As evening approached in Summer End City, Xia Rou no longer had classes, so she had spent the whole day at Qin Yuanyuan’s house.
Although Qin Yuanyuan could be a stand-in for Little Orange when it came to cuddles—and maybe even cuter, since she could talk—Xia Rou still planned to return home tomorrow to spend a day with Little Orange, then come back to see Qin Yuanyuan the following day.
Today was December 28. The exams were just around the corner.
Her own would begin next weekend.
Half a year had flown by so quickly...
“Big Sis Rou, what are you thinking about?” Qin Yuanyuan, who had been quietly studying, glanced over now and then at Xia Rou.
She suddenly noticed that Xia Rou’s eyes were locked on the textbook but not moving at all—like she was completely lost in thought.
“Nothing… just thinking about the exams. Mine start next week.”
“Wow, that’s soon. Mine aren’t until the 11th.” Hearing the word exams, Qin Yuanyuan immediately lost interest in chatting and buried herself back in her notes.
Xia Rou, however, felt a pang of discomfort.
Her original goal had just been to study normally and enjoy life after school.
But just now, when she felt how fast time was slipping away, an unfamiliar sense of fear washed over her. For a moment, she felt like giving up.
Maybe there would be another exam.
Or maybe not.
“Time goes by so fast… Wuwu, I still have so much left to review… Big Sis Rou, save me…” Qin Yuanyuan flipped through her notes and saw the mountain of material left, then pitifully crawled over and slumped onto Xia Rou’s shoulder.
Hearing the soft, helpless plea, Xia Rou couldn’t help reaching out and gently petting her head.
“There, there. You’ve already worked so hard. I bet there are still people who haven’t even started yet. You’ll definitely do great, Yuanyuan. Believe in yourself.”
She tried to comfort her with the gentlest voice she could manage.
Her hand gliding over the soft hair gave her the same satisfaction as petting a kitten.
“Really?”
Qin Yuanyuan peeked up at her with sparkling eyes, looking like a happy kitten wagging its tail.
“Really, really.”
Xia Rou responded brightly.
“Then I believe you, Big Sis Rou.”
With her heart calmed, Yuanyuan returned to her seat and resumed studying with her head down.
Watching the adorable little girl, Xia Rou smiled softly.
She had made up her mind—and continued studying alongside Qin Yuanyuan.
After a while, a familiar voice came from outside the door.
“Yuanyuan, once you’re done studying, come out for dinner.”
The voice had a mature tone, tinged with warmth.
Dinner was always called by Qin Yao—not a maid.
Yesterday, Xia Rou had been pulled aside by Qin Yao after stepping out of the bathroom. At first, she was nervous, afraid of accidentally saying something that would get Qin Xue and Su Xiaoyun in trouble.
But in the end, Qin Yao had only asked how her studies were going, if she was feeling overwhelmed, and even mentioned apologizing to Qin Xue.
After the talk, she gave Xia Rou some sweet bread. At the time, Xia Rou thought maybe it was just because Qin Yuanyuan liked sweets, so they always had plenty on hand.
But she’d been surprised. So this is the "machine sister" Yuanyuan talked about?
“Did you two study properly today?”
At the dinner table, Qin Yao asked in a cold voice, as if all she cared about was schoolwork.
“We studied all day,” Qin Yuanyuan replied casually, grabbed two plates, and ran back to the bedroom.
“Hey—!”
Qin Yao called out, but it was useless.
“She’s been working hard.”
Xia Rou, still sitting at the table, spoke up to defend Qin Yuanyuan after seeing Qin Yao’s expression.
“Mm, that’s good. But what about Qin Xue?” Qin Yao immediately noticed something wrong and frowned at Xia Rou.
“...!”
“T-They’ve all been working hard,” Xia Rou stammered, quickly correcting herself.
“Mm.”
“I just worry that one day, Qin Xue will sneak off with that white-haired girl when I’m not looking. If that happens, her future will be unstable. That wouldn’t be good. I’m doing this for her own good. And if Mother finds out, it’ll be a serious problem.”
Qin Yao spoke with a blank expression, then lowered her head and continued eating in silence.
Her casual words made Xia Rou lower her head, eyes wide in shock. Cold sweat instantly rolled down her forehead.
She guessed it…
Good thing she hadn’t been discovered yet.
Qin Xue, Su Xiaoyun… I hope you’re doing okay, wherever you are.
From that moment on, Xia Rou quietly ate without saying a word, too afraid to speak.
If their escape was ever found out, the consequences might not just be separation.
Xia Rou didn’t know what would happen. She just hoped her friends could live happily each day.
...
“Mm…”
In the quiet room, Qin Xue slowly opened her eyes.
Her mind was hazy, and the darkness around her made it hard to tell where she was.
She tried to recall what had happened. She vaguely remembered being really scared earlier, but that feeling vanished instantly.
What replaced it was a deep sense of warmth and happiness.
Still groggy, she reached toward the soft sensation beside her.
“Mm?” Qin Xue’s hand landed on a small thing resting on her belly.
Her hand was a bit larger, so she easily covered the other’s hand and gently curled her fingers around it.
Cool. Small. That little paw instantly reminded her of Sister Xiaoyun.
Right—she must’ve fallen asleep leaning on Sister Xiaoyun’s shoulder.
Before that, she couldn’t sleep no matter how much she rolled around. But once Sister Xiaoyun came, it felt like her heart was full. She had dozed off the moment she leaned on her shoulder.
But why was she in bed now?
Qin Xue was a little confused. What if the person beside her wasn’t Sister Xiaoyun?
Still half-asleep, she leaned closer to the soft little body, then gently pulled the girl into her arms.
“Eh!”
That hug triggered a wave of unease. Qin Xue quickly released her and let out a small gasp.
The reason was simple—the girl’s upper body was barely clothed, and her stomach was completely bare.
Normally, Sister Xiaoyun was shy. Even when they slept together, she’d always wear proper clothes. She would never sleep like this.
This wasn’t Sister Xiaoyun!
Qin Xue’s eyes snapped open. She struggled to lift her heavy body, trying to get away—
“Wuu… Sister Xue, you’re awake…”
The rustling on the bed had woken Su Yun.
Noticing the absence of the softness she was hugging, she instinctively pulled the blanket up with her feet.
And then—
Promptly fell back asleep.
(End of Chapter)