Chapter 12 : Acting
Locked by an inexplicable chill, Xu You shuddered—this was the second time.
He didn’t understand who kept glaring at him, even at home.
“Are you going to keep holding me like this?”
“…Ah.”
“Is that all you wanted to say?”
“If nothing else, let go. I’m going back to my room.”
She showed a trace of impatience; Xu You silently released his hands.
“Sorry…”
Xu Jiu didn’t even glance back, wheeling away on her own.
Leaving Xu You stunned in place, heart filled with indescribable complexity.
Of course, he wouldn’t give up; seeing her now, he had to figure out why.
“Only a few years apart, how’d she become so unapproachable? She wasn’t like this before…”
“Or is it really my fault…”
Of course, Xu Jiu couldn’t hear this.
After forcing calm back to her room, her clothes were soaked underneath.
She hadn’t expected such mental pressure—like any flaw would expose her.
Of course, this was her own worry and overthinking.
“He couldn’t have noticed my abnormality and chased after me… probably not…”
She sighed, then thought: even if suspected, what could they do?
Her actual threat was less than a startled cat’s.
So her anger was just impotent rage.
But not all bad.
This gave her natural camouflage—whatever bad she did, no one would suspect her first… even boldly, she could enter traps herself, frame as victim…
“Hiss, why am I thinking this… just revenge, how’d it get so extreme…”
She slapped her forehead;清醒 from hatred, her courage dropped sharply.
Sober had benefits, but drawbacks: wanting to act but too scared.
Without hatred-fueled bravery, revenge on Xu You was distant—unless… a non-aggressive but highly effective method…
Just as she pondered, a gentle knock sounded.
Xu Jiu frowned, looked up, instinctively asked who.
“It’s me.”
No name, overly familiar, but she knew from the voice.
‘Him again? What does he want now…’
“Uh, can I come in now? I didn’t finish talking.”
His voice hesitant, tinged with nervousness.
Xu Jiu hadn’t expected him back so soon; she’d just escaped.
‘Should I open…’
‘Fine… see what he wants. Can’t keep running—you’re making him pay!’
“Come in.”
She called lightly; surprise flashed in Xu You’s eyes outside.
After brief hesitation, he pushed the door open.
“I’m coming in…”
Entering, he caught a faint elegant fragrance; as a playboy used to girls, even he paused slightly.
Simply put, sister’s scent.
Inside, he saw her leaning against the bedhead, barefoot on the carpet, so he removed his shoes too.
“Close the door.”
“…Ah, oh.”
Xu Jiu glanced up; honestly, she hadn’t expected her once-hated person so obedient.
Fear of her in his heart?
“Your room was renovated recently. I wondered why, then learned you were coming back.”
“How is it? Like the changes?”
He spoke while wandering her room, like it was his own—well, it was.
“What do you want.”
“You had a chance earlier but didn’t talk, now bothering me.”
“Uh…”
She shifted, turning her face coldly.
“I just wanted to care… long time no see. Give me a chance to make up—I thought you went abroad for school, not treatment…”
“And… your body better? You’re always in the wheelchair.”
Meeting that all-too-familiar face, hearing his concern, disgust rose involuntarily.
Being pitied by an enemy? Kill her now.
Nothing more mocking.
“It’s okay. You’re just seeing this—I’m not crippled.”
She casually lifted her leg, then set it back down.
“…Good. So not fully recovered? What do doctors say?”
“…”
“Forgot—move appropriately, but not too much.”
“Heh, you think my illness can be cured?”
Her sudden cold laugh stunned him; Xu Jiu had seen it long ago—no matter her act, caring people only looked at her and surroundings for issues.
So no need to pretend; let enemies bear the worries.
“Sorry, I didn’t know…”
“My apologies.”
“……”
“But if you need anything, just tell me. No embarrassment—I’m your brother.”
‘Tch, acting… who doesn’t know your true face.’
“…”
“Anything else?”
She looked up幽幽, eyes calmer but more complex.
“No, rest well. Call me if needed—Mom might not always be free…”
“Oh.”
“Mm…”
Before leaving, he paused at her desk, asked:
“Parents haven’t set up a computer yet?”
“?”
“What do you do alone? You don’t seem like a phone person.”
“What’s it to you.”
He scratched his head; under her icy gaze, Xu You excused himself.
This Xu Jiu was unfathomable to him—could anger her anytime, and Mom warned not to provoke.
But today’s bold approach gave him initial familiarity with his sister.
“Fine, start over… relationships can be mended.”
He shrugged; the room’s fragrance lingered in his nose, stirring an odd feeling in his heart.