Although Qin Siyan had always unconditionally sided with his sister and believed she deserved everything in the world, after hearing that Chu Lulin was only nineteen, he couldn't help feeling that his sister had been a bit unfair this time.
An older woman dating a younger man was no big deal, and the whole "cradle robbing" idea didn't apply. It was a new era—his sister was only twenty-five, in the prime of her youth. Even if she were forty and dating a nineteen-year-old, Qin Siyan would just think it showed her charm.
But the problem was that his sister had started chasing Chu Lulin six years ago.
And supposedly, she'd pursued him relentlessly!
If Chu Lulin was nineteen now, six years ago he would have been only fourteen!
Fourteen—what grade was that? Oh, right—he was in eighth grade when he was fourteen.
Qin Siyan couldn't help covering his face.
Heavens, how could his sister bring herself to do that? Wasn't that like destroying the nation's young?
And more importantly, it was illegal!
That counted as harassment of a minor, didn't it?
Sigh—if Chu Lulin decided to pursue it, he wondered how many years the law would give his sister.
But at least on the way here, Chu Lulin had seemed very attentive to his sister. Now that they had some emotional foundation, he probably wouldn't press charges.
Phew—thinking this, Qin Siyan patted his chest in relief.
At least his sister wouldn't get arrested.
What "arrested"?
Seeing Qin Siyan first tense up and then relax, Jian Ran was completely baffled.
"What are you talking about? Did you hit your head?"
Qin Siyan pouted and retorted without mercy, "You're one to talk?"
He didn't know which of them was the crazy one, but what she did was something he could never do—too immoral.
Thinking this, Qin Siyan's gaze toward Chu Lulin became somewhat sympathetic.
Putting himself in those shoes, if he'd encountered something like that at fourteen—even if the other person was as beautiful as his sister—it would still leave a psychological scar.
Jian Ran frowned, wondering what cryptic game he was playing. He was asking for a beating.
Just as she was contemplating how to deliver an elegant yet dignified "loving greeting" to her dear cousin in front of Chu Lulin, she suddenly deciphered everything from Qin Siyan's hesitant expression.
"???"
This brat had mistaken Chu Lulin for Zhou Yu!!
Jian Ran was both amused and annoyed.
Seriously, was that the image she had in Qin Siyan's mind?
But Jian Ran couldn't exactly explain now—Chu Lulin was right there, and she was too embarrassed to bring it up in front of him. She could only give Qin Siyan a warning look.
Fortunately, the sibling telepathy they'd had since childhood still worked. After some eye contact, the misunderstanding was cleared.
Once he knew the truth, Qin Siyan felt as if the sun had come out.
Close call—his sister's towering image in his heart had nearly taken a hit.
But then he glanced at Chu Lulin and turned back to Jian Ran with a knowing wink.
—'Wow! As expected of my sis, already got a new flame so soon.'
Jian Ran glared threateningly.
—'Don't talk nonsense, or I'll skin you alive. I told you, we're friends, got it?'
Qin Siyan quickly raised his hands in surrender, feigning submission to her tyranny.
Jian Ran finally breathed a sigh of relief.
This kid was definitely out to get her; on his very first day back, he'd nearly exposed her secrets.
At least the silent farce was over.
Actually, having an ex-boyfriend wasn't something to be ashamed of, and Jian Ran wasn't afraid of Chu Lulin finding out. But she was afraid of him learning about her past as the desperate chaser.
Back then, Lu Chuchu always teased her, saying that if things didn't work out with Zhou Yu, years later she'd look back and see it as a black mark on her record.
Jian Ran hadn't taken it seriously before, but now she kind of understood.
Not exactly a "black mark," but it was certainly embarrassing.
The reason was probably that she didn't want to ruin her image as the powerful benefactor in Chu Lulin's eyes.
After all, true rich women never got caught up in love—they flitted through flowers without a petal clinging to them.
While Qin Siyan was in the restroom, Jian Ran thought it over and decided to offer Chu Lulin a brief explanation.
Those knowing glances between her and her brother would have been obvious to anyone.
"My cousin's a bit slow. Don't misunderstand—I didn't mean to treat you like an outsider."
Chu Lulin smiled, as understanding as ever. "I know."
Jian Ran nodded. Good, he understood.