"There's a variety show, but it's a big one. They've invited the bosses of several entertainment companies, and they'll be bringing their most famous actors. Sister~ I want to go too, is that okay?" Xing Yuan asked with eager anticipation.
"You want me to accompany you?" Ji Wen Yue hooked her lips, a hint of understanding flashing in her eyes.
"Mhm," Xing Yuan nodded, standing up and moving closer to her.
Xing Yuan clasped her hands together, her face full of pleading. "Sister~ We've known each other for so many years. I don't know anyone else, and besides, can you bear to let me go all alone?"
Ji Wen Yue feigned thoughtfulness. "Hmm... it's not impossible. But what about this meal?"
"I'll treat!" Xing Yuan said readily.
"Alright! Since Ah Yuan is so sincere, and you're my boss, what reason do I have to refuse? I agree."
"Yay! Sister is the best." Xing Yuan quickly leaned down and kissed Ji Wen Yue on the cheek.
The action was as casual as a close friend's embrace, but Ji Wen Yue, who was kissed, felt her cheeks grow warm.
She lowered her head, listlessly cutting her steak, her gaze vacant.
It wasn't her fault; she had been the one to harbor impure thoughts first.
She always told herself that Xing Yuan was just a younger sister from next door, and their relationship could be called that of best friends. She had always acted accordingly.
But ever since she had stolen a kiss from a sleeping Xing Yuan years ago, she knew she was doomed. She had fallen for someone she shouldn't have, and she carefully hid her feelings, terrified that they would be exposed and lead to Xing Yuan's disgust and distance.
However, all the barriers she had erected crumbled with Xing Yuan's actions, perhaps from the moment she had hugged her, or perhaps from that careless kiss just now.
Ji Wen Yue dared not look up at the bright-smiling girl opposite her, only lowering her head to eat her steak, which tasted like chewing on wax.
Xing Yuan, however, was unintentionally alluring. Seeing Ji Wen Yue burying her head in her food, she propped her chin on her hand, looking troubled.
Ji Wen Yue finally regained her composure and looked up again, only to be met unexpectedly by a pair of bright eyes.
She gently wiped a trace of sauce from the corner of Ji Wen Yue's mouth with a tissue, her tone light. "There! I've wiped it clean for you, Sister."
Ji Wen Yue let out a soft hum, her ear tips turning a shade of red.
Xing Yuan eagerly urged Ji Wen Yue to drink, but Ji Wen Yue calmly shook her head. After a long pause, she smiled. "You forgot? I have a schedule tomorrow. If I stay up too late, I won't sleep well, and drinking can lead to mistakes."
"Okay!" Xing Yuan nodded with a hint of disappointment and stood up. "Then let's go!"
The two stood on the street waiting for a car. Xing Yuan suddenly moved closer to Ji Wen Yue, hesitating. "Um, there's one more thing..."
"What is it?"
Ji Wen Yue raised her eyes in confusion. Her evening was certainly full of events! But if she could help, she wouldn't refuse to do things.
"My brother has been bothering you lately. Does it annoy you, Sister?" Xing Yuan asked indirectly, probing.
Ji Wen Yue let out a soft laugh, her smile tinged with bitterness. Xing Yuan's solicitous concern made it hard for her not to overthink things.
Still, she nodded, her expression sincere. "It is a bit."
He sent her a bunch of nonsensical messages every day, which was indeed annoying. Not only did she not like him, but he was also too young. Ji Wen Yue felt she wasn't so depraved as to bully a boy who hadn't yet grown up.
Xing Yuan's eyes instantly lit up. She looked up at Ji Wen Yue obediently, her expression incredibly cute.
She looked at her expectantly, her voice low, with a hint of hesitation and timidity. "Sister~ Can you delete him?"
Ji Wen Yue couldn't refuse Xing Yuan's puppy-like obedient and expectant gaze, and nodded uncontrollably.
Xing Yuan extended her fair hand, excitement in her eyes. "Sister, hand over your phone! I'll delete him for you."
"Don't you trust me?" Ji Wen Yue arched her brows helplessly.
"Hmph! I want to do it myself!" Xing Yuan pouted coquettishly and then snatched Ji Wen Yue's phone.
She then saw that her contact in Ji Wen Yue's phone was saved as "Neighbor Sister."
Xing Yuan angrily pointed the phone screen at Ji Wen Yue. "Sister!"
"I set that up years ago and forgot to change it," Ji Wen Yue explained with an awkward smile.
However, she thought the name was quite fitting!
It created a sense of distance, preventing her from overthinking things sometimes.
Xing Yuan huffily changed the contact name to "My Most Favorite Ah Yuan."
She then proudly showed Ji Wen Yue her new contact name. "Sister, this is the name I should have."
"Right! What's your contact name for Xing Can?"
"Neighbor Brother." Ji Wen Yue smiled awkwardly but politely. She was terrible at naming things; wasn't it normal to set a contact name that allowed her to identify someone at a glance?
But Xing Yuan clearly didn't think so.
She first changed Xing Can's contact name to "Vile Brother," then proceeded with a one-stop shop of blocking and deleting him. She even used her hacking skills to set restrictions on his account, ensuring he couldn't even add Ji Wen Yue as a friend.
Satisfied, she returned the phone, not forgetting to threaten with a sinister tone, "Sister~ You absolutely cannot change my contact name to anything else, or I'll be very angry and very sad."
Xing Yuan finally looked at Ji Wen Yue, unable to utter any more threats. She could only pout aggrievedly, her expression one of deep sorrow.
Ji Wen Yue hooked her lips at Xing Yuan's dramatic display. "Don't worry, I won't change it. But as an exchange for you looking at my phone, shouldn't Ah Yuan let Sister see what your contact name for me is?"
Xing Yuan generously took out her phone. The top of her WeChat was Ji Wen Yue, saved as "Pretty Sister."
"How is it? Am I good to you, Sister? I've always had you pinned to the top! It's a shame you don't like me as much and don't give me the same treatment." Xing Yuan's voice gradually became more plaintive.
From her perspective as a professional actress, Ji Wen Yue could tell Xing Yuan was acting. However, she still stepped forward and ruffled Xing Yuan's hair. "Okay! From now on, Sister will always pin Ah Yuan's messages to the top."
As Xing Yuan's face filled with emotion, she unhesitatingly added, "But honestly, you have no talent for acting."
"Sister!" Xing Yuan's face turned angry. "Even if my acting isn't convincing, you have to pretend it is. I'm Sister's boss!"
"Yes, yes, yes! Alright, Big Boss. The car is here! Shall your little employee help you get in?"
"Hmph! That's more like it! Big Boss won't hold Sister's previous rudeness against her!" Xing Yuan, her face full of pride, leaned into Ji Wen Yue's embrace and got into the car.