Sister, can I become a maid too?

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 lots of 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 just said that?!"

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

"Hey, hey, I was just kidding," Jiang Yubai chuckled as she turned back, slightly taken aback. "...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, seriously, keep a close 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 away the claw.

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: "...?"

What does that mean? How come it's so fast?

Before he could figure it out, his aunt had already chuckled and sat back in the driver's seat.

Jiang Yubai didn't think much of it, walked to the open car door, and gave one last instruction:

"Take care on the road, and let me know when you arrive."

Lin Jianxia responded softly, her eyes darting around for some reason:

"Okay, okay...you're so nagging."

Goodbye, Jiang Yubai.

Looking at the spiral notebook the girl was holding up, Jiang Yubai smiled, waved, and said with a smile:

"See you tonight, and see you after the New Year!"

Lin Jianxia bit her lower lip, but finally couldn't resist looking at him and whispering:

"Goodbye, Jiang Yubai."

Before he could answer, Lin Jianxia had already pressed the button for the electric door.

As the car door slowly closed, Jiang Yubai paused for a moment, then cupped his hand to his mouth like a megaphone and shouted irritably:

"See you next year, little hedgehog!"

Who is the little hedgehog?

Seeing the curious look in her aunt's eyes through the rearview mirror, Lin Jianxia's ears turned red instantly, and she tried her best to pretend that she didn't know who she was calling.

—Also, classmates are classmates, no is no, what does "no" mean?

How about adding another "still"? "Not yet~" would be even smoother!

Idiot! Idiot!

As the car slowly drove away, Lin Jianxia couldn't resist turning her head and peering out through the rear window.

Jiang Yubai was still standing at the entrance of the residential area, his figure appearing thin and clear in the winter sunlight, his gaze fixed on the direction of the car.

The little bit of annoyance in my heart was suddenly blown away by the wind.

Lin Jianxia pursed her lips and quietly said:

Idiot, see you next year.

........

Watching the pure black van gradually drive away until it disappeared around the street corner, Jiang Yubai slowly withdrew his gaze.

He sighed softly, a sense of melancholy creeping into his heart for some reason.

Shaking his head, a familiar aroma of charcoal wafted towards his nose.

Turning my head, I saw that the barbecue stall I frequented had already been set up, with oil sizzling and smoke rising from the wire mesh.

Jiang Yu's eyes lit up, and he walked a few steps to the stall, saying:

"Auntie, could I have three skewers, please?"

He paused as soon as he finished speaking, then changed his words, "Uh... just a skewer of chicken wings and a skewer of mushrooms will do."

The auntie at the barbecue stall looked up at him, then glanced at the intersection where the car had just left, a gentle smile appearing on her face:

"Did those two little girls go home?"

"Yeah, I'm going back home for the New Year." Jiang Yubai nodded. "I'll be leaving in a couple of days too."

He paused for a moment, then casually asked:

"Auntie, when are you going back?"

I'm not going back.

The auntie flipped the skewers and shook her head:

My husband passed away early. My daughter married far away; she came back last year, but said she won't be coming back this year.

"My son messaged me a few days ago saying he's busy at work and can't come back."

Her tone was flat, revealing little disappointment, only a faint sense of melancholy:

"It's pointless for me to go back alone. I can't afford to spend the money they send back, so I might as well set up a stall here to make things more lively."

Jiang Yubai gave a soft "Oh," and for a moment didn't know what to say next.

The auntie had already deftly packed the skewers into a plastic bag and handed it over.

"Hey, yours, I added chili to them all the usual."

Jiang Yubai stared at the three skewers of chicken wings, momentarily stunned:

"Auntie... I only ordered one skewer..."

"I know, I know," the aunt waved her hand, her smile warm in the glow of the charcoal fire. "Two more skewers are on me. And thank you, and that little girl who always comes with you, for your patronage."

Jiang Yubai squeezed the warm paper bag, and without further hesitation, said softly:

"Well... Auntie, Happy New Year!"

"Yes," the aunt replied with a smile, "Happy New Year."