Thinking about a problem

Mu Qingyang watched the two people moving in such perfect harmony. Even as a middle school student, he understood what was going on, for he had been standing at the doorway ever since his sister had lain on top of Bai Fanhao.

But Mu Qingxi had no idea her younger brother already knew, nor that he had long discovered the situation between her and Bai Fanhao. Who would be so foolish? Mu Qingyang was one of the top students at their school, and a bona fide “ladies’ man” to boot.

He was, after all, one of the most popular figures at school—good-looking and an excellent student. Was it any wonder he was the prince charming in the hearts of so many lovely girls?

Bai Fanhao walked forward with a peculiar expression, and Mu Qingxi did the same. Both were lost in their own thoughts, so much so that they forgot all about Mu Qingyang standing beside them.

After a few steps, Bai Fanhao turned and sat by the bed, staring intently as Mu Qingxi walked out of the room. So preoccupied was she that she even forgot to close the door behind her.

Mu Qingyang watched the two with their strange expressions, at a loss for words. He was sure their mother knew what had happened too, though she hadn’t come out to intervene.

At her own bedroom door, Wan Qi turned to glance at Bai Fanhao’s room and saw the door standing open. She was just about to tell Bai Fanhao to close it when she caught sight of her brother standing in the doorway. Surprised, she said, “Qingyang, are you planning to be the door guardian tonight?”

Her words snapped Mu Qingyang out of his daze. In a low voice, he muttered, “If anyone’s a ‘door guardian,’ it’s you, don’t you think?”

Though she didn’t catch exactly what he said, from the way his mouth moved and his shifty eyes, Mu Qingxi knew it wasn’t anything nice.

She chose not to respond and said instead, “Close the door and go to sleep, now!”

With a glance at Shen Yali’s bedroom door—her eyes flickering—Mu Qingxi went into her own room and closed the door behind her.

Mu Qingyang looked at Bai Fanhao and asked, “You’re Bai Fanhao, aren’t you? I’ve seen you before.”

Bai Fanhao replied calmly, “Mu Qingyang, didn’t we already have a fight once?”

Mu Qingyang grinned wickedly. “That’s right. Too bad it was a draw. If we get the chance, let’s go again sometime.”

No one really knew the history between the two, just as few people knew that Mu Qingxi was a black belt in taekwondo.

Sitting on the bed, Bai Fanhao said, “Get lost. Are you trying to get your sister to put me on her blacklist?”

Feeling triumphant, Mu Qingyang flashed a victory sign with his fingers and crowed, “Oh yeah! Hahaha!”

Just then, Mu Qingxi was startled by a sudden gust from the door and hurriedly took a step back. Seeing the door before him, Mu Qingyang rubbed his nose and patted his chest, muttering, “Goodness, that damn Bai Fanhao nearly ruined my face. Hmph, he’ll get what’s coming to him!”

Inside her room, Mu Qingxi suddenly heard her brother’s voice. Puzzled, she got out of bed, opened the door, and looked toward Bai Fanhao’s door. All she saw was darkness; there was nothing there, so she closed the door again.

In his own room, Bai Fanhao sat under the covers, staring blankly at the white door.

Meanwhile, back in her room, Mu Qingxi curled up on her bed. The dim light cast a soft glow on her Winnie-the-Pooh pajamas, making her look irresistibly adorable.

He wondered how he could make her like him, how to make her accept him.

She wondered why she was angry, why Bai Fanhao’s worried gaze kept appearing in her mind, the way he looked at her—what was he so concerned about?

Was he worried about her?

In the same moment, in different rooms, they both pondered the very same question.