What's going on now?
Jing Zejun finally finished work early today and could get home sooner to have dinner with her family. However, the atmosphere at the dinner table seemed a bit off.
As Jing Zejun picked at the white rice in her bowl, she secretly glanced at Jing Zeqian, then at Jing Yi. The food in front of her no longer held any appeal.
Did they have a fight? Jing Yi hadn't mentioned anything.
Moreover, Second Brother's resentment seemed directed not just at Jing Yi, but at Big Brother too.
Was Big Brother involved in this somehow?
She had only been away for one day, but it seemed like a lot had happened at home.
At the table, Jing Yi, who was being glared at by Jing Zeqian, paid no attention and focused on eating her dinner. After all, it wasn't the first time Jing Zeqian had shown his dislike for her - she was used to it by now.
[Aunt Wang's braised lion's head meatballs are absolutely amazing today!]
Beside her, Jing Zeyou also seemed unbothered, calmly picking up food with his chopsticks and occasionally chatting with Jing Beicheng, completely ignoring Jing Zeqian's stares.
Mr. and Mrs. Jing Beicheng had naturally noticed the looks exchanged between their children. Though they didn't know what was going on, they chose not to interfere in the children's affairs and went for a stroll in the courtyard after dinner.
In the living room, Jing Zejun sat on the sofa, looking from one person to another. Seeing that Jing Zeqian was still in a foul mood, she couldn't bear to pretend she hadn't noticed.
"Second Brother, what's wrong?"
Jing Zeqian felt like he could die from emotion. "Little sister! You're the only one who's good to your Second Brother! You're the only one in this family who cares about me!"
Jing Zeqian held onto Jing Zejun's hand as he lamented about what he had seen in the courtyard that afternoon.
On the other side, Jing Yi couldn't help but do something out of character.
She rolled her eyes, while Jing Zeyou also glanced at the complaining man with some exasperation.
"So, it's just because they were sunbathing together?" Jing Zejun's tone was uncertain. Was this really her cool and aloof Second Brother?
Jing Zeqian's expression immediately turned serious, emphasizing that it wasn't 'just' that.
She gave a dry laugh, wanting to comfort Jing Zeqian but not knowing what to say.
With Second Brother's attitude, he didn't even need to avoid Jing Yi anymore. It would be hard to make people angry; they'd probably just find it amusing.
"Enough already? Junjun, go play with Xiao Yi. Don't mind him."
Big Brother had spoken. Jing Zejun smiled apologetically, quickly withdrew her hand, and walked over to Jing Yi's side, pulling her back to their room.
Seeing that the spectators had left, Jing Zeqian dropped his act and leaned back in his chair, resuming his usual lazy demeanor.
He was just trying to amuse his little sister anyway. Occasional silliness was harmless and could even strengthen their sibling bond.
"You two have gotten close enough to sunbathe together?" Jing Zeyou said calmly. "She's living in the Jing family now, so she's family one way or another. Don't you think your attitude towards her is a bit too harsh?"
Jing Zeqian snorted coldly, crossing his long legs. "I've never seen you sunbathing before."
Although Jing Zeqian had some issues with Jing Yi, they weren't that serious anymore. What he really cared about was why his brother was being so nice to a newcomer!
Jing Zeyou was getting a real headache now. He raised his hand to massage his temples but noticed the familiar cup of health tea. Aunt Wang hadn't thrown it away yet! Was it really necessary to keep this cup of unknown herbal concoction?
Jing Zeyou walked over, intending to pick up the cup and dispose of its mysterious contents, but he seemed to think of something and his eyes flickered.
"I worked late yesterday, so I woke up this afternoon and decided to get some sun, replenish some vitamin D. What's wrong with that?"
Jing Zeqian raised his left eyebrow but didn't speak. His eyes clearly told Jing Zeyou that he wasn't satisfied with this answer.
His brother had never sunbathed with him... More importantly, was sunbathing really what he was concerned about?!
Always busy like a workaholic, and now he suddenly has time to sunbathe with Jing Yi?
Anyone could guess how sarcastic Jing Zeqian's expression must have been at that moment.
"Tell me, what will it take for you to let this go?"
"Give me back my share!" Jing Zeqian replied so quickly it was hard not to believe it was premeditated.
Seeing Jing Zeyou's gaze, Jing Zeqian felt a bit guilty, but then remembering he was in the right, he instantly regained his confidence.
"Fine, I'll transfer it to you later. But don't make a fuss in front of Junjun and Xiao Yi anymore."
Was he really giving in so easily?
Jing Zeqian looked at the man in front of him suspiciously. Surely there wasn't some trick up his sleeve?
But Jing Zeyou was already preparing to go to the study, casually handing the health tea on the table to Jing Zeqian.
"Don't worry, since I've promised you, I don't intend to go back on my word. Here, you must be thirsty after all that howling. It's freshly brewed tea."
Jing Zeqian didn't suspect anything, thinking his big brother was just showing concern. He even felt a bit touched and guilty.
As expected of my own brother, even when I've schemed against him, he still worries if I'm thirsty.
Having talked for so long, he was indeed a bit thirsty. Jing Zeqian picked up the cup, ready to down it in one go.
Jing Zeqian was still immersed in his self-pity, not noticing the upward curve of Jing Zeyou's lips as he walked up the stairs.
"Pffft!"
Before he could even finish half of it, Jing Zeqian spat out the tea.
Hearing the commotion behind him, the smile in Jing Zeyou's eyes deepened as he quickened his pace up the stairs.
"What is this?! It tastes horrible!"
"Jing Zeyou!"
Shouts could be heard from downstairs. Jing Zejun curiously looked towards the door, but quickly returned her attention.
Jing Yi was telling her about sunbathing with Big Brother that afternoon.
When she heard that Big Brother had joined in sunbathing, Jing Zejun was also surprised.
She hadn't expected that her usually composed Big Brother would be interested in something like sunbathing. But was Second Brother really upset just because of this?
"Right? You also think it's unreasonable, don't you?"
Getting Jing Zejun's agreement, Jing Yi spoke a bit louder, feeling the confidence of having found an ally.
Jing Yi carefully glanced at the door, then lowered her voice to tell Jing Zejun, "Besides, I think he's just brother-obsessed!"
[That resentful look all afternoon was enough to make your skin crawl! His brother complex is way too obvious!]
Jing Zejun's lips curled into a smile. "Do you think he wanted to sunbathe with you two as well?"
Jing Yi looked disgusted. "Sunbathing? With him like that? He'd probably want to use a ruler to keep Big Brother and me apart."
[As soon as he came back, he started with the sarcasm. He's just like a living, breathing brother-obsessed little princess!]
Jing Zejun burst out laughing. Jing Yi's description was quite vivid.
It's a good thing Second Brother didn't hear that, or they'd start arguing again. After all, the number of times those two had bickered lately was countless.
Everyone had gotten used to it by now.
