Chapter 15: The Contract Is Signed

Yun Xue watched as Yun Xuan entered the bathroom, her cheeks flushed as she closed the door behind him. Just as she was about to return to her room, she remembered the injury on Yun Xuan’s hand. Biting her lip, she turned back toward the bathroom.

“Brother, it must be difficult for you to bathe with your hand injured. I... I can help you wash your back,” Yun Xue knocked gently on the bathroom door, her voice soft.

With a click, the door opened. Yun Xuan stood under the showerhead, wearing only shorts, a bitter smile on his face. It truly was hard to bathe properly without the use of his right hand...

Yun Xue’s heart raced as she stepped into the bathroom. Yun Xuan sat on a small stool, one left here from times when Yun Xue and Yun Xun’er had bathed together.

“Xue’er, I have to go out later, so please hurry up,” Yun Xuan said, sensing her hesitation behind him.

“Oh, right,” Yun Xue replied, snapping out of her daze as she began to wash his back.

“Xue’er, don’t be so nervous. Back in the orphanage, didn’t we bathe together?” Yun Xuan said gently.

“Mm...” Yun Xue replied, her face red. It was nothing like when they were children. Yun Xun’er often said it was fine for her and Yun Xuan to bathe together, since they weren’t related by blood.

Although Yun Xue longed to spend more time with Yun Xuan, she still lacked the courage to suggest something as intimate as bathing together.

“Xue’er, if one day I’m no longer your brother, would you hate me?” Yun Xuan asked after hesitating.

“No, you’ll always be my brother. Nothing can change that,” Yun Xue paused, then answered.

“Xue’er, if your family comes for you, would you go with them?” Yun Xuan shifted the topic.

“If they don’t acknowledge you and Sister Xun’er, no matter their circumstances, I won’t leave with them,” Yun Xue replied earnestly.

“Is that so? Xue’er, you really are gentle,” Yun Xuan smiled.

Looking at Yun Xuan’s back, Yun Xue couldn’t help but feel that her brother had somehow changed.

...

Nothing heart-stopping happened in the bathroom after all. Once Yun Xue finished washing his back, Yun Xuan asked her to leave, and he settled into the bathtub on his own. He managed to finish his bath with some difficulty and awkwardly returned to his room, realizing he had tossed his shorts into the washing machine and had nothing to wear.

He changed into fresh clothes and checked the time—less than an hour had passed.

“By the way, Meow Meow, can I recharge exchange points?” Yun Xuan sat at his computer, suddenly recalling this matter.

“The system level is currently too low; recharge is not possible,” the cat-eared girl replied.

“What are the requirements for system upgrade?” Yun Xuan asked curiously.

“When exchange points used exceed ten thousand, or enough tasks are completed, the system will automatically upgrade.” The cat-eared girl waved her hand, and a virtual screen appeared with numbers.

“Ten thousand…” Yun Xuan murmured, feeling hopeless about upgrading.

...

An hour later, Yun Xuan arrived at Fangyu City Library, just as Ding Dang’s call came through. They confirmed their meeting spot and left the library together.

A private booth in a nearby café.

“I didn’t expect Teacher Beifang to be so young,” Ding Dang exclaimed in surprise as she looked at Yun Xuan.

“I also didn’t expect Ding Dang to be so beautiful. Nice to meet you, I’m Yun Xuan, a first-year student at Shengyu High School,” Yun Xuan extended his hand, introducing himself.

“My name is Ding Dang—Ding as in ‘household,’ Dang as in ‘bell.’” Ding Dang smiled.

Ding Dang wore a black professional outfit, black-framed glasses, and a single ponytail. Her looks were exceptional, easily the class beauty in any school.

“Nice to meet you, Miss Ding Dang. It’s already past five, so let’s not waste time. Please bring out the contract,” Yun Xuan said directly after shaking hands.

“Yun Xuan, you seem much more mature than the average student,” Ding Dang remarked, pulling out the contract.

Signing contracts in this world was complicated—not something you could do at will. For contracts involving millions, the local Contract Administration Bureau had to be contacted.

“Sorry for being late.” A woman entered, dressed in blue professional attire, holding a video recorder. Her clothes bore the insignia of the Contract Administration Bureau.

“Hello, here’s the contract,” Ding Dang quickly stood up and handed it over.

“I’ve already reviewed the contract via Koukou Company’s fax. I just need to record the contract and his signature,” the woman said, waving her hand dismissively.

“Alright,” Yun Xuan set the contract down.

“Let’s begin then.” The woman started recording, narrating the contract’s contents. Yun Xuan agreed to each clause, signed, and presented his identification.

When the final signature was done, the recording ended.

“Thank you for your cooperation. I’ll organize the documents promptly. Since Mr. Yun Xuan is quite young, we’ll keep this matter confidential. Regarding taxes, we’ll coordinate with Koukou Company and deduct them before disbursement,” the woman said as she turned off the recorder.

“Thank you,” Yun Xuan replied with a smile.

...

“Well, I’ll take my leave.” The woman gathered the documents and left the booth.

“I should be going as well, Miss Ding Dang,” Yun Xuan checked the time.

“Mm, I’ll leave with you,” Ding Dang nodded.

Yun Xuan paid the bill, and Ding Dang didn’t protest. The two left the café together, and only after they walked out did Ding Dang wave goodbye.

“Let’s buy some cake for home,” Yun Xuan glanced at a nearby cake shop, feeling pleased.

...

Yun Xuan arrived home at half past six. As soon as he opened the door, he saw Lin Qingyu and Yun Xue sitting on the sofa.

“Is Xun’er back?” Yun Xuan asked, changing his shoes and glancing at the high heels nearby.

“Mm, brother, where did you go?” Yun Xue asked curiously, Lin Qingyu beside her equally inquisitive.

“I went to meet someone. I remember Xue’er loves cake, so I bought one on my way home. Qingyu, you should have some too,” Yun Xuan placed the cake on the table.

“Brother spent money recklessly again. Sister Xun’er will definitely scold you,” Yun Xue pouted, eyeing the cake hungrily.

“Don’t worry, brother now has his own income. In a month, I’ll give you both a surprise,” Yun Xuan winked.

“Xuan, did you publish a manga?” Lin Qingyu’s eyes lit up.

“Something like that. Xue’er, you trust I wouldn’t do anything bad, right? The surprise will come in a month,” Yun Xuan said with a smile.

“What surprise?” Yun Xun’er, dressed in sportswear, descended from upstairs.

“Xun’er, from today onward, I’ll be supporting you both,” Yun Xuan said seriously.

“Xiao Xuan, are you... running a fever?” Xun’er approached and checked his forehead, puzzled.

“...Xun’er, I mean it. In a month, I’ll tell you everything,” Yun Xuan replied with a bitter smile—Xun’er thought he was speaking nonsense from a fever.

PS: This chapter marks the sending of the contract. Status should update next week. From now on, I’ll aim for two chapters a day, three if recommended. Please bookmark and vote for recommendations.