Wang Xiao''s eyshes fluttered gently as he awoke, feeling the soft body in his arms had been reced by a pillow. A sense of bewilderment washed over him, and he mumbled, "...Was I dreaming?"


    Silence greeted his question, and the reality of the situation began to settle in. He quickly pieced together that his earlier intimacy with Wang Xueying had been nothing more than a dream.


    However, the lingering scent in the room and the rearranged sheets were vivid reminders of what his subconscious mind had created. Wang Xiao''s expression turned stoic as he faced this truth.


    Gradually, his senses returned to him, and a familiar fragrance filled his nostrils. He took a deep breath and let out a sigh. It was then that he realized he was in Wang Xueying''s room. A faint smile crossed his lips as he muttered, "So she ran away," shaking his head in wry amusement.


    The room remained shrouded in darkness, but it was evident that Wang Xueying had chosen to leave before morning. The calendar on the wall indicated it was now the 8th of January, and the time was...


    "3:00?" Wang Xiao muttered in stunned disbelief as he rubbed his eyes. He stumbled out of bed, feeling disoriented by how long he had slept. It seemed that he had missed the entire morning. He made his way to his own room, intending to change his clothes and take a much-needed shower.


    _______


    Half an hourter, Wang Xiao was navigating the hallway when he suddenly caught the sound of voices emanating from Wang Jiarong''s room. He halted in his tracks, a frown forming on his face.


    "Someone is inside?..." he muttered to himself, uncertainty clouding his thoughts. As he observed the room, he noticed that the door was already slightly open, and an idea began to form in his mind.


    ''Just barge in, you might catch her off guard, maybe even see her naked after a bath!''


    ''A golden opportunity indeed!''


    Wang Xiao''s mind was filled with corrupt thoughts inspired by anime moments, and he couldn''t help but be influenced by them.


    With a determined smirk, he pushed the door open, though not with the intention of seeing his sister undressed but to identify who was present in her room.


    Wang Xiao carefully pushed the door open, ensuring that it didn''t creak or make any noticeable noise. As the door revealed the interior of Wang Jiarong''s room, his curiosity grew.


    Inside, he found Wang Jiarong engaged in conversation with someone he couldn''t immediately identify. Their hushed voices indicated they were discussing something private.


    Wang Jiarong, sitting on her study table, spoke in a hushed tone, "I can''t believe he actually did that, Ruyi."


    Another girl, sitting on Wang Jiarong''s bed in a casual red dress, responded, "It''s quite unexpected, isn''t it? What do you n to do about it?"


    Wang Jiarong, her expression serious, replied, "I''m not sure yet, but I have to talk to him. This situation can''t be ignored."


    "Hm?"


    Just as they continued their conversation, the room''s atmosphere changed as they sensed an intruder.


    "Wang Xiao... Is that you?"


    Both of them turned their attention towards the doorway.


    Wang Xiao stood in the doorway, a mixture of curiosity and confusion on his face. He couldn''t help but mutter, "Ruyi?"


    The girl on the bed had an resemnce to his cousin, Qian Ruixin, who he hadn''t seen in a while. Qian Ruixin, aged eighteen and one year older than Wang Jiarong. Her striking presencemanded attention. She had long, lustrous dark hair that cascaded gracefully down her back, and her bright, expressive eyes sparkled with intelligence.


    Her red dress entuated her elegant figure, and her radiant smile lit up the room.


    Wang Xiao continued to stand there, feeling slightly out of ce, as his sister and cousin exchanged looks. The conversation in the room was anything but ordinary, and he was eager to find out who was ''he'' they were talking about.


    Wang Jiarong muttered, her gaze fixed on her brother, and then she shifted it toward Qian Ruixin. Her tone wasced with a touch of sarcasm as she remarked, "So, you finally decided to wake up, huh."


    Qian Ruixin, one year older than Wang Jiarong, offered a subtle nod as her eyes appraised Wang Xiao. "It''s been a while, Wang Xiao. You''ve grown quite a bit."


    Wang Xiao nodded, still struggling toprehend the situation. "Indeed, it has been a while," he replied politely before turning to Wang Jiarong, his expression reflecting his confusion. He needed answers.


    Wang Jiarong leaned forward, offering a partial exnation, "Aunt Fang''s family arrived this morning. Everyone left for a trip to the mountains while you were sound asleep. Your food is in the fridge; go and help yourself."


    Wang Xiao''s frown deepened as he posed another question. "When will theye back?"


    "Tommor—"


    Before Wang Jiarong could answer, Qian Ruixin interjected with a mischievous smile. "Why, are you still scared to sleep alone, Wang Xiao?"


    "Scared?" Wang Xiao, caught off guard by herment, knitted his brows even further. The odd conversation and the unfamiliar presence of Aunt Fang''s family were beginning to make sense in his still groggy mind.


    Wang Jiarong interjected, "Ruyi, you don''t need to say that."


    Qian Ruixin responded with a gentle smile, "It''s okay, he''s just a kid. It''s all right if he''s a little scared to sleep alone at night."


    Wang Xiao blinked his eyes, gradually realizing that this "scared to sleep alone" story must have been concocted by his sister, Wang Xueying.


    She probably used it as an excuse to justify him sleeping in her room, but Wang Xiao wasn''t pleased about it at all.


    "Mm?"


    "Look at your angry face..." Witnessing his obvious irritation, Qian Ruixin''s eyes gleamed with interest.


    She couldn''t resist the temptation and decided to stand, sauntering over to Wang Xiao.


    She then yfully pinched his cheeks, causing Wang Xiao to nkly stare at her cleavage while secretly wondering, ''Why is it eptable for her to y with my cheeks, but not the other way around?''


    However, he decided to restrain himself, as Wang Jiarong observed their interaction helplessly.


    Eventually, Wang Xiao''s irritation took over, and he reached out to pinch Qian Ruixin''s cheeks in return.


    "Ah!?" Qian Ruixin was caught off-guard and took a step back in surprise.


    Wang Xiao spoke with a stoic face, "How does it feel now to be on the receiving end?" He then turned and left.


    "Haha..." Wang Jiarong couldn''t help butugh, while Qian Ruixin stood there, scratching her cheek where Wang Xiao had yfully pinched her.


    "That''s what you get for ying with him," Wang Jiarong remarked with an amused shake of her head.


    Qian Ruixin was left speechless, pressing her lips together in a mixture of surprise and amusement. She couldn''t quite fathom how the person who hadn''t spoken back a while ago was now yfully teasing her. Their  earlier conversation revolved around recent events, particrly those involving Wang Xiao about him stealing money and getting caught.


    Qian Ruixin was the daughter of Xin Meifang and Qian Weijun. Unlike Wang Xiao''s father, Qian Weijun was a schoolteacher, and their family''s ie only covered the basics. Qian Ruixin was their only daughter, along with an elder son, Qian Yifen.


    Xin Meifang was Xinyue Zhn''s elder sister, and both families were quite close, oftening together once a year for gatherings.