Sister, can I be a maid too?

The little fist unconsciously reduced its strength in the end, and the punch felt like a tickle.

Jiang Yubai ignored her and turned to look at Lin Tingwan:

"Wanwan, are you hungry? Your sister saved some spicy cheese chicken patties for you."

Lin Tingwan shook her head, but moved a little closer to his side.

"Okay, let's watch some TV first."

Jiang Yubai turned the TV volume up a bit, clicked his tongue, and suddenly sighed.

"Sigh, the thought of you two leaving tomorrow really makes me a little reluctant to see you go."

—You idiot, now you know you can't bear to part with it, right?

Lin Jianxia, ​​standing to the side, secretly raised the corners of her mouth, a little bit of smugness rising in her heart for no apparent reason.

"Ugh, there's no food to eat, it's so awful."

So this is what I'm so reluctant to part with?!

Why did you hit me again?

Jiang Yubai looked completely bewildered.

"Can't I just not like you?!"

.......

The sunlight outside the window was just right, a rare good day in winter, and it streamed softly in through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

The standing air conditioner was blowing air, and the temperature was just right.

The TV was showing "The Adventures of Little Carp," which Jiang Yubai had requested earlier. On screen, Bubble was blowing colorful bubbles, and the two-faced turtle was clumsily chasing after them.

The three sat side by side on the sofa, wrapped in the same thick blanket, quietly watching the animation.

At some point, Lin Jianxia quietly turned her head away.

Wanwan hugged her knees, her gaze fixed intently on the screen; Jiang Yubai turned slightly to the side, holding the remote control in his hand, occasionally whispering a few words about the plot to Wanwan.

Warmth seeped through the thin fabric of her pajamas, and Lin Jianxia belatedly realized—

This time, I think I forgot to put a cushion in the middle.

The moment the thought popped into her head, she instinctively took a deep breath.

The familiar, slightly bitter scent of mugwort emanating from the boy beside her wafted over gently.

She suddenly felt...

The heating in the living room seems to be turned up a bit too high.

My feet and cheeks felt hot.

......

......

Chapter 164 Idiot, See You Next Year

After placing the last box of New Year's goods downstairs, Jiang Yubai turned around and looked at the two sisters beside her.

Lin Jianxia and Lin Tingwan both changed into brand new down jackets, in a limited-edition bright red color for the Lunar New Year, which made their skin look even whiter.

The two stood side by side, just like the pair of festive dolls pasted on the door during the Chinese New Year, so cute and adorable.

Jiang Yubai glanced at the time; there were still about five minutes before the car arrived.

He turned his head to look at Lin Tingwan and instructed her:

"Wanwan, if you feel unwell on the way, or need to go to the toilet, just tell your sister."

"If anything happens, just send me a message. My phone is always online."

"Also, when you get back, ask your sister to buy you some good food so you don't get too thin over the New Year."

"Oh, right..."

Jiang Yubai went on and on for a long time, while Lin Tingwan listened quietly, her eyes fixed on him without blinking.

After giving his last instructions, Jiang Yubai gently patted Lin Tingwan's head.

He paused, then turned to look at Lin Jianxia on the other side.

The moment their eyes met, Lin Jianxia's ears turned slightly red, and her gaze unconsciously wandered.

"Keep it simple..."

—Seriously, why say so much? It's just going home...

Jiang Yubai nodded, readily agreeing:

"Okay, then just come back alive and cook for me."

After waiting another two seconds, Lin Jianxia belatedly realized what was happening—

...That's it?

She turned her head sharply, only to find that Jiang Yubai had already turned to the side, his gaze drifting towards the intersection.

"Jiang, Yu, Bai!" Lin Jianxia's voice trembled with anger. "You...you only said this?!"

I... I told you to keep it simple, not to be so perfunctory!

"Hey, hey, I was just kidding," Jiang Yubai turned back cheerfully, then paused slightly, "...Are you really angry?"

Lin Jianxia felt a lump in her throat again, bit her lower lip, and turned her face away.

—Who's angry?.. No, I'm not. If you don't want to talk about it, then don't. What's the big deal?

Jiang Yu blinked, not rushing to comfort him, but simply continuing in a casual tone:

"Okay, let's get serious. Keep an eye on Wanwan on the way. If you get sleepy, rest in the car for a while. Remember to message me when you get home."

"If you get hungry, there are a few small snacks in the New Year's goods, you can eat them to fill your stomach."

"Also, if anyone bullies you when you get back, remember to message me."

Lin Jianxia had been eavesdropping, and finally couldn't hold back any longer. She turned around and glared at him, her voice soft and gentle:

"Hey, even if someone really bullies me, what's the point of messaging you?"

Jiang Yubai really thought about it seriously, then nodded:

"I can provide...everything support except for practical actions."

Lin Jianxia laughed in exasperation: "For example?"

"For example, joining you in cursing the unreasonable old lady next door or something," Jiang Yubai said seriously.

"Pah! Who would bully me, not even the neighbor lady..."

Lin Jianxia muttered something under her breath, but then looked away and added softly,

"But... I know."

Jiang Yubai nodded and looked up at the street.

The reserved car had already driven in; the all-black business van stood out conspicuously on the streets of the old neighborhood.

He looked away, hesitated for a moment, then reached out and gently patted the little guy's head.

—Hmm... let's just treat everyone the same.

"Hey!" Lin Jianxia glared at him habitually, complaining, "You're treating me like Wanwan, aren't you!"

Despite saying that, she didn't swat the claw away.

The tightness in my chest that had been pressing on my chest suddenly dissipated.

I can't say where it came from, nor how it disappeared, but it felt like something gently lifted my heart, leaving me feeling a little...light and airy.

The dark black minivan came to a smooth stop at the entrance of the residential area.

The driver's side door opened, and a female driver, who appeared to be in her forties, stepped out of the car nimbly.

"Hello, is this the entrance to Jinxiu New Village?"

Jiang Yubai nodded and checked the license plate:

"Yes, the last four digits of the phone number are 7931. Thank you for your help."

"No trouble at all, it's my pleasure," the aunt replied with a smile, her gaze already falling on the boxes of New Year's goods at her feet. "Is this all the luggage? Let me help you carry it."

She moved swiftly and quickly arranged the New Year's goods in the last row.

Lin Jianxia, ​​holding her younger sister's hand, stepped into the car, supporting herself on the door.

The car was warm inside, and the seats were made of soft, off-white leather with a faint scent of cleaning agents.

The aunt closed the trunk, walked over to get in the car, her gaze shifting between Jiang Yubai and the sisters in the car, a knowing look on her face.

She gave a warm, aunt-like smile and teased in a low voice:

"Taking his girlfriend home? That's a thoughtful young man."

It was lowered, but not completely lowered.

Anyway, judging from Lin Jianxia's frozen expression, you could tell that this guy must have heard it.

Jiang Yubai coughed lightly, a polite but awkward smile appearing on his face:

"No, Auntie, it's just a classmate."

He silently added in his mind:

If you had spoken a little quieter, I might have been able to crack a joke...

Everyone heard this. If I don't distance myself from it, this little hedgehog is probably going to get all pricked up again.

But when the aunt heard this, she nodded knowingly:

"Oh... so it'll be soon..."

Jiang Yubai: "......?"