Chapter 04: The 10 Year (2)

Xie Qihua had raised him for so many years, and with just a glance, she could tell something was off with her younger brother: "Do you have someone you like?"

It should be considered so. Li Pingxi nodded following his heart: "...Yes."

"What kind of girl? Where does she work? Is she a local?"

This was the only good news she had heard today.

Li Pingxi smiled, "Sister, don't ask so much."

"Alright, alright." Xie Qihua was overjoyed, "You young people should date as you see fit, I won't interfere." Saying she wouldn't interfere, yet in the next second she couldn't wait to suggest, "It's almost New Year, if the relationship is going well, hurry and bring her back for me to see!"

"...We'll see."

There was something in Li Pingxi's words that Xie Qihua couldn't discern, but Li Jinlan might.

He lowered his eyes in thought, suddenly pursed his lips in a smile, like seeing the moon emerge from the clouds in a predicament.

After dinner, the three drove back to their new home by the river.

Xie Qihua's luggage was at the courier station, and her brothers helped carry it.

The benefits of raising children were evident at this moment; when going out, there was no need to do anything by oneself. Xie Qihua walked briskly ahead, happy today, she had also had a few more drinks. Li Jinlan and Li Pingxi fell behind, both looking at their sister's back.

"Brother, now that sister is back, don't drive her away again." Li Pingxi sincerely advised, "Sister is away all year round, only spending New Year with us, no matter how much you dislike her, it's just a matter of exchanging a few less words."

Li Jinlan's response wasn't very sincere, and after thinking about it, Li Pingxi didn't press further. After all these years, what else could be done.

Isn't this how siblings are?

No matter what, they always end up eating at the same table.

The new house was bought seven or eight years ago. Xie Qihua paid the down payment, but it was Li Pingxi who paid the mortgage. The property deed was in her name, but she rarely lived here except during the New Year. Li Pingxi often stayed here, when he got tired of the training base or during holidays.

Xie Qihua brought back Tibetan tea, Kang brick tea, saying she wanted to brew it.

Li Jinlan turned to make the bed in the bedroom, but Li Pingxi quickly said it wasn't necessary.

"I've already made the bed, just waiting for you to come back for the New Year." Li Pingxi also pulled on Xie Qihua's arm, "Sister, don't be in a hurry to leave this time, stay a few more days, okay? I've already talked to brother, we won't argue with you."

Xie Qihua withdrew her hand, responding indifferently, thinking to herself that you can talk all you want, but others might not be willing to listen.

They brewed tea and shared it together. Li Pingxi turned on the projector and played a TV series for a while, Xie Qihua got sleepy and went to bed.

Her sleep was not peaceful.

In her dream, it seemed like someone was kissing her.

It was a real kiss, landing on her hands, arms, shoulders. Like wax dripping from a candle, like dew from a cave, cold.

Before this, Xie Qihua had only felt the heat, with the room's heating on. But at this moment, she felt a slight itch all over her body.

Xie Qihua opened her bleary eyes.

The person before her paused for a few seconds.

Xie Qihua was instantly awake: "Li Jinlan?"

Li Jinlan stood silently by her bed.

Xie Qihua was furious: "Are you mentally ill? It's the middle of the night, not sleeping but casting spells here?"

She glared at him, Li Jinlan submerged in her reproachful gaze, eerily not retorting.

Xie Qihua sensed something was wrong: "What are you going to do? Don't mess around! Li Pingxi is right next door!"

But Li Jinlan revealed a dangerous smile.

He approached, lifting her chin with one hand.

Xie Qihua's chest was struck by thunder, so angry she was speechless, yet fearing to disturb her oblivious younger brother, she could only threaten him in an extremely low voice: "Li Jinlan, are you crazy? I'm your sister! Are you not awake or have you lost your mind? If you dare---"

Li Jinlan leisurely parted her lips.

The more it came to such moments, the more Xie Qihua couldn't back down. She was the opposing role to Li Jinlan on the scale. Her chips were justice, ethics, morality, representing the inviolable authority of the family head: "Li Jinlan, think carefully, if you do such a thing..."

Li Jinlan kissed her without hesitation.

Xie Qihua felt as if the sky was falling.

Her lips were pried open, an unfamiliar aura captivating, he refused to yield to the mundane, urgently depriving her, conquering between lips and teeth.

Xie Qihua was on the verge of rage: "Li! Jin! Lan!"

Li Jinlan was panting heavily, his eyes dim and turbid.

The lingering silver thread broke.

He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.

And tasted it on his tongue.

"You're disgusting! You're really disgusting!"

Xie Qihua was trembling all over.

"I'm disgusting?" Li Jinlan chuckled, "Xie Qihua, you probably don't know yet... Li Pingxi likes you too."

Xie Qihua's eyes were red: "Nonsense! You're lying!"

"Don't believe me?" Li Jinlan said, "Then let's wait and see."

Xie Qihua pointed at the door, squeezing out through clenched teeth: "...Get out!"

Li Jinlan stood up, but instead reached out to take her underwear from the bedside table.

"You...!" Xie Qihua reached out to grab it, but was instead held by him.

He squinted his dark eyes, asking: "Then will you replace it tonight?"

Mentally ill! Xie Qihua abruptly withdrew her hand.

Li Jinlan left, and she quickly closed and locked the door.

Xie Qihua's heart was still trembling.

She slowly slid down the door.

That night, the cold rain pattered down.

In the quiet night, emotions were taking root and sprouting.

This was the tenth year Xie Qihua had been raising the two children.

The former wished she couldn't die, the latter loved her so much he couldn't live.