My Sister Is Acting Strange - Chapter 81 - A Nominal Girlfriend?

The siblings remained silent on the way home. Once they arrived, Tang Huaijin sat on the sofa, looked up at his sister, and softly said, “Sis.”

Tang Yaoyao hesitated to meet his gaze, forcing a smile and pretending to be relaxed as she said, “Ah, today was exhausting. Jin accompanied his sister shopping all day, so I’ll go make dinner first.” Saying this, she hurriedly headed towards the kitchen, forgetting to take off her small backpack.

Tang Huaijin sighed inwardly, watching her retreating figure, and repeated, “Sis!”

Tang Yaoyao paused, slowly turned around, her eyes already red, and choked out, “Jin, please don’t be angry…”

Tang Huaijin stood up, walked to his sister’s side, gently took her hand, and led her back to the sofa. Looking into her eyes, he softly said, “Sis, I’m not angry. I don’t blame you. Can we talk?”

Seeing that Tang Huaijin truly wasn’t angry, Tang Yaoyao finally relaxed, pouted, and leaned her head gently against his chest, responding with a hint of grievance.

“Sis, I understand. I understand everything. You must be feeling sad too, right? I can understand your anxiety, your fear of others discovering our relationship. It’s okay, I have the patience to wait for you to overcome that hurdle.” Tang Huaijin gently stroked his sister’s hair, his voice tender as he said, “But Sis, we have to go out eventually. Do you want to feel sad every time we go out? To keep all the pressure inside like just now? Someday, you won’t be able to hold it in anymore.”

Saying this, he lowered his head and gently kissed Tang Yaoyao’s forehead, whispering, “I care about you, Sis, so this can’t go on, understand?”

Tang Yaoyao nestled closer in his embrace, murmuring softly, “Then, what should we do?”

Tang Huaijin hesitated for a moment before saying, “I could find someone to be my girlfriend, just a nominal girlfriend, is that okay?”

“What do you mean?” Tang Yaoyao’s eyes showed a hint of fear, her small hand instinctively clutching the fabric of Tang Huaijin’s shirt.

“Don’t be afraid, Sis. I won’t leave you. It’s just a nominal girlfriend.” Tang Huaijin held his sister’s soft hand, speaking gently, “Think about it, Sis. If I have a nominal girlfriend, then when we go out, you won’t need to feel anxious because I have a girlfriend. You can be close to me openly.”

Tang Yaoyao’s eyes lit up, but after thinking for a moment, she still hesitantly asked, “But… a nominal girlfriend?”

“Yes, just a nominal girlfriend. I won’t have anything with her, because you’re the one truly with me.” Tang Huaijin smiled, “Are you more concerned about me or about the title?”

Tang Yaoyao pouted discontentedly, nestling her head in his embrace, muttering, “Both matter.”

After speaking, Tang Yaoyao blinked, looked up at Tang Huaijin, and softly asked, “Then Jin, who are you planning to find as your… nominal girlfriend?”

“We can discuss this together, Sis. Do you agree?” Tang Huaijin smiled, asking, “Besides, a nominal girlfriend can also act as my shield. Do you think your brother doesn’t have admirers?”

“Alright…” Tang Yaoyao bit her lip, agreeing, but quickly added, “You can’t choose Lin Ruoxi or Xia Xinya, and you can’t tell anyone about us.”

“Okay, I understand, Sis. Don’t worry.” Seeing his sister nod in agreement, Tang Huaijin breathed a sigh of relief and smiled.

He hadn’t planned on choosing Lin Ruoxi anyway, unless he was truly crazy.

As for Xia Xinya, that was even less likely. If she got a hold of something against him, Tang Huaijin would be in trouble.

Moreover, with Mrs. Xia’s request, the only candidate left was Bai Yuerou. He needed to find a suitable time to talk to her.

Initially, Tang Yaoyao felt a bit unhappy, but now that her brother had found a girlfriend, their parents wouldn’t blame her anymore, even if it was self-deception. Thinking this way made her feel much better.

As if she had thought of something, Tang Yaoyao’s eyes brightened. She patted Tang Huaijin’s arm and said, “Jin, Sis thought of a friend who would be the perfect choice for your nominal girlfriend.”

Thinking of her friend’s personality, Tang Yaoyao became cheerful, a smile spreading across her face as she took out her phone to call her.

Tang Huaijin felt a headache coming on and quickly stopped her, “Ah, Sis, it’s too late. Let’s talk about it tomorrow. I’ll go make dinner now, okay?”

Tang Yaoyao glanced at the clock on the wall, realizing it was already past nine. She reluctantly put down her phone and said, “Alright, I’ll call her tomorrow.” After speaking, she saw Tang Huaijin’s amused expression and pouted, lightly kicking him with her foot, playfully saying, “Hurry up and make dinner, or Sis will starve!”

Tang Huaijin shook his head helplessly, chuckled, and stood up to head to the kitchen.

Even though Sis had just returned and wanted to cook, the task ended up falling to him again.

The original plan of alternating cooking days had been completely forgotten by her.

Ah, women.

…

On Monday, after breakfast, Tang Huaijin prepared to leave for school, but his sister approached with a blush on her face.

Tang Huaijin thought she was going to kiss his cheek, smiled, and slightly lowered his head, tilting his face.

Tang Yaoyao’s eyes were filled with a gentle autumn light. She hesitated for a moment, then gently placed her hand on Tang Huaijin’s face, stood on tiptoe, and kissed his lips.

Like a dragonfly skimming the water, the fleeting soft and moist sensation on his lips left Tang Huaijin momentarily stunned. He looked at his sister with surprise, wanting to say something.

Tang Yaoyao blushed, covered his mouth with her hand, and shyly said, “No talking, go to school.”

“Okay.” Tang Huaijin felt a wave of tenderness in his heart, gently hugged his sister, and then left the house.

On the number 9 bus, Tang Huaijin was in a great mood, not minding the ponytail girl coming over to snuggle with him. He didn’t dare provoke Lin Ruoxi either, fearing she might spread rumors and upset his sister.

Seeing his cheerful expression, Lin Ruoxi, nestled against him, looked up and suspiciously scanned him with her eyes but said nothing.

…

At school, Tang Huaijin sat at his desk and greeted the two girls with a smile, “Morning, Yuerou, Xinya.”

Bai Yuerou smiled gently and softly said, “Morning, Jin.”

Xia Xinya, however, looked at Tang Huaijin’s cheerful face and unhappily snorted.

Tang Huaijin was in a great mood and didn’t want to argue with her. He smiled, ruffled her hair, and asked, “What’s wrong now? Who upset you?”

“Who allowed you to touch my head?” Xia Xinya glared at Tang Huaijin fiercely but didn’t move away from his hand, grumbling, “Go write your stupid book.”

Tang Huaijin suddenly realized it was because he hadn’t gone out with her on Saturday.

But how could I accompany you? Bring Mrs. Xia along to play with you?

He looked at Xia Xinya helplessly and said, “I really didn’t have time this Saturday. How about next time?”

Xia Xinya pouted, thinking, what is this? Such a tone to coax a little girl…

“Who cares about you accompanying me? I just need someone to carry my bags.” Although she said this, Xia Xinya felt much better, grumbling, “The first time I asked you out, you dared to make excuses. You missed your chance. I won’t ask you again.”

Such stubbornness… Tang Huaijin rolled his eyes, withdrew his hand, and said irritably, “I already told Yuerou I didn’t have time this Saturday. Why did you insist on asking me?”

Xia Xinya blinked, instinctively looking at her best friend, but Bai Yuerou seemed unaware of the commotion, her head buried in a book.

After morning self-study, Tang Huaijin left the classroom to fetch the handout for the Chinese class, heading to Shen Yiqiu’s office and knocking on the door.

“Wait a moment.”

Hearing Shen Yiqiu’s response, Tang Huaijin didn’t enter, patiently waiting outside. Teacher Shen seemed to be on the phone, but the office had good soundproofing, and Shen Yiqiu’s voice was soft, so he couldn’t hear clearly.

After a while, Shen Yiqiu’s voice gently called out, “Come in.”

Tang Huaijin opened the door and walked in, smiling, “Shen-Jie, I’m here to pick up the handout for the next class.”

Shen Yiqiu had been feeling a bit irritable, but seeing Tang Huaijin, her eyes softened, and her slightly furrowed brows relaxed. She softly said, “Alright, let’s go.”

After speaking, she handed the handout to Tang Huaijin and stood up, slowly leading him to the classroom.