Chapter Forty-Six: Filthy Scoundrel... I'll Beat You to Death...

***Highly recommended: The lottery will begin with today’s chapter and continue until next Sunday, the 26th. There will be four updates each day, totaling twelve thousand words. The specific update times are after 5:30 PM, midnight, 8 AM, and noon. Please enthusiastically add this novel to your favorites during this period. I thank you all here...***

Zhuo Nan looked at the bowl of noodles in front of him—shredded meat, egg, and fresh greens. He instantly threw caution to the wind, devouring the meal with no regard for his appearance. Halfway through, a voice called out, “Little brother... Little brother...” The noodles suddenly vanished, replaced by Lan Qian’s face.

“Ah... my noodles...” Zhuo Nan jerked upright.

Lan Qian stared at him in astonishment, only speaking after a long pause. “Did you faint from hunger, little brother? You’re even dreaming about noodles...”

Realizing it was all a dream, Zhuo Nan shook his head to clear his mind. Seeing Lan Qian, already dressed and seated before him, he hurriedly explained, “Sis, you’re awake... Last night, you were sick and I—without your permission, I...”

Lan Qian’s cheeks turned crimson. She spoke softly, “I know... Enough about that. Get up and eat, I made noodles.” She stood and went into the kitchen.

Zhuo Nan smiled with a sigh. “So few girls know how to cook these days.”

He tried to sit up, only then noticing he was wearing nothing but his underwear. Embarrassed, he called out, “Sis, are my clothes dry yet?”

Lan Qian emerged from the kitchen carrying two bowls of noodles. “Not quite dry... I’ll iron them for you in a bit.” Seeing Zhuo Nan’s awkwardness, she smiled faintly. “Embarrassed? It’s nothing to fuss over.”

Zhuo Nan blushed, retorting, “Sis, I’m not embarrassed—unless you think I’m a pervert. I’m not the one at a loss here.”

Lan Qian spat lightly. “You rascal, look at yourself, acting like a rogue. Hurry up and wash your face, then eat your noodles.”

He thought, “If you’re not afraid, what do I have to worry about?” Throwing aside the covers, he stood up in just his underwear.

He was only fifteen, but his chest muscles were already pronounced, his abs divided into a clear eight-pack—not quite a bodybuilder, but his V-shaped torso was beginning to take shape. His briefs hugged his hips, the bulge in front emphasized to the point of being clearly outlined. Lan Qian’s heart raced as she looked away, thinking, “Rascal, he’s doing this on purpose, dressed like that...”

Noticing her discomfort, Zhuo Nan’s playful side took over. “Sis, what do you think of my physique?” he teased, spinning in a circle before her.

“Go, go, go... Exhibitionist. Wash your face. Your toothbrush and towel are right there.” Lan Qian turned away, giving him a gentle shove. Zhuo Nan laughed and headed to the bathroom.

Watching his retreating figure, Lan Qian’s cheeks grew even warmer. “That brat... What is it about him that I like so much...?”

“Sis, your cooking is amazing...” Zhuo Nan finally slurped the last noodle from his bowl and sighed contentedly.

“Only now you praise me? I thought you’d say something after the first bite,” Lan Qian replied with a smile.

“I wanted to, but it was so delicious I had to focus on eating.” Zhuo Nan rubbed his satisfied belly.

“You and that sweet mouth... When you’re done, move aside so I can clean up and then iron your clothes.” Lan Qian stood up to clear the table.

Suddenly remembering something, Zhuo Nan asked, “Sis, what time is it?”

Lan Qian replied reflexively, “Almost ten, I think...”

“What? Ten o’clock? I’m late!” Zhuo Nan exclaimed in shock.

“What’s the fuss? You don’t have to go to school. Missing a morning won’t matter.” Then, as if a thought struck her, she added, “Unless you’re anxious not seeing your little girlfriend all morning...”

Hearing the hint of jealousy in her tone, Zhuo Nan laughed. “Sis, you didn’t put vinegar in these noodles. Where’s that sourness coming from?”

“Pfft, who’s jealous of you? I haven’t even settled accounts with you yet,” Lan Qian huffed.

“Why are you in such a temper this morning? What do you have to settle with me?” Zhuo Nan feigned innocence.

Lan Qian threw down her bowl in frustration. “You ask? Who told you to take off my clothes last night...” Zhuo Nan noticed she spoke without a trace of embarrassment. He wondered, “Could she really be angry?”

“Sis, I had no choice. You threw up all over me—and yourself. If I didn’t take off your clothes, you’d have slept in filthy ones.” He approached, trying to explain.

“Don’t make excuses. I know what you’re thinking. Last time at the crime scene, you touched me on purpose. In the ballroom, you touched my stomach, and my butt. The other night you even kissed me. Last night you undressed me. So many offenses—what are you going to do about them?” Lan Qian let out all her grievances in a rush.

Zhuo Nan’s face grew hot. “Maybe I did go too far...” he thought. He asked quietly, “Sis, so what do you want me to do?”

Lan Qian hid a smile. “Let’s see how you answer this, brat.”

“What do I want? Obviously, you have to take responsibility,” she scolded.

Zhuo Nan blinked, unsure he’d heard right. “Take responsibility? Sis, is that what you mean?”

Lan Qian shot him a glare. “What, you don’t want to? You’ve kissed, touched, hugged, and seen everything. Now you won’t admit to it?” She buried her head in her arms and began to sob quietly.

Wait—let me think, this is a mess... Zhuo Nan sat opposite, watching her cry. “How did it come to this? Take responsibility? How? Marry her now? Even if I wanted to, would her father agree? I’m not even old enough to get a marriage license...” His mind spun with questions.

“Sis, I’m only fifteen...” he ventured.

To his surprise, Lan Qian retorted, “Fifteen? So what? In ancient times, fifteen-year-olds were already fathers, running errands for soy sauce...” For a moment, Zhuo Nan thought he was talking to Wang Liru—she could be her double.

He thought, “Maybe my luck’s finally turned—this girl actually wants to marry me? Good fortune like this?”

Lan Qian suddenly sat up, glaring, “Are you looking down on me because I’m older?”

Zhuo Nan gave an awkward smile. “Sis, of course not, it’s just...”

“Just what? I don’t care. You have to take responsibility, or I’ll pester you every day.” She began to pout.

“Sis, listen, I’m still a minor. I can’t marry you...” Zhuo Nan was troubled. Normally, having a beautiful girl like her interested would be a blessing—his family’s ancestors must be smiling down on him. But things were complicated; there was still Fu Xinxin at school. And even if they did want to marry, they’d have to wait seven or eight years...

“I didn’t say you had to marry me. I want you to be my boyfriend...” This time, Lan Qian’s cheeks flushed with shyness and she lowered her head.

Zhuo Nan’s jaw dropped. He shook his head. “How could I? What about Xinxin? I can’t betray her...”

Lan Qian stamped her foot in frustration. “So your heart’s only got room for Xinxin, and not for your own sister—right?”

He thought, “That’s not true. If I didn’t care for you, I wouldn’t have kissed you, hugged you, touched you. A man should take responsibility for his actions. It’s not like we’re in some brothel, having fun and walking away. But honestly, I wouldn’t mind having both of you... if only you and Xinxin would agree...”

He decided to be direct. “Sis, I don’t mind being your boyfriend—it’s just that I don’t want to let Xinxin down.”

Lan Qian was taken aback. “This brat...”

“You rascal, do you think you’re an emperor? Want a harem of three thousand beauties?” Her words were biting, but she couldn’t truly get angry at him.

Zhuo Nan was nothing if not honest, and honesty seldom ends well. “Sis, if I ever got the chance, I wouldn’t turn it down.”

Lan Qian grabbed a pair of chopsticks and flung them at him. “Three palaces and six courtyards, seventy-two concubines, is that what you want?” She hurled them one after another. “You want both of us, do you?” When the chopsticks ran out, she picked up a bowl, but after a moment, set it back down.

As I said, honesty is a dangerous thing... Zhuo Nan dodged and weaved, barely escaping the barrage. When she stopped, he breathed a sigh of relief.

“Let me tell you, you can only pick one: Fu Xinxin or me. Choose.” Zhuo Nan realized he’d have to give Lan Qian a new nickname—when angry, she was a tigress.

Without hesitation, he replied, “I choose Xinxin. She’s much gentler than you.”

He braced for a beating, but instead, Lan Qian’s hands simply trembled and tears began to patter onto the table.

Seeing her cry, Zhuo Nan stepped forward to comfort her. Truth be told, he liked both Lan Qian and Fu Xinxin, and wanted them both. But he knew that no woman would willingly share her love. What could he do? Being too handsome brought its own troubles...

“Sis...” He had barely spoken when Lan Qian shrieked, “Get out! I don’t want to see you! Go to your precious Xinxin!” She pushed him toward the door with all her might.

“Sis, listen, let me explain...” Zhuo Nan couldn’t fight back; he had no choice but to let her push him out.

Seeing her so determined, he finally said, “All right, Sis, I’ll go. Calm down. I’m sorry.” With that, he opened the door and walked out without looking back.

The door slammed shut behind him. Zhuo Nan shook his head helplessly. “Women...”

Suddenly, he felt a chill. That’s when he remembered—his clothes were still inside. He spun around and pounded on the door. “Sis, my clothes are still in there! Open the door!”

Just then, two middle-aged women returning from the market happened to pass by. Seeing Zhuo Nan in nothing but his briefs pounding on the door to apartment 304, they exchanged a glance, then promptly hurled their vegetables at him and charged, shouting, “Pervert! We’ll teach you a lesson!”