Chapter 16 — Turns Out You Actually Like Me

You are eager to treat us? By that time, he will surely fleece you without mercy. Let me think of a way out instead.

Do not let your imagination run wild. I can easily afford this small sum, and I shall simply consider it an opportunity to bribe my future brother-in-law.

I burst into laughter. You had better put on a stellar performance, then. He replied instantly: Yes, I shall try my utmost to win the full approval of your family soon. Clutching my phone, I could not help rolling over twice on the bed. Sister Nguyen Han stepped out of the bathroom, and upon witnessing my antics, she shook her head with a smile.

Why do the two of you act identically when you are in love?

What do you mean?

Back when your brother was courting me, according to his roommate Cheng Che, he would clutch his phone and roll around on the bed every single night, looking precisely like you just now.

My smile instantly froze.

Please say no more, Sister-in-law. It sounds utterly horrifying.

The journey back was once again driven by Cheng Che, with myself occupying the front passenger seat. The only difference this time was that my brother voluntarily scrambled into the back row, abandoning his usual complaints. Once the car merged onto the highway, he spent ages scrutinizing the front seats through the rearview mirror before suddenly breaking the silence: Cheng Che.

What is it?

My little sister gets carsick. Drive a little more carefully.

Cheng Che caught my brother’s gaze in the rearview mirror, the corners of his lips curving upward: Understood. My hand rested on the console between our seats, and Cheng Che reached over, intertwining his fingers with mine. From the back seat came my brother’s deliberate clearance of his throat: Mind the propriety. Sister Nguyen Han gently patted his arm: They are showing far more restraint than you ever did.

Are you expecting me to praise them, then?

You could at least try offering them a blessing.

My brother fell silent for a few moments before finally letting out a resigned sigh.

Very well. Yao Yao, if you truly care for him, then so be it. The road ahead is long, and I suppose I shall just wait and watch.

I turned my head from the passenger seat to look at him. His expression had relaxed, carrying the look of one who had been relieved of a burden, yet mingled with a quiet reassurance. I flashed him a grin, only to receive a fierce eye-roll in return. Well, he was undeniably still my biological brother. The car stereo was playing some rather cheesy love songs that my brother had chosen via Bluetooth, and Sister Nguyen Han was mocking his terribly rustic musical taste. My brother refused to yield, though he dared not argue too loudly. Looking out the window, a smile bloomed on my face that I could not suppress. At nineteen years of age, I seemed to possess an excess of good fortune. Perhaps I had already used up all the luck meant for my future? But it mattered not. The road ahead was long, and he was right here by my side. (The End)