Bai Yan kept his eyes closed as he listened to Ke Ruobing and Bai Qingqing whispering to each other. He had already woken up before they came in.
For some reason, though, the moment he heard Ke Ruobing’s voice, he’d instinctively closed his eyes and pretended to be asleep.
Thinking of how the young lady had fled in a panic earlier, Bai Yan couldn’t help smiling.
It wasn’t until the end-of-game chime sounded that Bai Yan slowly opened his eyes and sat up, pretending he’d just woken.
“Bingbing, in that situation, you should’ve just charged straight in. You had minions tanking the damage, so there was nothing to worry about. And remember to go back to base and buy equipment when you’ve got enough money. That’ll improve both your offense and defense.”
Bai Qingqing was reviewing their last game with Ke Ruobing, her voice full of enthusiasm.
Ke Ruobing listened attentively, nodding in agreement from time to time.
“Why don’t you play a couple more rounds? I’ll carry you in a bit… Big Brother, you’re awake?” Bai Qingqing was halfway through her sentence when she noticed Bai Yan had woken up and called out happily.
That day, Ke Ruobing wore a white T-shirt with a little bear print and black jeans. Perhaps because of the heat, she had tied her hair up in a bun, which made her look especially playful.
His little sister, meanwhile, was wearing a blue-and-white embroidered dress with a beige open-knit cardigan, giving her a relaxed and cute look.
“What are you playing?” Bai Yan walked over slowly and rested his hands on the backs of their chairs.
Ke Ruobing looked up at the sound of his voice. The surprise and delight still shining in her big eyes hadn’t had time to fade before Bai Yan caught sight of them.
Bai Yan thought to himself that, like Qingqing, this young lady seemed to enjoy playing games.
Bai Qingqing was about to answer, but then remembered how her big brother had refused to let her travel out of the province alone. Her expression darkened, and she gave a little huff. “Nothing.”
Ke Ruobing saw what happened and bit her lip, unsure how to respond.
Bai Yan rubbed his nose and thought to himself, “How does she change moods faster than the pages of a book? She was all cheerful just now, and now she’s mad again.”
As if he’d suddenly thought of something, Bai Yan pretended to sigh, his tone tinged with teasing. “Sigh. I was thinking of making it up to someone by treating her to lobster barbecue. Guess I won’t need to, after all.”
Bai Qingqing hesitated at that.
She thought of how she’d nearly emptied her wallet buying figurines, and began to waver. But then she remembered her annoying big brother’s attitude earlier and stubbornly lifted her chin, still angry.
After spending the past few days with Bai Qingqing, Ke Ruobing could more or less guess what she was thinking.
Hoping to break the stalemate, Ke Ruobing quickly offered her an opening. But since she wasn’t used to socializing, she was very direct about it.
“Qingqing, I want to eat lobster.” She tugged at Bai Qingqing’s hand.
“Pfft…”
Bai Qingqing couldn’t help laughing at that. “Bingbing, you really don’t beat around the bush.”
Ke Ruobing felt a little embarrassed and covered her flushed cheeks with both hands. “Qingqing, stop teasing me.”
Seeing that, Bai Qingqing stopped making fun of Ke Ruobing and turned to Bai Yan. “Should we ask Big Brother Xing?”
“Sure. Let’s all go.” Bai Yan didn’t mind.
“Then I’ll ask Brother Xing to come with me to buy it. Big brother, remember to transfer me the money.” Delighted by his agreement, Bai Qingqing hurried out.
For a moment, only Ke Ruobing and Bai Yan were left in the small private room, and the atmosphere suddenly turned a little awkward.
Ke Ruobing stole a glance at Bai Yan, then quickly looked away and clicked to start a game.
Bai Yan pulled Bai Qingqing’s chair over and sat down. Resting his cheek on his left hand, he quietly watched Ke Ruobing play.
Feeling the heat of his gaze on her, Ke Ruobing grew uneasy, and her gameplay became more and more erratic.
Watching Ke Ruobing’s cheeks grow redder and redder, Bai Yan couldn’t help finding it amusing. The girl really was easy to embarrass.
After Ke Ruobing made another mistake, Bai Yan finally turned his head away and stopped watching her.
When she felt his gaze move away, Ke Ruobing breathed a sigh of relief.
Bai Yan took out his phone and replied to a few messages, then leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes to rest. Listening to the keyboard as Ke Ruobing played, he gradually drifted off to sleep.
It was only when Bai Qingqing’s loud, animated voice rang out again that Bai Yan jolted awake.
Ke Ruobing looked over at the sound, too. Bai Qingqing was carrying several cans of beer, with a long-haired young man behind her carrying a big pile of lobster barbecue.
Ke Ruobing knew the man. He was the internet café attendant who had helped her rent a room that day. Without him, she didn’t know where she’d be now.
Thinking back to that day, Ke Ruobing felt she must have been out of her mind. She’d suddenly asked a stranger about renting a room—something she never would have imagined herself doing before.
Ke Ruobing pressed her lips together, unsure how to address him or thank him.
Perhaps noticing how uncomfortable she felt, Ma Xing introduced himself without waiting. “I’ll call you Bingbing, like Qingqing does, okay? I’m Ma Xing. You can call me Big Brother Xing, like Qingqing does.”
“Hello, Big Brother Xing, and thank you,” Ke Ruobing replied politely.
Ma Xing was taken aback, but quickly understood. “It was nothing.” As he spoke, he nudged Bai Yan, who had just woken up, with his foot. “Come on, give me a hand.”
Bai Yan gave an amused, helpless laugh. “You’re getting better and better at picking your moments.” Though he said that, he quickly got up and unfolded the folding table beside them.
The four of them soon set out the food. Ke Ruobing and Bai Qingqing sat on the tall computer chairs, while Ma Xing and Bai Yan sat on the slightly low sofa.
It was a bit cramped for the two men, but neither of them paid it much mind.
“Bingbing, you’re studying pharmacy in the School of Pharmacy?” Ma Xing asked casually as he peeled a lobster.
Ke Ruobing nodded. “Yes. Qingqing and I are both studying pharmacy.”
“Bingbing, Brother Xing’s studying pharmacy too, actually. He’s a classmate of my Big Brother’s.” Bai Qingqing explained this to Ke Ruobing as she ate her lobster.
“I see. Then you’re a senior.” Ke Ruobing smiled politely.
“Jianghai University doesn’t start for another month. How are you two planning to spend the rest of your vacation?” Ma Xing changed the subject and asked about their plans.
“Play games? That’s how I’ve spent the past two months, anyway.” Bai Qingqing answered without looking up, focused on peeling her lobster.
Ke Ruobing pressed her lips together and hesitated before speaking. “I’d like to find a job, preferably one I can keep after the semester starts.” Although she had the money her mother had left her, the thought of having no source of income always made her a little anxious.
At that, Bai Qingqing’s eyes lit up, and she looked at her big brother. “Then you could work at the internet café. My brother owns it.”
But Ke Ruobing shook her head. “I don’t want to impose on Big Brother Yan.”
Bai Yan raised an eyebrow but said nothing. Bai Qingqing, however, wouldn’t let it go. “Come on! I get so bored here by myself. If you worked here, I’d have someone to keep me company and talk to.”
Ke Ruobing still shook her head. Even though she wasn’t very good at socializing, she knew she shouldn’t keep imposing on other people.