Originally, Lin Yu could have immediately heard what he wanted to hear from the little girl's mouth.
But unexpectedly, Xiao Luoli stopped halfway through her sentence and shut her mouth.
Seeing this, Lin Yu had no choice but to follow the direction of her gaze.
At the stairwell corner one floor below, there stood a woman wearing a long black dress. Her skin was snow-white, her features delicate, and her figure strikingly graceful. Her long hair fell loosely over her shoulders as she looked at Lin Yu and the little girl with curiosity.
"Xiao Qin?"
Upon seeing the woman, a trace of surprise appeared on Lin Yu's face as he called out a name.
Because the woman standing before him—her face full of curiosity—was none other than the little girl's older sister.
Back then, after Lin Yu helped the little girl finish her homework, she had dragged her sister straight to his doorstep, leaving him extremely embarrassed at the time.
But it was precisely because of that incident that Lin Yu gradually became familiar with the little girl's family.
"Big sis!"
At that moment, the little girl ran down the stairs, dashed over to the woman, grabbed her hand, and sweetly called out, "Big sis."
"Lin Yu, what were you and Xinxin talking about?"
The little girl's sister reached out and patted her head, then smiled warmly at Lin Yu and asked curiously.
"Brother Lin Yu was telling me that in a few days he'll take us to the amusement park!"
Before Lin Yu could answer, the little girl blurted it out eagerly.
"I…"
Lin Yu was momentarily stunned. He had clearly said he'd only take the little girl—since when did that include her sister too?
Moreover, the condition he'd set for taking the little girl to the amusement park was that she tell him who his blind date was supposed to be that evening.
"Really? Brother Lin Yu…"
After hearing the little girl's words, Chen Xiaoqin's face lit up with anticipation. In her expectant eyes, there was also a faint, barely noticeable hint of shyness.
"Ah… yes, that's right."
Since things had already come to this, Lin Yu naturally couldn't deny it anymore. Internally, he was already planning whether he should find a chance to explain things properly to the little girl's grandfather.
"Thank you, Brother Lin Yu."
Seeing Lin Yu nod, the joy on Chen Xiaoqin's face became even more apparent.
"Have you eaten yet? Why don't you come over to our place for lunch? I'll cook for you."
As she spoke, Chen Xiaoqin seemed to think of something, her eyes filled with hopeful anticipation as she looked at him.
"I've already eaten."
Lin Yu quickly refused.
After all, despite the fact that the little girl's sister was pretty and seemed considerate, when it came to cooking, she was almost on the same level as that socially anxious, sweet-but-hopeless Su Su—practically dark cuisine incarnate.
"Oh… I see…"
Hearing that Lin Yu had already eaten, disappointment flickered across Chen Xiaoqin's face, her gaze dimming slightly.
"Big sis, Brother Lin Yu ate lunch at our place today…"
At that moment, the little girl spoke up, deftly defusing the awkwardness that was about to set in.
"Is that so?"
"What a pity. I had something to take care of and came back late—otherwise I could've tried Brother Lin Yu's cooking…"
Chen Xiaoqin's expression returned to normal, though there was still a trace of regret in her eyes.
"Oh right, Xinxin, do you know why Grandpa told me to come back?"
At this point, Chen Xiaoqin seemed to remember something and lowered her head to ask the little girl.
"I don't know. Grandpa didn't tell me," the little girl shook her head.
"Then, Lin Yu, I'll take Xinxin home first and see what Grandpa wants me back for."
"Mm."
Lin Yu nodded and said nothing more, returning to his own apartment.
"This is such a hassle…"
After getting home, Lin Yu lay down on his bed, staring at the ceiling.
He was completely resistant to blind dates, but he couldn't withstand the little girl's grandfather's enthusiasm, so he'd reluctantly agreed.
Now that things had come to this, he was starting to feel anxious. After all, he had zero experience with blind dates.
Of course, he didn't want any experience either—but with the current situation, it was like an arrow already on the bowstring. He had no choice but to go.
The little girl's grandfather had already arranged the time and place. If Lin Yu didn't show up, it would be hard to justify.
"How about… finding someone to pretend to be my girlfriend?"
After much deliberation, Lin Yu finally thought of a perfect solution.
That way, he could avoid the grandfather seeing the blind date fail and then arranging even more afterward. It was simply flawless.
"But who should I ask?"
After thinking it over, the first person who came to mind was Huang Yiyi, the flat-chested loli who lived across from him and ate so much of his food on a daily basis.
Now seemed like the perfect time to repay the favor.
With that thought, Lin Yu went to knock on Huang Yiyi's door, intending to discuss the details and ensure everything went smoothly.
But the moment he opened his door, a note slid down and landed on the floor.
"[Lin Yu, this young lady won't be home this afternoon. Don't miss me~]"
Staring at the note, Lin Yu froze on the spot.
This flat-chested loli was really unreliable—ditching him at such a critical moment. At the most crucial time, she wasn't even home.
A brilliant plan, dead on arrival.
As for that socially anxious, sweet-but-ditzy big sister Su Su, Lin Yu didn't even consider her.
"In that case, it seems there's only one option left…"
After filtering through his choices, Lin Yu realized that there was only one suitable person remaining.
Chen Xiaoqin—the little girl's sister.
"The problem is… how do I even bring it up?"
Although he had a target now, figuring out how to ask her—and get her to agree—was a real headache.
Thinking about it, Lin Yu felt a pang of regret. If only he hadn't said he didn't have a girlfriend when the little girl asked him before.
Otherwise, he wouldn't be stuck in this mess now.
"Brother Lin Yu…"
Just then, Lin Yu saw the little girl's figure appear at the top of the staircase.
"Xinxin? Why are you here?"
Seeing her, Lin Yu was a little surprised.
"Grandpa and my sister are chatting at home. I came down to play with you."
The little girl's face was full of bright smiles, looking incredibly adorable.
"Xinxin, about taking you and your sister to the amusement park—I can agree. But you have to help me with something."
Hearing this, an idea immediately formed in Lin Yu's mind. He looked at the little girl and spoke with a slight smile.
"Help you with what, Brother Lin Yu?"
The little girl blinked, her face full of confusion.
"It's simple. You just need to help me persuade your sister…"
As he spoke, Lin Yu pulled the little girl into the apartment and explained his plan.
"Oh, I get it! You want my sister to pretend to be your girlfriend…"
After hearing him out, the little girl's face lit up with sudden realization.
"Exactly."
"If you can do it, I'll take you and your sister to the amusement park in a few days. If not, then forget it."
As he said this, Lin Yu put away his smile, his expression turning serious.
"Leave it to me!"
The little girl nodded confidently, speaking with absolute assurance.
"Don't worry, Brother Lin Yu. Tonight, I'll definitely bring my sister over."
"Then… can you pay a little interest in advance? Like treating cute Xinxin to a bottle of iced Coke?"
She asked shyly, her expression slightly embarrassed.
"No problem."
Seeing her like that, Lin Yu relaxed considerably.
Moreover, given his relationship with the little girl and her sister, this plan should work—though he couldn't help wondering what kind of expression the grandfather would have if he found out that his 'girlfriend' was actually his own granddaughter later on.
"Bye-bye, Brother Lin Yu. Leave persuading my sister to me."
After downing several cans of iced Coke and a few bags of chips, the little girl finally patted her belly and left Lin Yu's apartment—still remembering to wave goodbye before she went.
"Now I can finally sleep peacefully…"
With the little girl's guarantee, Lin Yu finally felt at ease and lay down for a comfortable afternoon nap.
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