My Sister Is Acting Strange - Chapter 32 - Distraction

Tang Huaijin spent the morning classes in a leisurely mood. What surprised him was that Xia Xinya, instead of playing games as usual, was actually studying seriously with her textbook. Occasionally, when she noticed his gaze, she would turn her head and glare at him, her eyes full of determination.

After the morning classes ended, Bai Yuerou didn’t ask Tang Huaijin if he wanted to have lunch together. She simply packed her things and stood beside him, waiting. Even Xia Xinya’s expression was natural, as she had gotten used to the group having lunch together.

When they reached the cafeteria, got their food, and sat down, a ponytailed girl suddenly sat next to Tang Huaijin. He was momentarily taken aback but said nothing.

Bai Yuerou smiled at Lin Ruoxi as a greeting. However, Xia Xinya, who had never gotten along well with Lin Ruoxi-not just because of their previous cafeteria incident but also because she disliked anyone trying to get close to Bai Yuerou-was visibly displeased. She challenged Lin Ruoxi, “Who are you to sit next to someone without asking if they’re okay with it?”

Lin Ruoxi blinked, not angry, but instead gave Xia Xinya a look of approval, which puzzled her. Lin Ruoxi then turned to Tang Huaijin and asked with a smile, “Can I sit here, Jin?”

The nickname “Jin” was reserved for those very close to Tang Huaijin. Hearing Lin Ruoxi use it, Tang Huaijin, who was focused on his meal, felt a headache coming on and looked at Xia Xinya helplessly. He had remained silent, hoping to finish his meal in peace, but this troublesome girl just had to stir things up.

“Just eat, everyone, and stop talking,” Tang Huaijin sighed, not responding to Lin Ruoxi’s question, and continued eating. Xia Xinya huffed, feeling a bit slighted that Tang Huaijin didn’t outright refuse Lin Ruoxi, making her feel a bit embarrassed.

Looking at Tang Huaijin, who was focused on his meal, Xia Xinya boasted, “I studied a bit seriously today and found it quite simple. Tang Huaijin, I advise you to give up. Yuerou’s desk mate can only be me.”

Lin Ruoxi, hearing the word “desk mate,” perked up and looked at Bai Yuerou with curiosity. Bai Yuerou smiled awkwardly, unsure of what to say. Tang Huaijin just gave a nonchalant “hmm,” not wanting to engage with Xia Xinya.

Xia Xinya, annoyed by Tang Huaijin’s dismissive attitude, retorted, “Don’t be so arrogant. I was only seven points behind you in the last physics quiz. With such a small gap, I can easily surpass you if I study a bit.”

Tang Huaijin glanced at Xia Xinya and replied calmly, “I’m confident because I trust my abilities. You scored ninety-three because that’s your limit. I scored a hundred because that’s the maximum score.”

He then chuckled mockingly, “You probably wouldn’t understand even if I explained.”

“You’re so full of yourself,” Xia Xinya shot back, though she was a bit worried seeing his composed demeanor.

Lin Ruoxi, understanding the gist of the conversation, looked at Xia Xinya with a hint of sympathy and softly said, “He’s telling the truth…”

Xia Xinya glared at Lin Ruoxi for siding with Tang Huaijin and fell silent.

The atmosphere at the table quieted down. Tang Huaijin took a few more bites before recalling the issue with Li Tong and asked, “What happened with Li Tong?”

“Li Tong said he didn’t intend to do anything to me, just wanted to teach you a lesson. But Qin Shijie instructed him to rough me up a bit. He originally planned for someone to just slap me, but that person went too far,” Xia Xinya explained, her expression turning angry. “The leader, Abiao, ran off quickly, and we couldn’t catch him.”

“Li Tong ended up in custody, claiming Qin Shijie was behind it, but all the call records related to Qin Shijie disappeared from his phone.”

“And those under him are just a bunch of thugs. Besides Abiao, they only know Li Tong,” Xia Xinya continued, a satisfied smile appearing on her face. “Without evidence of someone instructing him, and with all the evidence against him, Li Tong will be in prison for at least ten years for messing with the Xia Family.”

Tang Huaijin showed no expression, instead frowning slightly, and asked, “Who is this Qin Shijie?”

“The young master of the Qin Group,” Xia Xinya sneered. “He tried to pursue Yuerou back in sophomore year, but I chased him around in my car, and that’s how we ended up at odds.”

“This guy’s got some serious skills. This whole thing has his fingerprints all over it,” Tang Huaijin remarked, his eyes thoughtful.

“Really? You think so too? My mom and the others said the same,” Xia Xinya looked at Tang Huaijin in surprise. “They said Abiao must be Qin Shijie’s man, and he tampered with the phone.”

Tang Huaijin thought for a moment, then shrugged it off, smiling lightly, “That just means your mom is much smarter than you.”

Xia Xinya looked a bit deflated, her voice stubborn as she said, “As long as she’s smarter than you, I already figured it out.”

Lin Ruoxi, who had been listening in confusion, not remembering who Abiao or Li Tong were, looked at Tang Huaijin with concern and asked, “Did you get into a fight?”

“No,” Tang Huaijin replied, not wanting to elaborate.

Xia Xinya, however, proudly chimed in, “Tang Huaijin was amazing. He fought off several people to protect me.”

Lin Ruoxi ignored her and took out a band-aid from her small bag, asking, “Are you hurt?”

Back in middle school, Tang Huaijin often got into fights. Although he had calmed down a lot in high school, he still managed to get himself injured without realizing it. Lin Ruoxi had developed a habit of carrying band-aids with her.

Looking at the band-aid, Tang Huaijin felt a mix of emotions. He couldn’t deny being touched by such a small gesture. His voice softened as he said, “I’m fine.”

Xia Xinya, however, wouldn’t let it go, saying, “Who says you’re fine? You have a big cut on your tongue. Good thing I gave you some medicine.”

Tang Huaijin: “…”

This troublesome girl!

Lin Ruoxi didn’t say anything further, naturally reaching over to hold Tang Huaijin’s head, gently pinching his chin, and said, “Open your mouth.”

Tang Huaijin was momentarily stunned by her actions. In that instant, it felt like their relationship had returned to that summer in sophomore year, and he instinctively opened his mouth.

Lin Ruoxi leaned in, frowning as she examined the cut on his tongue, and said with concern, “Such a big cut, who knows how long it’ll take to heal. You can’t even use watermelon frost. How can you be so careless?”

Tang Huaijin snapped back to reality, quickly pulling away, his expression awkward as he said, “I’ve already applied medicine.”

He then lowered his head, quickly finished his meal, and stood up, saying, “I’m full. I’ll head out first.”

After Tang Huaijin left the cafeteria somewhat awkwardly, Lin Ruoxi turned to Xia Xinya, her voice calm as she said, “My Jin is wonderful in every way, just too kind. He instinctively protected you, so don’t get the wrong idea.”

Hearing the words “wrong idea,” Xia Xinya’s mind flashed back to Tang Huaijin’s attitude yesterday, treating her like a nuisance. Her expression turned sour. Even though she knew Lin Ruoxi misunderstood her feelings for Tang Huaijin, she didn’t bother to explain, retorting, “Your Jin? Didn’t you two break up? Does your ex-boyfriend know he’s still yours?”

Lin Ruoxi narrowed her eyes, a hint of coldness in her gaze, but said nothing.

This exchange hit both of them where it hurt, each landing a blow on the other’s weak spot.

Bai Yuerou, listening to the escalating tension, felt overwhelmed. Knowing both sides had misunderstood, she quickly intervened, “Alright, alright, let’s just eat. We have class soon.”

Lin Ruoxi smiled at Bai Yuerou. Although she knew Xia Xinya’s family might have some background, she wasn’t afraid of her. She had dealt with plenty of little rich girls over the years.

Xia Xinya, sulking, poked at her food with her chopsticks, her mind replaying the natural intimacy between Tang Huaijin and Lin Ruoxi, contrasting sharply with her own conflict with him the night before. Tang Huaijin never seemed to take her side. She couldn’t help but feel a pang of jealousy. Why couldn’t Tang Huaijin be nicer to her too? If he liked Lin Ruoxi so much, why did they break up?

She stabbed her food, imagining it was Tang Huaijin’s face.

Annoying Tang Huaijin, stupid player, the worst.