The school beauty is aloof? Whatever, she has a younger sister.

Chapter 171 Are you happy?

Fuxing Residential Complex, Room 303.

Chu Jiuli sat at the dining table, took a small bite of bread, and her gaze fell on the wall clock.

7:10 PM.

Little Yuzu hasn't come back yet.

She looked away and placed the half-eaten bread on the table. Then she stood up, picked up the mop leaning against the table, and bent down to mop the floor.

On WeChat, Chu Youting sent a message saying she wouldn't be home for dinner that night. Although Chu Jiuli didn't pay much attention, she still felt a little strange thinking that her younger sister had been playing all day and hadn't come home yet.

"Maybe I've been studying too hard lately, it's normal to relax a bit," she muttered to herself as she carefully cleaned the corner of the living room, bit by bit.

She did most of the housework herself, with Xiaoyouzi occasionally helping. But Chu Jiuli always preferred that she focus on her studies, and she silently took on the responsibilities herself.

Because of the underfloor heating, Chu Jiuli's forehead was covered in a fine sheen of sweat as she mopped the floor. She stopped, tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, and then continued bending down to clean the hard-to-reach corners.

"Click."

The sound of the door lock turning suddenly rang out, and a gust of cool air from the corridor rushed in.

Chu Youting walked in carrying a large bag of things, still carrying the chill of the outdoor air.

"Sister, I'm back." She changed into slippers and shuffled into the living room.

Chu Jiuli turned around and greeted him with a smile: "Xiao You, you're back—"

Before she could finish speaking, her gaze fell on the several bulging bags in Chu Youting's hands, and she was taken aback.

"What...what are those things you're holding in your hands?"

She put down the mop, walked over curiously, and looked at the Pikachu with its ears sticking out and the yellow SpongeBob SquarePants in the bag.

"I went to play the claw machine and caught a few," Chu Youting said softly, taking out two plush toys and handing them to Chu Jiuli.

"Sister, this Pikachu and SpongeBob SquarePants is for you."

Chu Jiuli took the soft, fluffy doll and held it in her hands: "Thank you, Xiaoyou. You're so amazing! You caught such a big doll."

"Hmm..." Chu Youting lowered her head, her voice even softer.

Actually, Zhang Muchen caught all these dolls.

But she didn't say much, simply choosing to skip it.

"Oh, right, sister. There's also dessert, you can try some."

Chu Youting bent down and opened another paper bag, taking out several boxes of small cakes, cream puffs, and some newly launched products.

Chu Jiuli's eyes narrowed slightly as she looked at the boxes of desserts in front of her.

These desserts must cost at least two or three hundred yuan in total.

Xiaoyou is usually frugal, why did she suddenly buy so much?

Chu Jiuli's eyes flickered: "Xiaoyou, did you buy all of these?"

"No, I didn't buy it." Chu Youting shook her head. "I didn't waste money... It was a gift from a shop owned by my classmate's family."

Of course, she couldn't say that Zhang Muchen paid the bill, so she could only make up a lie to deceive Chu Jiuli.

Chu Jiuli looked at her soft and sweet younger sister and gently pulled her into her arms: "Xiaoyou, once your older sister gets into a good university and finds a good job, we won't be so poor anymore."

Feeling her sister's warm embrace, Chu Youting softly replied, "Yes, sister. I will try my best too."

Chu Jiuli raised her hand and gently touched her hair, her fingertips softly tracing the strands. After a moment, she walked to the coffee table and opened one of the boxes of desserts.

"Little one, would you like to try one?"

"I'm full, you can eat, sister." Chu Youting shook her head. "I'm going to study."

After saying that, she turned and walked briskly into the bedroom.

"Oh, right, Xiaoyou," Chu Jiuli suddenly called out.

Chu Youting paused, stopping in front of the door.

"Did you have fun today?" Chu Jiuli asked softly, her tone slightly amused.

Chu Youting's mouth opened slightly, and her cheeks suddenly flushed: "Happy, very happy."

Sunshine community.

Zhang Muchen stood in front of Xu Qing's house, carrying a tote bag with the dessert shop's logo, and rang her doorbell.

The door clicked open.

"Mu Chen, it's you." Xu Qing opened the door and smiled gently.

"Auntie, I just came back from the mall and brought you some desserts." Zhang Muchen held up the paper bag.

"Thank you, Mu Chen, you're always so kind." Xu Qing smiled and stepped aside to let him into the house. "Come in and sit down."

Zhang Muchen changed into slippers and stepped into the house, a faint fragrance wafting towards him. The house had been cleaned a few days ago; the floor was so clean you could see your reflection, not a speck of dust in the corners. He glanced around at the furnishings. The living room had some new picture frames, simple and elegant in style. Several potted plants and fresh flowers were placed by the window and on the coffee table, adding a touch of warmth.

Zhang Muchen placed the paper bag on the table: "Auntie's house is getting prettier and prettier."

Xu Qing chuckled: "If you like it, come and sit here more often."

"By the way, Mu Chen, your birthday is coming up soon, right?"

"Yes, January 8th next year, just over a month away."

Zhang Muchen paused, then added, "After this birthday, I'll be eighteen."

"You're eighteen now..." Xu Qing sighed thoughtfully. "You were so naughty when you were little, you'd pee all over your dad. Eighteen years have passed in the blink of an eye."

Zhang Muchen turned her head, her eyes smiling: "Eighteen years have passed, and Auntie is still so beautiful."

"You have such a sweet tongue, child," Xu Qing said with a gentle smile.

"Auntie, do you have any photos from when you were young?" Zhang Muchen suddenly asked curiously.

"Yes, it's on the bookshelf." Xu Qing answered as she stood up and pointed to the row of standing bookshelves in the corner of the living room. "The one on top is it."

"May I take a look at it?"

"Of course, I'll get it for you."

As she spoke, she walked to the bookshelf, stood on tiptoe, and pulled out a thick photo album from the top.

Seeing this, Zhang Muchen also got up and went over. Seeing that she was having some difficulty moving, he quickly reached out and took the photo album.

“Let me do it, Auntie,” he said.

Xu Qing handed him the photo album, smiling and nodding: "Take it and look at it slowly on the sofa."

Zhang Muchen returned to the sofa, sat down, and began to flip through the thick photo album that exuded a faint, old fragrance.

The first page features a photo of Xu Qing as a child.

The little girl in the photo is wearing a white princess dress, with her hair in pigtails, and her eyes are big, bright, and full of spirit.

"She was this good-looking even as a child," Zhang Muchen thought to herself in amazement.

Turning the page, you see her student days.

Xu Qing has long, flowing hair and delicate features. Moreover, her fashion sense is quite remarkable.

The photos were taken before the turn of the millennium, but she was already wearing high-waisted jeans and fitted knitwear.

Her temperament is no different from that of a campus goddess in Hong Kong movies.

Zhang Muchen's eyes lit up more and more as she looked at her: "Auntie must have been a campus beauty when she was young."

He had just finished speaking when the doorbell suddenly rang.

Zhang Muchen turned his head and looked curiously at the doorway.

Is anyone else coming at this hour?
She walked to the door and opened it. The next second, Zhang Muchen heard his father's voice.

"Yinglan has stewed pork ribs and wants to invite you to come and eat with us."

Zhang Muchen heard everything clearly in the living room and immediately stood up from the sofa: "Dad?"

"Son? What are you doing here?"

"Just came back from the mall, and I'm picking up some desserts for my aunt on the way."

"You brat, I thought you weren't coming back. I didn't see you last night, and you didn't come home until dark today." Zhang Beifang glared at him.

"Hehe, I'm very busy." Zhang Muchen stood up with a smile. "Dad, let's go home and have some ribs."

"You brat, you'd better explain this to your mom when you get home."

Zhang Muchen smiled but didn't reply, and walked towards the door.

Xu Qing changed her shoes at the door, picked up a light-colored coat, put it on, and prepared to go out.

Zhang Beifang turned around, wanting to urge his son: "You brat, hurry up!"

Before he could finish speaking, Zhang Muchen suddenly stopped in his tracks.

"Son, what's wrong?" Zhang Beifang looked at him with a puzzled expression.

Zhang Muchen did not answer, but only slightly curled the corner of his mouth.

[Complete the task: Help Chu Youting regain her math scores and achieve a score of 140 or higher]

[Reward: Memory Regulator *1; 10,000 coins]

Little Yuzu, you really lived up to expectations!

(End of this chapter)