Today is a great victory for Lin Tingwan

—Is it really my fault?

Jiang Yubai kept thinking about this until school ended.

If the opponent were Li Yang, he could be absolutely certain that he had no problems whatsoever.

Just kidding, my good brother not only helped you out when you were in trouble, but even generously gave you an extra 500 yuan for food.

At school, I won't mind if you call me Brother Jiang, but what should you call me in private?

Li Yang is probably really going to bow and say earnestly, "If you don't mind, I'm willing to become your godfather."

Asking him to help serve tea and water or run errands is no problem at all, let alone just making a couple of casual jokes.

But... what if Li Yang were replaced by Lin Jianxia?

After hearing what Li Yang just said, it seems like everything is different now.

If you do the math, the time he's known Lin Jianxia is actually less than a month.

And I... it seems I do tease people from time to time.

I didn't realize it at first, but now that I think about it, I feel like I was just like a primary school boy!

He keeps pulling the braids of the girl in front of him, thinking it's funny or something...

Judging from the fact that she dared to glare at him from their very first meeting, Lin Jianxia was clearly a strong-willed person at heart.

So this guy probably harbored a lot of resentment all along, but he endured it because of his status as the landlord and his sister's illness.

As for agreeing to give him a massage that time, it was probably a choice I had to make because of the scholarship.

But yesterday.....

He kept saying things like "my little maid," and then asked her to give him a massage, and even condescendingly said he wanted to give her a raise.

That's when he finally couldn't hold back anymore and exploded in his own rage...

No wonder people don't like the term "maid." She's acting like a complete landlord, and she's pushing her luck.

No wonder, no wonder...

After figuring out why Lin Jianxia was angry, Jiang Yubai pursed his lips, feeling a sudden tightness in his chest.

He originally thought... they should be quite familiar with each other already.

After all, if you really look back, you've at least helped someone when they were in their most difficult time.

The two usually chat and laugh together, and occasionally bicker and tease each other.

Although he didn't say it aloud, Jiang Yubai was actually secretly a little smug.

This cute and quiet girl is actually a maid who cooks for herself at home...

Even by the strictest standards, he probably, likely, should, indeed...

I have a slight liking for that person.

Yes, how can an eighteen-year-old high school student not have fantasies?

After all, that's how it's written in novels, okay!

But now it seems... it was just his imagination...

In her eyes, he was probably just an annoying guy who used his landlord status to bother her with frivolous words from time to time.

I have to patiently do his laundry and cook for him, tutor him in his studies, and even reward him for memorizing vocabulary words.

He wasn't some hero who fell from the sky to save a princess.

Lin Jianxia can live a good life even without him.

Jiang Yubai... is probably just a passerby, much like Landlord Li.

Damn it.

Thinking about it that way, it does seem a bit discouraging...

It feels just as unbearable as that story of "my childhood friend who I always thought was a tsundere actually really hates me"...

"Brother Jiang?"

A questioning voice interrupted Jiang Yubai's thoughts.

He snapped out of his daze and instinctively turned his head.

Li Yang was standing next to the desk, looking at him with a strange expression:

"Brother Jiang, aren't you leaving after school?"

Jiang Yubai then looked around—the classroom was almost empty.

The boarding students had already rushed to the cafeteria, and the day students had also left early, leaving only a few students still in their seats, with a few fluorescent lights still on overhead.

As for the seats next to it... they were naturally empty as well.

"Oh, it's nothing."

Jiang Yubai shook his head, put the last test paper into his schoolbag, and zipped it up.

Li Yang hesitated, wanting to speak but ultimately couldn't help but speak:

"Are you really alright, Brother Jiang? Your expression was so strange just now, it was like..."

"Like what?" Jiang Yubai looked at him strangely.

Li Yang hesitated for two seconds, then said:

"...Like I've just broken up with someone."

As soon as he finished speaking, he jumped back a step, crossed his arms in front of his chest, and looked at him warily.

"Brother Jiang, I was just saying it offhand! Please don't kill me to silence me!"

"...Divine Metal," Jiang Yu rolled her eyes dramatically, "I'm thinking of a topic."

He slung his backpack over his shoulder, ignored Li Yang, waved casually as a farewell, and turned to leave the classroom.

Outside the door, the sun was already setting, and its golden-red rays slanted into the corridor, somewhat dazzling.

Jiang Yubai subconsciously narrowed his eyes, lowered his head, and quickened his pace as he walked out of the school gate.

As he turned into the familiar alleyway leading home, his gaze involuntarily drifted in a certain direction.

"......"

He gave a self-deprecating twitch at the corner of his mouth, shook his head, and continued walking towards home.

.......

When Jiang Yubai pushed open the door, the sound of stir-frying could already be heard from the kitchen.

He glanced toward the kitchen, hesitated for a moment, then put his backpack on the sofa and turned to go into the next room.

"Knock, knock, knock."

After a familiar knocking rhythm, Jiang Yubai paused for a few seconds before gently pushing the door open and entering.

Lin Tingwan was already sitting obediently on the edge of the bed, looking at him with bright eyes.

"Here," Jiang Yubai handed over the barbecue in his hand, "it's all your favorite food."

Lin Tingwan took the bag, glanced down at it, and then immediately looked up at Jiang Yubai with a questioning look.

In the past, I would buy one skewer each, which would be a perfect double portion. This time, I only bought one portion for Lin Tingwan.

"It's okay, I'm not hungry today, you can eat it all."

Jiang Yu waved his hand and sat down next to her.

Lin Tingwan glanced at him a couple more times, hesitated for a moment, and then started eating in small bites.

Jiang Yubai sat beside her, his thoughts drifting away.

Sigh, although I do feel a little upset, I finally know why Lin Jianxia is angry.

That's great news!

If you make a mistake, admit it. No matter what, you should apologize first.

How about tonight... if she's still willing to come?

I hope Lord Lin Jianxia will be magnanimous and forgive him, Xia Men.

So, ...

Jiang Yubai's gaze gradually focused, and the focus slowly fell on Lin Tingwan, who was standing to the side.

After hesitating for a moment, he spoke softly:

"Um, Lin Tingwan?"

Lin Tingwan paused, then looked up at him.

Looking at him with such clean eyes, Jiang Yubai's gaze unconsciously wandered:

"I...I probably made your sister angry."

Lin Tingwan tilted her head, carefully put the barbecue aside, and took out her small notebook.

"angry?"

"Yes, it's all my fault. I wanted to apologize to her." Jiang Yubai pursed her lips and honestly asked, "Do you have any suggestions?"

They're sisters after all...

But Lin Tingwan didn't respond. She just tilted her head and looked at him quietly.

"....."

"....."

Jiang Yubai felt a little uncomfortable being stared at, and waved his hand, saying:

"Never mind... I'll figure it out myself."

Hearing him say that, Lin Tingwan finally took action, writing something down and handing it to him.

Jiang Yubai was stunned for a moment, then looked over with some hope.

That glimmer of hope instantly turned into helplessness.

The notebook only contained two familiar words—

"hug."

He knew it...

You idiot Lin Tingwan, your sister is still angry, okay? And you're still here asking for a hug.

Jiang Yubai thought to himself with a touch of helplessness, but still stretched out his arms:

"Here you are."

But after waiting for a long time, I still couldn't feel that familiar warmth in my arms.

He looked over with some surprise, only to see Lin Tingwan still sitting quietly in the same spot, tilting her head to look at him, her eyes clear as amber.

only.....

The girl's movements mirrored his, with her arms slightly outstretched.

Jiang Yubai's heart skipped a beat.

His Adam's apple bobbed, and he looked into her eyes before hesitantly moving closer.

One inch, two inches...

Until he gently nestled into the girl's arms.

The next second, slender arms wrapped around his neck.

Unlike his feigned embrace, Lin Tingwan held him tightly, her embrace carrying real warmth.

It was as if she was comforting him.

Enveloped in this gentle yet reassuring warmth, Jiang Yubai's mind was filled with only one thought—

Forget it, let's put my sister's situation aside for now.

My cute little sister is definitely the best!