An invisible awkwardness permeated the air.
Xiang Yi sheepishly added: "I...I'm just joking. Funny, right?"
Shi Sui raised his eyebrow. "A cold joke?"
"It's fresh out of the oven, so it should be a warm joke?"
"..."
It felt even more like a cold joke now.
The girl simply applied the most logical thought process to the situation taught by her brothers: As long as I don't feel awkward, it will be others who are!
She calmly sat down on the sofa and stuffed popcorn in her mouth. "You can start it now."
The room darkened. The gloomy film's terrifying sound effects were amplified on the screen. Xiao Naofu burrowed into Xiang Yi's arms.
Xiang Yi held on to it, which made the creamy cat purr against her collarbone like a baby.
Suddenly, the sound of an electric drill appeared in the film. Xiao Naofu was so frightened it buried its face in Xiang Yi's c.h.e.s.t. But before it could move, a ruthless hand appeared at the nape of its neck and lifted the cat mid-air.
"Meow meow meow!" Xiao Naofu squirmed as it kicked its feet, so scared that its fur stood on end.
Shi Sui calmly stuffed the cat into the pockets of his pajamas. "I'll take care of Xiao Naofu, you can eat your popcorn."
Xiao Naofu was pitiful as a sad dog as it stuffed its face into the pocket, not daring to move.
Xiang Yi: "I thought of another joke, do you want to hear it?"
Shi Sui: "Hmm?"
Xiang Yi: "Just now that felt like: dear wife, I'll take care of the runt, you eat your popcorn."
Darkness enveloped the man's eyebrows, though he seemed to chuckle slightly. His voice was low and captivating in a sultry and lazy way.
"When did our Yi mei learn to take advantage of people?"
"Ahem..." Xiang Yi almost choked on her popcorn. Thankfully, Shi Sui noticed and handed her a glass of honey lemon water. She took a few gulps and feigned calmness. "If I really wanted to take advantage of you, I'd call you zaizai. Then you can be of equal status alongside Xiao Naofu."
Xiao Naofu: "Meow!"
This dog doesn't deserve to be brothers with this Huhu!
Shi Sui raised his brow. "Speaking of which, it's not taking advantage then if I call you 'the kid's mother'*?"
"No... I was just joking..."
"You don't have to… beat around the bush." Shi Sui folded his long legs and leaned back against the sofa. "If you want to take advantage of big brother, I'll give it to you. How about that?"
Xiang Yi: ...!!
Why did it feel like she was being played?
Xiang Yi abruptly changed the subject. "Where is the plot now? Where's the ballet dancer from just now?"
She asked, casually expecting Shi Sui to answer. Unfortunately, he remained silent for at least ten seconds before saying with uncertainty: "Probably went to claim their lunch?"
The next second, the camera panned to the female ballerina.
Shi Sui: "..."
With her beside him, it was extremely difficult to focus on watching the movie.
Thankfully, the girl had been very into it and did not mind his response. She even became drowsy as she ate, head bobbing up and down. It looked like she would fall to the other side of the sofa any minute——
Shi Sui quietly placed his hand on the back of the girl's neck and gently leaned her toward his shoulder.
She leaned on his shoulder, peacefully asleep with her eyes closed.
His lips formed into a smile.
Xiao Naofu's eyes widened. This felt even more shocking than the horror film being played!
This dog of a man… actually has such a gentle side to him?
This Huhu is not going to gain a new dad...bleh, a new brother, right?!!
*Translator's Note: While it means 'the kid's mom', the term is usually only used by the husband, kind of like darling or dear or wifey.