Chapter 135: Do What You Wish

Upon hearing this, Lin Xi frowned.

"Me and Third Brother?"

"Exactly." Cheng Si stopped beating around the bush and said bluntly, "Second Brother is such a sharp guy; he’s bound to have noticed something."

"Isn't that perfectly normal?"

"..." Lin Xi remained silent for a few seconds. "There’s really nothing going on between Third Brother and me, is there?"

At least, for now, there wasn't.

Hearing this, the corner of Cheng Si’s mouth twitched slightly. He turned his body to face her, looking as if he were about to deliver a lecture. "You really have no idea, do you?"

"Setting aside other times, just look at the last two days—how many times have you and Third Brother been caught doing little things on the sly?"

"Don't tell me you actually think your brothers are blind and don't see anything?"

"I won't even mention the rest, but I saw you two secretly holding hands just now, and I saw it perfectly clearly. I don't know if Second Brother saw it or not."

Regardless, he had seen it.

Lin Xi: "..."

"Tell me, little sister, have you started to have feelings for Third Brother?" Cheng Si rested his head on one hand, looking like a gossipmonger who loved nothing more than stirring up trouble.

"I feel like ever since you and Third Brother moved in together, the atmosphere between you two has changed."

Cheng Si didn't know how Lin Xi felt about it, but to the bystanders, it didn't feel as awkward as it used to be.

Especially lately, it seemed not only was it no longer awkward, but it was also… romantic?

However, that was a word Cheng Si only dared to think in his heart; he didn't dare say it aloud.

Lin Xi tugged at the corner of her mouth. "I don't know how to put it."

In the past, whenever she was asked similar questions, she would definitely have deflected. But today…

Hearing this, Cheng Si sensed a hint of something and became instantly excited. "It's okay, it's okay! Just say whatever you want, and your brother will help you analyze it properly!"

He was a curious person who loved nothing more than a good scoop.

"Why would I tell you?" Unfortunately, Lin Xi had learned her lesson and turned her head away, ignoring him.

"..." Cheng Si choked. "The past is the past, and now is now. You have to give your brother a chance to turn over a new leaf, right?"

Seeing her remain unmoved, Cheng Si had no choice but to say, "How about this? I swear, I’ll swear, okay?!"

He was just saying it casually, and given Lin Xi’s personality, he didn't expect her to actually make him swear.

Who would have thought that in the next second, she would look away slightly and reply calmly, "Fine."

Cheng Si’s mouth twitched.

For the sake of the gossip, Cheng Si finally took a serious vow. "Then, if I let it slip, may I end up alone for the rest of my life!"

Lin Xi nodded. "That works."

"Hurry, hurry," Cheng Si said, dropping his hands. "What are you really thinking?"

Lin Xi’s mind was just too hard to fathom. He had guessed back and forth, but nothing felt right. He could only try asking her directly.

"It’s nothing much." Lin Xi paused, deliberating before saying, "Let nature take its course."

"..." Cheng Si: "I took a poisonous oath, and that’s all you have for me?"

Four words—"let nature take its course"—and she wanted to brush him off? How could that be?!

"You were the one who insisted on asking," Lin Xi curled her lips. "I warned you from the start."

Since she wouldn't say more, Cheng Si had to ask, "So, by 'letting nature take its course,' you mean that if you do end up having even the slightest feeling for Third Brother in the future, you would choose to accept it, right?"

Lin Xi looked into his eyes, nodded, and then shook her head.

"What does that mean?" Cheng Si felt like she was toying with him.

"I mean, I would choose to accept it, but probably not immediately."

"Why?"

"I can't tell you that," Lin Xi said. "You already know enough."

"If I told you any more, I fear that with your personality, you’d risk ending up alone for the rest of your life just to spill the beans to everyone else."

Cheng Si: "..."

He couldn't help but give a thumbs up. "You really are a great sister."

"Just a little hint! If you don't tell me, I really won't be able to sleep tonight!" Cheng Si began to pester her.

Usually, when he used this tactic, Lin Xi couldn't handle it. But this time, she ultimately remained silent.

Seeing that he couldn't get anything more out of her, Cheng Si backed off.

He hadn't walked away empty-handed, though. At the very least, he knew that the first line of defense in Lin Xi’s heart had been breached. Once that defense was down, the rest would just be a matter of time.

She was already trying to maintain a normal relationship with Qin Yu. That was a significant step forward.

However, the question remained: should he tell Qin Yu this news?

If he told him, what if he really did end up alone for the rest of his life? But if he didn't tell him, that wasn't his style either.

The reason Lin Xi didn't finish her thought was that she had guessed Cheng Si wouldn't keep it a secret. That mouth of his could keep a tight seal against others, but when it came to Qin Yu… that was hard to say.

The two of them had been close since childhood, and they had no secrets between them.

—

On the way back, Lin Xi drove.

When they heard she was going to drive, Second Brother hesitated and said tactfully, "How about I do it? I haven't driven since I got back to the capital."

Lin Xi shook her head. "I haven't driven much either, but I want to try."

Afraid that Second Brother would stop her, she instinctively added, "Third Brother promised me this morning."

"..."

In an instant, the focus shifted to Qin Yu.

The gazes of the other three landed on him simultaneously. Qin Yu looked back calmly. "Yes, I agreed. Is there a problem?"

Zhou Jingheng said nothing.

Cheng Si walked to his side and whispered a reminder, "Third Brother, have you forgotten what happened before? Are you sure Lin Xi can drive?"

"She has her license. Why shouldn't she be able to drive?"

With that, Cheng Si had nothing more to say.

In the end, there was no other choice; Bai Xu and Second Brother led the way in one car, while Cheng Si brought up the rear.

Seeing this, Lin Xi sighed helplessly, trapped in the middle of their overprotective bubble.

But fortunately, she was actually driving.

The others had too many reservations, fearing she still had trauma from the car accident years ago. They were doing it for her own good.

To be honest, she was a bit nervous when she first touched the steering wheel. After driving for a few minutes, Qin Yu put on some music.

With him chatting with her casually, she eventually relaxed. The rest of the drive became smoother, and she no longer felt weighed down.

"Third Brother."

"Hmm?" The man in the passenger seat responded.

Lin Xi gripped the steering wheel tightly. She hesitated for a moment before asking, "Can I overtake?"

She didn't dare to act rashly on her own, instinctively seeking Qin Yu’s opinion.

It looked like a question, but given her personality, once she had asked it, she was going to do it regardless. Even if Qin Yu said no, he wouldn't be able to stop her.

His peripheral vision swept over her hands; he could tell she was excited.

Qin Yu looked at the road ahead and ultimately chose to let go. "You don't need to ask me. Do what you want to do."