Chapter 20: The Last Day Before Summer Vacation

Wen Xiaoya was a light novel author, illustrator, and designer at Manga Realm Publishing, and a colleague of Yun Xun’er. Originally, Wen Xiaoya was only a light novel author, and her manuscripts were always reviewed and approved by Yun Xun’er. By now, she was considered a second-tier light novel writer with a respectable income.

She had fallen for Yun Xun’er at first sight, applied directly for a job at Manga Realm Publishing, and stayed by Yun Xun’er’s side.

All of this was recounted by Yun Xun’er herself.

“Xue’er, it’s been a while. When you have some free time, come over to my place. I can show you lots of my ideas,” Wen Xiaoya said, eating her meal and holding Yun Xue’s hand.

Yun Xue blushed deeply. She remembered the last time she went to Wen Xiaoya’s home—after an enthusiastic reception, they bathed together, but Wen Xiaoya became overly familiar. The experience had frightened Yun Xue so much that she had never returned.

“Don’t get any ideas about Xue’er,” Yun Xun’er snorted coldly.

“All right, all right, Xun’er, look how obedient I am. Let me stay over tonight, okay?” Wen Xiaoya put on a pitiful face.

“No!” Yun Xun’er and Yun Xuan replied in unison.

Yun Xun’er glanced at Yun Xuan. It seemed he didn’t like Wen Xiaoya much either.

“Why not, little brother Xuan? At worst, I’ll let you kiss me or something…” Wen Xiaoya pouted.

“For the sake of my physical and mental health. I’ve been researching doujinshi lately. If I get too excited and do something inappropriate to you, wouldn’t that be awkward?” Yun Xuan replied indifferently.

“Pfft—” Yun Xue spat out her food onto the floor. Her brother’s reasoning was simply unbeatable.

“Researching doujinshi?” Yun Xun’er looked at Yun Xuan with a strange expression. Seeing how calm he was, she immediately understood.

“What’s the big deal? I’ve trained in martial arts. There’s no way you could beat me, let alone do anything like that with me,” Wen Xiaoya waved her hand dismissively.

“Even so, if I can’t beat you and you hurt me, what then? Just finish your meal and go home to sleep,” Yun Xuan said with perfect self-assurance.

Yun Xun’er and Yun Xuan both covered their mouths, trying not to laugh.

“…This is the first time I’ve met someone so shameless,” Wen Xiaoya’s mouth hung open, curiosity about Yun Xuan growing in her eyes.

“All right, Xiaoya, you should head home. Xuan, you’ll walk her back later,” Yun Xun’er cut in, ending the discussion.

“Okay,” Yun Xuan nodded.

Wen Xiaoya pouted, but said nothing further.

…

After dinner, Yun Xuan and Wen Xiaoya stepped outside.

“Little brother Xuan, would you like something to drink? I’ll buy you a coffee,” Wen Xiaoya suggested, her eyes twinkling.

“No need, Wen Xiaoya. Do you really like my sister?” Yun Xuan asked, walking ahead.

“Yes, I like Xun’er very much. I wish I could be with her every day,” Wen Xiaoya nodded.

“You keep saying you like her, but have you ever considered her feelings? Her situation? Sure, girls can marry girls nowadays, but do you know if she really wants that?” Yun Xuan stopped and turned to her.

“I…” Wen Xiaoya lowered her head. She had never thought about these things.

“She comes home late from work every night. She loves her job. It’s obvious she treats you well and considers you a friend. If you value this friendship, don’t pursue her—otherwise, you’ll only make her conflicted and miserable,” Yun Xuan said solemnly.

Wen Xiaoya trembled, biting her lip. She wasn’t oblivious, but Yun Xun’er’s constant gentleness made her lose herself.

“I’ve said all I can. I’m heading back. You should get a cab home,” Yun Xuan said, brushing past her.

“I… I can’t help liking her… I know it’s not fair to her, but love is selfish, and even so, I still want to have her!” Wen Xiaoya’s voice was choked with tears as she turned away.

“Can’t you try liking a man instead?” Yun Xuan frowned.

“I don’t want to like men,” Wen Xiaoya shook her head vigorously.

“…So you’re just going to make her suffer with you?” Yun Xuan rolled his eyes. The logic was too much for him.

“I… I have one other idea, but I’ll need your help,” Wen Xiaoya gritted her teeth, recalling a plan she’d once devised but never acted upon.

“What idea?” Yun Xuan had a bad feeling.

“This idea is…” Wen Xiaoya leaned in seriously, whispered a few words in his ear.

Yun Xuan’s face was blank with disbelief.

…

When Yun Xuan got home, he still couldn’t believe he’d agreed to Wen Xiaoya’s proposal. If he really went through with it, wouldn’t he just be a tool?

“Xuan, what’s wrong?” Yun Xun’er asked from the sofa, seeing his dazed look.

“It’s nothing, Xun’er. I’m going to bed,” Yun Xuan hurried upstairs, closed his door behind him.

“How strange… Did Xiaoya tell him something?” Yun Xun’er wondered, staring at his door.

Inside Yun Xuan’s room.

He opened his computer and began replying to messages and chatting in the group.

…

It wasn’t until after eleven at night that Yun Xuan finally fell asleep.

…

The next two days were filled with exams. Holy Royal High School was tense with the atmosphere of testing.

Whenever Yun Xuan saw an exam paper, the cat-eared Meow Meow would instantly give him the answers, allowing him to place in the top ten of his grade. The homeroom teacher was so shocked that he had to reevaluate Yun Xuan.

Friday morning.

“Brother… Get up, it’s graduation day. All the students have to attend, and you’re the first-year representative. You have to give a speech,” Yun Xue stood by the bed, shaking him.

“Xue’er, I’m a boy, you know. Coming into my room first thing in the morning might make me flustered,” Yun Xuan sat up. Seeing Yun Xue in her school uniform, he couldn’t help but tease.

“Come on, brother! Have you even memorized your speech?” Yun Xue asked anxiously.

“Speech? I think I left it in the classroom. It’s such a hassle,” Yun Xuan recalled the speech—he didn’t even know who had written it. It was a lengthy essay that would take over an hour to deliver.

“What? You left it in the classroom? Brother, you haven’t even looked at it?” Yun Xue exclaimed, covering her mouth in shock.

“What’s the point? It’s not a doujinshi,” Yun Xuan replied nonchalantly. There were ten volumes of mainstream doujinshi boldly displayed on his desk.

“……” Yun Xue was speechless.

…

Friday, nine a.m., Holy Royal High School auditorium.

Today was the last day of the second semester and the graduation ceremony for the seniors. The first-year students had to elect a representative to give a speech.

Yun Xuan had been personally chosen by the principal for this role. He himself had tried to refuse.

But refusal was futile; all matters regarding the Xingyue Cup were handled by the principal himself. Could Yun Xuan really say no?

The principal meant well. With the third years graduating, the student council would need a new president. As a promising first-year, Yun Xuan was fully capable of taking on the role, especially if he won the Xingyue Cup—the student council would be his for the taking.

PS: Please add to your favorites and vote for recommendations.