My Sister Is Acting Strange - Chapter 21 - What Are You Afraid Of?

When Tang Huaijin woke up, it was already past 6 PM. The sky outside had darkened, and the faint glow of twilight was fading. Shaking off the lingering grogginess in his head, he pushed open the door to his bedroom, only to find the house shrouded in darkness. Not a single light was on.

He knocked on Tang Yaoyao’s bedroom door. No response. Pushing it open, he realized she wasn’t home.

Sliding into his slippers, he walked to the living room. The curtains on the balcony weren’t drawn, and the dim light from the streetlamps outside seeped faintly through the windows.

The silence around him was almost oppressive. Standing alone in the dimly lit living room, Tang Huaijin felt a strange sense of disconnection from the world, as if he were a solitary island adrift in an endless sea.

A wave of loneliness and loss crept over him, unbidden.

He pulled out his phone and sent a message to his sister: “Where are you?”

Minutes passed. No reply.

He dialed her number. The phone rang for a while before it was finally answered.

A hoarse voice came through the line. “Hello?”

Hearing her voice, the restless unease in Tang Huaijin’s heart suddenly settled. His expression softened. It hit him then-he was like a rootless floating leaf, and Tang Yaoyao was the only anchor he had in this world.

He asked softly, “Where are you?”

Her tone was unreadable. “Out with some colleagues.”

“…Male colleagues?” His brows furrowed.

A cold laugh came from the other end. “And what does that have to do with you? Didn’t you say siblings should have their own private space?”

“…This is different.” After a pause, he asked again, “When are you coming back?”

“I’ll come back when I feel like it,” she replied nonchalantly.

Tang Huaijin didn’t say another word and hung up.

…

Han Yaoyao sat on her couch, sipping a sweet and tangy cocktail that tasted more like juice. She glanced at Tang Yaoyao, her expression tinged with helplessness. “Tang Yaoyao, you’ve been here all afternoon. I’ve asked you what’s wrong, and you won’t say. Did you have a fight with Huaijin?”

Tang Yaoyao stared down at her phone, shaking her head silently.

“You really fought with Huaijin?” Han Yaoyao sounded surprised. “I thought you two never argued.”

“What siblings never fight?” Tang Yaoyao muttered, her expression tinged with grievance. “It’s Huaijin who’s being unreasonable…”

“If you don’t want him, hand him over to me,” Han Yaoyao teased, her eyes lighting up mischievously.

Tang Yaoyao’s brows furrowed instantly. She shot her friend a wary look. “I knew it! I’ve always suspected you had designs on my brother. And now your fox tail is showing! What’s this about a cousin? I’ve never heard of you having a cousin. You’re just a shameless old cow eyeing tender grass! Let me tell you, Han Yaoyao, don’t even dream about it.”

Han Yaoyao’s face flushed under the barrage of accusations. She glared at Tang Yaoyao, retorting indignantly, “Huaijin’s going to get married someday anyway. Why not keep it in the family? What’s wrong with me? Tell me!”

Tang Yaoyao gave her a once-over, her tone dripping with disdain. “What’s wrong with you? Everything. Do you have a bigger chest than me? A rounder butt? A slimmer waist? You’re a flat-chested shorty with no curves, and you think you can go after my brother? Keep dreaming.”

“Hey! I was joking! Why are you being so mean?” Han Yaoyao pouted, clearly upset. In a fit of pique, she shot back, “You’re such a brother complex. If you’re so great, why don’t you marry him yourself?”

“I wish I could!” Tang Yaoyao blurted out instinctively. Realizing what she’d just said, she quickly added, “But I’m his sister, so obviously I can’t.”

Han Yaoyao rolled her eyes, dismissing the comment as a joke. “Fine, go back to your precious Huaijin. Stop hogging my couch.”

Tang Yaoyao pouted, realizing she was overstaying her welcome. “Just… let me stay another half hour.”

…

Tang Huaijin hung up the phone and headed to the kitchen to make two bowls of fried rice.

There was no way it was a male colleague. He knew his sister too well. Back when she was still in college, a minor spat had led her to chat a bit too much with another guy in front of him. That had been enough to make Tang Huaijin give her the silent treatment for nearly a month.

Tang Yaoyao knew his boundaries. She could mess around at home all she wanted, but she couldn’t let even a hint of outside interference creep in.

He knew she was just venting, but her actions still stung.

After finishing his meal in silence, Tang Huaijin sat on the couch, hugging a throw pillow. He turned off the living room lights and stared into the darkness, lost in thought.

He didn’t know how much time had passed when the front door finally opened. Standing at the entrance, Tang Yaoyao hesitated for a moment, staring into the pitch-black house before stepping inside. She changed into her slippers and fumbled to turn on the living room lights.

The moment the lights came on, she jumped in fright. Tang Huaijin was sitting on the couch, silently watching her.

“Why are you sitting here in the dark?”

“Doesn’t feel great, does it? Coming home to a dark house?” Tang Huaijin sighed, standing up. He walked over to her and took her hand in his. Her fingers were icy cold, likely from the chill outside. He wrapped his warm hand around hers, trying to warm them up. As he did, he caught a faint whiff of alcohol.

His brows furrowed. “You’ve been drinking?”

The warmth from his hand slowly spread through hers, chasing away the cold. Tang Yaoyao’s expression flickered with guilt for a moment, but she quickly straightened her neck. “So what? Is that not allowed?”

“…”

“So, let me get this straight. Without telling me, you went out drinking with some colleagues-who may or may not be male-and now you’re asking me what’s wrong?”

Tang Huaijin’s lips curled into a faint, humorless smile. He let go of her hand and looked at her with an icy calm. “Nothing’s wrong. You’re doing great, Tang Yaoyao.”

With that, he turned and walked back to his room, leaving her standing there, stunned.

Tang Yaoyao stared at his retreating figure, her heart clenching painfully at the unfamiliar coldness in his eyes. It was a look he had never directed at her before-a look so distant, it terrified her. She opened her mouth to explain, but the words caught in her throat.

The sound of his door closing snapped her out of her daze. She wanted to chase after him, but her legs gave out, and she sank to the floor.

After sitting there for a while, she forced herself to her feet and moved to the couch. On the coffee table, there was a cup of water. She touched it-it was still warm, perfect for warming her hands. She held it for a long time, but no matter how long she clutched it, her hands remained cold.

Beside the cup was a bowl of fried rice, with a pair of chopsticks resting on top. The food was still warm.

She hadn’t eaten dinner, having only had a cocktail at Han Yaoyao’s place. Her stomach had been growling the entire way home.

Picking up the chopsticks, she quietly finished the rice. Then she carried the bowl to the kitchen to wash it.

The taste had been good, though the rice was a bit dry, and the vegetable bits had shriveled slightly-likely from being reheated multiple times in the microwave.

Her gaze drifted as she scrubbed the bowl, her mind elsewhere. Even after the bowl was spotless, she kept scrubbing until water began to overflow from the sink. Startled, she quickly turned off the tap and drained the sink.

Looking at the mess she’d made, Tang Yaoyao stood there in silence for a moment before tears began streaming down her face. Her shoulders shook as she broke into uncontrollable sobs.

Tang Huaijin, of course, heard her crying. But he didn’t react. Her actions had hurt him just as much. He had always been strict about her drinking, especially when he wasn’t around. This was a line she couldn’t cross again.

His head throbbed, the emotional turmoil seemingly worsening his cold.

Heh. Even with the system’s reward of peak human physical condition, he was still human. Still susceptible to illness.

His thoughts drifted aimlessly until he eventually fell into a restless sleep.

He didn’t know how long he’d been asleep when he stirred, sensing a presence. Groggily opening his eyes, he saw a figure standing silently at the door, watching him.

Startled, Tang Huaijin bolted upright and turned on the light.

Standing at the door was Tang Yaoyao, her eyes vacant, her body eerily still. The sudden brightness didn’t even make her blink.

Seeing that familiar, unsettling expression on her face, a wave of panic surged through Tang Huaijin. He scrambled out of bed and rushed to her side, grabbing her shoulders and shaking her. “Sister!”

The motion seemed to jolt her back to reality. Her dull eyes flickered with life as she murmured, “Jin…”

“It’s me, sister. It’s me.” Tang Huaijin pulled her into a tight embrace, relief flooding his voice. Thank goodness he’d woken up. If she’d stood there all night, she might have slipped back into that terrifying state he both feared and didn’t recognize.

Tang Yaoyao seemed to fully come to her senses, looking up at him with tear-filled eyes. Her voice trembled as she said, “Jin?”

“Yes, sister. It’s okay now.” He held her close, gently patting her back, his tone soothing.

“Jin…” She buried her face in his chest and began to sob uncontrollably.

“Jin, I… I know I was wrong. Please, please don’t leave me, okay?” Her voice was broken, filled with fear.

Tang Huaijin’s heart ached, but he also noticed the strong scent of alcohol clinging to her. He spoke softly, “I won’t leave you, sister. Did you drink again?”

Tang Yaoyao lifted her tear-streaked face, sniffling as she explained, “I drank at home just now. Earlier, it was at Han Yaoyao’s place. There weren’t any men. I shouldn’t have acted out. Jin, will you forgive me?” She clung to him tightly, her grip so firm it nearly choked him.

“Alright, I forgive you. So don’t cry anymore, okay?” Tang Huaijin gently stroked her hair, his voice tender.

“I was so scared. I’m really scared you’ll leave me.” Her entire body trembled as she spoke, her fear palpable.

“I won’t leave you. No one can make me leave you. Why would you even think that?” Tang Huaijin’s voice was filled with genuine confusion.

“I… I smelled your clothes. They were covered in Xia Xinya’s scent.” Tang Yaoyao’s voice wavered with hurt as she looked at him, her eyes brimming with tears. “And you… you were calling her name in your sleep! Tell me, do you like her?”

Tang Huaijin blinked, caught off guard. A bitter smile tugged at his lips as he quickly reassured her, “I really don’t like her. I like you the most. So don’t cry anymore, okay? Let’s go to bed.”

“Mm…”

It took a long time to coax her into calming down. Eventually, the alcohol dulled her senses, and she slumped against him, murmuring, “Jin… I’m so sleepy.”

Tang Huaijin glanced at the clock. It was past 3 AM. She was only wearing a thin nightgown, and her hands were ice-cold. Who knew how long she’d been standing there?

“Alright, I’ll carry you to bed.”

His heart ached as he bent down, scooping her up and carrying her to her room.

After laying her down gently, he tried to pull away, but her arms wrapped tightly around his neck, refusing to let go.

“Sister, go to sleep.” He patted her arm lightly, his voice soft.

“No… Stay with me,” she murmured, her eyes fixed on him, her gaze shimmering in the moonlight.

“Sister…” Tang Huaijin let out a helpless chuckle.

“Don’t…” she whispered, her tone almost pleading.

After a moment’s hesitation, Tang Huaijin shifted her slightly to one side, kicked off his shoes, and lay down beside her.

He tucked the blanket around her and lay on top of it himself, holding her hand. “Sleep now, sister.”

She stared at him for a while longer before finally closing her eyes.

Once her breathing evened out, Tang Huaijin carefully tried to get up. But as he moved, his wrist was suddenly grabbed.

He turned to see her wide-awake eyes staring at him, devoid of sleep. Her voice was soft as she asked, “Jin?”

“I have a cold. I’ll pass it to you,” he said, gently trying to pry her hand away.

“I don’t care. Stay with me,” she insisted, her grip tightening, her knuckles turning white.

“…”

Seeing his silence, she blinked and asked again, her voice barely above a whisper, “Jin, what are you afraid of?”

“Afraid?” He looked at her, startled.

She nodded, her gaze unwavering.

Tang Huaijin pulled back the blanket and slid underneath, lying beside her. He stared into her eyes, his tone serious. “I’m not afraid. You’re the one who’s afraid.”

“I’m not afraid either.”

As if to prove her point, she shifted closer, draping one leg over him.

Something in her words seemed to ignite a spark of defiance in him. His movements were abrupt as he wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close. Leaning in, he brought his face mere inches from hers, their noses brushing. His voice was low, almost a growl. “You’re not afraid?”

“I… I’m not afraid.” Her breathing quickened, but she forced herself to meet his gaze, her voice trembling slightly.

Tang Huaijin didn’t respond. He leaned in closer until their noses touched, his eyes locked onto hers.

A flicker of panic finally appeared in her gaze. Her body shifted back ever so slightly, the movement barely noticeable.

“Hah.”

Tang Huaijin caught it immediately. His eyes darkened with disappointment, and a bitter laugh escaped his lips. The corners of his mouth curled into a faint, mocking smile.

Tang Yaoyao saw the fleeting sadness in his eyes and heard the derisive chuckle. Her heart clenched painfully, as if it were being squeezed.

Without thinking, she reached out, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him.

Their lips met, and Tang Huaijin’s eyes widened in shock.

In the stillness of the night, the moonlight streamed through the window, casting a soft glow over the two figures entwined in an embrace. Time seemed to stand still.