Chapter Thirty-One: Ling Xi Runs Into Ling Xuan

After transferring the money to my sister, I drove back to the company. Along the way, the thought of having reunited with her and finding that our bond remained as strong as ever filled me with such satisfaction that I couldn't help but hum a little tune.

Back at the office, Ling Xuan was still working, while Huang Xiaohui had already finished for the day and gone home.

"Miss, have you eaten yet?"

"I have." Ling Xuan looked up at me. "Where did you go?"

My eyes lit up, and I teased, "What’s this? Are you concerned about me, or can you just not bear to be away from me? I wasn't gone for that long!"

Ling Xuan’s expression faltered. She immediately lowered her head back to her work without saying a word.

"Alright, let's head home," I said, deciding not to push it further.

"Mm."

On the way back, I glanced at Ling Xuan a few times and asked with a smile, "Miss, why aren't you losing your temper with me anymore?"

Ling Xuan paused, then said coolly, "Why would I lose my temper with you for no reason?"

I chuckled. "Didn't you lose your temper with me for no reason this afternoon?"

Ling Xuan paused again, frowning as she scrutinized me, as if trying to determine whether I was serious or joking. It was clear that, despite my bantering tone, I was being sincere, as I truly felt she had been lashing out at me without cause.

Once she realized my thoughts, she turned her head away toward the car window, looking annoyed and remaining silent.

*Ugh,* did I say something wrong, or was I just being a glutton for punishment? How had I managed to upset her again? Still, I was in such a great mood that I remained cheerful. "See? You’re losing your temper with me for no reason right now."

Ling Xuan whipped her head around, glaring at me with a mix of anger and frustration.

I was slightly taken aback and asked tentatively, "What did I say wrong?"

"Are you ever going to stop being so annoying!" Ling Xuan snapped, then turned her body and stared angrily out the window again.

I was startled. Damn it, she was yelling at me again. My previously excellent mood soured at her outburst. I sighed and stopped speaking.

I really couldn't figure out the "Miss’s" temperament over the last couple of days. In the past, when she got angry with me, there was at least a reason, and out of guilt, I never held it against her. But these past two days, her outbursts seemed completely unprovoked, and she was constantly screaming and yelling. Even as patient as I was, it was starting to get on my nerves.

Perhaps she was upset because I told her she was acting without reason? Of course, she had her own reasons for being angry, even if I couldn't guess them, but did she have to yell like that?

I glanced at her back, feeling both irritated and helpless.

*Forget it,* I decided. I wouldn't speak to her for the next few days.

However, just as we were nearing the Shangpin residential complex, Ling Xuan suddenly said in a soft voice, "I’ve been in a bad mood these past few days; I wasn't losing my temper for no reason. Don't overthink it."

She was still turned away, looking out the window.

I was slightly stunned. It seemed she finally realized she had been in the wrong—that was more like it! The gloom in my heart vanished, and I let out a breath, smiling. "So you were just in a bad mood? You should have told me earlier! What’s it about?"

Ling Xuan didn't answer.

Once we entered the complex, she spoke again: "You really don't know?"

I smiled. "How could I know? But if you tell me, then I will."

Ling Xuan sighed softly. "It’s nothing. Just work matters."

"You can talk to me about work, too. I’m a shareholder now, even if I don't know much about it."

By then, the car had reached the villa entrance. Ling Xuan sighed again. "Never mind. I’ll talk to Xiaohui about it tomorrow."

I didn't press the issue; after all, I was hopeless when it came to business. All I could provide was money and connections. I had already given her two billion, so money shouldn't be an issue. As for connections, she already knew Sister Yuan and could reach out if needed. Beyond those two things, I was clueless; if she really explained it to me, we’d just be staring at each other blankly.

It seemed I would have to start learning about commerce eventually.

We walked into the villa, where all the lights were already on. Ling Xuan glanced around, looking puzzled. "Where’s Xixi’s electric scooter?"

We headed upstairs, and Ling Xuan knocked on Ling Xixi's door.

"Sis, you're back."

"Where's your scooter?"

"It broke down, so I took a taxi back. I'll get it fixed tomorrow." Ling Xixi glanced at me, lying without changing her expression.

"Mm." Ling Xuan didn't suspect anything. "What were you doing just now?"

"Doing my homework."

"Let me see." With that, Ling Xuan walked straight into Ling Xixi's room.

I couldn't help but find it amusing. Thinking back to my own student days, I was constantly facing various inspections. Thinking about it now, life was much freer!

I hummed a tune as I returned to my room and checked my phone. My sister, Chu Mengchu, had sent several WeChat messages, all thanking me and saying how happy she was. Qin Ruhua had also replied, saying she was working on the fifth floor. I chatted with them for a while and was just about to take a shower when I heard footsteps.

I turned to see Ling Xixi walking in without knocking.

I sat up and looked at her, amused. "Xixi, did you finish checking your homework?"

Ling Xixi pouted slightly, sat down on my bed, and said, "My sister scolded me."

*Ugh,* forgive me for laughing even harder. "Then you'd better hurry up and do your homework."

Ling Xixi glared at me with some dissatisfaction. "Don't you dare tell my sister about what happened this afternoon, you hear me?"

Mentioning the afternoon reminded me of how she had called me her boyfriend and even kissed me. I couldn't help but chuckle. "Why were you taking advantage of me earlier?"

Ling Xixi blushed, slapped my arm, and turned her back to me. "What do you mean 'taking advantage'? You’re so annoying! And your sister is even more annoying! Don't bring that up again."

Looking at her slender, graceful back, I couldn't resist teasing her. "So, am I still your boyfriend?"

Ling Xixi suddenly lowered her head. She didn't answer, her hands tucked in front of her.

I was curious and leaned over to look, only to hear her whisper, "My sister doesn't allow me to date."

I paused, feeling as if I had reached an epiphany, though it still seemed unlikely.

It was my own fault; for the past few years, I had done nothing but train and compete, and my social skills had not only stagnated but regressed. I suspected I understood emotions better during puberty eight years ago. These years of devilish training and environments of slaughter had turned me into a robot with well-developed limbs but an emotional void. Aside from being bold enough to tease others, when it came to anything serious, I was clueless.

Of course, I didn't consider myself simple-minded. If two people were having a normal conversation, I could see right through them. But whenever a girl said something strange to me, I was completely lost.

I hesitated for a moment, then muttered, "Well... early dating really isn't a good idea."

"Mm." Ling Xixi kept her head down, her voice full of shyness. After a pause, she whispered, "But you were still very cool this afternoon."

"Haha." I was pleased by that. "Now you’re talking! Do you still think I’m a pervert?"

Ling Xixi started, then let out a soft laugh. She jumped up, kept her head down, and ran toward the door, her voice filled with laughter. "You're still a pervert... ah!"

I hadn't expected Ling Xuan to be walking by, and she collided with Ling Xixi at the doorway.

"Sis." Ling Xixi was startled and immediately hung her head.

Ling Xuan’s face darkened, and she said coldly, "What are you doing over here in the middle of the night?"

"I..."

I quickly smiled and said, "Xixi wanted to ask me to drive her to school tomorrow morning."

"Mm." Ling Xixi nodded vigorously, keeping her eyes down. "I’m afraid of meeting a bad driver, and I don't want to take a taxi alone."

Ling Xuan stared at Ling Xixi with a stern face, then swept a cold glance at me. "Go back, finish your homework, and get some rest."

"Okay." Ling Xixi hurried away.

Ling Xuan walked in with a dark expression, stood before me, and stared coldly. "Chu Bufan, what are you up to?"

I grinned. "I'm not up to anything!"

Ling Xuan stared at me for a long time before saying coldly, "Xixi is still young. I’m warning you, don't get any ideas about her."

"Sigh." I exhaled and flopped back onto the bed, smiling slightly. "She’s just a kid. Why would I get ideas about her? I’d rather get ideas about you, but unfortunately, you won't let me."

Ling Xuan froze, her expression softening immediately. After a long moment, the corners of her mouth curled into a faint smile. "Mm, that’s for the best. She’s still young; she shouldn't let anything interfere with her studies."

"I know." I sat up, smiling at her, and teased, "I’m going to take a shower."

As soon as the words left my mouth, I regretted it. She’d been in a bad mood all week; I shouldn't tease her, or she’d just yell at me like before.

Fortunately, she didn't get angry. She gave a light "hmpf," turned around, and walked away. "What does your shower have to do with me?"