Episode 1: Will the moment of reunion make you cry? Part 4
“I knew it, this is the only way to get you energized again.”
“Don’t say that, it makes it sound like I have a sister complex.”
“Don’t you?”
I thought about it and realized it was true, so I honestly nodded in agreement.
“I do.”
“You… you knew that answer would make me uncomfortable, and yet you still answered that way?”
“I’d rather not lie to you.”
“If I hadn’t known your personality so well beforehand, I would have been completely smitten by your words.”
I wiped my nose, not feeling like I had said anything particularly special.
Rather than hiding things and causing an explosion at a crucial moment, making things more miserable than death, it’s better to detonate from the start.
Anyway, I don’t like lying.
Of course, this has a lot to do with the fact that in the past, I couldn’t lie at all and was seen through the moment I opened my mouth.
But after so long, I’m not as straightforward as I used to be; I can put on a poker face.
However, the habit of speaking my mind and saying things directly is something I can’t change.
“No wonder Zi’ai An often teases you about your favorite strawberries.”
The moment I heard the phrase “strawberries,” I felt cold sweat break out all over my body.
Because I couldn’t find any reason to refute it.
Yes, I am already one of the severe patients of German orthopedics.
And possibly one that cannot be cured.
“Please don’t mention that word… it’s too scary. Although I really like Xinran and Keling, I really haven’t gotten into *that* kind of relationship with them… and Keling and I haven’t done anything out of line…”
“Okay, okay, I get it. We won’t mention it anymore. You look so miserable.”
“No, it’s just that… I really feel like I did the stupidest thing in the world.”
Although it felt good at the time, after sobering up, I felt like I had done the most idiotic thing in the world.
And then, I had no intention of repenting, and even wanted to do it again.
And then felt self-loathing for having such thoughts.
“How are you getting along with them? It must be strange for them, who have memories, to suddenly have me replaced by you.”
Since Xinran and Keling still remember me, they would definitely be confused and resistant to Jiuyuan appearing in their home.
After all, Xinran and Keling’s last memories were interrupted; they don’t know what happened afterward.
It’s obvious that there must be conflict between Jiuyuan, Xinran, and Keling, and they are even diametrically opposed.
“I’ve already explained.”
“Do they believe your story?”
Jiuyuan fell silent, then gently shook her head.
As expected, they don’t believe me.
I guessed it would be like this.
In fact, from the room arrangements just now, it was clear that Keling had even run off to live with Xinran.
This shows their suspicion and rejection towards ‘An Jiuyuan,’ who suddenly appeared.
“They don’t believe me because they haven’t seen… and gradually, even I started to doubt myself, doubting if you are just a character in my mind, if this person Juncheng An doesn’t even exist…”
“I’ve kept you waiting. Now that I’m here, you don’t have to worry anymore.”
“…”
She rested her head on my shoulder and whispered softly with her eyes closed.
And I continued to ask.
“Did they do anything excessive to you?”
“No, they aren’t that kind of person. I know, I’ve contacted and investigated the souls of both Xinran and Keling, so I understand them and don’t dislike them. You don’t have to worry about that.”
“I know you don’t dislike them. I want to know if they dislike you. Do you know how they feel about you?”
“I don’t know… I can’t casually browse other people’s souls like I used to and know their innermost thoughts. So I don’t know how Xinran and Keling see me.”
“Is that so? Then how do they treat you?”
“Xinran is okay; she doesn’t show any disgust, but she is also very indifferent to me, like she’s treating a stranger. As for Keling… she barely interacts with me. If we happen to meet, she immediately avoids me. She also avoids me during meal times and bathing times. She unhesitatingly abandoned her own room and moved all her belongings into Xinran’s room, even though Xinran’s room isn’t very big. I’ve always wanted to offer to live in the attic and let her have her room back, but because she always avoids me, there’s no… opportunity.”
“I see…”
After listening to Jiuyuan’s long explanation, it seems that the relationship between the three of them is still very strained.
This is not the family affection I want Jiuyuan to experience.
It looks like I really need to meet Xinran and Keling. As members of the An family, we need to sit down and have a good talk.
The moment this thought crossed my mind, I sensitively heard sounds from downstairs.
Inserting the key, turning it, opening the door, walking in and taking off shoes. Judging by the footsteps, there should be two people.
I had locked the main door, so it shouldn’t be robbers. That means someone is home.
It’s eight in the morning. At this time… who could it be?
Mom and Dad?
They must be back from their night shift. Uh, should I go greet them… No, they wouldn’t remember me now. They’d mistake me for Jiuyuan’s boyfriend, and a rather improper one at that.
Dad is very protective of his children. If he mistakes me for a pig-headed guy who’s taken advantage of his daughter, he’ll probably pull out a scalpel without a second thought.
So, it’s best not to meet them here. Perhaps another time…
The footsteps grew closer and ascended the stairs. This time, even Jiuyuan heard them.
“It sounds like someone’s home. It must be Dad and Mom,” I thought. But if it were Mom and Dad, why would they come up to the second floor? They should know that the women are at school and there’s no one home.
Thump thump thump.
Were they knocking?!
I reacted instantly. Without a word, I picked up Jiuyuan and rushed to the closet, opened it, and hid inside, covering Jiuyuan’s mouth to keep her from making any noise while I held my breath.
The door was opened.
Then, I slowly released the hand covering Jiuyuan’s mouth. She, of course, smartly knew to hide well and leaned close to me to whisper.
“Why are we hiding?”
“Uh, I don’t know. it just happened…”
Yeah, why are we hiding?
It’s not like we’re doing anything shameful… Isn’t this making it seem like we’re up to no good?
This is bad, this is really bad. If we’re caught now…
Wait, was that a knock just now?
A knock implies ‘knowing someone is inside.’ But if it were Mom and Dad, they would definitely know that ‘no one is home right now.’
Then who could it be? Someone who knows Jiuyuan is back… Do I even need to think about it?
“She’s not here… did she not come back?”
Yes, this voice…
It’s Xinran.
It wasn’t Mom and Dad who returned, but Xinran and Keling.
“No, she must have returned. Her classmate said she forgot her swimsuit and went home to get it.”
They came back, definitely to find Jiuyuan.
If we’re discovered now… thinking about that, it feels a bit ominous.
I swallowed the saliva in my mouth, trying to distract myself, to stop thinking about it, otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to control my hands.
So, I concentrated on listening to the sounds outside.
“Maybe she’s already gone back to school. We just missed her.”
“No way, there’s only one route. It doesn’t make sense that we missed her.”
“So, she hasn’t returned yet?”
“I saw shoes at the entrance just now… and a pair of someone else’s shoes.”
“Are you saying…”
“Anyway, since she’s back to get her swimsuit, we’ll know if the swimsuit in the closet is still there.”
Oh, this is bad, they’re coming this way!
The worst possible outcome… Ah, please don’t come here.
I imagine Jiuyuan is also praying like this right now.
They walked closer, step by excruciating step. The light filtering through the tiny gap was blocked, and undoubtedly, they were now standing in front of the closet.
At this moment!
Nothing happened.
Unfortunately, no unexpected factors occurred.
The closet door was unceremoniously pulled open.
We’re going to be discovered…
The moment the light from outside shone into the dark closet, only one thought flashed through my mind.
I’m finished.
“Having fun… Brother.”
“Having fun, are we? Let me see.”
Ah… This is simply the worst reunion ever…
