kong Nianxi adjusted her smooth, long hair near her ear, revealing her slender neck. She looked at Xi Ning slyly, "You really don't know me well. You probably don't even know how much I know about you." 　　Xi Ning was taken aback. 　　Kong Nianxi leaned back against the couch, half-closed her eyes, and lazily entwined her fingers with Xi Ning's. "Your birthday is on Christmas Eve. You like to eat leafy green vegetables regardless of the type, you hate eating mutton, and you prefer swimming and long-distance running as your favorite sports. You love to read science fiction literature, especially space operas… Am I right?" 　　Seeing the astonished expression on Xi Ning's face, Kong Nianxi slowly sat up, turned, and straddled her legs. She gently pushed her against the back of the couch, leaning in with a shallow smile, "You see, you really don't know. It fully proves that I like you more than you like me." 　　With a slightly resentful tone, she cupped Xi Ning's face and stared down at her, "Why do I have to tire myself out like a child asking for a sweet? Xi Ning, don't you have any desires at all?" 　　The sensation of her touch was delicate and smooth. She couldn’t resist wanting to pinch her face, but her wrist was suddenly caught by a pair of soft but strong hands, pulling it down to both sides of her thighs. 　　Xi Ning clenched Kong Nianxi's wrist and with her free hand, tried to lift her off, but she unexpectedly ended up being embraced around the neck. Disoriented, she was pulled down onto the couch by Kong Nianxi. 　　The fall triggered a sense of déjà vu in her mind. 　　Face to face, pressing down on Kong Nianxi, just inches apart, their gazes met in the faint light. 　　Xi Ning: "…." 　　She struggled for a moment, trying to get up, but found herself being enveloped in a tight embrace with her legs hooked. 　　"You really have no worldly desires, or is it just that you have no feelings for me? By doing this, you make me doubt if you even felt anything when I kissed you just now." Kong Nianxi wrapped her arms around Xi Ning and let her slippers fall off when they tumbled. Barefoot, she clung to Xi Ning like an octopus. Finally, she exhaled softly near her ear, "I think you're sweet. Do you find me sweet?" 　　Xi Ning's cheeks reddened, blushing instantly at the sight of Kong Nianxi's fair eyes filled with satisfaction. She whispered, "You drank orange juice tonight, didn't you? I can taste it." 　　"Aah" 　　Xi Ning’s mind went blank for a moment, feeling the heat of her own blush spread to her neck. 　　The word "kiss" sounded peculiar and unfamiliar to her ears. She only understood it on a surface level, having no experience with such intimate and ambiguous behavior. This was her first kiss. She was just relieved that she had brushed her teeth after coming home from school and only drank some fruit juice at the banquet that evening. 　　"I only had some salad tonight and didn't get around to the barbecue. But I brushed my teeth early just for you, so rest assured." Kong Nianxi said with a cheeky smile. 　　"…." 　　Glancing at the corners of her flushed lips, Xi Ning's flustered emotions slowly receded. Meeting Kong Nianxi's gaze, she spoke solemnly after a while, "Do you desire to kiss me?" 　　Mustered up the courage to ask, her own heart raced. 　　After a long while, Kong Nianxi's slightly husky voice came, "Yes, I want to kiss you, and I want to be intimate with you because I like you. How could I not want to?" 　　"Have you ever thought about how long this desire for sensory stimulation can last?" At this point, Kong Nianxi finally recognized what was amiss. Knowing Xi Ning as well as she did, she realized that Xi Ning was probably overthinking things once again. In truth, she was somewhat curious. Xi Ning, being the person she was, should have been confident, or at the very least, not insecure in any aspect. However, in matters of the heart, Kong Nianxi often sensed her retreat and deliberate avoidance. "I have these thoughts about you because I like you," Kong Nianxi said, looking at her. "What are you so afraid of?" Xi Ning no longer hesitated and regarded her intently, getting straight to the point. "If we were to start a relationship, could it last for a month? What's your longest relationship record?" Kong Nianxi was taken aback, taking a good while to realize what she meant. A strange and complex expression flitted across her face. "So, you… also pay attention to those pieces of gossip. I thought you wouldn't bother with such worthless things." Xi Ning remained motionless in the same position for too long, finally couldn't help but forcefully break free from the arm around her, turning and sitting on the adjacent sofa. Unnaturally avoiding eye contact, she remained silent. Those gossips were naturally from the incessant chatter of Tu Xiaoyuan. In the past, she hadn't imagined that she would ever care about such things. However, faced with reality, she had to consider it, too. Loyal people find it difficult to let go once they like someone. "Are you getting jealous over those unimportant people?" Kong Nianxi sat up on the sofa, straightening out her disheveled sleepwear, her bright eyes turning toward Xi Ning.