Chapter 18

"I sometimes wonder, if Raina wasn't your sister, would you still like her?"

Jocelyn didn't look at him, so she didn't know what expression he had on his face at the moment.

Samson Nan stared at the TV, not saying a word. The news of the day was playing on the screen, something he usually didn't watch.

Jocelyn York finally looked at him, seemingly waiting for his response.

"But she is my sister, so there's no 'if'."

His eyes momentarily dimmed.

"Do you like her then?"

"A brother likes his sister naturally, doesn't he?"

He looked at her without much hesitation.

"Is that so..."

"Why are you asking?"

Now he was asking her.

"Hehe, nothing..."

She laughed, leaving him confused.

"Sister complex is a disease, it needs treatment~"

"Huh?!"

He almost spilled the tea in his hand, but quickly composed himself.

"Maybe."

Finally, he showed a slightly self-deprecating smile.

"Admitting it...that's something."

She laughed, covering her mouth.

In general, it was quite difficult to have a conversation with someone like Samson Nan, because he wouldn't initiate a conversation and it could easily become awkward.

But Jocelyn York was different, she understood him, and they used to share everything.

Ding ding ding

Samson Nan looked at his phone, a message?

---Message from 小不点---

He looked up at the ceiling, what was Raina Nan up to?

"Brother, come upstairs."

"Why?"

He typed quickly.

"Just come!"

Only two words, with an exclamation mark.

"Sorry, excuse me for a moment."

He got up and went upstairs.

Raina Nan's door was closed tightly, so he didn't bother knocking and just went in.

"Little one, you're looking for me?"

"Yeah."

Raina Nan was sitting in front of the computer with her back turned to him.

"What are you doing? I'm busy~"

He walked over with a smile and placed his hand on her head.

"Busy looking at women, indeed very busy."

He stood behind her, unable to see her expression.

"I'm too lazy to explain to you. Tell me, what's the matter?"

"I can't do this."

She lay on the table lazily and handed him the exercise book that was pressed under her.

"..."

He hesitated for a moment. It had been so many years since Raina Nan asked him anything about studying.

"Raina, are you sure you're okay with being first in your grade with this level?"

He glanced at it, the math problem wasn't that difficult.

"Mind your own business! I don't want to talk about it anymore!"

She snatched the book from his hand and a dash of anger appeared on her beautiful face.

"It's not like I can't talk about it, unless..."

He squeezed towards her, sat down, and occupied half of the seat, with his face close to her ear.

"You beg me."

"You!"

She stomped her foot in anger and pinched his waist hard.

"Ouch, I still have to entertain guests, let's leave it for later, how about tonight?"

He said as he wrapped his left arm around her shoulder.

"No, I've already figured it out by tonight, do I still need you..."

She kicked him angrily.

"That's even better, you can think about it yourself~"

Samson Nan chuckled and secretly looked at her.

"I don't care, you choose one."

She turned her head and stared into his eyes.

"What should I choose?"

It was just funny, there were no options to choose from.

"What do you think?"

"Raina, you should know there's a limit to being unreasonable~"

He said as he bumped his shoulder against hers.

"How am I being unreasonable? Am I being unreasonable by asking you a question?"

She looked at him with a touch of sadness, her lips trembling slightly.

"This sister of mine, she's becoming less cute as she grows up~"

Samson Nan feigned a sigh, looking up at the ceiling."Well, so what..." Raina Nan hesitated, feeling a bit flustered for a moment, her voice becoming smaller.

"I know you don't like Serena, but she is your brother's friend. Just because of that, you shouldn't give her a hard time, understand?"

"..."

Samson Nan restrained his smile, rarely serious.

"You always take her side."

She turned her head away, not wanting to listen to his lecture.

"If I knew earlier, I wouldn't have stayed at home, so I wouldn't be a third wheel!"

"You still act like a third wheel? How many watts are you?"

"Get lost!"

She almost laughed out loud, but fortunately she held it back. It was clear that the dark cloud in her heart had finally dissipated a little.

Raina Nan always softened when faced with kind words, and he knew that.

"Samson Nan! What are you doing?"

With a loud bang, her mother pushed the door open, looking angry.

He quickly withdrew his hand from Raina Nan's shoulder, as if it were a reflex.

"Why did you leave Serena downstairs by herself?"

"I..."

"I asked her to come up."

Raina Nan interrupted him.

"You have the nerve to interrupt me?! How can you be so thoughtless, this child! I've been worried sick about your brother's situation! Why do you have to meddle?"

Her mother had a hot temper. When she gets worked up, she becomes irritable, and when she becomes irritable, she scolds people.

Usually, Dad played the role of cannon fodder, but Samson Nan had joined in the fray. Now, it seemed that even Raina Nan wasn't safe anymore.

"What are you worried about? It's Grandma who's worried, right...," she mumbled softly.

"Now you're talking back, huh?"

Her mother raised her voice, and she quickly hid behind Samson Nan.

"Mom, do you have to be so angry? Besides, Serena isn't such a petty person, everything will be fine..."

Samson Nan smiled and tried to persuade her.

"You're still able to smile! Isn't it because of how you spoiled her? Look at your sister. She's too lazy to do any household chores and she sleeps until noon every day!"

"Only on Saturdays..."

She tried to argue.

"I haven't finished yet! A girl who dresses at home like a boy, what is she thinking?"

"..."

She didn't dare to speak, instead tugging at his clothes from behind, asking him for help.

"Mom, why do you care about what Raina wears? And these are all my old clothes, it would be a waste to throw them away. Isn't it better to let her wear them at home? There are no outsiders around anyway..."

Samson Nan said, quietly holding her small hand from behind.

"No wonder the clothes looked so big. So you gave them to her? Samson Nan, why do you always teach bad things?!"

Her mother looked at the two of them, both bowing their heads, as if reflecting on their actions. She was slightly less angry now.

"I'm telling you, you're spoiling her! What will she be able to do when she grows up? Will you support her for a lifetime?"

"I can."

He suddenly looked up, calmly and clearly speaking three words.

Raina Nan was startled, reflexively wanting to pull back her hand caught by him, but he tightened his grip.

"I don't care about you two! Hurry downstairs and eat!"

Her mother didn't pay attention to what he had said, and turned around to go downstairs.

...

"Phew! Finally finished. Let's go, let's eat."

His smile returned to his face, he pulled her hand, but she stopped in her tracks.

"What's wrong?"

He bent down, bringing his face closer:

"You're really reflecting on your actions?"

He playfully booped her nose with his finger.

"Do you keep your word?"

She looked at the floor, speaking softly.

"What did I say?"

He turned his head to look at her.

"There's a flaw! Look!"

While he wasn't paying attention, she suddenly kicked at him.

Perhaps due to lack of exercise, her movements were stiff and slow. He easily caught her foot with one hand.

"Good job, Raina Nan, playing dirty with me!"

"Let go of me!"

"Raina, you're so skinny... your feet are so slender!"

Samson Nan laughed and grabbed her ankle, playfully lifting it up. Luckily, she wasn't wearing a skirt today."It's none of your business!" She pursed her lips, pushed him away, and walked downstairs, bouncing and jumping. "What's so happy about being scolded..." He followed her, bewildered. At the end of the stairs, he saw Jocelyn York. Not sure if it was an illusion, she avoided Samson Nan's gaze... Nan's mother prepared a sumptuous dinner. Hearing that Jocelyn York liked cream-baked shrimp, she specifically learned how to make it, showing her dedication. But she slowly realized that she was just directing a one-man show because the male and female protagonists of the story were not really into it... The dinner was quiet, and the conversation was scarce, so it ended hastily. After finishing the meal, it was almost dark outside. Samson Nan walked Jocelyn York to the door. "Samson Nan, you can stop here, no need to walk me any further." "I'm sorry, I didn't entertain you well." He stood by the door with his hands in his pockets. "Auntie's cooking is delicious, but..." She wrapped a scarf around her neck and exhaled a breath of warmth. "I couldn't live up to her expectations~ hehe." She smiled, revealing two bright white tiger teeth. He looked at her in surprise. Jocelyn was still the same, sensitive and clever... "I probably... can't win against her." She fell silent, glanced at him, and left after saying those words...