Sister, can I become a maid too?

Chapter 107 What's the point of going back?

"What do you want to buy?"

Jiang Yu blinked, then used the same trick again.

"You'll see when you get there if you want to buy good things."

Lin Jianxia, ​​standing to the side, couldn't help but complain:

"Hey, that's what you just said, okay? But when you got here, it turned into you saying you were going to buy clothes for me and Wanwan!"

"Uh..." Jiang Yubai looked at the bag in her hand, "Just tell me if it's good stuff or not."

Lin Jianxia ignored his interruptions and pressed on:

"Tell me quickly, what do you want to buy?"

"Just guess, we'll find out when we get there," Jiang Yubai continued to laugh it off.

"I won't guess," Lin Jianxia stopped in her tracks, her face full of wariness. "Unless you tell me what you're going to buy, I'm not leaving."

Jiang Yubai also stopped, but did not answer immediately. He just looked up.

"It's alright," he said casually. "Look, we've arrived."

Lin Jianxia was taken aback and turned her head in the direction he indicated.

The two were standing in front of a brightly lit shop, with a pear logo with a bite taken out of it shining quietly above their heads.

The moment Lin Jianxia saw the logo, her eyes widened in surprise:

"You want to buy a cell phone??"

Clothes were already the limit of what she could accept, but this phone... no matter how much she worked after graduation, she couldn't pay it back!

Seeing her strong reaction, Jiang Yubai quickly explained:

"This time it's really not for you. Your sister probably doesn't have a phone yet, right? I'm thinking of buying her one."

These words startled Lin Jianxia, ​​who subconsciously repeated:

"Buy it for...Wanwan?"

"Yes. Think about it, we're both at school. What if we run into another accident like this and can't contact Lin Tingwan? We can't just leave her waiting at home alone."

Jiang Yubai softened his tone, saying with a hint of helplessness,

"You've probably noticed that she's actually quite insecure right now, and if this continues, her condition will only get worse."

"Looking at it from another angle, if something happens at home, she can't come to the school to find us anyway, so having a cell phone would be much more convenient."

This idea actually came to me on the way back.

Since Lin Tingwan is unwilling to go out, there should at least be a way to contact her at any time.

After all, it was only with great difficulty that Lin Tingwan's condition improved. If this happened twice more, wouldn't all our previous efforts be in vain?

Just kidding, this progress was achieved after he gave so many hugs!

Lin Jianxia had obviously thought of this as well.

She pursed her lips, her expression becoming hesitant:

"Well... you didn't need to buy something so expensive..."

Jiang Yubai nodded indifferently:

"Sure, it's okay if you don't buy this brand. You can choose one, as long as it's durable."

He didn't know much about mobile phones; he only chose this one because he'd heard about it a lot.

Lin Jianxia looked around, pointed to a simply decorated shop not far away, and whispered a suggestion:

"How about... that one? It's the same brand as mine, and I think it's pretty good."

TinyRice?

Looking at the label, Jiang Yubai had no objections:

"Okay, I'm glad you agree."

Lin Jianxia quietly breathed a sigh of relief, but still gave him some more instructions with lingering concern:

"Well... when we're choosing a phone later, I'll have to be the one to say it..."

You're afraid of choosing something too expensive, right?

Jiang Yubai had no objections and nodded in agreement.

The two pushed open the glass door and entered the store.

Lin Jianxia walked straight to the counter and quietly asked the clerk if they had any models suitable for students.

Jiang Yubai didn't interrupt at all, but just stood half a step behind her with the bag in hand, watching her ask for prices and bargain with great interest.

About ten minutes later, it seemed that she had finally selected a suitable model. Lin Jianxia held up her phone and turned to look at him with some hesitation.

"Is...this okay?"

Jiang Yubai took the phone, tapped a few times to test its smoothness, and then nodded:

"Hmm, okay, let's go with this one."

As he spoke, he took out his phone and compared the two sides, then suddenly clicked his tongue in disapproval, before turning to the shop assistant and adding:

"Just get two identical phones and apply for one SIM card."

Lin Jianxia glanced at the phone in his hand, but didn't ask any further questions. She simply added softly:

"Um... could you please issue a paper invoice? Thank you."

After paying and leaving the house, Jiang Yubai turned his head and saw Lin Jianxia staring at the invoice with her head down, muttering something to herself.

"What are you doing?" he asked curiously. "You were looking at things when you were buying clothes, and now you're looking at things when you're buying a phone..."

He suddenly seemed to remember something and retorted:

"Hey, you're not planning to write down all the money and pay me back all at once later, are you?"

Lin Jianxia's movements suddenly froze, then she casually put down the receipt in her hand:

"......No."

Sister, you're so secretive...

Jiang Yubai didn't care about whether or not the money was returned, after all, the other person had stayed up all night to take care of him, so this expense was nothing.

However, he didn't say anything more.

If the truth were revealed, given Lin Jianxia's personality, she would probably return the phone and clothes intact.

Let her write it down now, as long as she can accept it without worry.

Thinking of this, Jiang Yubai spoke again:

"Oh, by the way, remember to install some software or something for Lin Tingwan... By the way, do you have my phone number?"

Lin Jianxia shook her head blankly.

"...So we've known each other for a month, and you don't even know you have my phone number saved?"

Jiang Yubai was speechless.

Upon hearing this, Lin Jianxia subconsciously took out her phone:

"I'm sorry..."

But then, she froze, her eyes widening:

"No, you didn't ask me to deposit it!"

"...Don't worry about the details." Jiang Yubai coughed lightly. "Come on, give me the number."

Lin Jianxia gritted her teeth and glared at him for a while before reluctantly speaking:

"182......."

The two exchanged phone numbers and became QQ friends.

Jiang Yubai opened her profile page and exclaimed "Eh!" as if he had discovered a new continent.

"What kind of profile picture is that?"

"...Ishihara Satomi in 'Unnatural'."

Jiang Yubai said "Oh," and then couldn't help but ask:

"Your nickname is Lin Jianxia? By the way, why is your signature 'Two tigers running fast'? Is it you and Lin Tingwan?"

Lin Jianxia finally couldn't hold back any longer and glared at him:

"Aren't you annoying? Are you checking my household registration?"

Jiang Yubai finally toned it down a bit:

"Okay, okay, I won't ask anymore. I'm just a little curious because I hardly ever add girls on QQ."

Hearing this, Lin Jianxia's eyelashes fluttered, her gaze drifted, and finally she couldn't help but say:

"You...have never added any girls on QQ? What about...Zhao Yun?"

"Zhao Yun?"

Jiang Yubai glanced at her with a puzzled look.

Why would I add her?

Lin Jianxia's gaze drifted even further away:

"N-nothing... It's just that, isn't she the arts and culture committee member? Doesn't she usually talk to you about things?"

Jiang Yubai fiddled with his phone and casually said:

"I don't usually use QQ much, and I rarely check the messages in the class group chat."

"Besides, what does the matter of being the arts and culture representative have to do with me, the math representative? We can just talk about it in class."

The girl beside him suddenly fell silent.

Jiang Yubai looked over with some curiosity, only to see Lin Jianxia with her head slightly lowered, her gaze fixed on the cracks between the bricks on the ground.

A warm breeze brushed against the stray hairs on her cheeks and against the corners of her mouth, which she pursed tightly but couldn't suppress.

Jiang Yubai looked at her with some suspicion, then glanced at the two new cell phones in his bag.

You didn't guess that, did you?

That's not right either.

If I had guessed it, given Lin Jianxia's personality, shouldn't she be forcing me to go back and get a refund right now? Why does she look so happy?

I don't understand.

Jiang Yubai glanced back, confirming that they were already some distance from the phone store, before speaking:

"Oh, right, Lin Jianxia..."

Lin Jianxia seemed to finally come to her senses, and quickly straightened her expression:

"W-What's wrong?"

"Here, take the stuff. The rest is up to you."

Jiang Yubai handed over the bag.

Lin Jianxia subconsciously took the bag, then suddenly paused:

"...Why did you give me your own copy too?"

"What do you mean, my own copy?"

"Isn't that right?" Lin Jianxia frowned.

"Here, one is for Wanwan, and the other one you were going to use to replace your own. Why are you giving them both to me?"

Jiang Yubai gave her a puzzled look:

"Change it... Who said I wanted to change my phone?"

Lin Jianxia stopped abruptly in her tracks, staring at him with wide eyes:

"Didn't you just take out your phone, click your tongue in disapproval, and then ask the clerk to bring you another one?"

"Yeah, what's wrong?"

The girl looked at him in disbelief:

"Didn't you think your old phone was getting worn out and you were planning to get a new one?!"

"Who said that?"

Jiang Yubai shook his head and spoke in a serious tone.

"After comparing them, I felt that this phone didn't suit my taste, so I clicked my tongue in disapproval and decided to just ask you for another one."

"??????"

By now, even if Lin Jianxia was incredibly dense, she had come to understand one thing—

He had been outmaneuvered by Jiang Yubai again.

Why say "again"?

This is truly a sad story...

"River--!"

Before she could even open her mouth, Jiang Yubai seemed to anticipate what she was about to say and reminded her:

"Hey, we've been here for quite a while now, it's time to go back. What if Lin Tingwan wakes up and can't find us, and thinks we eloped?"

"Private...private my foot!!"

Lin Jianxia's ears turned bright red instantly, and she kicked him in anger.

I don't know if it was out of embarrassment or anger.

However, Jiang Yubai remained unmoved and continued:

"Besides, that phone store is a million miles away now. I won't go back with you if you want to get a refund."

Lin Jianxia stared straight at him, pursed her lips, and her voice carried a hint of defiance:

"Well... I'll cancel it myself when I have time!"

Jiang Yubai hissed.

Hey, why are you so stubborn...?

He casually stuffed the two bags of clothes he was carrying into her hands, then turned to the side and gently placed his arm on the girl's shoulder.

Lin Jianxia was clearly not expected him to suddenly approach, and her whole body tensed up instinctively:

"W-What are you going to do...?"

Jiang Yubai didn't respond to that, but pushed her forward with both hands, saying irritably:

"Lin Jianxia, ​​why are you so stubborn? You already bought it, and you still insist on returning it. It was a token of your goodwill, wasn't it?"

"Your phone has been around for almost a few years now, right? Putting aside the scratches and black lines, the system must be incredibly slow by now, right?"

He paused, then softened his voice, persuading him gently:

"I can make do with everything else, but I can't compromise on the SIM card."

"Think about it, what if one day your crush is in a bad mood and wants to chat with you? He finally sends a 'Are you there?' message, but you don't see it in time because your phone is lagging, and he goes to find someone else instead?"

"Look, we've just missed out on a chance to be together."

He spoke with utmost seriousness, but Lin Jianxia found it increasingly absurd, and in her anger, she couldn't help but raise her hand to hit him with her clothes bag:

"Jiang Yubai! What kind of male god do you have?! What nonsense are you talking about?!"

"It's just a metaphor, a metaphor."

Jiang Yubai dodged Lin Jianxia's attack with a tilt of his head, then reached out and pinched the girl's shoulder.

"You can use it for now, and return it to me after graduation if it doesn't work."

Upon hearing this, Lin Jianxia paused for a few seconds, then hesitantly tilted her head:

"Why is it...graduation?"

"Because we might not even see each other after graduation," Jiang Yubai said lazily, "What if you get into a university in Hainan and I go to Heilongjiang? It won't be convenient for us to keep in touch."

As soon as he finished speaking, he felt a slight weight on the shoulder he was leaning on—Lin Jianxia's steps seemed to have slowed down.

"What, you're reluctant to part with me?"

Jiang Yubai sighed and said with emotion:

"That's true. Landlords like me who are handsome, academically excellent, and also very caring are indeed rare."

This was originally meant to provoke Lin Jianxia into a verbal exchange, hoping that this would help him accept it more.

After a few seconds, the girl in front of him just kept her head down and walked silently, then suddenly fell silent.

"What's wrong?"

Jiang Yubai released his grip, turned back to her side, and asked somewhat strangely,

"Hey, it's just a phone, is it that you're so unwilling?"

After a few seconds of silence, Lin Jianxia raised her head, pursed her lips, and whispered:

"Linda University... isn't it right here? Why go so far away...?"

Linda?

Jiang Yu thought for a moment:

"My parents keep nagging me about wanting me to get into Linda University..."

"But our scores are now about fifty or sixty points apart, right?"

To be honest, his current grades are probably only at the level of an average first-tier university student. After all, the better he is in math and physics, the worse he is in Chinese and English.

Lin Jianxia was actually similar to him, except that the subjects were reversed.

As soon as he finished speaking, the girl beside him suddenly stopped.

Jiang Yubai immediately became alert:

"Hey, hey, hey, if you want to go back for a refund, I'm not going with you. We've already walked so far..."

"I'm not going to get a refund," Lin Jianxia pursed her lips. "I'm going home."

Jiang Yubai sensed that something was off about this guy's behavior, and cautiously asked:

"Uh...why go back?"

Under the warm yellow sunlight of a clear autumn sky, Lin Jianxia raised her eyes to look at him.

Those clear eyes reflected an unusually earnest emotion that he couldn't decipher.

She pursed her lips and said:

"Review."

After saying that, she deftly stuffed the half-full bag of clothes back into Jiang Yubai's hand, took his wrist, and turned to walk towards home.