My Sister Is Acting Strange - Chapter 7 - Xia Xinya

Outside the classroom hallway.

Xia Xinya stood with her arms crossed, leaning against the wall of the hallway, her expression cold as she looked at Tang Huaijin.

It wasn’t particularly cold inside the school building, so Xia Xinya had taken off her coat, wearing only a thin woolen jacket over her blouse, paired with a black skirt adorned with some fringe. Her figure was slim, with a waist so delicate it exuded a youthful charm akin to a green apple.

Her long, white neck supported a classic oval face, with skin so fair and delicate it seemed to glow softly, like an elegant piece of porcelain.

“Have you looked enough?” Xia Xinya’s voice was icy as she noticed Tang Huaijin’s gaze.

“Sorry,” Tang Huaijin replied, though his tone lacked any real apology, a slight smile playing on his lips. “What do you want with me?”

“Stay away from Bai Yuerou.” Mentioning Bai Yuerou made Xia Xinya’s tone even harsher.

“And why is that?”

“Why?” Xia Xinya scoffed, “Is the reason that you’re a pervert enough?”

“Have we met before?” Tang Huaijin frowned, scrutinizing the girl in front of him.

That chin…

That mouth looks familiar too…

Tang Huaijin suddenly realized, his expression surprised as he looked at Xia Xinya. “You’re the one who was buying girls’ love novels at the bookstore…”

His voice was a bit loud, and Xia Xinya realized what he was about to say. She lunged forward, covering Tang Huaijin’s mouth with her hand, her eyes fierce as she threatened in a low voice, “If you dare say it out loud, you’re dead.”

The hallway was still bustling with students during the break, and they all turned to look at the commotion with gossip-filled eyes.

Tang Huaijin pulled her hand away with a look of disdain, “Ugh, why are you shoving your hand in my mouth?”

“You! I’m more disgusted by your saliva,” Xia Xinya retorted angrily, feeling uncomfortable with the wetness on her palm. She tried to wipe it on Tang Huaijin.

Tang Huaijin easily dodged, extending his arm to block her, “Stop, I’m warning you, don’t come any closer.”

Xia Xinya halted, pulling out a tissue from her pocket to wipe her hand, sneering, “You better keep your mouth shut and stay away from Bai Yuerou. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

“Oh, I see,” Tang Huaijin said with a peculiar expression, “You like Bai Yuerou?”

“No!” Xia Xinya denied loudly, her face flushing with embarrassment, “We’re just friends. I don’t want someone like you around her.”

“Oh, friends,” Tang Huaijin replied with a knowing smile.

Xia Xinya felt a chill at Tang Huaijin’s strange smile but maintained her composure, threatening, “Anyway, stay away from Bai Yuerou.” With that, she turned to leave.

“Sure, no problem. I’m sure Bai Yuerou would be interested in what kind of books you like to read,” Tang Huaijin chuckled.

Xia Xinya froze, her expression turning sour, “Are you threatening me?”

“So you don’t like being threatened either,” Tang Huaijin’s smile vanished as he looked at Xia Xinya, his tone indifferent. “I don’t want anything. I just want a peaceful high school life. I’m not interested in your romantic affairs, nor will I spread your gossip. There’s only one person in this world who can order me around. So, keep your princess attitude in check; not everyone will put up with it.”

With that, Tang Huaijin snorted and returned to the classroom, ignoring Xia Xinya’s reaction.

A spoiled little girl, Tang Huaijin didn’t want to argue with her, but her vaguely threatening tone reminded him of some unpleasant things, souring his mood.

Back in class, Bai Yuerou soon returned, followed by a scowling Xia Xinya, who shot Tang Huaijin a hateful glare.

During class, the teachers knew Tang Huaijin was a transfer student and didn’t call on him to answer questions. The teachers at Rose Elite High School were indeed a cut above those at Chengnan High School, hired with high salaries.

Tang Huaijin observed that the students in this class were different from before, with a significant divide. Some, like Bai Yuerou, listened attentively, while others played on their phones. Xia Xinya spent the entire morning on her phone, occasionally glancing at Tang Huaijin with a mischievous look.

Rose Elite High School encouraged independent study, and given the wealthy backgrounds of the students, the teachers didn’t interfere much.

After the morning classes, Bai Yuerou approached Tang Huaijin, “Want to grab lunch together?”

Ignoring Xia Xinya’s resentful glare, Tang Huaijin smiled and agreed, following Bai Yuerou to the cafeteria.

The cafeteria was large and clean, with no unpleasant odors. The food was a bit pricey but quite tasty.

They found a place to sit, chatting as they ate.

Bai Yuerou curiously asked, “I heard only the top three in the monthly exam can come here. What rank were you?”

“I was first, of course,” Tang Huaijin replied with a grin.

“You’re bluffing,” Xia Xinya said with disdain, clearly not believing him.

Tang Huaijin chuckled, “You’ll find out soon enough. I heard top-ranked students can choose their seats first. I’ll have the counselor move me next to Bai Yuerou.”

This was unacceptable to Xia Xinya. She slammed her chopsticks down, glaring at Tang Huaijin, “In your dreams!”

Bai Yuerou gave Tang Huaijin a reproachful look, gently advising Xia Xinya, “Alright, alright, let’s eat.”

Xia Xinya sat back down, her face sour, but then seemed to remember something, giving Tang Huaijin a sly smile.

Tang Huaijin paid it no mind, continuing his meal.

…

In the gymnasium, the class was warming up with the P.E. teacher.

Tang Huaijin felt a pang of nostalgia, as Chengnan High School hadn’t had P.E. classes since sophomore year.

After warming up, today’s P.E. class focused on volleyball. The teacher explained the basic rules, demonstrated with a few students, and then let everyone form teams to play.

Tang Huaijin, being tall, was pulled into a team by the sports representative.

Since the teams were randomly formed, positions weren’t strictly assigned.

The match began quickly, and everyone was playing casually. Tang Huaijin didn’t plan to play seriously, just going along with the fun.

The atmosphere on the court was relaxed, filled with laughter and cheers.

“You’re playing well, mind if we join?” A tall guy with a buzz cut approached with a few others.

The sports representative, Fang Ming, who was cheerful and outgoing, laughed, “Jiang Nan? You guys have P.E. too this period? Let’s play together, but take it easy on us.”

“Haha, let’s just have some fun,” Jiang Nan laughed, looking friendly.

Some less skilled players willingly gave up their spots. Tang Huaijin, wanting a break, was about to leave when Jiang Nan suddenly looked at him and said, “Hey, don’t go. It’d be boring without you. I saw you playing well.”

Fang Ming also chimed in, “Yeah, Tang Huaijin, play a bit longer.”

Jiang Nan’s enthusiastic invitation puzzled Tang Huaijin. He glanced at the two, then smiled, “Alright, I’ll play a bit more.”

Both teams lined up, and from their heights alone, it was clear this match would be more competitive.

Fang Ming, who knew how to play, jumped up for a serve.

The opposing player crouched low, receiving the ball steadily, passing it to the setter. The setter lifted the ball into the air, and Jiang Nan sprinted forward, jumping up to spike the ball, sending it flying towards Tang Huaijin’s position.

The seamless coordination drew gasps from the sidelines.

The game was heating up, and the girls were drawn to the court, watching intently.

Bai Yuerou and Xia Xinya were among them, with Xia Xinya watching Tang Huaijin with a mischievous look, whispering to Bai Yuerou.

With so many girls watching, missing or ignoring the ball would be embarrassing.

This was aimed at him.

Tang Huaijin’s gaze turned cold as he focused on the incoming ball, lowering his waist and catching the powerful spike.

Thud.

The volleyball was caught securely, and Fang Ming countered with a spike of his own.

The teams went back and forth, with the opposing team’s defense holding strong. Fang Ming only scored occasionally, but Jiang Nan’s spikes were consistently caught by Tang Huaijin, making it clear to even the untrained eye that Tang Huaijin was carrying the game.

Perhaps caught up in the excitement, the setter made a mistake, sending a bad ball towards the side of the net. Fang Ming couldn’t reach it in time and could only watch as the ball slowly descended, about to become a point for the other team.

Suddenly, a figure dashed forward, leaping high, body stretching gracefully in the air, striking the ball with force. The volleyball compressed under the impact, shooting out like a cannonball towards Jiang Nan’s face.

It was Tang Huaijin.

An eye for an eye.

The graceful motion exuded the unique violent beauty of sports.

Elegant yet fierce.

Cheers erupted, the crowd buzzing with excitement.

“Wow, he jumped so high.”

“His waist almost cleared the net.”

“That spike was so graceful.”

Jiang Nan’s face changed dramatically. He usually played friendly matches with amateurs and had never seen such a ferocious spike, nor did he have the confidence to catch it.

But with so many people watching, he couldn’t just let it go. He swallowed hard.

The volleyball flew like a missile, fast and precise, aiming for his face. In the last split second, Jiang Nan instinctively raised his arm to shield his face.

The volleyball slammed into Jiang Nan’s arm, bouncing off with undiminished force, heading towards Xia Xinya.

Bai Yuerou had just returned with water, looking on in horror.

Jiang Nan and Fang Ming’s faces also changed; that was Little Witch Xia…

The ball was fast, and Xia Xinya didn’t react in time, watching helplessly as it approached her face.

It’s over… everyone thought simultaneously.

With a dull thud, the sound of the volleyball hitting something echoed.

Thud, thud, thud… the volleyball bounced on the floor.

Xia Xinya’s face was pale with fright. She slowly opened her tightly shut eyes, still filled with fear, looking at the boy in front of her with a frown.

Ouch, that volleyball hit pretty hard, Tang Huaijin winced in pain.

Luckily, with the system’s physical enhancement, he managed to rush over at the last moment, blocking the ball with his arm.

“Don’t worry, it didn’t hit you,” he said, glancing at the pale-faced Xia Xinya, his tone annoyed.

“You…” Being saved by him, Xia Xinya felt conflicted. She hesitated for a moment, about to thank him, but his tone made her face darken.

“Are you okay, Xiaoya?” Bai Yuerou, also shaken, quickly walked over, holding Xia Xinya’s hand to comfort her.

With the near-accident, no one felt like playing anymore. Jiang Nan and Fang Ming rushed over to check on the situation, relieved to find no harm done, repeatedly thanking Tang Huaijin.

Jiang Nan, seeing Xia Xinya not paying attention, secretly pulled Tang Huaijin aside.

“Sorry, it was Xia-Jie who told me to do it,” he apologized to Tang Huaijin, looking helpless.

Tang Huaijin wasn’t in the mood to argue, having suffered no real loss and instead gaining some attention.

He merely chuckled coldly, “Figured as much. Who else would be so childish?” He didn’t know anyone here, so it had to be Xia Xinya.

Tang Huaijin had realized this on the court, but still rushed over to block the ball for her. In hindsight, he wished he had teased her more.

Jiang Nan hesitated before speaking, “I don’t know how you upset her, but man, you should just apologize.”

Tang Huaijin was curious, “Why are you all so afraid of her? Is she that powerful?”

Jiang Nan smiled wryly, pointing upwards, “It’s mainly because of Xia-Jie’s family. If we cross her, our families will drag us to apologize. Who can afford that embarrassment?”

Tang Huaijin chuckled, nodding noncommittally, saying nothing more.