Hearing Luu Qi call her name, Xi Yiqian stared at her, a bit dazed.
Before Luu Qi could answer, Xia Liang spoke up.
"She’s my cousin. Her name is Luu Qi, and she studies at Qingyun Music University."
"Oh, oh, oh," Xi Yiqian murmured, nodding in understanding. A wave of relief washed over her. She found slippers for them, and once they were seated on the couch, she approached them.
"Have you two eaten? If not, I can make some noodles."
Noticing that Xi Yiqian didn’t even dare to make eye contact while speaking, Luu Qi stood up and pulled her down to sit on the couch.
"Sister Yiqian, we’ve already eaten. Please don’t go to any trouble."
"Oh," Xi Yiqian replied, then fell silent.
After a few seconds, she spoke again.
"I tidy up both guest rooms every day, so you can go straight to bed later. First, I’ll go to the bathroom and run a hot bath for you."
With that, Xi Yiqian got up and headed to the bathroom.
Watching her leave, Luu Qi’s jaw dropped.
"Good heavens! My cousin’s girlfriend... her personality is really something else..." Luu Qi trailed off, momentarily at a loss for words.
Xia Liang glanced over, looking rather smug.
"Pretty great, isn’t she?"
This time, Luu Qi didn’t argue, simply nodding in agreement. Suddenly, she raised a fist, looking at Xia Liang with determination.
"Decided what?" Xia Liang asked, completely puzzled.
"To live here, of course," Luu Qi announced solemnly. "Didn’t you say this is your house? Then there’s no problem with me moving in. This way, I can help you look after my new sister-in-law. I can keep her company when you’re not around."
"Look after her?" Xia Liang’s expression soured with disdain. "It’s more likely she’ll be taking care of you. But fine. Her personality is too gentle, and I worry about her being alone. You can stay."
"Yay! That’s great! I knew you were the best, Cousin!"
In her excitement, she pounced toward Xia Liang.
He hadn’t expected the girl to be so bold as to aim straight for his lips. He felt a brief, warm touch. The next second, Luu Qi had already pulled back, grinning at him mischievously, like the cat that got the cream.
Xia Liang glared at her, but Luu Qi was completely unfazed. She just made a face at him.
"Nyah, nyah, nyah! Sister Yiqian, I’m coming to help!"
With that, she turned and ran to the bathroom.
"That girl is getting more and more unruly!" Xia Liang’s mouth twitched as his brows furrowed.
In the bathroom, Xi Yiqian was filling the bathtub. With her hands behind her back, Luu Qi snuck in.
With nothing better to do, Xia Liang sat in the living room and watched TV.
Before long, Luu Qi came out, leading Xi Yiqian by the hand. Whatever Luu Qi had said to her had made Xi Yiqian’s face flush bright red. She couldn’t bring herself to meet Xia Liang’s gaze.
"Um... the bath is ready."
Xia Liang didn’t think much of it. After all, a single word is enough to get her this flustered. As long as she doesn’t faint, anything is acceptable.
Xi Yiqian handed him the pajamas she had prepared, and he took them into the bathroom.
Outside, Luu Qi glanced at the tightly closed bathroom door and asked curiously, "Tell me, Sister Yiqian, how did you and my cousin meet? Don’t tell me you were attracted by his good looks and it was love at first sight."
Luu Qi was only saying it casually, but to her surprise, Xi Yiqian first blushed and nodded, then quickly shook her head. This made Luu Qi incredibly curious, and she pressed for an answer.
When Xi Yiqian finished her story of how she met Xia Liang, an expression of longing appeared on Luu Qi’s face.
"Wow! That’s so romantic! Just like in a TV show."
Coincidentally, Xia Liang had just finished his bath and was stepping out. Even through the door, he had heard their conversation.
"Alright, it’s getting late. Luu Qi, go take a bath and get to sleep. You’ll be living together now, so you’ll have plenty of time to chat."
Luu Qi readily agreed.
"Yes, yes! As you command!"
Taking her pajamas, she went into the bathroom.
Now, only the two of them were left in the living room.
Xi Yiqian looked nervously to the side.
Xia Liang didn’t speak, just sat on the sofa watching her.
Sensing his gaze on her from the corner of her eye, Xi Yiqian turned her head toward him, embarrassed.
"Is... is there something on my face?"
"No." A slight smile touched Xia Liang’s lips. "You’re really beautiful."
Her face instantly flushed crimson.
"I... I’m going to bed. To... tomorrow after class, I have to go to the hotel. You should get some sleep, too."
Saying this, she stood up and walked toward her room.
Watching her go, Xia Liang felt a surge of amusement. This girl... It’s quite fun teasing her every day.
Whistling softly, Xia Liang returned to his own room.
Lying in bed, Xia Liang guarded Konoha Village for an hour.
Just as he was about to fall asleep, he heard a noise from outside his room.
Hmm? Luu Qi and Xi Yiqian are already asleep. Don’t tell me a burglar got in?
At that thought, Xia Liang rolled out of bed.
He opened his door and saw the bathroom light was on.
Sneaking over, he discovered the person inside wasn’t a burglar. It was Xi Yiqian.
Dressed in pink pajamas, she was mopping the floor.
She was being extremely careful, as if the slightest sound might wake him and Luu Qi.
She swept the water toward the drain, then rolled up her sleeves, picked up the mop, and carefully wrung it out.
Xia Liang didn’t disturb her, just stood behind her, watching in silence.
The fluorescent light shone on her face. With a graceful hand, she tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. As she bowed her head, her ivory-white neck caught the light, giving off a soft gleam.
Xi Yiqian happened to look up.
When she saw Xia Liang watching her from the doorway, she scrambled to her feet. Flustered, her hands fidgeted, unsure where to put them. Like a child caught doing something wrong, she whispered, "Did I wake you?"
Xia Liang shook his head. "No."
"Oh." Hearing that she hadn’t been the one to wake him, Xi Yiqian visibly relaxed, letting out a soft sigh of relief. "Um... I was mopping the floor."
His smile faded as he said calmly, "Yes, I know. Carry on."
Xi Yiqian obediently picked up the mop and resumed her task. With Xia Liang watching from behind, however, she felt nervous, and her foot slipped.
A flash of panic crossed her face, quickly replaced by a look of utter dejection. A wave of misery washed over her.
Will Xia Liang think I’m useless? I can’t even handle a simple task like mopping the floor. Read complete version only at N()velFire.net
She braced for impact, but the expected pain never came. Feeling a warmth around her waist, she realized that Xia Liang had caught her.
"I’m... I’m sorry..." she apologized, her face flushing red.
Xia Liang simply raised an eyebrow. "Why are you apologizing?"
"Because... I can’t even do a small thing properly." Her voice dropped to a near whisper.
Xia Liang chuckled softly and swept a strand of her hair to one side.