Why is the system taking my request to photograph a cosplayer seriously?

Chapter 224 Want to be taught a lesson by your older brother?

When it comes to showing off, moderation is key; going too far only makes you look cheap.

Ding Heng didn't say anything more and continued to eat slowly, as if what had just happened was completely unimportant and not worth bragging about.

The table remained silent for several seconds.

Zhou Ling was the first to react and quickly chimed in, "Bai Ma, who's your brother?"

Bai Ma smiled and deliberately kept everyone in suspense: "It's just like that."

"What? The way he acted just now, even the hotel manager was afraid of him!"

"Who cares, let's just eat."

Baima stuffed a piece of beef into her mouth and responded indistinctly, her smugness barely concealed on her face.

She glanced at the expressions of everyone at the table out of the corner of her eye.

Zhou Ling was the most supportive, while Wu Siyu just kept eating in silence.

Only Sun Yao would glare at her boyfriend from time to time, her eyes filled with resentment.

He was probably thinking, "How could I have chosen something like this?"

Gu Hao remained silent throughout the entire process.

He lowered his head and focused on the plate of garlic oysters in front of him, one after another, as if he wanted to chew the shells up and swallow them.

Baima took in everything and couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

So this is how you show off!

She used to spend so much money treating people to meals, giving them red envelopes, and buying them gifts to give away everywhere. In the end, people would smile at her to her face, but then turn around and complain that she was a nouveau riche, a stupid and rich sucker.

I didn't manage to show off, and all my money was wasted.

And now—

She doesn't have to say anything or do anything.

Ding Heng's presence was immediately commanding as soon as he sat down.

What does it mean to show off?

That's what you call showing off!

Ding Heng saw through Bai Ma's thoughts and deliberately got up to go to the restroom, giving the girl plenty of room to show off.

Seeing him leave, the women tacitly stopped eating, ready to gossip.

"Pema".

"Um?"

"Is your brother very familiar with this hotel?"

Upon hearing this, Baima immediately perked up.

She said, feigning nonchalance, "It's alright. I've been staying in suites for the past year, just getting to know people a bit."

"A hotel suite like this? Wouldn't a yearly stay cost over 100,000 yuan?"

"A hundred thousand or so a month is about right —"

"Turtle!"

Wu Siyu gasped, nearly dropping her chopsticks.

Sun Yao hissed and subconsciously glanced at Gu Hao.

Upon hearing this, Gu Hao paused in his eating, then continued eating, pretending he hadn't heard anything.

His only thought now is—since he's lost face, he has to make the most of the meal.

Sun Yao withdrew her gaze, the resentment in her eyes deepening.

Zhou Ling asked cautiously, "So—what does your brother do for a living?"

Bai Ma responded, "He hasn't graduated from university yet, but he opened an investment company in Hong Kong."

"Opening a company in Hong Kong?"

Zhou Ling was completely stunned, her mind unable to process what was happening.

A college student starts a company in Hong Kong.

Isn't that a bit too exaggerated?

Sun Yao continued her gossip: "How long have you been dating him?"

"What relationship? He's my brother."

Baima quickly tried to explain, but it sounded like he was trying to cover something up.

"Still being stubborn, is it more exciting or fun?"

"I understand!"

Afterwards, everyone started teasing about the relationship between Baima and Ding Heng, making the little girl feel like she was floating on air.

Baima didn't give a direct answer, basically allowing everyone to speculate wildly, while secretly enjoying herself.

After dinner, everyone went home.

Pema got into the car and let out a long breath.

"Cool!"

"What's so great about it?"

"Showing off, huh?"

Baima said matter-of-factly, "I felt really good putting on that act today."

Ding Heng was both amused and exasperated: "Are you faking it?"

"Brother, if you're pretending, then I'm pretending too. We're practically family!"

Bai Ma chuckled, her two short legs swaying back and forth, in an extremely good mood.

Ding Heng retorted, "I mean, you're supposed to be a rich second-generation, with 50,000 yuan a month in allowance back then. Haven't you learned how to show off after all these years?"

"With you, brother, doing the dressing for me, that's enough!"

Taking the opportunity, Baima asked, "So, brother, could you come to the school to see me often?"

Actually, she could put on this act herself, but she enjoyed it more when Ding Heng did it for her!

Ding Heng retorted, "Do you think I have a lot of free time?"

"Why aren't you available?"

Baima blinked her big eyes, her face sweet and soft: "You can make time to spend with several of my sisters-in-law every week, and come to see me every few days, why can't you? You can't be so biased!"

Ding Heng sighed and chuckled.

He certainly understood Baima's little scheme.

If you show off in front of your roommate today, and you don't maintain it afterward, your cool image will quickly crumble.

Bai Ma needs him to show up from time to time, not necessarily with such a grand display every time. Even just showing up at the school gate in his car would be enough for her to maintain her high-class image in front of her roommates.

"Let's talk about it when we have time."

Ding Heng's tone was indifferent; he neither agreed nor disagreed.

Bai Ma pouted, and the smile on her face fell.

"Brother~"

"what?"

"Please say yes! I promise I won't cause you any trouble!"

"You're just causing trouble now."

"Ugh————"

Baima gave a light snort of annoyance, leaned back, crossed her arms over her chest, and puffed out her cheeks again.

She threatened, "If you don't agree, I won't give your sister any kisses."

Ding Heng scoffed, "Who cares about your 'loving kiss'?"

"Brother!!"

Bai Ma got angry and raised her voice by half an octave.

Ding Heng ignored her.

The car stopped in front of the villa, and Baima unbuckled her seatbelt and opened the car door.

She had just stepped out with one foot when she pulled it back to brace herself against the seat and leaned forward.

"Pop".

Her pink lips touched Ding Heng's cheek, her voice clear and crisp.

Baima stepped back a little and muttered softly.

"I'm a magnanimous young lady, I won't hold it against you."

Ding Heng raised his hand and flicked her forehead lightly.

"Go back and wash up and go to bed early."

"oh----"

Baima obediently got out of the car and then leaned against the driver's side window.

Goodnight, brother.

"Good night."

The car window rolled up, and the Mercedes slowly drove away.

Baima watched the car's taillights disappear into the night before turning and going inside.

The motion-sensor light in the entryway turned on, and as she bent down to change her shoes in front of the shoe cabinet, she heard a slight noise coming from the direction of the living room.

Pema peeked out and saw Wen Shu sitting on the sofa drinking tea, with an English exercise book in front of her.

"Xiao Shu? Why aren't you asleep yet?"

Baima changed into slippers and walked over.

Wen Shu looked up and smiled: "I've been waiting for you."

"Why are you waiting for me?"

"Of course I want to talk to you."

Wen Shu put down her teacup, moved a little further in, and patted the spot next to her.

Baima collapsed onto her bottom.

"What do you want to say?"

"What are you doing out today?"

"Yeah, I went shopping with my roommate."

"Did you have fun?"

'

"good."

Baima gave a brief reply, casually picked up a pastry and stuffed it into her mouth, mumbling indistinctly, "Just say what you want to say. We're like family, no need to hide anything."

"hey-hey----"

Wen Shu smiled awkwardly and asked cautiously, "Bai Ma, do you and my brother-in-law have a lot of contact on a regular basis?"

Bai Ma's heart tightened.

The problem came suddenly, catching her completely off guard.

"W-What's wrong?"

"Nothing much, just curious."

Wen Shu sighed, "My brother-in-law is quite the ladies' man, don't you think?"

Bai Ma coughed twice and continued eating her snack with her head down.

"It's...it's alright, I guess."

"More than just 'okay'!"

Wen Shu raised an eyebrow: "Now that I think about it, I realize he has a lot of women around him."

Baima's heart was racing.

She tried to remain calm and smiled at Wen Shu.

"Is there?"

"Yes, I have."

Wen Shu began to count: "Aside from my sister, I always felt that Sister Yan hope was particularly close to him, and Sister Hua Qing's attitude towards him was also quite good when I occasionally saw her. Now there's another secretary, Lin Man?"

"You're going to doubt even your sister's best friend?"

Baima's voice was weak, and she couldn't even convince herself: "And what about a secretary—isn't that a job?"

"Work?"

Wen Shu's eyes were playful: "Alright! It's quite normal for a brother-in-law to have a secretary or assistant when he runs an investment company."

Baima breathed a sigh of relief.

Before she could catch her breath, Wen Shu spoke again.

"But you know my sister, she's simple-minded and always thinks the best of everything. I'm worried she'll get taken advantage of, so I wanted to ask you."

"Ask me what?"

Do you think my brother-in-law is truly sincere towards my sister?

Baima was stunned.

She hadn't really thought about this question seriously.

Ding Heng was very good to Wen Jing; it was obvious to the naked eye that Wen Jing had become inseparable from him, like a "little pet."

"Of course it's true!"

Baima nodded vigorously.

Wen Shu said "Oh" and nodded thoughtfully.

"What about other people? Will they be treated better than my sister?"

"Don't worry, it's all the same—"

Baima instinctively answered, then quickly shook her head, realizing she had misspoke: "I mean, how can that be the same? Your sister is his girlfriend!"

'

Wen Shu's gaze was fixed on Bai Ma, and a few seconds later she burst out laughing.

"Okay, okay, I was just asking for fun, don't be so nervous."

"Who's nervous?"

Bai Ma raised her voice by half an octave, and her face began to feel slightly hot.

Why is your face red?

"It's too hot!"

"Isn't it 18 degrees Celsius inside?"

"Just got back, haven't adjusted yet."

"Yeah?"

Wen Shu got up, stretched, and picked up the exercise book from the coffee table.

"Haha—I'm sleepy, go to sleep! You should go to sleep early too."

"Oh—goodnight."

"Good night."

Wen Shu turned and walked towards the stairs, but after taking two steps, she turned back.

"By the way, Baima."

"Um?"

Do you think my brother-in-law is a good person?

Baima stood there, stunned, unsure how to respond.

Wen Shu didn't wait for her reply and turned to go upstairs.

The footsteps faded into the distance, and a soft sound of a door closing came from the second floor.

Baima slumped onto the sofa and let out a long breath.

That was close.

I almost let it slip, but luckily I was quick-witted!

I'll definitely have to get my brother to give her a good beating later!

After calming herself down, Baima got up and went back to her room.

I pushed open the door and went inside, intending to play a couple of games, but I was in no mood for it at all.

After a quick wash, she lay down on the bed, her mind still replaying what Wen Shu had just said.

Ding Heng has too many women around him—he's surrounded by too many romantic interests.

Let's think about a few more of the older women.

Wenjing is gentle and virtuous, Zhao Yanxi is lively and cheerful, Hua Qing is aloof and dignified, and Lin Man is charming and capable.

Four women, four styles, each with its own merits.

Compare yourself to —

Pema turned over and buried her face in the pillow.

Why am I overthinking things?

Baima lifted her head from under the pillow and picked up her phone from the bedside table.

The screen lights up.

The wallpaper is a group photo taken at the arcade tonight.

In the photo, she leans on Ding Heng's shoulder with a bright smile.

Ding Heng's expression was one of doting, helplessness, and indulgence!

philandering prince —

Bai Ma muttered something under her breath, her finger swiping lightly across the screen as numerous messages popped up in the dormitory group chat.

[Zhou Ling]: @Bai Ma Bai Ma Bai Ma, have you arrived home yet?

[Sun Yao]: Why are you bothering her? She's probably just hanging out with her good brother.

[White Horse is Not a Horse]: Go away!

[Wu Siyu]: I've shown up, does that mean everything's over?

[Sun Yao]: That shouldn't be the case, it's only been a short time?

[White Horse is Not a Horse]: Don't talk nonsense, I just finished taking a shower!

Vanity clouded the hormones of youth, leading Baima to deliberately give ambiguous responses.

[Zhou Ling]: Eh—meaning I'm all clean and smell nice, just waiting for my good brother.

[Sun Yao]: Why don't you shower with your good brother?

[Zhou Ling]: The hotel bathtub should be quite large, right? [Starry-eyed]

Bai Ma's fingers tapped rapidly on the screen.

[Bai Ma]: If you keep talking nonsense, I won't let my brother treat you to a meal next time!

Zhou Ling: ! I was wrong!

[Sun Yao]: When is the next time?

[Wu Siyu]: [Rubbing hands in anticipation.jpg]

Baima put down her phone and let out a long breath.

She knew what her roommates were thinking.

I also know that what I said will only make them misunderstand more.

But she doesn't care.

Anyway—she couldn't explain what her relationship with Ding Heng really was.

They're supposed to be siblings, but there's no blood relation and no legal connection between them.

If we say something else, it seems like we haven't reached that point yet.

Baima rolled over, picked up her phone, and opened Ding Heng's chat window.

I hesitated for several seconds with my finger hovering above the screen before finally pressing the voice call button.

"Beep—beep—beep—"

After a few rings, the call finally connected, but it was Zhao Yanxi on the other end.

"Feed?"

Baima was taken aback.

"Sister-in-law Yan Xi?"

"Pema?"

Zhao Yanxi's voice sounded very tired, as if she had just finished strenuous exercise.

"Why are you looking for your brother so late at night?"

Baima stammered, "N-nothing—I just wanted to ask him something—"

"What is it?"

"Just—just—"

Baima's mind raced, but she couldn't come up with an excuse.

"Sister-in-law, where is my brother?"

"Your brother—"

Zhao Yanxi drew out her words, her tone full of meaning.

"Sister Man made a mistake at work, and your brother is giving her a serious talking-to."

Baima was stunned.

Criticism and education?

On the other end of the phone, Lin Man's sobbing could be faintly heard.

The sound was intermittent, mournful, and unclear, but images had already formed in Baima's mind.

Ding Heng's criticism and education must have been quite severe!

Bai Ma blushed and quickly shook her head to clear her mind.

"Then, I'm alright now—"

"Are you really alright?"

"It's really nothing! You're busy, sister-in-law, I'll hang up now, goodnight!"

"Good night."

The phone hangs up.

Baima tossed her phone aside, her heart pounding so hard it felt like it was going to jump out of her throat.

My face was burning hot, and the tips of my ears were burning.

She closed her eyes, but couldn't fall asleep.

My mind is filled with the voice I just heard on the other end of the phone.

Sister Man was crying and begging for mercy.

Baima rolled over and pulled the blanket over her head.

She tried hard to forget the images in her mind.

But the more I tried to forget, the clearer the image became, and a thought inexplicably arose.

If I were a disobedient younger sister, would I ever get a severe scolding and education from my older brother?

Baima was startled by her own thought and quickly shook her head.

impossible!

She is the prince's very, very best sister, he would never treat her like this!

Pema curled up into a small ball, her heart still beating very fast.