Chapter 31: A Day in the Life of Sister
At 5:30 am, the phone alarm rang only once before Zou Yameng turned it off. She instinctively reached out, wanting to hug her brother in her arms, but only felt the coldness of the blanket. She then remembered that she slept alone last night. Getting out of bed, she changed her clothes and started her morning jog. Zou Yameng always tied her long hair into a ponytail and put on her earphones, playing “Glitter & Gold” on repeat during her runs. If she slept with Lu Li, she wouldn’t want to get up early for a jog. Lu Li’s warmth and scent were far more alluring than morning exercise. As if realizing her inappropriate thoughts, she patted her cheeks lightly and muttered to herself, “Stop thinking nonsense, Zou Yameng.”
Early December was still considered early winter. Snow in the south didn’t last long. The snow that had fallen yesterday had already begun to melt this morning, making the roads damp. Zou Yameng slowed down her pace, her thoughts wandering. The moment she received Lu Li’s message yesterday, her heart was filled with ecstasy. During the days when Lu Li was trapped in Mulan City, Zou Yameng had been worried sick, unable to eat or sleep properly.
When did it start… when did her feelings for Lu Li change?
She couldn’t remember. Zou Yameng’s expression was dazed. Ever since she could remember, Lu Li had always depended on her. He would sweetly call her “Sister Yameng,” obediently listen to her lectures, and cheer her up when she was down. It seemed like those days could last forever, and their warm little family would be unbreakable.
But when two girls from Lu Li’s class came to their door, she realized that reality might have taken a wrong turn. During their conversation, Zou Yameng could clearly sense the two girls’ affection for Lu Li. It was obvious. Whenever the topic involved Lu Li, like talking about his childhood antics, they would become excited, chattering like two sparrows in early spring. But when it came to Lu Li’s current situation in Mulan City, they both fell silent, unwilling to say a word more.
When she realized this, she could clearly hear her heart shattering like glass.
A selfish little devil whispered in her heart: Lu Li was her only family, and she didn’t want any other girl to get close to him. Another selfless little angel said: She was just his sister, not his wife, and she shouldn’t have such possessive desires. Zou Yameng had the urge to call Lu Li and question him right away, but she was worried about adding to his burden, as he was already in a difficult situation. So she chose to do what a good sister should do: smile and step back.
She was just his sister… just his sister.
By the time Zou Yameng finished her morning jog, it was past seven o’clock. She quickly took a shower and was about to go wake her brother up for school when she saw the girl named An Baili standing obediently outside Lu Li’s door, holding her schoolbag. She suddenly felt superfluous, as if Lu Li’s life no longer needed her.
So she said nothing, didn’t even greet them, and rushed out the door like a fleeing hyena.
She arrived at the Chuanhai Women’s Sports School training ground in a daze. Coach Dan called her over to start training and asked with concern about her foot injury. Zou Yameng answered absentmindedly and began her training for the day. During the break, several familiar girls went to the bathroom together, arm in arm. Zhou Wen also came over and patted Zou Yameng’s head. “My dear, why the long face? Did you get dumped?”
Zou Yameng absentmindedly hummed in agreement.
Zhou Wen covered her mouth. “Is it because your brother has a girlfriend?”
Seeing that no one was around, Zou Yameng reluctantly said, “Something like that.”
“I knew it.” Zhou Wen put down her racket, wrapped her arm around Zou Yameng, and leaned her head on her shoulder. “You and your brother aren’t biologically related. If you’re feeling upset, just tell him.”
“How can I just tell him?” Best friends could talk about anything. “I, he… Sigh… You wouldn’t understand.”
“Silly Xiaomeng, it’s because you’re not taking the initiative that your precious cabbage was stolen by someone else.” Zhou Wen said with a grin. “If I had such a brother, I wouldn’t let him mess around with any random girl. Hehe, sis, I’ve been single for so long, why don’t you consider letting me be your sister-in-law?”
“Forget it, with your ability to attract dirt like a vacuum cleaner, I’m afraid Little Li’s life expectancy would be shortened.” Zou Yameng said mercilessly.
Zhou Wen blushed. “How, how can you say such a thing?”
“Isn’t that the kind of dirty talk you always use?”
“You can’t slander me like that…” Zhou Wen’s blush came and went quickly. “Yameng, let’s have a drink after school today?”
“I’m not going to a bar.”
“Come on, not a bar. We’ll buy a couple of cases of beer from the store outside the school, and I’ll go to your place to drink with you. Seeing you with such a long face makes me feel bad. A little alcohol will help. Once you’re drunk, you won’t have any worries.”
Zou Yameng was tempted. Drinking did seem like a good way to escape her heartache. She didn’t usually drink. Firstly, because Coach Dan was strict. Secondly, she didn’t like the taste. She only had a few drinks when the girls on the team got together. But could she really get drunk?
After school, Zou Yameng had already forgotten about it. It was Zhou Wen who came panting, carrying two cases of beer, insisting on going home with Zou Yameng. Zou Yameng was both amused and exasperated. She repeatedly warned Zhou Wen not to embarrass herself in front of Lu Li, not to take off her clothes after getting drunk, and not to make noise and disturb the neighbors. Zhou Wen naturally agreed to everything.
As they entered the low-rent district, Zou Yameng’s eyes widened as if she had seen something. Her lips moved, her gaze fixed, and after a long silence, she let out a sigh.
“Yameng, why are you sighing? Hey, doesn’t that person in front look like your brother?”
“That’s not Little Li.” Zou Yameng pouted.
“Why does he look so much like him? Oh my, why is he holding hands with someone…”
“I said that’s not my brother! You’re mistaken!” Zou Yameng’s voice was a bit sharp. She glared at Zhou Wen, making her shrink back and remain silent for a long time. Zou Yameng rubbed her temples and snatched a case of beer. “Sorry, I’m not in a good mood, let’s go drink.”
“Ah… okay…” Zhou Wen followed Zou Yameng hesitantly, but she couldn’t help but glance at the two figures in the distance. Was that really Lu Li?
“You’re such a big baby, still needing to hold hands.” Lu Li said with a hint of disgust. An Baili giggled and held his hand, standing on tiptoe to blow air into his ear, making Lu Li frown. “If you keep messing around, I won’t tell you the story.”
“Okay, okay~” An Baili finally behaved. “Continue about Wen Hupo. She mistook you for Chu Jingyi’s errand boy during the day, what happened next?”
“Then I asked her if she knew Lu Li.”
“Did she reveal anything?” An Baili seemed convinced that Wen Hupo was also reborn.
“She said she didn’t know him.” Lu Li suddenly blushed. “I actually believed your crazy plan and shamelessly started praising myself. I told her how great Lu Li was, boasting endlessly.
An Baili giggled. “Shameless. And then?”
“And then…”
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