572 Then I’ll Take It Off
Jiang Huai turned his head, his gaze intently fixed on Jiang Ning’s face.
Alright, perhaps in the past, he didn’t understand what a love-filled look was. Maybe now, after everything he’s been through, he gets it. But the moment he sees Jiang Ning’s face, all that affection quietly melts away, leaving only a gentle, doting warmth in his eyes. Jiang Ning stared at him unblinkingly for several seconds, her delicate pink lips slightly pouted.
“I’ll barely count that as a pass,” she said, leaning in closer. Her fair, tender cheek pressed against his as she snapped a few more photos, until Jiang Huai reminded her, “The ice cream’s about to melt.”
Only then did Jiang Ning pick up her spoon and start scooping the ice cream—though the first spoonful went straight into Jiang Huai’s mouth.
Jiang Huai looked at the spoon in front of her, then picked up his own. “I have my own spoon.”
“You嫌弃 me?”
“No, it’s just more hygienic.”
“You嫌弃 me?!” Jiang Ning immediately wriggled into his arms, raising her voice just a little. “Brother-in-law, brother-in-law, if Sister finds out you secretly took me out for ice cream, she won’t get mad, right?”
“Stop!” Jiang Huai obediently took the spoonful of ice cream into his mouth.
Jiang Ning was a little troublemaker. Jiang Huai often suspected this was some kind of obedience test of hers. Ever since they were kids, she’d loved making a fuss over him—unfinished milk tea, half-eaten apples, she’d push them all toward him with big, pleading eyes. If he so much as frowned, she’d stare at him with such pitiful委屈 that, over time, he’d grown used to it. Now, he quietly took small spoonfuls of ice cream.
The ice cream was确实 delicious.
After a few bites, Jiang Huai stopped eating, his mind drifting back to the question: if this was his Tribulation of Inner Demon, then what exactly was his inner demon?
Humans aren’t always capable of fully understanding themselves. The most self-serving of creatures, when trying to deceive themselves, are often the last to realize it.
“Want another one?”
After they finished the ice cream on the table, Jiang Huai asked softly. Jiang Ning’s eyes instantly sparkled as she nodded eagerly. So, Jiang Huai ordered another one. When the second serving arrived, Jiang Ning opened her pink lips slightly, looking at him expectantly. “Ah…”
“Are you really that bored?” Jiang Huai sighed, bringing the spoon to her lips. Jiang Ning happily took a bite, then fed him a spoonful in return before opening her mouth again.
The two of them took turns feeding each other like this until Jiang Huai’s skin practically crawled. But Jiang Ning seemed to be enjoying herself immensely. Finally, Jiang Huai couldn’t take it anymore. “You’re so childish!”
“Tsk.” Jiang Ning shook her head with a sigh. “You just don’t get it, Brother. If I don’t teach you how to哄 women, you’ll probably never find a wife in this lifetime.”
“Hah! If I can’t find a wife, there’s always Gentle Catgirl.”
“Then go spend your life with your Gentle Catgirl!” Jiang Ning puffed up her cheeks, but after a moment, she blinked at him mischievously. “Or is it because I’m the one who gave her to you, so…”
Jiang Huai raised his hand, but Jiang Ning was already shielding her head in defense. When she realized he was just bluffing, she stuck out her pink tongue and muttered, “I’m just关心 your mental health. You’ve been so withdrawn lately—I’m worried you’ll get depressed. That’s why I have to tease you more.”
“How am I withdrawn?”
“In high school psychology class, they said people who do manual labor, are socially isolated, and have no社交活动 are the most prone to depression.”
“…So you’re saying I should go find a girlfriend?”
“Yes! Want me to introduce you to my bestie? You’ve met her before—the one who could rest her chest on the table?”
“Really?”
The moment Jiang Huai showed the slightest interest, Jiang Ning let out a cold laugh and lifted her chin. “In your dreams!”
“Knew you weren’t that nice.” Jiang Huai sighed helplessly, quietly eating another spoonful of ice cream. After they finished, he asked softly, “Want to walk around the mall? Maybe buy some clothes?”
“Everything here’s way too expensive. I’ll just shop online,” Jiang Ning said, shaking her head. But then she blinked again. “Though trying stuff on is free. Let’s look around.”
So Jiang Huai accompanied her as she tried on clothes. Jiang Ning had a tall, slender figure with just the right amount of curves—a perfect clothes hanger. After trying on several outfits, Jiang Huai noticed her eyes lingering on a particular dress, but the moment she saw the price tag, she quietly stuck out her tongue and put it back.
While she was in the restroom, Jiang Huai bought the dress. When Jiang Ning came skipping back, she saw the bag in his hand and tilted her head. “Huh?”
“The black dress,” he explained.
“It’s so expensive! Over a thousand!”
“You’re in college now. You should have at least one nice outfit, right?” Jiang Huai scratched his head. Jiang Ning puffed her cheeks. “Pfft, I’m not that vain. Even in just a T-shirt and jeans, I’d still look better than them. That’s what gives me confidence. Come on, let’s return it.”
“It’s fine.”
“I’ll go return it, okay? Leave it to me?”
“I said it’s fine.”
“Tch… so stubborn.” Jiang Ning finally gave up and wrapped her arms around his, pressing close. Her soft chest brushed against his arm, and when Jiang Huai tried to pull away, she held on tighter. He frowned. “Why are you clinging so tight?”
“You act like you嫌弃 me all the time, but deep down, you still spoil me, don’t you? Tsundere!”
“How am I supposed to walk like this?”
“Just like this. It’s fine, brother-in-law. Doesn’t Sister hug you like this all the time?”
Passersby occasionally glanced their way. Jiang Huai shot her an annoyed look but stopped resisting, letting her cling to him as they continued browsing. After a long while, Jiang Huai, who had little interest in shopping, was exhausted, while Jiang Ning was still full of energy. They spent nearly the entire day at the mall before riding their electric scooter home. That night, they each had a bowl of Lanzhou beef noodles with a fried egg and chili pepper.
Back home, Jiang Huai collapsed onto the bed, completely drained, while Jiang Ning headed to the bathroom. The sound of her humming drifted out. When she emerged later, she was wearing a white spaghetti-strap nightgown that revealed her delicate collarbone and a hint of cleavage. The straps hung loosely, and Jiang Huai glanced briefly before getting up to shower.
As he passed, Jiang Ning, sprawled on the lounge chair, called out, “Brother, I’m so tired from all that walking.”
“And?”
“After your shower, can you wash my underwear too…?”
“I’ll kill you.”
“Hehe.”
Jiang Huai turned on the shower and stared at his reflection in the mirror, pinching his cheek hard. It hurt like hell. After the whole day, he still hadn’t figured out how to break free from the Tribulation of Inner Demon. But strangely, he wasn’t in a hurry. Even if he did break through, he’d have to face Lin Qing. Maybe staying in this illusion a little longer wasn’t so bad.
With a sigh, he finished showering, filled a basin with water, and started scrubbing Jiang Ning’s underwear with detergent before hanging them to dry on the balcony.
When he returned, Jiang Ning was already lying on his bed, scrolling through her phone. Jiang Huai glared. “You’re on my bed again?”
“I can’t sleep. I’ll go back when I’m tired.”
She shifted slightly, making room for him. The bed wasn’t big, so with both of them lying there, it felt cramped. Jiang Ning habitually draped one leg over him. Jiang Huai pushed it off, but she just put it back. After a few rounds, he gave up.
Jiang Ning naturally rested her head on his chest, watching anime on her phone. Jiang Huai could smell the faint scent of her shower gel. He glanced down at her hair.
Time seemed to stretch endlessly. None of the grand events of his past life had happened yet. Right now, he wasn’t Jiang Huai, the Saint Son of the Tian Xuan Sect—just an ordinary guy in the city, busy with daily life. But he had a beautiful,可爱 younger sister by his side. Even if she loved teasing him, she was懂事 and聪明.
The only regret of this life was dying unexpectedly and leaving her behind. But even if this was just an illusion, how could he make up for it? He forced those thoughts away, focusing instead on the girl beside him.
That’s when he noticed Jiang Ning had shifted again, now lying sideways next to him. From his angle, the loose neckline of her nightgown revealed a generous expanse of雪白 skin, even the faintest hint of pink.
He quickly turned away, tugging her ear. “Don’t lie like that…”
“Why?” Jiang Ning blinked, then followed his gaze. Realizing what he meant, she sat up obediently, adjusting her straps. “Oh… did you… see?”
“N-no! It’s just not good to lie like that, okay?”
“Why are you so shy? If you saw, just admit it…” Jiang Ning rolled her eyes. “It’s not a big deal. You’re always overreacting.”
“Me? Overreacting?”
“I know you. Even if I stood naked in front of you, you’d just yell at me to put clothes on. You’re the safest man in the world. Only someone with邪念 would see something like this and let their mind wander. If you’re innocent, you’ve got nothing to fear. Admit it—are you心虚?!”
She poked his nose with her finger. Jiang Huai swatted it away. “Why would I be心虚?”
“Really not?”
“Not at all.”
“Then I’ll take it off. Hah!” With that, Jiang Ning grabbed the straps of her nightgown and tugged, revealing her porcelain-smooth shoulders. Jiang Huai immediately covered his eyes. A few seconds later, her laughter rang in his ears. When he lowered his hands, she was sprawled on the bed, laughing so hard tears nearly spilled out.
Jiang Huai decided it was time to teach her a lesson.
