Volume 2 Chapter 76 / Chapter 357: Brother's Year-End Bonus
Ning Yuan's gaze drifted back and forth across the photo, sometimes even landing on his sister who's in the middle.
He had to admit, in terms of looks and figure, Ning Chu was the most striking of the three girls… but no matter what, he just couldn't feel any interest.
Technically speaking, Ning Chu was his "heaven-sent" little sister.
But since they'd grown up together, he knew everything about her, down to her sizes and quirks. That made it impossible for him to view the pretty, alluring young woman before him as a "normal" girl.
Deep down, she still felt like his younger brother wearing a girl's skin.
Even knowing his mother and sister were succubi, he couldn't bring himself to project the usual stereotypes of succubi onto them.
It mostly came down to time: ever since his "little brother" became a sister, the total time they'd spent together was barely a week.
"I think… this kind of thing can't be forced."
Though his mouth had just declared he wasn't interested in dating, Ning Yuan's eyes wavered as he spoke. "With my salary, I really don't plan on dating. Don't bring it up again."
"The one on the right is called Lily. She really wants a relationship, you know~"
"She's that pretty—guys who like her probably line up around the block, right?"
Well, that was true.
But Lily was introverted. Even with plenty of admirers, not many managed to strike up a real conversation with her.
Just as Ning Chu was about to explain, Ning Yuan suddenly got up and bolted toward the kitchen as if fleeing:
"Mom, what's for lunch? I'm starving."
"Back home for just two minutes and already hungry. Did you learn that from Ning Xin?"
Ning Chu pouted at his retreating back.
"Why run away? So shy…"
"Big Brother's a hopeless otaku~" Black Bean chimed in playfully, her earlier sulky expression from being scolded long gone. She was now busy trying to tie her tail into a bow.
"Well, if it really doesn't work out, then forget it. Shame though—I almost had myself a rich sister-in-law."
Ning Chu sighed. Her brother was handsome, gentle, and neatly matched Lily's taste. She wasn't even talking about marriage—just matchmaking a little would've been nice.
But with his hardcore otaku, girl-phobic tendencies, he might never have a relationship at all.
"Lunch is ready."
Since Ning Yuan was rushing her, Ning Juan brought out the half-finished dishes to the table.
"Eat light for lunch. Tonight's the real feast."
No one needed to call Black Bean—she was already trotting happily to her seat.
It was rare for the whole family to gather together. Smiling, Ning Juan ladled out bowls of seaweed-egg soup for everyone.
"Mom, my year-end bonus came in." Ning Yuan, after two bites of food, seemed to suddenly remember. He stood up. "I'll go get it for you."
"How much did you get?"
"Over ten thousand."
Holy crap! That much?!
Ning Chu snapped her head toward him, eyes sparkling—though Ning Yuan immediately caught the gleam.
"You're already scheming how to fleece me, huh?"
"Not at all~ This isn't fleecing. I just don't trust you to spend it wisely."
Ning Yuan ignored her and walked over to the TV cabinet, pulling his backpack over. From inside, he drew out a fat stack of cash wrapped in red paper.
"Cash payout?" Their mother's eyes lit up, though she kept her smile reserved. "You don't need to give me money. I'm not short—keep it and spend it yourself."
"I'll give you half."
"Really, you don't need to~ silly child…" She covered her mouth, unable to hide her growing grin, and shook her head. "Work is hard. What you earn is for yourself—save it for when you get married someday."
Ning Yuan pretended not to hear, peeled off half the stack, and laid it directly on the table.
"Come on~ I told you there's no need. I'll keep it safe for you, so you don't waste it."
Ning Juan was grinning from ear to ear. Even though she said no, her hand had already snatched up the cash. She instinctively wanted to count it, but doing that in front of the kids felt a little embarrassing, so she just set it aside.
"Mom, if you don't want it, then give it to me. I'm actually pretty broke right now." Ning Chu reached out for the money.
Her hand got smacked away, and Ning Juan swiftly tucked the cash into her pocket. "Your brother gave it to me. What does that have to do with you?"
"Didn't you say you don't need money~"
"I'm saving it for your brother's marriage! And I still have to raise you and Ning Xin. How can I not need money?"
Look at that tsundere tone~ Ning Chu realized exactly where her own stubborn streak came from.
Both she and Ning Yuan burst into laughter, and Mom didn't mind either—she just chuckled along while carefully pulling the money back out to count, bill by bill.
Black Bean blinked in confusion, not understanding what was so funny. Her eyes darted around, and while no one was looking, she quickly snagged the last chicken wing with her chopsticks and shoved it into her mouth.
Who cared what they were babbling about? She wasn't about to let the tastiest piece go to waste!
"That's it, okay? Don't give me money again—just this once."
Ning Juan finished counting, positively glowing, and somehow produced a rubber band to bundle the bills neatly together.
Ning Chu caught the slip in her words: "Mom, doesn't my brother give you living expenses every month too?"
"That's different. The living expenses are for you and Ning Xin. How much of that do I even get to use for myself?"
"Well, you do have Uncle~"
Ning Juan's brow immediately furrowed, and Ning Chu chickened out at once, awkwardly diverting the topic: "Black Bean! Did you eat all the wings already? I only had one!"
"You guys weren't eating them~" Black Bean mumbled through a full mouth.
"There are more in the kitchen. I'll get them." Ning Juan stood up, phone in hand, and while fetching food, she sent a voice message in her WeChat group. Her tone was dripping with mock complaints: "Honestly, my son is too much. It's enough that he came home for New Year, but he just had to shove money at me. I said no, and he actually got mad! Can you believe him…"
Ning Yuan was dumbfounded. "When did I ever get mad…"
By the time lunch wrapped up, Uncle had arrived, lugging in bags of New Year's goodies.
Ning Juan practically flaunted the stack of cash in front of him, looking so smug and girlish it was hard to believe she was the mother of two.
Meanwhile, Ning Chu sat slumped on the sofa, her lips pressed together. Across the table, Mom was beaming like sunshine at Uncle, while Uncle's eyes softened with quiet warmth.
She couldn't help sneaking glances at her phone again and again.
Why hadn't Wen Yang come for lunch today…
If she didn't see him at noon, she'd have to wait until nearly eleven tonight.
The meal had been cheerful enough, but now with Mom shoving her "dog food" down everyone's throat, Ning Chu couldn't help but feel a little sour.
"Ning Chu, that account."
"What account?" Ning Chu blinked and turned to her brother beside her.
Looking awkward and a little bashful, Ning Yuan smiled at her, trying to sound casual but almost ingratiating: "You know, that one… Lily's."
"Oh~ Didn't you say you weren't interested in dating?" she muttered. "Why the change of heart now?"
"No, no, I just thought… having more friends is useful, you know…"
"Tch~" Ning Chu shot him a look of pure disdain.
Men were all the same—put a pretty face in front of them and their principles went right out the window.
Still, since it was Lily's main account she was giving him, Ning Yuan wouldn't get to see Lily's more unrestrained side. To him, she'd just look like a shy, conservative little girl.
Maybe that was better anyway. If Lily got too bold, her brother might actually run for the hills.
"I've sent you the account. The rest is up to you."
She smirked to herself, already imagining the day her brother would get utterly drained and left clutching the wall for support~
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Link for character illustration:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1IxOucqi87ss3bmqfO9zI2gYiM1Gy8Hz2
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