Lin Can looked at the playful Qiao Meina and gave the soft flesh on her arm a gentle pinch with a smile.
"Ow, that hurts, you're so annoying."
Lin Can laughed and said, "Don't listen to her nonsense. She's my older sister. Her best friend is my girlfriend."
Qiao Meina nodded with satisfaction at that answer. She was completely reassured now.
Time to open the scallop?
A man who openly admits he has a girlfriend in front of a girl who has a crush on him—regardless of whether he's a flirt—is definitely someone responsible.
A real man owns up to his actions.
Lin Can did have a girlfriend after all, and Sister Qingning treated him so well. There was no way he'd go around claiming to be single.
Even if I'm a scumbag, I, Lin Can, will be a righteous scumbag!
No pretending to be single just because there's another girl around—what's the point?
I've got a girlfriend, and I'm not hiding it!
Qiao Meina liked Lin Can even more now. My Can Can is pretty great. My Qingning didn't make a bad choice at all. Gotta put in a good word for him when I get back.
…
"You… have a girlfriend?" Yang Wuluo asked, unable to stop herself.
"Yeah, we started dating not too long ago."
"Oh~"
Yang Wuluo suddenly felt her heart shatter a little.
As expected, first loves are always hard to let go.
Feels like… I was just a little too late.
Sigh~
But it didn't change the good image of Lin Can in her heart.
Because all the memories she had of him were good. There was nothing bad about him. Well, if there was something, maybe… he could be a bit naughty. He really liked her legs.
If I didn't have these legs, would you still treat me this way?
She wanted to ask—but was afraid he'd answer, "Nope!" That would really hurt.
…
Yang Wuluo lifted her head and forced a smile, sincerely blessing him: "I wish you and your girlfriend the best, Lin Can."
Lin Can smiled: "And have you found someone you like?"
Yang Wuluo didn't respond. She lowered her head.
You already know the answer. Asking that is just mean.
She used to be very confident, but after failing her college entrance exam, the blow left a lasting sense of defeat. Even now, she hadn't fully regained her old confidence.
Tch~
Lin Can was suddenly pinched by Qiao Meina, who leaned over and whispered, "You're killing me. Still flirting? Don't tell me you don't know she likes you."
Of course Lin Can knew.
But he'd been too busy dealing with those four little devils to have time for Yang Wuluo.
He smiled and handed Qiao Meina's sun-protective jacket to Yang Wuluo.
"Put this on. Come on, let's get you a change of clothes."
"No, it's fine, really."
"How is it fine? You're soaked in milk tea. Can't just let strangers stare at you."
Strangers?
You already have a girlfriend. You're not a stranger?
"Let's go, stop spacing out." Lin Can pulled Qiao Meina along to the counter to pay for the two milk teas that had spilled when Yang Wuluo bumped into them.
Once outside the milk tea shop, Lin Can said, "Meina-jie, sorry for the delay. She's... a schoolmate. She's in a bit of a mess right now, so I want to help her get some new clothes. It's not a good look otherwise. Hope you don't mind?"
Qiao Meina felt warm inside—she liked how Lin Can cared about people around him, and how he took the time to explain things to her.
"A girl in that situation would feel pretty awkward. I understand."
"My Meina-jie is the best—so understanding."
"Cut the flattery. And tone it down with the flirting."
"OK."
Soon, Yang Wuluo came out, and the three of them headed to a nearby Anta store. Qiao Meina helped her pick out a set of women's sportswear.
Dressed in athletic wear now, Yang Wuluo's curves were perfectly outlined. She looked amazing.
What can you say? A 170cm tall girl with good proportions looks good in anything.
"Nice. Looks great. Let's go with this set."
"Lin Can, I don't have enough money on WeChat. Can I pay you back tomorrow?"
"I told you, no need. We're classmates."
"No. I have to pay you back. You're you, I'm me!"
"If you insist—fine, pay me back now then."
"I… I don't have any money right now."
"Then that's not my problem. Figure out another way to make it up to me."
"Another way?" Yang Wuluo saw Lin Can's eyes sweep across her body and her heart tightened. Absolutely not. No way.
Not for 400 yuan. I'm not selling myself for that.
Besides, you already have a girlfriend.
"How about I treat you both to food?"
"That works too."
"There's a new food street over by Langqiao. I've been before—lots of great stuff."
Yang Wuluo turned and flipped her ponytail confidently, walking ahead with purpose.
When Lin Can turned his head, he saw Qiao Meina deep in thought.
"What are you thinking about?"
Qiao Meina scratched her head. "That sounded really familiar. I think I've heard it before."
"Did you say something like that to me before, Can Can? Like, 'pay me back another way'?"
"You're imagining things."
No way he was going to admit to stealing her first kiss.
After all, even if she'd personally helped Mr. Ji last night, Qiao Meina still refused to kiss Lin Can.
She kept saying "That was my first kiss!" and Lin Can just kept laughing to himself. First kiss, my ass. You already gave that to me ages ago.
"I'm pretty sure you did. I vaguely remember—it was in the RV. I was drunk. You carried me to bed, and I said I'd pay you back for the dress, and you told me to make it up in some other way?"
"You must be remembering wrong. Come on, I'll take you shopping."
Qiao Meina let out an "Oh~" but kept mulling it over. She was sure Lin Can had tricked her into giving something in return that night. But what? She couldn't remember. Give me time, I'll figure it out.
Lin Can held her hand as they walked through the pedestrian street. Qiao Meina kept scratching her head, not watching the road—she didn't need to. Can Can was with her.
But still—Ugh! So frustrating! I can't remember! Every time I picture him carrying me to the bed, my memory just cuts out!
So annoying!
…
Langqiao.
The three of them snacked and wandered. Lin Can said, "Langqiao is a commercial street built in a traditional style, right next to Anyang Park. Now it's all old-school architecture—pavilions, towers, and such. Our school used to love coming here for outings."
"Exactly. I remember in second year of high school, we came here once and you helped me…" Yang Wuluo started recalling a distant memory but stopped herself mid-sentence, then quickly walked ahead, head down, munching on her snacks.
Qiao Meina laughed, fed Lin Can a spicy potato skewer, and said, "I like you~ After I leave today, you'll have your chance to chase her."
"What are you talking about? Am I that kind of guy?"
"Pfft~" Qiao Meina walked ahead. "By the way, Yang, what university did you get into?"
"Ninghai Normal University."
"Teacher college, huh?"
"Yeah, I like the school atmosphere."
"Teachers are good—steady and grounded."
A proper, decent girl, Qiao Meina thought. I sincerely wish she doesn't run into some heartless guy.
The three of them chatted as they strolled down Langqiao.
Drip-drip—
It was plum rain season. A heavy downpour started.
They covered their heads and ran into a small nearby pavilion to take shelter.
"So much rain in Yang'an! I've been here two days, and it's rained both days. So annoying."
"Alright, quit complaining."
The rain got heavier, and more people crowded into the pavilion.
The trio moved back to the edge near the pillars.
After another minute or two, the pavilion was packed. Lin Can braced himself against both railings, shielding the two girls in the middle.
It was hot and stuffy.
Lin Can looked at the adorable Yang Wuluo on his left, then the sexy Qiao Meina on his right.
Is cuteness no match for sexiness?
Lin Can didn't think so.
This isn't a "choose one" question—only kids make those.
That chubby guy behind him muttered, "What can I do? The people behind me are pushing too."
Lin Can leaned close to Yang Wuluo and whispered, "Wuluo, hang in there. This is 'an act of God.' I've got no control over it. You get that, right?"
"I…" Yang Wuluo bit her lip and looked toward Qiao Meina for help.
Look at your little brother, what's he doing~
Big sis's version of "an act of God."
Qiao Meina glanced down. Not on my watch, mister.
She pushed forward and pulled Yang Wuluo behind her on the right, placing herself between her and Lin Can, arms wrapping around his waist for balance.
Tch—
Lin Can suddenly felt a sharp pain on his foot—Qiao Meina had stepped on him with her heel.
The two whispered fiercely:
"Why'd you step on me?"
"I remembered something."
"Remembered what?"
"You tricked me into my first kiss."
"Shhh! Keep your voice down!"
"What, scared now? Can't face what you did?"
"I was joking at the time! Didn't expect you'd actually go for it!"
"I was drunk, okay? Of course I had guts then. You little punk, using those cheap tricks on your big sis—shameless! I'm gonna tell Qingning!"
"No no no, don't!"
"I won't if… My lipstick got smudged from all the snacks. You reapply it for me, and I'll forgive you."
Pavilion time during a rainstorm—super boring. Big sisters are pros at creating entertainment.
Lin Can freed a hand and lifted his leg onto the railing to shield both girls better.
He picked up the lipstick.
"Pucker up."
Qiao Meina leaned on his arm, lips puckered.
Lin Can leaned in, carefully applying it bit by bit.
"Meina-jie, your lips are just the right shape."
"Right shape for what?"
"Mr. Ji."
STOMP!
Lin Can's foot hurt.
…
A moment later.
"Is it done?"
"Almost… Done. Not bad."
"Let me see."
Qiao Meina checked with her phone. Her face dropped. "So ugly. I don't want it. Wipe it off."
"Come on, it's fine. I can't use both hands right now."
"No way. I want it off now. I don't care!"
"You…"
Totally unreasonable, out of nowhere.
"Wipe it or not!"
"Alright, alright! I'll wipe it, okay?"
"Good."
Qiao Meina continued leaning on his shoulder, eyes closed, waiting for him to wipe her lipstick off.
Soon, she felt his lips press against hers. She opened her eyes slightly, looked at him, didn't resist, and murmured as their lips met, "So this is how you wipe lipstick for your sister?"
Just know: when a cool older girl takes the lead, it's often a trap in disguise.
If you get it, you win.
If you don't, you're no fun.
"It's the only way I know."
"I don't like it."
Punch.
Then she closed her eyes again and hugged Lin Can, letting him slowly "wipe off" her lipstick.
Honestly, it's normal for young people to lose control sometimes. After all, they'd been holding back ever since yesterday, and this was summer—the season of dopamine overload.
Qiao Meina was just enjoying the moment. She didn't have any other intentions. After all, their dynamic with Lin Can was different—they had lived together in the RV, walked around in pajamas, carried each other to bed, even roughhoused on the bed… Over time, things had naturally escalated—maybe a little shameless.
Right now, kissing with eyes closed, Lin Can wrapped an arm around her waist.
Her waist was soft. So slim.
But… why was she so tense?
He could feel her body tremble when he touched her waist, muscles tightening.
What's going on?
That's not right…
Huff—
Yang Wuluo looked down at the big hand resting on her body, then lifted her head, biting her lip—so embarrassed.
Lin Can, your sister is right there! What are your hands doing? You're the worst! Wuwuwu~