"Not the whole day," Bai Ningning retorted seriously, "I got up around six in the afternoon, and it wasn't dark until eight."
"I said almost, almost the entire day," Qin Mom pressed her temples, feeling a headache coming on. "And I heard from the maid that this is your usual state; once you start, you can't stop."
"So, it's really not my problem," Bai Ningning said expressionlessly, "I'm just a passive participant."
"….…"
Qin Mom was left speechless and looked at Qin Yue.
"Well, it's not entirely my problem either," Qin Yue also said expressionlessly, "You can't make a sound with just one finger."
Qin Mom was slightly taken aback; while this made sense, it felt a bit strange to hear.
"In any case, you both lack restraint now, and you'll only realize it's too late when important matters are delayed," Qin Mom sighed. "Forget it, let's talk about Xin Xin's issue."
She realized that although she was the elder, she really had no way to intervene in the couple's private life. The passive party claimed it wasn't their problem, while the active party said it wasn't entirely their fault; they were just shifting blame. What else was there to say?
But Xin Xin...
"Xin Xin... I mean Qin Xin, the junior," Bai Ningning tilted her head for the second time today. "What's wrong with her?"
Qin Mom looked at Qin Yue: "Didn't Yueyue just say that Xin Xin usually doesn't eat with you or communicate with anyone? Has this child encountered something that needs help?"
Qin Yue continued eating her meal: "How would I know what she's encountered? She never said anything."
"If she doesn't say anything, won't you ask? She's your own sister," Qin Mom lamented. "Sisters in other families are close, doing things together, playing together, and even sleeping together. I'm not asking you to be like that, but having a common interest to play together would be good enough."
"I'm not particularly opposed," Qin Yue shrugged. "You can go talk to Qin Xin."
"Okay," Qin Mom immediately brightened up. "I'll talk to her when she gets back."
Just say that your sister has already agreed, and it's just you left.
With the family issue somewhat settled, everyone was waiting for Qin Xin to return. After the afternoon break, around four-thirty, Qin Xin finally came back.
And this was after Qin Mom had been calling her repeatedly; if she hadn't urged her, she probably wouldn't have returned until late at night.
"Xin Xin, you're back! Yueyue and I have been waiting for you all afternoon," Qin Mom rushed over, bringing Qin Yue along, hoping to gain favor for the sister in front of the younger sister. But when she saw Qin Xin's hands wrapped in gauze, she froze: "Xin Xin, what happened... did you get hurt?"
"No," Qin Xin silently pulled her hand back. "I just practiced boxing for a while."
"Boxing?"
"Club activity."
Qin Xin didn't elaborate much. She was in a good mood today, having joined a meaningful club and met a few friendly seniors.
The seniors told her that fighting isn't just about punches and kicks. It can enhance your strength and improve your mindset. If you encounter uncontrollable anger, hitting a punching bag can help dissipate that anger.
In simpler terms, if you're feeling hot-headed, boxing can help vent that frustration and calm your mood.
What a meaningful club this is!
Unfortunately, in today's impatient society, people would rather be scorched in the fire than take a moment to calm down. Therefore, the recruitment situation for the mixed martial arts club this year was quite disappointing. Among the new students, besides Qin Xin, only one other person joined.
Qin Xin knew that person; she was a girl from the same formation during military training, tall and athletic, with a healthy tan.
In short, after boxing for an entire afternoon, not only did she vent her frustrations, but she also made like-minded friends. It was wonderful.
"You child, don't hit so hard when boxing; look, you've wrapped your hands in gauze," Qin Mom said, examining her closely and realizing she wasn't injured, which made her breathe a little easier.
"Mom, why are you here today?" Qin Xin asked.
She felt calm and could face everything with ease.
"I came a few days ago, but you didn't rest well, and your sister didn't even get up. It was a wasted trip," Qin Mom said. "So, I specifically chose today to come again."
Saying this, she invited the two sisters to sit on the sofa, eat some fruit, watch TV, and chat.
After the two daughters sat down, Qin Mom looked around and felt something was missing... oh right, there was still a little succubus who hadn't come out.
After all, she was part of the family; how could she sleep alone?
So, Qin Mom called out to her: "Ningning, stop sleeping, Xin Xin is back; come out!"
Bai Ningning, who was lying in bed, wasn't actually asleep; she was just playing on her phone. Hearing the call, she adjusted the strap of her sleepwear and walked out.
"I'm here."
Senior Ningning came out, and Qin Xin slightly raised her gaze, seeing another sleepwear without a collar and a large portion of a pillow.
Qin Xin's cheeks flushed slightly, and an unusual fire ignited in her heart. All the efforts she had put into boxing for the entire afternoon felt wasted.
"Come sit, come sit," Qin Mom pulled her over to the sofa. "Have some fruit."
Well, although the little succubus is quite annoying, she is still a part of this family. If it were just the two sisters alone, they wouldn't be able to relax much and wouldn't have many topics to talk about, so having Bai Ningning join in can serve as a lubricant.
This little succubus is somewhat useful in other aspects besides that.
Qin Mom looked at the three girls sitting together with relief; the tense atmosphere from earlier seemed to have eased quite a bit. The two daughters shifted in their seats a little.
Wait, why is the little succubus sitting in the middle?
"Ningning senior," Qin Xin was the first to speak, "didn't you attend the club recruitment this afternoon?"
"Hmm, the president invited me, but there were some matters at home," Bai Ningning turned to Qin Yue and gestured, "so I didn't go."
She had initially declined, thinking she'd be engaging in naval warfare with Qin Yue—only to be caught off guard by Aunt Qin's arrival.
"What a pity. If Senior Ningning had been in charge of recruitment," Qin Xin said casually, "maybe I would have joined her club."
Would senior Ningning ask me which club I joined and try to poach me? Qin Xin felt a slight anticipation in her heart.
"Actually, it doesn't matter which club you join," Bai Ningning said calmly, "as long as it aligns with your interests."
She didn't care about me, the girl sighed softly in her heart.
Qin Yue, sitting on Bai Ningning's other side, raised an eyebrow in displeasure.
What does that mean? You two are so familiar with each other?
And standing behind the sofa, Qin Mom was even more troubled.
What does this mean? You let Xin Xin chat with Yueyue, but why are you chatting with Ningning? She wanted the little succubus to act as a lubricant, not as a connector.