EAY Chapter 72

A Little Unusual

A Little Unusual

72

“What’s wrong? You’re even jealous of your sister,” Shi Ran sighed. “I’ve always envied those who have siblings. Even when their parents aren’t home, they have someone to be with, playing and bickering. It must be so fun.”

Qi Ye immediately felt his pettiness and comforted Shi Ran, “From now on, my sister is your sister.”

“Haha, she has to agree to that herself,” Shi Ran said. “But your sister is really good to me.”

Qi Xue’s personality is naturally outgoing, yet she has her own delicate side. She and Qi Ye are complete opposites. Qi Ye is like a transparent person, while Qi Xue is known for being popular. Although she’s not quite as universally adored as Shi Ran, she always has friends wherever she goes.

For a while, Qi Xue was very worried about her brother’s introverted personality, fearing he would become increasingly isolated. But later, she realized that Qi Ye simply liked being that way. He never felt bored being alone. On the contrary, deliberately taking him out to meet friends only made him retreat further into his shell.

So she let him be, and as she gradually grew older, she understood her brother’s personality. Everyone has a different way of interacting with the world, and there’s nothing wrong with that. If everyone was loud and boisterous, the Earth probably couldn’t handle it.

After picking them up at the airport, Qi Xue first gave Shi Ran a big hug and then pulled out a large box of chocolates from her bag. “Happy New Year!”

“Thank you, Qi Xue-jie,” Shi Ran smiled like a kitten.

“Old bro, take the suitcase,” Qi Xue tossed the suitcase to Qi Ye, put her arm around Shi Ran’s shoulder, and walked ahead, chatting and laughing.

Qi Ye shook his head helplessly and silently followed, pushing the suitcase.

It was the same in the car. Qi Ye was completely relegated to the role of driver, listening to the enthusiastic conversation of the two passengers in the back seat, without any intention of including him.

Listening carefully, they were talking about nothing more than Shi Ran’s work, Qi Xue’s work, Shi Ran’s colleagues, Qi Xue’s colleagues… nothing major, but they were chatting so happily.

Qi Ye was slightly depressed that he was hearing the name of a certain colleague Shi Ran was complaining about for the first time.

“Some people are just like that, with no sense of boundaries. What business is it of theirs whether you’re single or not? Why do they have to ask so many questions? Are they that idle?” Qi Xue echoed indignantly, then gave him advice, “Let me tell you, the best way to deal with these people is to ignore them. Don’t answer immediately when they ask something. If you feel uncomfortable, show it on your face right away. Give them a disgusted look, stare for a while, and then go back to doing your own thing. If they say something like, ‘Oh, just kidding, don’t be so petty,’ don’t rush to defend yourself. If you really can’t help it, just say, ‘It’s none of your business,’ and don’t say anything more.

Don’t be afraid that they have more seniority than you. Everyone’s just working for a living. What’s so special about them? The more you try to accommodate them, the more they’ll take advantage of you. It’s important to express your attitude promptly.”

This “workplace survival lesson” only ended when they got home. Subsequent content included, but was not limited to, how to quickly gain the boss’s favor… This was a bit less credible, the kind of advice that gets full marks in theory but has zero practical feasibility.

After eating the New Year’s Eve dinner, Mom and Dad went out to see friends. Qi Xue said she was too tired from the flight and went back to her room to rest. Qi Ye and Shi Ran were watching a movie in the living room when he thought of something. He gave the popcorn to Shi Ran, got up, and said, “I’m going to go talk to Qi Xue.”

Shi Ran said softly, “Is your sister okay?”

Qi Ye was slightly surprised, “You could tell?”

“She’s talking more than usual,” Shi Ran said. “It’s a little unusual.”

Indeed, some people become silent when they encounter problems, while others become more active, but the latter is more difficult to detect. Qi Ye admired his boyfriend’s observation skills and touched his chin. “I’ll go ask.”

“Okay.” Although Shi Ran really wanted to be Qi Xue’s little brother, it was better to let her real brother handle this.

Qi Ye knocked on Qi Xue’s door and first handed her a gift bag. “Happy New Year’s gift.”

“When did our family start giving New Year’s gifts?” Qi Xue smiled and took it. “I only bought chocolates for Shi Ran, not for you.”

“Buying it for him is the same,” Qi Ye walked in and sat down on the chair in front of the desk, directly opposite the bed.

“A scarf? Oh, there’s a store of this brand near our company. This scarf must cost over a thousand, why are you buying me such an expensive gift?” The color was a bright orange, and most of Qi Xue’s winter clothes were gray and black, so this scarf would be a perfect accent. She liked it very much, but the next moment, she looked at her brother suspiciously. “Is there something you need my help with?”

“What are you thinking?” Qi Ye said. “Didn’t I draw a short comic recently? I got paid and bought gifts for everyone in the family.”

“Not bad, you’re learning to be thoughtful. Love really does make people mature,” Qi Xue said. “What did you buy for Xiao Ranran?”

“Matching shoes.” Qi Ye subconsciously looked down at his feet and realized he was wearing slippers. “They’re in the entryway.”

“You two are pretty bold, already wearing matching shoes at home,” Qi Xue said. “I haven’t even started trying to get Mom and Dad used to the idea yet.”

“One black and one white, it’s not that obvious, and who’s going to stare at other people’s shoes?” Qi Ye tilted his head to look at her. “Stop talking about me, what’s wrong with you?”

“Nothing’s wrong with me,” Qi Xue fiddled with the new scarf, denying it verbally, but her actions were somewhat absent-minded. “Wish me well, why don’t you.”

Qi Ye said, “You can’t hide it from me. Even Shi Ran could tell.”

“Really?” Qi Xue clearly didn’t believe it. “Are you trying to trick me?”

“Am I that smart in front of you?”

“Who knows?” Qi Xue paused. “Mom and Dad didn’t notice, did they?”

“They don’t understand you as well as I do,” Qi Ye said directly.

Qi Xue scoffed, but she had to admit that her younger brother probably understood her the best in the family.

Qi Ye said softly, “What’s wrong? Can’t you tell me?”

“It’s not that,” Qi Xue took off the scarf, neatly folded it, and put it back in the shopping bag. Then she supported herself on the edge of the bed with both hands, swinging her legs back and forth. “It’s a bit embarrassing to talk about.”

The first thing that came to Qi Ye’s mind was, “Did you get scammed?”

“It’s not that bad,” Qi Xue said. “I’m heartbroken.”

Qi Ye couldn’t understand, “What’s so embarrassing about being heartbroken?”

Qi Xue: “I got dumped.”

Qi Ye was stunned: “That’s not embarrassing either. That man has no taste.”

Qi Xue: “A cliff-diving-style breakup.”

Qi Ye: “He’s a jerk.”

Qi Xue: “I was the one who actively pursued him.”

Qi Ye thought for a moment. He shouldn’t be so rash in drawing conclusions. Although he stood on Qi Xue’s side, he still needed to hear the whole story first. So he cleared his throat and said softly, “So, what exactly happened?”