My Sister Is Acting Strange - Chapter 20 - Dream Talk

Xia Xinya was venting to Tang Huaijin, and at the end, she asked worriedly, “Do you think Yuerou might be dating someone?”

“You’re overthinking it…” Tang Huaijin assured her.

Xia Xinya ignored him, her face filled with fear as she continued to speculate, “She… she left in such a hurry, could she be meeting that guy?”

Tang Huaijin glanced at the chat window from Bai Yuerou, which was still buzzing with messages, and replied, “Uh… she definitely isn’t.”

Seeing Xia Xinya still unconvinced and complaining, Tang Huaijin grew a bit impatient. “I tell you, and you don’t believe me. So why ask?”

“Why does it matter to me? We’re good friends! Yuerou finding a boyfriend should at least go through me first, right? What if he’s a bad guy?”

Bad guy, bad girl…

That annoying déjà vu.

“Oh?” Tang Huaijin’s interest was piqued, and he initiated a voice message with a teasing tone, “Is that really all it is? Xia Xinya, first you need to understand, even though you’re good friends, you can’t control who Bai Yuerou dates. That’s her freedom. As her friend, you can only give advice, but you don’t have the right to make decisions for her, do you?”

“Secondly, even if you give advice, Bai Yuerou doesn’t have to take it. Just being a good friend isn’t enough to make decisions for her.”

After a moment of silence, Xia Xinya replied, “You jerk. Yes, I like Bai Yuerou, so what? What’s it to you?”

“Of course, it’s none of my business. That’s between you and Bai Yuerou,” Tang Huaijin chuckled softly, his eyes narrowing with meaning. “In your favorite shoujo manga, the tsundere and insincere characters usually end up as losers, don’t they?”

“…None of your business.” Xia Xinya replied coldly and then went silent.

Tang Huaijin didn’t mind, leaning against the window, feeling the cool breeze, his expression slightly lost.

A tsundere and insincere sister, pushing him away time and again, isn’t she afraid of becoming a loser?

He didn’t understand why his sister was so insincere. Having read that diary, Tang Huaijin knew she liked him.

She clearly liked him, got jealous, yet refused to be with him. This feeling of being strung along was unpleasant.

Dinner was prepared by Tang Yaoyao, and Tang Huaijin remained silent throughout, focusing on his meal.

He ate quickly, and after finishing, he sat on the sofa playing with his phone, pretending not to notice his sister’s occasional glances.

When she finished eating, Tang Huaijin got up to clear the dishes, but Tang Yaoyao reached to take the bowl from him. “Jin, go rest. I’ll do it.”

Tang Huaijin swiftly moved his hand away, avoiding her touch, and said expressionlessly, “We agreed, whoever cooks, the other washes. So I’ll do it.”

With that, he ignored his sister’s silent gaze and went to the kitchen to wash the dishes.

After dinner, Tang Huaijin was in his room reading comments. Thanks to his master-level writing skills, the quality of the last few chapters had improved dramatically, surprising his fans.

“Wow, Wo Yu’s last chapters are amazing.” Tang Huaijin’s pen name was Wo Yu.

“I started reading this as a simple story, but the last chapters changed my view of Wo Yu.”

“If Wo Yu had written like this from the start, the book’s success would have doubled.”

Some even speculated he had a ghostwriter.

“The last chapters must be ghostwritten.”

“Nonsense, who hires a ghostwriter for the final chapters? Wo Yu’s improvement is impressive, share your secrets!”

Tang Huaijin chuckled at the comments and posted a notice:

“I’m not starting a new book soon. I’m preparing to write a traditional novel, and I’ll share the title if it’s published.”

The group exploded with excitement; few authors dared to transition from web novels to traditional literature these days.

As Tang Huaijin interacted with his readers, his sister’s voice suddenly came from the door.

“Jin…”

Tang Huaijin pursed his lips, “What is it?”

“Nothing really…”

Again with this, Tang Huaijin felt a bit annoyed, “If it’s nothing, then forget it. I’m about to rest.”

Silence fell outside, and just when Tang Huaijin thought his sister had left, he heard the doorknob turn.

The doorknob turned fully, but the door didn’t open; Tang Huaijin had locked it.

“Jin, why did you lock the door?” Tang Yaoyao’s voice was tinged with panic; her brother never locked his door.

“Why can’t I lock it? Even siblings need personal space, right?” Tang Huaijin, though feeling a bit guilty, remained firm.

“Jin? Let me in, please?” Her voice was now tearful.

Even with a heart of stone, Tang Huaijin couldn’t withstand his sister’s tears. His voice softened as he walked to the door, hand on the lock, hesitating before saying, “Sis, not tonight. I really need some space. Can you let me rest?”

“Jin…” Her voice outside was a soft sob, calling his name.

Tang Huaijin was torn, not wanting to let it go but softened by her tears.

But he knew that short-term pain was better than long-term agony. While reason still held sway, he returned to his seat and put on his headphones.

The music in his ears was loud, but he could still sense his sister’s sobs, making him restless. He removed the headphones, went to the door, and opened it.

His sister was no longer there, and the living room was quiet. She must have gone to her room. Tang Huaijin felt a bit relieved, though his expression was somber, and he silently turned off the lights to sleep.

He barely slept all night, only dozing off at dawn. His sister called him for breakfast, but he was too groggy to respond.

In his sleep, he had several dreams, none of which he could remember, but they weren’t pleasant, leaving him unrested.

When he woke, he felt weak, his head heavy. He’d forgotten to take his medicine, and his cold had worsened.

During lunch, Tang Huaijin coughed occasionally. His sister watched him with concern but said nothing.

After lunch, Tang Huaijin took his medicine, feeling drowsy, and told his sister he was going to nap.

Tang Yaoyao washed the dishes and went to the bathroom to wash his clothes. She picked up his jacket from the laundry basket, glanced guiltily at his closed bedroom door, and then, like a thief, buried her face in the jacket, inhaling deeply.

Mmm, Jin’s scent…

…Wait.

This scent… it’s that vixen Xia’s scent.

Tang Yaoyao’s face darkened instantly. She put down the clothes and opened Tang Huaijin’s bedroom door.

He was asleep, his brow furrowed, looking uncomfortable.

Tang Yaoyao sat gently on the bed, her heart aching as she smoothed his brow, gazing at him.

Her soft touch seemed to stir Tang Huaijin, his lips moving as if murmuring in his sleep.

Tang Yaoyao leaned closer to hear what he was saying.

She heard him mumble a name: “Xia Xinya…”

Her face went pale, and she straightened, staring at him in disbelief, her eyes welling with tears.

She covered her mouth, crying silently, and fled the room.

After a few steps, she stopped, returned, and quietly tucked him in before leaving the house, tears streaming down her face.

The noise of the door closing made Tang Huaijin murmur again, “Xia Xinya… you’re so annoying…”