Chapter 22 : Feigning Indifference to Catch the Enemy

Xiao Jiu…?”

“?”

The arrival was none other than Xu You, coming to pick her up after school. She hadn’t expected to run into him just like that.

He seemed equally caught off guard, but Xu Jiu recovered first.

“Why are you here.”

Cold tone.

“To get you. Mom couldn’t park easily—sent me to bring you out.”

Xu You glanced carefully, curiosity brimming at his sister in the same uniform.

“What’re you looking at?”

“Ah, no… nothing.”

She looked up; his gaze dodged.

‘Heh…’

“Just… the uniform suits you.”

“Let’s go.”

Without waiting, he circled behind, took the handles.

Her silence emboldened him.

“Elevator’s that way.”

“Ah, oh.”

“Sorry, first time in Year 1—unfamiliar.”

“Really? Where’d you study before.”

Didn’t plan to call out, but his obvious distraction was dumb.

“Cough… you know, forgetful.”

Elevator: awkward air.

“You sneaked to see me today?”

“Uh.”

“…Saw?”

“Guessed.”

“Okay…”

“Out elevator, don’t walk too close. Don’t want early rumors about us.”

Doors opened; she wheeled ahead.

Left Xu You trailing, depressed and helpless.

Just wanted to talk to his sister—why so hard.

Campus heartthrob, first time clueless with a girl—maybe family too.

He shook head; she neared road—he hurried.

“Baby, how was school? Anything uncomfortable?”

In car, Mom smiled concerned.

“Okay. Made friends. Teachers, classmates nice.”

Xu You aimed front but saw her alone back—muddled, joined.

Xu Jiu shifted, edging door.

Plenty space—clear resistance.

“Really…”

“Mom, drive.”

Silent ride home; Xu You wanted talk—no chance.

Her stranger-than-stranger vibe wounded brotherly heart.

“We’ll always be like this…? No.”

“What’d I do to make her hate me…”

Home, he brooded.

Unaware: this was his happiest now.

Her vow of pain—future hundredfold worse.

“Brother.”

“Mm?”

“Get… milk.”

Sprawled on sofa, he froze; sister gazed over.

Girl hugged pillow, white-stocking legs crossed, rustling with moves—especially pleading soft eyes in cold…

Heart chaos.

“M-Milk…?”

“Mm, not cold.”

“Trouble. Don’t wanna leave sofa.”

Gentle nod, grateful eyes.

“Anything else?”

“No.”

Tasked, Xu You oddly eager.

She noted; pillow-hidden lips curved.

‘…As expected, he craves mending.’

‘Shouldn’t initiate—let him think I gave chance.’

Eyes narrowed: push further or resume cold?

Sudden shift suspicious—can’t expose early. Cautious.

“Your milk—warmed. Fridge only cold.”

He brought coffee mug, placed carefully.

She thanked subtly.

“No issue. Everyone inconvenient sometimes. Call me.”

Joy at her outreach lifted him.

“Mm…”

“Back to room. Thanks for pickup.”

Left without look.

Knew he wanted longer—insisted anyway. Restraint key.

Sweeten appropriately—gradual reliance, impression shift. Goal.

Yes—he the helper enjoyed most.

Aid channel; craved attitude thaw, thanks. She understood—struck via inconvenience, creating chances.

Not stubborn; showed repair possible. Hope—he’d crave more.

“High schoolers easy. Thought you wiser.”

Smiled, shook head—adult bullying kid.

Normally guilty—but enemy.

Till payback, all justified—no guilt.

Also: thought.

“Time to meet him…”

“Year 2—day nears. Still foolishly like her…?”

Balcony, gaze distant city direction, worried.

Reborn—won’t let past self repeat.

Only she could stop.