We moved to Golden Courtyard

She listened in silence, then lowered her head in silence, too afraid to answer Xu Qi's question.

Because after thinking about it carefully, she realized that she didn't know the answer to that question.

After all, in Lin's eyes, Xu Qi is romantic, strong, and mature. Even if he can be a little childish at times, it's harmless.

But is this all there is to Xu Qi?

"Your sister has always been worried about you. She's afraid that one day you'll regret this decision because she can't see how mature you've become in this matter."

Rin, I'm so happy that you like me. But your sister and I both hope that your feelings for me aren't just a fleeting impulse, nor are they based on your own assumptions and the perfect image you've created for me in your mind.

"No...nothing like that happened..."

Xu Qi smiled, but he remained silent and waited quietly.

"Actually... I didn't mean to argue with my sister. What I said... was just said in anger. I know I'm not mature enough in many ways!"

But... I just wish she could talk to me more, instead of always just saying something like, "I shouldn't have done this, I shouldn't have done that..."

Are you still angry with your sister?

……

Rin remained silent for a long time before shaking his head.

"Actually, I was never angry with my sister. I really... I don't know why I said those things."

711. But I still love you, brother-in-law.

When angry, one is completely unable to control their emotions, and hurtful things will come out of their mouth. And this is only because of a momentary outburst of anger.

So... what if they fall into a deeper level of hatred?

My heart is pounding, as if something is bursting forth from the ground in my head—a new insight, an urge to immediately pick up a pen and write it down, but…

Now is not the time.

Xu Qi shook his head, pulling himself out of that state of mind.

God knows how much he restrained himself; it was as if a delicate beauty was placed in front of him, her clothes half-covered, staring at him with seductive eyes.

You know that if you take just one more step forward, she will immediately cling to you and take whatever she wants from you.

But Xu Qi refused.

Sister-in-law, look at all the temptations I've resisted for your sake...

Xu Qi sat on the grass, patted the person next to him, and gestured for Lin to sit down.

With a slight hesitation, the girl carefully sat down next to Xu Qi, wondering what he wanted to say to her next.

Do you still like me?

Rin nodded.

"So do you still think you love me?"

Rin neither spoke nor nodded.

"I'm still a little resentful, feeling that I'm using my past life experiences to pressure you, and I'm probably secretly thinking—what do you even know about me?"

"No." Lin turned her head away, not wanting Xu Qi to see her guilty expression.

This is actually quite easy to understand...

Xu Qi's face was full of smiles, youthful and full of vitality. It seemed that you could smell the sunshine in her at any time.

Such a girl not only deserves to be loved, but also deserves to be protected.

Although, as Aponia said, being liked by little girls is a troublesome thing, Xu Qi himself does not dislike Rin. In his eyes, Rin and Gretchen are no different.

They're still just little girls who haven't grown up yet.

"I'll give you a chance."

"Ok?"

The girl tilted her head cutely and looked at her brother-in-law.

"I can be honest with you, Rin, I don't have any feelings for you, at least not romantic ones. Do you understand what I mean?"

"Oh..." Rin lowered her head in disappointment.

"But I'm giving you a chance now, right now, I'm your lover."

"Ugh?"

A cool breeze caressed Rin's delicate body, gently swaying her twin ponytails and revealing her joyful expression.

"Really?"

"Mmm." Xu Qi took Lin's small hand, which immediately made the girl's cheeks blush—she was quite cute.

“Now, I am your lover, and we can have some little interactions like lovers do, like holding hands like this... or other things.”

Xu Qi's expression remained calm and gentle throughout.

"Then......" The girl blushed and said hastily, as if trying to prove something, "Then... could you kiss me?"

can.

Xu Qi kissed Lin's slightly soft and round face.

The girl's appearance was five parts similar to Sakura's, yet quite different. The moment her moist cheeks were kissed, they even felt bouncy and supple.

Her delicate and tender skin, and her fragility unlike that of cherry blossoms, made one's mouth water.

But Xu Qi remained calm, even...

Even Rin is the same.

She touched her cheek in a daze. She felt joy when she was kissed, but not the heart-pounding feeling she had expected.

Xu Qi seemed to have seen through Lin's thoughts and said, "Now... do you understand?"

The girl clenched her fists in resentment.

She suddenly turned her face, wanting to kiss Xu Qi's lips, but Xu Qi frowned and stopped her.

"Alright, don't do anything you'll regret."

"But you promised you'd be my lover now!"

Xu Qi was momentarily speechless.

In that instant of hesitation, Rin seized the opportunity and, almost forcefully, kissed Xu Qi's lips! It was the girl's first kiss...

Xu Qi calmly closed his eyes, neither refusing nor responding.

Their lips were pressed tightly together, but even if the kiss continued, it would lead to nothing...

The girl seemed to have finally given up and sat back down. Suddenly, she hugged her knees, curled up, and burst into tears.

I don't feel anything... Why?! Why can't I feel anything at all?!

Not resisting means liking it, but there's no sense of jubilation or nervous excitement.

The girl's heart was still innocent and naive; she had never tasted the flavor of love.

"Brother-in-law..."

"I'm here."

"I hate you..."

Xu Qi lowered his eyes. He knew this was the cruelest approach, but he had no other choice. If he wanted to resolve this matter, he had to make Lin truly understand.

She actually...did not fall in love with Xu Qi.

Perhaps, the girl who used to sweetly call me "brother-in-law" every time she sees me will become indifferent to me from now on.

Thinking about this, Xu Qi felt a pang of heartache for no apparent reason.

But he deserved it.

But... why does my heart ache?

The girl's sobs could be heard intermittently beside her. Finally, Rin stopped herself from crying any longer.

She slowly stood up and turned to look at Xu Qi.

At that moment, Xu Qi looked up at the tearful young girl.

Under the setting sun, Lin stared stubbornly at Xu Qi, her face still wet with tears and slightly sobbing, but she still spoke.

"But I still love you, brother-in-law."

"!"

With a slight tremor in his pupils, Xu Qi suddenly realized that his previously calm heart was now slightly rippled.

It was as if a pebble had fallen, and this pebble belonged to Rin...

Xu Qi stood up and faced Lin, noticing that although the girl appeared delicate, she unexpectedly possessed a strong side. Just like her older sister…

He reached out and gently pulled Rin into his arms.

Rin's initial sadness vanished the moment Xu Qi embraced her.

"I'm sorry, I won't deliberately distance myself from you anymore. Now that you're older, you understand that love requires the courage to give your whole life, it's a heavy burden, and you can't just say it casually."

"Um……"

"Your brother-in-law will always be your brother-in-law. Whenever you need me, I will be there for you and love you just like your sister does."

"Um……"

So good...

Xu Qi released the girl from his arms and gently rubbed Lin's head.

“Go back and apologize to your sister, understand? She’s really heartbroken.”

"Hmm..." Rin nodded obediently, but before leaving, she suddenly tugged at Xu Qi's hand and asked, "Brother-in-law, can I ask you to do something else?"

"You said."

The girl raised her bright eyes and looked stubbornly at Xu Qi.

"Can you kiss me one more time?"

……

"no!"

Xu Qi turned around and refused Lin's request.

At that moment, Lin burst into laughter through her tears, looking at Xu Qi's slightly flustered back, the corners of her mouth curving upwards.

"You're scared..."

712. Goodnight, my maid.

Xu Qi took Lin with him, and the two of them returned to the courtyard together.

She didn't even need to go inside the house, because Sakura was already waiting at the door from afar.

Upon seeing Rin, Sakura rushed over! However, instead of questioning her as expected, she hugged Rin tightly and said with deep remorse.

"Rin...I'm sorry, Rin..."

"elder sister……"

The guilt that Rin had been suppressing in her heart burst forth at this moment, and her cheeks, which she had just wiped away from her tears, were once again flooded with tears.

"Sister... I'm sorry! I'm sorry... I shouldn't have said that to you. I actually... I actually... love you the most!"

With a guilty sob in her voice, she harbored deep love for her older sister.

No one wants to hurt their closest family members.