Chapter 87: Cherishing as a Treasure
Although it was a bit of a sting operation, I intentionally brought up this matter to make Xinran care.
On one hand, it was for information synchronization. There were subtle differences between Xinran’s and my memories, and though not significant, it was better to clarify. For instance, when it came to cooking, Xinran was the one who did it in this world, but my memory always had me as the cook.
On the other hand, I wanted to see what Xinran would do after finding out… Well, I had already changed. Would Xinran choose to maintain the status quo, or would she change like me?
“Do you really want to know?”
I didn’t reveal everything directly and chose to pique her interest first.
If she nodded this time, I would tell her. If she chose not to pursue it, I would pretend nothing was said.
The choice was hers now, Xinran. This time, I’ll let you decide.
Xinran fell silent again, her cheeks flushed from soaking in the hot spring for too long, her skin also taking on a light red hue. I felt just as uncomfortable; any longer and I’d pass out. I looked at my own body and felt like I was indistinguishable from a cooked crayfish.
Xinran, Xinran, if you still can’t decide, your brother will faint. Or… do you want me to faint?
Which one is it?
Does she want me to go back to being her “brother,” or does she want me to accept her under a different identity?
Make a choice, Xinran. We’re being frank with each other now, there’s nothing to hide. If you want to know, I’ll tell you everything I know.
Ah, thinking about it, this could be considered a confession too. In the end, things turned out as Li Nai wished, didn’t they? No, perhaps this is what Xinran wanted… Xiao An mentioned that she could also influence the direction of events.
This silence didn’t last long. Xinran finally made a move.
*Splash—*
Xinran stood up from the hot spring, her expression serious as she nodded.
“Yes, I want to know. Tell me.”
What kind of psychological process did she go through?
Her emotions were amplified beyond reason now, overshadowing her judgment. She couldn’t analyze things objectively.
“So, reaching the conclusion that she wanted to know was an emotional answer, wasn’t it?”
If so, I had to respond properly as well…
But first, I should get dressed… This situation is a bit too frankly exposed now; it doesn’t feel like the right atmosphere for a conversation.
So, I first advised Xinran.
“Put on your clothes, you’ll catch a cold like this.”
“Don’t change the subject.”
“I’m not changing the subject. I promise I’ll explain thoroughly, but you don’t want me talking to you with my face turned away, do you?”
Xinran eventually compromised and nodded, moving out of the hot spring. I also stood up, wrung out my towel, wiped myself dry, wrung it out again, and tossed it back to Xinran, as she hadn’t brought anything with her.
As I pulled on my pants, I inadvertently looked towards Xinran. Watching her sit on a rock by the hot spring, wiping her underarms, my gaze was drawn, and my actions paused.
I stared at the beautiful curve of her profile, my mind feeling hazy.
She’s truly… a stunning beauty.
I’ve developed some immunity to beautiful women, precisely because Xinran, such a high-quality beauty, has always been by my side. Otherwise, when Lianbing confessed to me back then, how could I have rationally analyzed and refused? The No. 1 campus beauty confessing to me, anyone would have happily accepted, right?
At this point, I no longer feel shy.
Is it habit, or has it become less stimulating? Perhaps both.
Lately, I actually find it better to be more covered up, because that allows for the fun of imagining what’s underneath—the fantasies. Is this an evolution in foreplay?
Why do I feel like I’m becoming more perverted and sleazy…
When Xinran finished wiping herself and was about to put on her maid outfit again, I stopped her. Ah, don’t misunderstand; I’m not a pervert who stops people from dressing. It’s just that I have another outfit I want her to wear.
I picked up the paper bag I had carried up the mountain earlier, walked around the hot spring to Xinran, and handed her the bag.
“I brought your clothes. Wear these.”
What do you think I brought for Xinran? School uniform? Swimwear? Pajamas? Bunny girl outfit? Nurse uniform? Business suit?
Haha, I’m not that cruel. This isn’t a cosplay competition, it’s just the “most suitable” outfit for Xinran.
Xinran took the bag, glanced at it, and murmured in a daze.
“This…”
“It’s your everyday homewear, right? I saw it in your closet, so I brought it. This will be more comfortable for you.”
That was the outfit Xinran wore most often at home. I saw it in her closet and decided to bring it.
Xinran’s outfit at home is simple: hot pants, camisole, and black stockings. A bit revealing, and it’s the outfit that most strongly evokes her “sister” attribute for me.
Of course, I still prefer the maid outfit, but this is better for now.
From the inside out, return to the beginning… and start anew.
Xinran pulled the black stockings up to her thighs, leaving a distinct “absolute territory” between them and her hot pants. The hem of her camisole fluttered in the breeze.
I felt a stirring in my heart, just like the time Xinran blocked my room door, preventing me from entering. I walked over and scooped up both her feet.
Xinran didn’t seem to intend to come down. She sat on the rock, looking at me, waiting for my answer.
Without even thinking, driven by instinct, I naturally said:
“In the original world, you loved me.”
…
Even upon hearing this sudden revelation, Xinran couldn’t hide the surprise on her face. She bit her lower lip, her eyes filled with a hint of panic and some shyness.
That’s the kind of emotion one has when a secret is discovered.
“I only found out about this recently. In my world, you never discovered your secret with me. I always thought you were my biological sister. KeLing and I didn’t have such a strained relationship; she acted very intimately towards both of us.”
“But, only you knew that you and I weren’t blood-related.”
“How I did it…”
“You knew about it and still pushed me towards KeLing.”
Xinran averted her gaze. She could actually imagine how ‘she’ had acted. In the end, they were the same person.
Besides, the Xinran of the new world was also considering KeLing.
“You hid your feelings and maintained a cold attitude towards me for five years, unlike the affectionate you in this world.”
“That is!”
She would sneak into my room every night. You confessed everything to me.
At that time, I couldn’t accept it at all. I only thought about the trouble that had occurred and how to avoid it.
“So, could you allow me to stay by your side for now? I promise I won’t interfere with your life…”
It turned out that statement wasn’t due to practical issues, but because she was considerate of *my* feelings that she said those words.
I looked up into Xinran’s eyes. She also turned her head to look at me, her eyes filled with hope and anticipation.
I knew what she wanted to hear right now was definitely not the truth. Even if it were fake, she wanted to hear that I accepted her.
“But I didn’t accept you. I didn’t dare to.”
Xinran’s eyes dimmed again, and her heart cracked once more, causing secondary trauma.
Hurting Xinran’s feelings again, I’m truly a terrible person.
But this time, I have to make it clear. As a proper scumbag, I must capture a girl’s heart with sweet talk, right?
Haha, although I can only say disgusting and cheesy things. And also the truth.
However, the truth will suffice.
“Actually, until Lianbing asked me, I hadn’t realized why I felt it was wrong.”
For instance, like now, us alone in the hot spring, with such a good atmosphere. All the conditions—time and place—are perfect, only “human connection” is missing.
In such an isolated environment, for others, perhaps something requiring restraint might have happened.
For example, if I were with Lan… forget entering the hot spring, we would have had several rounds of ‘battle’ before even arriving here.
And Lianbing, in this situation, I absolutely wouldn’t be able to resist.
But with me is Xinran, and I’m confident I won’t do anything.
Even if I were controlled, drugged, brainwashed, or lost my memory, I would absolutely not do anything to Xinran and… to them.
When any dangerous situation arose, my instinctive thought was always, “My family must never know.”
“Xinran and KeLing must not be involved.” “Only them.”
I’ve thought this way for a long time… When a crisis occurred, the reason my younger self was so insistent on going home was also this.
Why did this fixed idea form?
There’s no special reason. In the end, it’s just that I value them highly…
Yes, more than anything.
“Recently, I finally realized it’s because, Xinran, you are more important to me than I thought… more important than anything.”
Perhaps my emotions were amplified too… the feeling of “wanting to protect.”
“Why… You didn’t do anything wrong. You value us highly, don’t you?”
Yes, you are my precious younger sisters, so I value you highly. I want to protect you from harm, just like cherishing a precious treasure. I feel uneasy everywhere with you, always worried.
Caring for you meticulously, always thinking of you, hoping you won’t encounter any danger.
And then gradually…
“Gradually, I even dared not touch you…”
Ah, this is the truth.
I simply treated Xinran and KeLing as “precious items named ‘sisters’.”
But they aren’t items.
To not even realize this, I’m such a foolish brother.
