Er Ya's sudden appearance startled Li Xiaoxiao. After all, Xia Qingtian hadn't mentioned whether she wanted the sisters to meet. Da Ya's condition was unstable, and Er Ya's personality was too boisterous. If this continued, what might happen if the sisters met?
"Xiaoxiao, I've come to seek refuge with you. I'm exhausted from the lab these past few days, and I haven't eaten anything since noon. I need to eat," Er Ya said, her tone casual as she had always been close to Li Xiaoxiao. "Just make me something, anything. I'm starving."
"Er Ya, why are you here?" Li Xiaoxiao signaled to Li Xiaozhong with a wink to get something from the kitchen, while also quietly asking him to contact Xia Qingtian.
"Don't even mention it. I was originally upset with Qingtian," Er Ya said, sounding wronged. "Do you know? Qingtian actually let that person surnamed Miao move into her house! Miao!"
"Uh... ah..." Li Xiaoxiao didn't understand for a moment what this meant.
"And, I was just upset with her, thinking she'd come pick me up and tell that Miao person to get lost. Guess what?" Er Ya's clear, bright eyes widened, her chubby cheeks puffing out.
"What?" Li Xiaoxiao still hadn't figured it out.
"She didn't even come!" Er Ya spread her hands. "She didn't come looking for me! I can't believe it! All these days! How could she? Can you believe it?"
"Can I... believe it or not?" Li Xiaoxiao was completely bewildered by Er Ya's words and didn't know how to respond. More importantly, there was a little ancestor sleeping inside!
"Recently, Xia Qingyu and I went to take an exam, and Qingtian accompanied us. This exam is quite important for Xia Qingyu," Li Xiaozhong said, placing a bowl of noodles in front of Er Ya. "There's not much in the kitchen, so I made you a bowl of noodles. Eat first."
"Thanks," Er Ya, clearly starving, slurped a large mouthful with her chopsticks. After chewing a few times, she frowned and commented, "Tsk... it'll do."
This remark was so familiar that Li Xiaozhong felt like hitting someone. Li Xiaoxiao also quickly signaled to Li Xiaozhong. Taking a deep breath, Li Xiaozhong suppressed his displeasure and returned directly to the bedroom. He couldn't afford to offend her, so he would avoid her.
"If it was to accompany Xia Qingyu, then I have nothing to say," Er Ya knew very well how much Xia Qingyu meant to Xia Qingtian. Xia Qingtian's constant nagging about "my Qingyu" had annoyed her to death.
Seeing that Er Ya seemed to have calmed down, Li Xiaoxiao gave a dry laugh and said, "Er Ya, you eat first. I'll go see if I can find some braised duck wings or something."
"Go on, go on," Er Ya wasn't polite with Li Xiaoxiao. "I'll complain to you when you get back."
"Alright," Li Xiaoxiao replied before hurrying into Li Xiaozhong's room. Closing the door, she asked in a low voice, "How is it? What did Qingtian say?"
"She said she's coming right over and asked us to keep Er Ya stable and try to prevent the sisters from meeting," Li Xiaozhong said irritably. "They really are sisters. Even the way they look down on my cooking is identical."
"Right! Haha, I think so too." Li Xiaoxiao was grinning when she saw Li Xiaozhong give her a sharp look. She immediately covered her mouth with her hands and fell silent.
"In short, it's up to you," Li Xiaozhong gave Li Xiaoxiao a glare and said.
"Huh? Me? How can I handle it!" Li Xiaoxiao immediately surrendered. "You're my brother! You can't be so heartless!"
Heartless? Li Xiaozhong raised an eyebrow. If he were truly heartless, he wouldn't have even made dinner. He was already tired! Seeing Li Xiaoxiao like this, Li Xiaozhong couldn't bring himself to be truly harsh. He could only glare at her, and then, supporting his weary body, he walked out.
"Please, please." Li Xiaoxiao was still winking and clasping her hands together, feigning pity. Li Xiaozhong had already found half a portion of leftover braised duck wings from the refrigerator, microwaved them, and handed them to Er Ya.
"Thanks," Er Ya mumbled as she ate. Soon, Er Ya finished both the noodles and the braised duck wings. She then let out a satisfied burp and, sucking her fingers, said, "I'll sleep in Da Ya's room tonight. I won't be a bother for long. After washing my clothes, I'll rest a bit and then head back to the lab. They still can't do without me."
Seeing Er Ya eyeing Da Ya's room, Li Xiaoxiao broke out in a cold sweat, afraid Er Ya would want to peek inside or put away her luggage.
"Um," Li Xiaoxiao coughed dryly, looking at Li Xiaozhong and signaling him, "It's not... convenient, is it... right, brother?"
"..." Li Xiaozhong's mouth twitched twice. "It's not convenient."
"Why isn't it convenient?" Er Ya puffed out her cheeks. "Li Xiaoxiao, are you hiding a man at home?"
"How could that be!" Li Xiaoxiao blushed and said, "It's just me and my brother at home!"
"Then what's inconvenient about it? I'm not staying for free. When I leave, I'll help you with some proper stuff. I guarantee your house will be free of snakes, insects, mice, and even cockroaches will be afraid to come. Isn't that good enough?" Er Ya said, heading for the room.
"Th-that's still not convenient!" Li Xiaoxiao quickly blocked Er Ya. "Really!"
"What's wrong!" Er Ya was unhappy too. She was already angry with Xia Qingtian, and she thought coming to seek refuge with Li Xiaoxiao would be fine, but now Li Xiaoxiao was treating her like this too. Weren't they good sisters before? Is this how sisters act?
"You say it's not convenient! I think you just don't welcome me!" Er Ya said unhappily, having gotten nowhere. "I'll leave then!"
Seeing Er Ya getting angry, Li Xiaoxiao immediately grabbed her and anxiously looked at Li Xiaozhong. "Xiaozhong! Hurry and tell me! Why isn't it convenient!"
Li Xiaozhong helplessly put his hand on his forehead and sighed before saying, "You can't leave. My sister told Qingtian about you coming here, and she's on her way."
"What?!" Er Ya was stunned, her clear, bright eyes wide with disbelief as she looked at Li Xiaoxiao. "Li Xiaoxiao, you betrayed me!"
"N-no..." Li Xiaoxiao blinked, her mind in a jumble.
"Qingtian couldn't find you at school, so she called just now, and my sister told her," Li Xiaozhong answered immediately. "Qingtian has been looking for you for a while and is quite anxious."
"That's right! That's exactly it!" Li Xiaoxiao said immediately.
"Is... that so?" Er Ya's tone softened considerably upon hearing this. Then she pouted unhappily. "What was she doing before? She actually knows to worry about me..."
Seeing this, Li Xiaoxiao finally breathed a sigh of relief. Just then, the door behind Li Xiaoxiao, which had been closed, slowly opened, and a sleepy, exasperated female voice came from within: "So noisy... can't a person sleep..."
"!"