Back then, Xiaoxi couldn’t yet understand that a child as young as Xiao Keke actually couldn’t tell the difference between reality and stories.
Since her older brother said there was a Red Hood Ghost, she would believe it.
Xiaoxi didn’t bother explaining that ghosts or monsters weren’t real.
In fact, as a child herself, she didn’t know much more than her sister.
Xiaoxi just scratched her head, thought for a moment, and spoke seriously.
“It’s fine! If the Red Hood Ghost really comes, I’ll help you drive her away!”
“But, but…” Xiao Keke’s voice was filled with childish earnestness, “Isn’t the Red Hood Ghost really strong? Didn’t you say she knows Lightning Whirlwind Slash and Thunder Crescent Slash… Brother, you can’t beat her, right?”
“Who says I can’t beat her!” Xiao Keke’s words stirred up Xiaoxi’s competitive spirit. “I’m really strong too! I’m… uh… I’m the Big Grey Wolf, I can help you chase away the Red Hood Ghost!”
“But brother, wouldn’t being a Hunter be even better? The Hunter’s gun is even more powerful, right?”
“But the Big Grey Wolf is cooler! He’s so strong, and he has sharp fangs and claws—he could knock down the Red Hood Ghost with a single punch!”
Xiaoxi struck a cool pose in front of Xiao Keke.
Looking back on it now, Xiaoxi still felt a little wistful. Once upon a time, she was like most boys, longing to be cooler and mightier characters. But after growing up… Sigh, best not to mention it.
If she were to brag about how cool and tough she was in front of Ye Xinglan at night now, that little rich girl would probably laugh for ten minutes and then pin her straight down on the bed… She really wasn’t stronger than Ye Xinglan.
Xiao Keke was feeling emotional as well. Thinking about it, her big brother really was a model brother back then, even as a child, already knowing to take care of his little sister… Guess you could call this the “eighteen changes as a girl grows up.”
“Mmm…”
The young Xiao Keke nodded, seemingly accepting this setup. But after a while, she poked her head out from the blanket, a little uneasy. “Brother, will you really protect me?”
“Of course! Aren’t we family? Of course a brother has to protect his little sister.”
Xiaoxi vowed as she patted her own chest: “I’m the Big Grey Wolf, and you’re Little Red Riding Hood! No matter what danger comes, whether it’s the Red Hood Ghost or any other monster, the Big Grey Wolf will always protect Little Red Riding Hood!”
In the dark room, Xiaoxi hooked her pinky with her sister’s.
“Mm, okay! I believe you, brother. If you’re the Big Grey Wolf, then I’m Little Red Riding Hood!”
Xiao Keke naturally believed in her brother’s promise to protect her, and from that night on, she was never again afraid of ghosts or monsters.
……
“Later on, Mom bought us some new storybooks, and not long after that, Keke completely forgot about that Little Red Riding Hood story, right? Anyway, she wasn’t afraid at night anymore after that, and I didn’t have to sleep with her anymore— the little Folding Bed just sat unused after that.”
Xiaoxi shrugged. Actually, it was that simple, and it wasn’t her fault, right? She just let her imagination run wild when telling stories, that’s all.
By the way, come to think of it, isn’t that little brat’s Magical Girl code name ‘Xiaohongmao’?
The Magical Girl’s appearance is the externalization of one’s inner self, which means…
Xiaoxi secretly glanced at Xiao Keke. The latter was still fussing with those Eternal Star figures in the cabinet… Well, maybe she was just overthinking it.
After all, it was so long ago. There’s no way Keke would remember it that deeply, right?
If it hadn’t been for digging out this Folding Bed today, Xiaoxi wouldn’t normally have thought of any of this.
Just then, there was a knock at the door. A few seconds later, Su Yuening poked her head in with a cheerful smile.
“Lunch is ready~”
“Eh? So soon?”
Ye Xinglan stood up nervously.
She’d been thinking she’d finish listening to this little story and then go help out, but Xiaoxi’s story hadn’t even lasted twenty minutes, right?
Su Yuening had finished lunch that quickly?
Oh no, oh no, she’d just been playing around in the room with Xiaoxi and Keke, hadn’t even gone out to exchange a few pleasantries—she must have left a terrible impression on Su Yuening for being so clueless…
Ye Xinglan walked out of the room with these anxious thoughts.
Then she saw Su Yuening pulling takeout boxes of tomato scrambled eggs and sweet and sour ribs out of a bag.
Seeing Ye Xinglan’s surprised expression, Su Yuening explained proactively.
“Ah, there’s a good home-cooked restaurant downstairs. I just ordered their takeout so you could try it, Xinglan. Come sit.”
“I-I see, I thought you were going to cook yourself…”
“When did I ever say I was going to cook?” Su Yuening blinked playfully. “I only said I’d get lunch ready. I’m not much of a cook, so I’d be too embarrassed to serve you my food.”
Is… is that so?
Ye Xinglan’s tense mood relaxed a lot. Thankfully, Su Yuening hadn’t cooked herself, so she didn’t need to worry about leaving a bad impression anymore.
The atmosphere at the table was warm and cheerful. Ye Xinglan didn’t feel the awkward restraint of a guest at all, not until Su Yuening asked with a smile,
“By the way, Xinglan, how did you meet our Xiaoxi?”
Xiaoxi paused, her hand halfway to picking up a dish.
She knew it! Her mom was definitely going to interrogate her about dating—she’d just been waiting for a chance at the table.
“Ah, I got to know Xiaoxi because I often visited her workplace. After running into each other so much, we became familiar.”
“Yeah, Mom, we just got together a couple days ago. That’s why we came back to see you as soon as we made it official!”
Xiaoxi quickly chimed in, glad she and Ye Xinglan had already rehearsed their story.
“Oh, is that so?” Su Yuening watched with interest as Ye Xinglan, almost unconsciously, put more food into Xiaoxi’s bowl.
“You two are really close, huh? If I didn’t know better, I’d think you’d been together for ages.”
Xiao Keke tried to stuff her mouth with rice to keep from laughing. This was going to be good.
Just got together, huh? That’s funny. When she first arrived in Summersea City, these two were already living together, weren’t they? Her big sister sure could lie with a straight face.
Still, Xiao Keke had no intention of exposing her sister now for revenge.
She knew better than anyone how terrifying it was to get Mom mad—better to leave her sister a way out.
“Ahahaha… Mom, you really know how to joke! Look at you, me and Xinglan just get along well, so things moved a bit faster, that’s all.”
“I see. Well, getting along is a good thing, but I still think you two should take things slow. Too fast isn’t always good, you know.”
Su Yuening gently brushed aside Xiaoxi’s collar, revealing a few red marks on her neck.
“So tell me, Xiaoxi—what happened here?”