Sister, can I be a maid too?

"If you interpret this as encouragement or something, then wouldn't I really become a bullying landlord who preys on girls?"

Lin Jianxia stared at him intently, her tone suddenly becoming somewhat aggrieved:

"So you're ignoring me..."

"I....."

"Not just now, I mean... before, the time after we pinky swear."

She looked away and spoke even softer.

Jiang Yubai opened his mouth, then suddenly fell silent.

It wasn't that the question was difficult to answer, but rather that the situation... seemed to confirm a vague suspicion he had in mind.

He's certainly not a block of wood.

Even knowing the infamous reputation of the three great illusions of life, he could still sense that Lin Jianxia probably had some feelings for him.

After all, they came knocking on my door dressed as a maid, so it wouldn't be right to keep deceiving myself.

Lin Jianxia once said that Lin Tingwan had significant problems in interpersonal skills due to a lack of systematic social guidance.

But how good is she herself?

For two whole years, she played the role of her younger sister at school, never uttering a single word, let alone having any friends or social circle.

This also explains why this guy acts like a little hedgehog, raising his quills at anyone who tries to get close.

But if someone...

“Jiang Yubai,” the girl’s soft voice pulled him back to reality, “you said you couldn’t stay silent.”

Jiang Yubai snapped out of his daze, hesitated for a moment, and then decided to speak frankly:

"I don't know if you think I'm being perfunctory or what, but I feel... I'm no different from before."

"If you're going to talk about the past, I did have the idea of ​​not communicating with you and avoiding you whenever possible, but in the past period of time... I have no intention of distancing myself from you."

He spoke sincerely, but after hearing this, Lin Jianxia suddenly bit her lower lip and turned her face away.

“It’s different…”

"What you want now is just a quiet cook, not that... little maid from before."

The air suddenly became quiet.

Jiang Yubai's heart skipped a beat.

Yes, if we're talking about having feelings for someone... doesn't he have any feelings for them himself?

How could it not be there...?

Such a beautiful and adorable girl will cook the best food in the world for you, and will blush and get angry because of your teasing.

She might throw a tantrum, but she'd still put extra effort into making breakfast.

So Jiang Yubai used to enjoy seeing her anxious, finding it amusing, and couldn't help but try to cheer her up.

And now... it seems that, just as Lin Jianxia said, as long as I can cook three meals on time, that's enough.

When exactly did all of this begin to change?

.....

Jiang Yubai sighed inwardly.

So, it wasn't that Lin Jianxia misunderstood him.

It's not that my attitude towards others has changed...

"...Probably not."

Jiang Yubai shrugged.

"It's always been like this, at most... it just means saying fewer nasty things."

Lin Jianxia stared at him intently, then suddenly said softly:

"Jiang Yubai...you're lying."

"........"

Jiang Yubai fell silent, and the expression on his face finally turned helpless.

"What can we do then?"

Upon hearing this answer, Lin Jianxia bit her lower lip tightly, her nose stung, and she buried her head again, unable to hold back her tears.

Actually, she knew...

Some things can't be restored to what they were before just by making amends.

Some vague feelings of affection can vanish because of small things...

But she was not reconciled.

I am unwilling to accept that things that once seemed so close are now drifting further and further away because of my own clumsiness and willfulness.

She even held onto a sliver of hope, thinking that Jiang Yubai was just angry—as long as she apologized, as long as he wasn't angry anymore, everything would be alright.

But actually... that's not the case.

All those hopes and expectations hidden in their hearts finally came to an end because of Jiang Yubai's words.

He wasn't angry or sulking.

He just... doesn't care that much anymore.

Chapter 80: There's still a long time to go (Fourth update!)

In the small cubicle, Lin Jianxia buried her head in her chest, her shoulders trembling.

Jiang Yubai sat down beside him, looking utterly helpless.

Now... that's probably when things are truly clear.

As she thought about it, Lin Jianxia's sobs gradually stopped.

She sniffed and suddenly whispered:

"Hey... I'm feeling so bad, aren't you going to comfort me?"

How can I comfort you, sister...?

Thinking this to himself, Jiang Yubai was about to speak when a scene from before suddenly flashed through his mind.

"I...I think I upset your sister. Do you have any suggestions?"

He swallowed back those clichéd words of comfort. After hesitating for a moment, Jiang Yubai finally leaned forward slowly.

You said it yourself... If you're angry about this, then I'll never talk to you again.

Muttering these childlike words to himself, he slowly reached out and embraced the girl dressed in a maid outfit.

Lin Jianxia stiffened for a moment.

A few seconds later, her tense body slowly relaxed, and she suddenly hugged him back.

Seeing that this guy didn't suddenly attack him, Jiang Yubai breathed a sigh of relief and subconsciously wrapped his arms around Lin Jianxia's waist.

As soon as the warm touch came from his hand, he couldn't help but exclaim "Oh!"

Lin Tingwan was used to holding him, and her little hand instinctively went over to him.

But... Lin Jianxia didn't seem to notice, or perhaps she did notice but didn't care.

Jiang Yubai hesitated for two seconds, but ultimately remained obediently in that position.

The girl's body was soft and warm, her gentle breath close to his ear, and she exuded the same faint lavender scent as Lin Tingwan.

After an unknown amount of time, Lin Jianxia suddenly let out a long breath:

"Jiang Yubai...I'm sorry."

“…Hey, this is the third time you’ve apologized.” Jiang Yubai’s voice was somewhat helpless.

Lin Jianxia ignored him and continued talking to herself:

“Actually, from the very beginning, I have been very grateful to you. I am grateful that you were willing to delay the rent for me and that you were willing to take me to get my wages back.”

"I am grateful that you have been working so hard for Wanwan's illness, and I am grateful that you... were willing to give me this job."

Jiang Yubai seemed to realize something and stopped talking.

"Kindness and gratitude accumulate. Even the slightest kindness will accumulate over time and have a heavy weight."

"Day after day, this gratitude grew heavier and heavier, so heavy that I didn't know how to repay it."

Lin Jianxia suddenly chuckled softly:

"But I happen to be an awkward person. The more grateful I am, the more afraid that you really only see me as a maid."

"That's why...that's why I reacted so strongly to your casual joke."

Hearing this, Jiang Yubai couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

The answer is actually quite simple: Lin Jianxia is not wrong, and Jiang Yubai is not wrong either.

Even the reason for their argument... was just a trivial matter.

Unfortunately, Jiang Yubai had no experience interacting with the opposite sex, and Lin Jianxia was an awkward person.

So a simple matter has been turned into this mess.

Anyone who didn't know better would think it was a life-or-death separation.

However—

Lin Jianxia suddenly changed the subject.

"I'm pretty sure of it. No matter how much I owe you, you'll never really treat me like a maid."

ha?

Jiang Yubai blinked, then couldn't help but ask, "Why?"