Sister, can I become a maid too?

Chapter 171 You still want to sleep in the bed, huh? You wish!

"Hey Dad, can you come pick me up now?"

"What do you mean you two are out there and I have to figure it out myself?"

"I... no, what do you mean the phone's almost out of gas? Feed it? Feed it?!"

Jiang Yubai put down the phone and looked at the two sisters across from him with a speechless expression.

"What did Uncle say?" Lin Jianxia asked curiously.

"They...are meeting with a rather important friend and can't get away," Jiang Yubai said with a somewhat subtle expression, "and told me to figure it out myself."

"Think of a way? Think of what way?" Lin Jianxia blinked.

How would I know what solutions I could come up with...?

It's so late at night, the last bus has already left, and we can't get a taxi. We can't really make him walk back, can we?

Jiang Yubai was silent for two seconds:

"Um, are there any bridge arches around here that offer some wind protection? I'll make do for the night."

Lin Jianxia laughed in exasperation: "What? You want to live under a bridge?"

Jiang Yubai took a step back and solemnly cupped his hands in a gesture of respect:

"I have encountered a great calamity today and have ended up here. I hope you will have a kind heart and show me the way to get through this ordeal. I will repay you handsomely in the future."

Lin Jianxia glared at him, but couldn't help but smirk slightly before straightening her face again:

"Hey... come with me, I'll take you to the bridge hole."

Jiang Yubai was taken aback: "Really going under the bridge?"

"Where else would you like to go?"

Lin Jianxia turned around and looked at him with a hint of curiosity.

Jiang Yubai paused for two seconds after hearing this, then turned to Lin Tingwan, who was standing to the side, cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, and said sincerely:

"I have encountered great misfortune today and have ended up here. I beg you, young lady, to have mercy and show me the way..."

"Jiang Yubai!!"

Before he could finish speaking, Lin Jianxia angrily strode up to him, tilted her head back, and glared at him:

"What are you doing! You don't want to go find the bridge underpass, do you? If you don't want to, then go ask another girl!"

Jiang Yubai gave him a helpless look.

—Sister, are you really willing to let me sleep under a bridge?

"Let's go!" Lin Jianxia glared at him. "I'll find you a guest room... for you..."

At the end, she paused for a moment for some reason, her eyes somewhat blank, and the last few words were uttered almost instinctively.

Jiang Yubai, however, didn't notice her unusual behavior and happily agreed:

"Okay~ Thanks for taking me in, Lin Jianxia~"

Lin Jianxia looked at him, hesitant to speak, and finally bit her lower lip for some reason, then turned and walked home.

Lin Tingwan glanced at Jiang Yubai, then at Lin Jianxia beside her, and couldn't help but gently tug at her sleeve.

Turning to look at her younger sister, Lin Jianxia's gaze seemed somewhat unfocused for some reason:

"Wanwan...I...I know...Let's talk about it when we get back..."

It was getting late, and there weren't even any streetlights along the cobblestone road. Only a few houses had a few lights shining through their windows, barely illuminating the outline of the road.

In the end, the three of them had no choice but to each take out their phones, turn on their flashlights, and slowly walk forward.

As they walked, Jiang Yubai couldn't help but chuckle:

"I should have kept two sparklers; we could have used them as lights."

He finished speaking and waited for two seconds, but heard no response.

Turning her head curiously, she found Lin Jianxia with her head down, walking but her thoughts seemingly drifting off somewhere else.

She stared at the shimmering spots of light at her feet, her lips pressed tightly together, looking absent-minded.

"Lin Jianxia?" Jiang Yubai asked tentatively.

He called out twice more, and Lin Jianxia seemed to just come to her senses, giving him a blank look.

"......what?"

"What are you thinking about so intently?" Jiang Yubai asked curiously.

"N-nothing..."

After glancing at it a couple more times, Jiang Yubai suddenly stopped and said seriously:

"If you feel it's inconvenient, or if you have any concerns at home, that's okay."

"To be honest, I'm fine with having my dad pick me up around 11 or 12 o'clock when he's done. I'm not really going to stay under a bridge."

He clicked his tongue twice:

"It's true, it's really inappropriate for a grown man like me to stay at your house late at night."

Jiang Yubai finally realized what was going on. He had thought that since everyone in Jinxiu New Village was so familiar with each other, staying one night wouldn't hurt.

In retrospect, he definitely underestimated the situation.

Seeing Lin Jianxia's hesitant expression, it was clear that she had some concerns.

With this thought flashing through his mind, Jiang Yubai turned his head to look.

But Lin Jianxia, ​​standing to the side, showed a subtle expression on her face after hearing this:

"That's not the reason..."

She pursed her lips, then suddenly turned to look at Lin Tingwan beside her:

"Wanwan, you decide... If you have no objections, then there's no problem..."

These words made Jiang Yubai somewhat puzzled.

Wait, we need to ask my sister's opinion for this? That's pretty democratic, huh...

Lin Tingwan nodded almost without hesitation, her face showing no sign of unease.

Seeing her younger sister like this, Lin Jianxia seemed to have finally made up her mind and glared at Jiang Yubai:

"Pah! You come here to wish us a Happy New Year, are you going to kick us out in the middle of the night?"

There was an inexplicable sense of despair in her tone:

"But... you said it yourself, so you won't be able to back out now."

What does it mean?

Jiang Yu blinked.

Or is this some kind of shady business? The kind where once you're in, you can't leave?

He thought for a moment, figuring it was probably just that the room was a bit simple, and nodded nonchalantly.

"Why are you leaving? I don't have any requirements for the room. You can even let me sleep on the floor, it's fine."

For some reason, Lin Jianxia seemed to give him a subtle look.

She snorted and casually remarked, "You said it yourself," before turning and walking away.

—Pshaw, what's there to be afraid of sleeping in a guest room? Do you really think I'm some kind of princess or pea?

Jiang Yubai also gave a mocking "humph," his tone sarcastic:

"This is what you said!"

"Jiang Yubai, you—!"

Lin Jianxia couldn't hold back any longer. She turned around abruptly and delivered a cat-like punch to his shoulder.

It's soft and has no strength at all.

But Jiang Yubai turned around and hid behind Lin Tingwan, looking aggrieved:

"Wanwan, look, your sister is bullying me again."

"Jiang Yubai! Come out here!"

"I will stand by Wanwan through thick and thin."

"Pah! Using others as a shield and then talking so high and mighty!"

The two bickered as they circled around Lin Tingwan.

......

......

By the time we returned to our familiar little house, it was already quite dark.

Grandma, sitting at the doorway, looked up at the sound, first glancing at her two granddaughters, then at Jiang Yubai, who was dragging a suitcase back between them. She hesitated for a moment.

"What are you doing here...?"

Before Jiang Yubai could speak, Lin Jianxia quickly interjected to explain:

"Grandma, Jiang Yubai... misread the timetable and missed the last bus, so... so I'm planning to let him stay at our house for the night and leave tomorrow."

The old man glanced at Jiang Yubai, who looked apologetic, then his gaze involuntarily fell on his granddaughter's face:

"But........"

"It's okay, Grandma, I'll take care of it~"

Lin Jianxia jogged over, gently took her grandmother's arm, and softened her voice.

"Please go wash up and rest first, don't worry about us."

The old man hesitated, as if he wanted to say something, but finally nodded:

"Well... Xia girl, you can make the arrangements yourself."

Watching her grandmother enter the door, Lin Jianxia finally let out a long sigh of relief.

Even if Jiang Yubai is slow to notice, he can sense that something is wrong now.

He looked around and hesitated before saying:

"Um...do you have any rules in your family that forbid strangers from staying overnight?"

No, Lin Jianxia is acting strangely, but why does Grandma also seem hesitant to speak?

Thinking of this, Jiang Yubai couldn't help but look at Lin Tingwan beside him.

The girl was standing quietly, and when she saw him looking over, a slight light seemed to shine in her beautiful eyes.

...Why does it seem like only the cute and adorable Wanwan is the most normal?

Hearing this, Lin Jianxia glared at him: "What kind of family has such a ridiculous rule?"

—This isn't a rule, so why are you reacting like this...?

Jiang Yu thought about it, but was still worried:

"Um...why don't you take me to the room first?"

Based on the two people's reactions just now, his expectations had dropped from those of a regular guest room to those of a storage room.

Lin Jianxia pouted: "Hey, come with me."

After saying that, he took the lead and walked towards a certain room.

She hesitated for a moment on the doorknob, but finally pressed it gently and pushed the door open.

"Come in."

Jiang Yubai entered the room with a hint of curiosity, his eyes scanning the surroundings—

The room was clean and tidy, with bright windows and spotless furniture, and a double bed was made perfectly flat.

Although the furniture is simple and the furnishings are somewhat old, it is tidy and organized, making it a pleasant sight to behold.

It wasn't at all the clutter he had imagined.

Jiang Yubai was even stunned for a moment before turning to look at Lin Jianxia by the door:

"...Isn't this great?"

"What's so good?" Lin Jianxia was completely confused.

"The room? I thought you were going to give me a storage room or something," Jiang Yubai relaxed and casually explained, "This room is pretty nice, and the bed looks quite soft."

But to everyone's surprise, Lin Jianxia scoffed upon hearing this.

"You still want to sleep in the bed, huh? You wish!"

Jiang Yu blinked, a sense of unease suddenly rising in his heart:

"...What do you mean?"

Lin Jianxia didn't reply, but instead turned her head to look at Lin Tingwan standing to the side:

"Wanwan, come help me."

Lin Tingwan nodded, and together with her sister, opened the wardrobe next to them and took out a bamboo mat from the top shelf.

"Make way, make way."

Lin Jianxia, ​​holding the bamboo mat, urged him expressionlessly.

Jiang Yubai moved aside in a daze, watching the two sisters neatly spread out a bamboo mat by the bed, and then bring down a thin blanket and quilt.

"Wait, wait, wait!"

He finally realized what was happening, his eyes widening.

"Am I supposed to sleep here?!"

"Otherwise what?" Lin Jianxia continued spreading the blanket, but just snorted, "Didn't you say that even sleeping on the floor is fine?"

Jiang Yubai opened his mouth, looked at the makeshift bed on the floor, then at the neatly made bed next to it, hesitated, and finally swallowed his words.

Even if he's nobody, he should know who sleeps in this big bed.

No wonder they had to ask Lin Tingwan if she agreed; they really should have asked.

Now Lin Jianxia's hesitation and her grandmother's reluctance to speak all made sense.

So this means he's sleeping in the sisters' room?!

Jiang Yubai watched the two girls busy at work with some embarrassment, unsure of what to do next.

If I don't help, I'll look like a big shot.

But going to help... seems even less appropriate.

Seeing that the two sisters had made their beds, Jiang Yubai finally found an opportunity and hesitantly spoke:

"Um...maybe...I'll just wait for Dad to come back and pick me up..."

Upon hearing this, Lin Jianxia paused in her actions, raised her head, and squinted her eyes:

"Jiang Yubai, where did your previous fearless confidence go?"

"Uh...you didn't say you'd be staying in your room..."

Now it was Jiang Yu's turn to roll her eyes.

"By the way, are there no other rooms? Actually, the storage room wouldn't be a bad option..."

Lin Jianxia stood up expressionlessly:

"No! We don't! The house is too small to have something like that; it would be a real inconvenience!"

"If there were other rooms, why would Wanwan and I sleep in the same room as you!"

Seemingly having finally opened up, Lin Jianxia's tone became increasingly exasperated:

"Grandma's bed is too small; it can't fit three people at all. You can't even lie down on the sofa. Are you going to sit in a chair all night?"

"Well," Jiang Yubai interjected weakly, "I actually think it's not entirely impossible..."

"Shut up!"

Lin Jianxia glared at him.

"We've already laid out a mattress for you, and now you're saying you don't want to sleep? You're going to sleep today, whether you like it or not!"

Jiang Yubai immediately fell silent and obediently nodded.

"While Wanwan and I are changing, you go out and don't come back in. We'll call you when we're done."

"We have new toothbrushes, and towels..."

The girl hesitated for a moment after saying this.

"I'll just wipe it with a tissue!" Jiang Yubai immediately replied.

Lin Jianxia pursed her lips and said again:

"Also, the 38th parallel is in the middle."

She gestured vaguely between the bamboo mat and the bed, her tone serious:

"Absolutely, absolutely do not come over, do you hear me?"

"Received," Jiang Yubai said with a serious expression. "I promise I won't move a muscle in bed... except when I go to the toilet."

After saying this, he couldn't help but glance at Lin Tingwan beside him.

The girl still looked as cute and adorable as ever.

—After all this time...it turns out you're the one who's the most abnormal!

"Sister, I was going to be sleeping in the same room as you, if you had hesitated for even two seconds... I would have sensed something was wrong, asked around, and then definitely sent Dad to pick me up..."

Lin Jianxia had no idea that so many thoughts were going through this guy's head.

Or rather, even if they knew, they wouldn't have time to care.

After all, she was actually incredibly shy, and her pouty expression was just a facade.

For the next half hour, the three of them took turns brushing their teeth and washing their face, and a subtle silence filled the air.

Jiang Yubai and Lin Jianxia were both extremely nervous, and when their eyes accidentally met, they would awkwardly look away.

Lin Tingwan remained calm and continued to brush her teeth and wash her face diligently as usual. Before going to bed, she even asked for a goodnight hug.

It wasn't until long after the lights were off that Lin Jianxia's hesitant voice came from beside the bed:

"Hey... Jiang Yubai, aren't you cold?"

There was no air conditioning, so Jiang Yubai relied on a thin blanket under her and a quilt on top of her to keep warm.

He shrank deeper into the covers and replied lazily:

"It's not cold, the corner is at a 90-degree angle."

There was a two-second silence on the other end, then the tone became increasingly resentful:

If you tell another lame joke, I'll come down and stomp on your foot.

"Oh, there's a reward too."

"Jiang Yubai!" The pleasant voice became furious. "You...you don't have anything to say now?!"

"I do have something to say."

"What?"

"That 'brother' you said earlier sounded really nice, could you say it again?"

"Jiang Yubai, go to hell!"

After that, there was no further sound; it seemed she had completely given up on him.

Jiang Yubai took a deep breath, feeling that the bed was filled with a clean, faint lavender scent.

He tried to ignore the fact that he was sleeping in the same house with two beautiful girls and started silently counting sheep in his mind.

Time seemed to pass for a very long time, so long that even the sleepless person tossing and turning in bed began to breathe evenly. Only then did Jiang Yubai slowly relax his tense nerves, and his consciousness began to drift and sink.

In a daze, the blanket on my body suddenly moved slightly.

The next second, a soft and warm body pressed against her.