historical

An Xiulan blinked her eyes. What did she mean by ‘we’ here? Didn’t Lu Xuan make himself clear that she couldn’t bring her best friend Han Zixin and he wouldn’t bring Song Xueyun and didn’t this rule apply to Gu Shangyan too? They were going trekking to spend time with their brothers and sister. It was the reason why they weren’t even taking An Qinyan or Gu Yanxi with them.

“What do you say?” Yoona asked her with a bright smile.

An Xiulan looked at Gu Shangyan who was smiling at her as if anticipating her to say yes. She looked at Lu Xuan who had no problem with a sudden change in plans.

In the end, she said, “I don’t mind.”

Even though she minded very much. She couldn’t swim. She couldn’t go near the beach. She minded very much that she would sit alone away from the ocean while they would be playing close to the ocean.

“Yay!” Yoona exclaimed in joy.

“I have to go to the library with Zixin, “An Xiulan said as Meimei came with her school bag.

“Have fun, “Lu Xuan waved at her and she left the house.

...

“Hey, “Han Zixin waved at her as he saw her standing outside the gate. She was wearing a pink top and white shorts, and her hair looked good with this dress.

“So, which library do you wanna go to today?” Han Zixin questioned her.

“Can we go out today?” An Xiulan asked him.

“You want to bunk our self-study session?” Han Zixin devilishly grinned at her.

“Mhmm, can we go somewhere?” An Xiulan asked him again.

“Okay, “Han Zixin agreed. “Arcade?”

An Xiulan agreed. They went straight to the arcade. Her mood was uplifted because he made her happy. They didn’t realise how late it had gotten. They were so engrossed in playing and having fun that they didn’t realise that it was over nine in the night.

“We are late, “Han Zixin said, horrified.

“It’s okay, “An Xiulan said, completely chill.

When they reached home, he said, “Let me walk you to the door.”

“Nah, I’m fine, “An Xiulan said and waved at him. “Goodnight, Zixin.”

When she entered the door, she saw Lu Xuan standing there, clearly mad.

“Where were you?” Lu Xuan questioned her.

“I told you I’m going out with Zixin, “An Xiulan replied.

“You did not go to the library, “Lu Xuan said through gritted teeth.

“Did you go to the library to see if I went there or not?” An Xiulan questioned him.

“You know I was worried, “Lu Xuan said. “Mom and Uncle aren’t home. It’s my duty to keep you safe. You didn’t go to the library with that boy. Tell me honestly, are you dating someone? Which asshole are you dating?”

An Xiulan blinked her eyes. She softly looked at him to see if she heard him right. When she saw how he realised the mistake he made, she lightly shook her head and walked past him to her bedroom. On the way, she saw Gu Shangyan staring at her with the same look Lu Xuan gave her.

Well, her brothers were big fat hypocrites.

They didn’t mind dating but their sister couldn’t date anyone.

“Come on, Teeny, you can’t just ignore someone when they are talking to you, “Lu Xuan said as he barged through the door.

“I texted mom that I’m going to the arcade. I even texted her when I realised I’m late, “An Xiulan replied.

“You didn’t tell me, “Lu Xuan accused her. “You know how worried I was.”

“You are not my parent, “An Xiulan said. “Also, if you were so busy, you could have called me.”

“Your phone was out of reach, “Lu Xuan retorted.

“Well, I’m home now, “An Xiulan smiled. “Good night.”

Lu Xuan gaped at her as she threw him out of her bedroom. “Also, whoever I date is none of anyone’s business.”

“He could be a scammer, “Gu Shangyan said, worriedly. “What if the boy you are dating is a scammer or a cheat and he is only dating you to lure you in his trap?”

“When you start dating or will start dating will you get a background check on that person too?” An Xiulan questioned them. “The question here is not if I’m dating someone or not but the fact that you guys believe that I’m a naive child who can’t tell the difference between good and bad. I’m not that naive and stupid, brothers. I know what’s good for me and what’s bad. Now, if you will excuse me.”

She threw them out of their room and collapsed on the bed. “Is this what teenage issues are? Oh god, fighting with family sucks.”

The next morning when she woke up, her mom and stepfather had arrived. She joined them at the breakfast table.

“Now, will you tell me why you three are fighting again?” An Qinyan asked.

“They called the boy I’m dating an asshole and a scammer, “An Xiulan replied. “They think I’m stupid and naive.”

“Xiulan, are you dating?” Gu Yanxi asked. He felt as if he was getting a heart attack.

“Of course not, “An Xiulan replied and Gu Yanxi heaved a sigh of relief. “I’m too young for puppy love. “But Uncle, did it give them any right to be hypocritical? They can date but I can’t. What kind of rules are they?”

“No one can date inside this house until they are in college, “An Qinyan replied and Gu Shangyan swallowed the dumpling with great difficulty.

“Mom, she came home so late last night, “Lu Xuan said.

“So, do you and Yan Ge, “An Xiulan retorted. “Mom never accused you two of dating.”

“Ah Xuan, Shangyan, say sorry to your sister, “Gu Yani announced. “She told us that she went to the arcade.”

“You went to the arcade?” Gu Shangyan gaped at her. “Without us?”

An Xiulan shrugged.

“If you guys keep on fighting like this, I won’t send you on trekking alone, “An Qinyan said with a sigh. “You two gang up against her and then she comes to me crying.”

“We are not going trekking now, “Lu Xuan said. “We want to hit up the beach of City B.”

“Beach? Why?” Gu Yanxi furrowed his brow. “Xiulan can’t even swim or go near water bodies. If you three want to go on a sibling trip, it’s a very bad idea.”