Huo Yao took the luggage and closed the boot in one fluid motion. Then she automatically stood one meter away from Huo Yulin and said sweetly, “Brother Yulin, go on. It’s getting late. Thanks for coming to pick me up.”
Huo Yulin noticed how far his little sister was standing like she was deliberately keeping a distance and instinctively scratched his head. In the past, he wouldn’t want anyone to be too close to him. However, he inexplicably felt annoyed in his heart at the distance between them now.
“Ok, I-I’m off.” After living abroad for so long, Huo Yulin was a little slow when he spoke in mandarin.
“Uh huh.” Huo Yao nodded without trying to hold him back.
Huo Yulin stood where he was for a few seconds before he finally moved and reached for the driver’s seat door. Before he entered, he raised his head and looked at Huo Yao.
Huo Yao smiled at him. She looked very pretty and gentle. Huo Yulin subconsciously squeezed the door handle when he saw this. “I-I’m really going, okay?”
“Sure. Goodnight, Brother Yulin.” Huo Yao raised her hand and waved at him.
“G-good night.” Huo Yulin’s face inexplicably went warm. Then he got into the car.
He looked sideways into the rearview mirror as the car pulled out after starting the engine. Huo Yao was still standing at the hotel entrance and gradually became smaller until she was invisible.
Finally Huo Yulin veered his eyes away from the rearview mirror. His little sister did not feel repugnant to him.
After Huo Yulin’s car had gone away, Huo Yao entered the hotel with her luggage. The other students had already arrived and had gone to their rooms.
The moment she entered the hotel lobby, she caught sight of Yi Lianfan standing at the reception. He walked over when he spotted her and retrieved a card key from his pocket and handed it to her.
Huo Yao took the room card and thanked him.
Yi Lianfan pursed his lips. “Welcome. Good luck for tomorrow.”
Huo Yao took the card key and pulled her luggage towards the lift as she said calmly, “All the best to you too.”
Yi Lianfan watched from behind as Huo Yao left. He paused for two seconds before he straightened his back and followed quickly behind her. “Can you help me with some more solutions?”
Huo Yao pressed the lift button and looked at Yi Lianfan helplessly. She raised her hand and pointed at her watch. In a solemn voice, she said, “Friend, do you know what time it is? Do you want to go to the competition tomorrow and lose because you didn’t rest tonight?”
She was a little terrified of Yi Lianfan. Ever since she had explained a problem to him, he kept coming to her with questions at school in the freetime. He clearly treated her like a cow and milked her at every opportunity.
-_-||
Yi Lianfan coughed. “Fine. Then let’s talk after the exam.”
Huo Yao went quiet.
“…”
The lift doors opened with a chime. Huo Yao exited expressionlessly and refused to respond to him.
Yi Lianfan’s room was right next to Huo Yao’s. She swiped the card key, opened the door, entered, and swiftly closed the door behind her.
Yi Lianfan: “…”
*
After Huo Yulin went back to his place, he sat on the couch and snapped his fingers. Before long, an AI housekeeper came over after pouring a glass of water.
He took the water and had a sip. Then he contemplated before taking out his phone.
