Chapter 11: Not a Couple (Part 1)
Evening, at home.
Lin Zhiyi penned the final stroke on his worksheet, capping his pen with a crisp “click,” signaling the end of today’s homework.
He twirled the pen while checking his work, humming a tuneless melody under his breath.
Ding-dong!
His phone screen lit up, the chime piercing the quiet room with startling clarity.
Lemon Candy: Thanks so much for today~
Lemon Candy: (Animated sticker: Bunny bowing deeply)
Watching the little bunny hop on screen, Lin Zhiyi felt his lips curve upward.
He tapped out a reply to Zhao Qingning’s message.
At the moment, Lin Zhiyi was doing homework at the living room coffee table; glancing back, he saw Lin Yingyuan in casual clothes, lounging on the sofa with a book.
He didn’t often pull the big-brother card—they treated each other as equals—but he couldn’t help reminding her now:
“Don’t read lying down—it’s bad for your eyes.”
“Got it, got it.”
She mouthed the words, but made no move, eyes never leaving the page.
Lin Zhiyi wasn’t surprised; he’d grown used to it.
Noticing her outfit, he found it odd—she usually changed into her bear pajamas the moment she got home; why casual clothes today?
Was she heading out later?
Ding-dong—the phone chimed again.
Zhao Qingning, picking up the thread; they bantered back and forth, her wit keeping Lin Zhiyi’s smile lingering.
Setting the phone down, he realized his sister Lin Yingyuan had sidled closer at some point, her pretty eyes scrutinizing him intently.
“What? What’s up?”
Lin Yingyuan’s curiosity burned.
“What’s got you so happy? Spill—let me in on it too.”
Such a nosy little imp.
Lin Zhiyi decided to tease her, schooling his face into mock seriousness:
“I’m not happy.”
That ploy fell flat with Lin Yingyuan; she pressed:
“Then what soured your mood? Tell me—I’ll cheer right up.”
“You!”
Lin Zhiyi laughed in exasperation, raising a hand as if to bop her noggin; the girl anticipated, twisting away with nimble grace.
“Come on, what is it? Tell me.”
She wasn’t letting it go.
“Nothing much—I met a girl today.”
Lin Yingyuan’s eyes widened in surprise.
“And?”
Lin Zhiyi gave a quick rundown of how he’d crossed paths with Zhao Qingning.
“You were just chatting with her?”
He nodded.
“Really,”
Lin Yingyuan mused, looking thoughtful, lost in whatever crossed her mind.
“What do you want for dinner tonight?”
Lin Zhiyi changed the subject; hunger was gnawing at him for real.
“We’ll need to shop first,”
Lin Yingyuan grinned.
“Fridge is empty.”
The supermarket’s AC blasted cold; Lin Zhiyi pushed the cart, eyes scanning the aisles.
Not far off, Lin Yingyuan eyed the shelves too; suddenly, a mischievous glint sparked in her gaze, lips quirking slyly.
As he lifted a carton of milk into the cart, his arm was suddenly hooked, followed by a warm softness pressing against him.
Lin Zhiyi went still, sensing doom.
He turned slowly, meeting Lin Yingyuan’s eyes, twinkling with impish glee.
Yep… he knew that look all too well: her inner drama queen awakening.
Maybe it was all the restraint she kept up outside, bottling her true self—only unleashing it unrestrained around him.
Not always a blessing, though…
Fine at home—Lin Zhiyi would play along when in the mood—but out here…
Shoppers dotted the area, near and far.
This little performer was clearly gearing up for a spectacle.
“Darling, ribs or chicken soup tonight?”
As a couple passed, she cooed it in syrupy sweetness.
.
Awkward.
Even after they were gone, Lin Zhiyi stood frozen, feeling sweat bead on his brow.
Beside him, Lin Yingyuan caught his face and dissolved into muffled giggles, unstoppable.
“Lin Yingyuan.”
Today’s script: married couple grocery run?
His throat bobbed.
“I said, once we’re older, no more ‘playing house’ games like this.”
“Did you? Don’t remember.”
The impish whisper tickled his ear; her wheedling fit the demon role perfectly.
“…”
He gave up talking, trying to slip his arm free—only for her to cling tighter.
“Aww, newlyweds are so sweet—even grocery shopping’s bliss~”
Lin Yingyuan ignored his resistance, leaning into the act, head nestling lightly on his shoulder.
A young mom with a stroller passed, eyeing the high schoolers curiously; Lin Zhiyi’s ears burned.
“Cut it out,”
His cheek twitched faintly.
“Or I won’t shop with you again.”
“Eh? Nooo!”
“I gave you everything—and now you’re dumping me?”
The little actress feigned heartbreak convincingly, complete with theatrical whimpers.
“Lin… Lin Zhiyi?”
A boy’s voice; Lin Zhiyi looked over to see a classmate in basketball gear, staring slack-jawed at them, ball tucked under arm.
Him again—yesterday, walking home with Cheng Xiran, they’d bumped into him too.
Lin Zhiyi still couldn’t recall his name from last time, and now…
“Huang…………”
Huang what?
He only remembered a chubby kid in class screeching “Yellow Dog” at him.
“Huang Zhouxu.”
The boy prompted, teasing,
“Your memory’s shot—how do you ace exams?”
Lin Yingyuan hadn’t expected a familiar face; her eyes flickered, whispering to Lin Zhiyi:
“School friend?”
“Yeah.”
Lin Yingyuan froze, expression turning complicated.
“Then… you two chat.”
She left him standing there, wandering off slowly, her back forlorn.
Huang Zhouxu approached.
“Word is you’re tight with Cheng Xiran lately—and now nighttime shopping with the first-year beauty Lin Yingyuan? You’re a beast.”
“Which one’s the girlfriend? Or both?”
He winked lewdly.
Lin Zhiyi sighed helplessly.
“You’ve got it all wrong.”
“I know, I know—everyone says that~ Get it~”
Huang Zhouxu grinned wickedly.
A decent kid, but that face soured him into sleaze.
You get jack!
Cheapskate— no wonder the “Yellow Dog” tag.
In these teens’ eyes, everything boiled down to romance; Lin Zhiyi saw no point arguing.
“But don’t worry—we’re not rivals.”
Huang Zhouxu clapped his shoulder.
Who asked?
“Cheng Xiran and Lin Yingyuan are hot, sure, but the girl I like’s from another class,”
He flushed shyly.
“But I dunno how to get closer.”
“Next tug-of-war, pull harder—you’ll close the gap.”
Lin Zhiyi had zero interest, tone flat.
“Hey, c’mon, master—teach me; I’ll take you as my guru.”
You could call me dad, and it’d flop—buzz off somewhere cool?
“Ah, it’s late—I gotta head home; catch you for lessons later.”
Spot on timing? Then hit me with five mil lotto.
Lin Zhiyi called after him.
“Wait.”
“What, master?”
“Keep my knowing Lin Yingyuan under wraps at school, yeah?”
Lin Zhiyi didn’t care if folks knew, but since his sister minded, he’d play it safe.
“Sealed!”
Huang Zhouxu flashed an “I get it” look, thumbs-up, then bolted.
Lin Zhiyi sighed, turning back—scanning, but no sign of the girl anywhere.
Where’d Lin Yingyuan go?