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Chapter 171 Enemies Have Narrow Paths, Something’s Off

Xia Xinyan and Ling Mo had no idea what happened outside after they entered the house.

However, both could feel that Ling Mo didn’t seem very welcomed by Xinyan’s father.

Even though his expression didn’t change, Ling Mo couldn’t help but feel a bit uncomfortable inside.

Despite doing his homework, this was his first time experiencing such a scene. It wasn’t that he feared Xinyan’s father’s earlier display of authority; rather, he couldn’t understand what he had done wrong to upset Xinyan’s father right from the start.

He clearly wanted to make a good first impression in front of Xinyan’s family.

Xia Xinyan understood this too.

She realized that this time’s meeting with her family was different from when she came alone.

Ling Mo was now her boyfriend, making this more like a parental meeting.

Given their vastly different family backgrounds, it was almost certain he would face some difficulty.

That part she had overlooked.

Out of the corner of her eye, she glanced at Ling Mo and suddenly took his hand.

After he looked over, she smiled slightly at him: “I’m here with you.”

She would always stand by his side.

That smile instantly dispelled all the gloom in Ling Mo’s heart.

He smiled back.

Yeah… as long as she was here, that was enough.

He had anticipated the potential difficulties and troubles he might encounter, but as long as Xinyan was beside him, he wouldn’t worry about these issues.

As long as she was present.

Ling Mo adjusted his mindset and gently grasped her hand in return.

Then, the first person they met inside the house appeared.

It was a man who looked to be about the same age as Ling Mo, quite handsome, but totally different from Ling Mo—he was the type that could charm girls.

And his face had an unusual effect on Xia Xinyan.

“Little sister? You’re finally back?” The man sitting in the living room smiled as he approached, “I heard you were coming back today, so I waited for you all…”

Xia Xinyan reflexively kicked him right in the crotch: “Get lost!”

Caught completely off guard, the man crumpled to the floor, clutching himself in pain.

Ling Mo: “…”

Wow.

Xia Xinyan took a few steps back, staring suspiciously at the guy on the ground—

How did he end up here?!

Wait… this guy has the surname Xia too…

Could it be he’s one of her cousins?!

“Jincang? What’s wrong with Jincang?” A voice from behind, the voice of her mom, confirmed her guess. She hurried over to help the man up, “What happened? What’s going on?”

The man named Xia Jincang, wincing, released his grip from his painful area, feigning nonchalance: “It’s nothing… I just… haven’t seen my little sister in a long time, got a bit too excited and accidentally fell.”

“You child,” Xinyan’s mom laughed lightly, “You’re such a big person still so unsteady. Did you think Xinyan would run away? Why the rush?”

Xia Xinyan: “…”

She really wanted to run away.

Xia Jincang was one of the last people she wanted to see in her previous life.

They had formed a feud in some dungeon and from then on, every encounter basically turned into a shouting match. She couldn’t remember how many times they clashed, and neither had gained any advantage from the other, which made them dislike each other even more.

Even when the Dark Zone counterattack happened and all major powers temporarily set aside their surface conflicts, she and that guy still didn’t decide to cease fire.

This had even developed her instinctive response that whenever she saw him, she just wanted to take him down.

—At this point, it wasn’t even about the original grudge anymore; it was just about being annoyed by the other and wanting to return the annoyance.

But if she was to say how much she hated Xia Jincang, it wasn’t a whole lot.

She simply didn’t want to see him.

Not even in this lifetime.

So now, suddenly realizing this guy became her cousin… her mood was quite complex.

While Xinyan’s mom and dad focused on Xia Jincang, Ling Mo took a moment to quietly ask Xia Xinyan, “Do you really dislike that guy?”

Otherwise, why would she land such a devastating kick right upon meeting him?

It looked painful too.

Luckily, Xinyan was gentle with him; indeed… Xinyan’s attitude towards him was uniquely special.

Xia Xinyan’s lips twitched: “Not really… things are a bit complicated, you don’t need to worry.”

Saying this, she led Ling Mo to sit on the living room sofa.

At this moment, Xia Jincang looked at Xia Xinyan with a somewhat strange expression, as if he wanted to ask why. However, his appearance stirred no sense of guilt within Xia Xinyan—she only wanted him to disappear.

Xinyan’s parents didn’t notice the odd atmosphere between them— or maybe they did but chose to ignore it, after all, they understood how much these kids cherished their only sister, and knowing she had a boyfriend would surely spark some thoughts.

Just like someone who just got schooled.

So Xinyan’s parents pretended like nothing had happened and chatted with them for a while about family affairs before reminding them to rest well, then left to pick up other guests attending the banquet tomorrow.

Then, the atmosphere in the living room became awkward.

After a long time, it was Xia Jincang who broke the silence: “Little sister…”

“Don’t call me little sister.” Xia Xinyan frowned slightly, “I clearly said many times I don’t like curly hair— why do you still have it?”

Since she had already kicked him the first time, pretending nothing happened was unnecessary; now it was crucial how to rationalize her recent actions. She still couldn’t lose her current identity, so any excuse would work.

For example, this guy’s hair that looked like a chicken coop had always annoyed her.

Xia Jincang was taken aback: “Did little sister ever say that? Besides, this is natural curl…”

“Well, I’m saying it now,” Xia Xinyan didn’t give him any face, “And what does your natural curl have to do with me? I just don’t like looking at it. Either you straighten it, wear a hat, or just don’t show up in front of me.”

Xia Jincang: “…”

He felt like something was off with his sister today.

The once adorable and obedient little sister had suddenly turned into… a brat? And she didn’t even try to reason with him.

Though it was still cute.

—His sister was, after all, cute no matter what.

But it seemed like she disliked him now… after all, he used to be her favorite brother.

Could it be that his little sister had hit the rebellious phase?

…Very likely, since she used to be quite obedient. Back then, they had prepped for the various situations that might arise when she entered her rebellious phase, but until now, she hadn’t shown any signs of rebellion, which had made them a bit regretful— they never got to experience that unique stage of her life.

Now, had that stage finally arrived?!

Though maybe it was a bit late compared to others…

But finally, all those preparations they made could come in handy!

—That’s right, when facing a rebellious sister who contradicted him, the most important thing was to not contradict her ideas, which would only make her dislike him even more. Instead, he should go along with her whims, to create a sense of identification, thereby sparking a desire for closeness to him!

“Alright, I’ll straighten my hair later. Whatever you like, I’ll fulfill your wishes, little sister.”

“I like you keeping your distance from me.”

“……”

Something’s definitely off.