The moment Mom Qin stepped through the door, Dad Qin eagerly hurried over.
“How was it, dear? Are the girls getting along better? Did they do anything together?”
Mom Qin didn’t answer. She set her things down, sank onto the sofa, and let out a long sigh.
Sensing something was off, Dad Qin asked, “What’s wrong…?”
“I didn’t see Yueyue,” Mom Qin said. “She’s been asleep all day.”
Dad Qin blinked. “But you went over this morning?”
“Yeah.”
“And you just got back now?”
“Also yeah.”
“So she… never woke up?” Dad Qin was stunned.
“She was exhausted. Sleeping the whole time, no breaks,” Mom Qin sighed again.
Dad Qin scratched his head. “What about Xin?”
“Xinxin was listless. Said she studied all night and didn’t sleep well.”
*She sure loves studying.*
“Didn’t you talk to her?” Dad Qin pressed. “Ask how things were with Yueyue these past days?”
“They had no time,” Mom Qin sighed once more. “Yueyue’s been too busy.”
Dad Qin looked genuinely lost. “But isn’t Yueyue on leave?”
“Yep.”
“Then why’s she so swamped during leave she can’t even spare a minute to talk to her sister?”
Mom Qin didn’t answer. Instead, she changed the subject. “Remember when Yueyue got hurt before?”
Dad Qin froze. “Hurt… heartbroken?”
“Yeah. Do you remember?”
“Of course! First real setback Yueyue’s had in years—how could I forget?” Dad Qin chuckled. “That girl had guts. Wish I knew what she looked like.”
Mom Qin rolled her eyes. “She’s gorgeous. Great figure. Looks a bit young, but… impressively developed. And she has this… indescribable aura.”
Dad Qin frowned. “But how do *you* know all this?”
“Because Yueyue brought her home. To… take care of her.”
Dad Qin’s face flushed. “You mean… *that* kind of taking care of?”
“Yep.”
“But you just said Yueyue’s been too busy to sleep!”
“Exactly,” Mom Qin said flatly. “*She’s* what Yueyue’s been busy with.”
All the time meant for sisterly bonding. All the time meant for rest.
Spent on Bai Ningning.
Dad Qin leaned back, speechless. “So… what do we do?”
“No idea. I’ll visit again in a few days,” Mom Qin said. “See her first, then talk.”
…
Meanwhile, after seeing guests off, Auntie Zou returned—and froze. Second Miss Qin was asleep on Bai Ningning’s lap. Her heart skipped.
“Miss Bai… what are you doing?”
Bai Ningning raised a finger to her lips. “Shh. Keep it down. Qin Xin’s asleep.”
*Exactly the problem! She’s asleep on your lap!*
Auntie Zou had sensed something off with Second Miss Qin yesterday. Today, she was gloomy, claiming she’d pulled an all-nighter studying. *Only the mistress would believe that.*
“Miss Bai,” Auntie Zou whispered, voice low to avoid waking Qin Xin—or Elder Miss Qin.
(Qin Yue slept deeply; the living room chatter never reached her.)
“I think… regarding Second Miss Qin, you should exercise a little restraint.”
Bai Ningning tilted her head. “Restraint?”
*What does that even mean?*
“You *are* Elder Miss Qin’s partner,” Auntie Zou explained gently. “To Second Miss Qin, you’re essentially her sister-in-law.”
“So?”
“A sister-in-law letting her younger sister-in-law sleep on her lap… it’s not proper.”
*Very* not proper.
Bai Ningning waved it off. “It’s fine, Auntie Zou. Qin Xin’s different from Yueyue. She’s a normal girl. Girls do this all the time—nothing to worry about.”
Auntie Zou’s eyelid twitched. *Normal girls don’t…*
*…eavesdrop on their sister and sister-in-law?*
*…lie awake all night for weird reasons?*
*…fail to sleep on the sofa but drift off sweetly on *your* lap?*
Someone wasn’t normal. Auntie Zou dared not say who.
She chose her words carefully. “Miss Bai… Second Miss Qin struggled to sleep from last night till evening. Why did she sleep so soundly on *your* lap? There must be a reason.”
“I know,” Bai Ningning said matter-of-factly. “My lap’s soft and comfy.”
*Yep. The Qin household runs on me.*
Auntie Zou fell silent, then sighed softly.
*Fine. Observe more later. Maybe I’m overthinking it.*
After the tiny incident, the living room’s youthful sweetness returned—until half an hour later, when Qin Xin stirred awake.
“How was it, Junior Xin?” Bai Ningning murmured. “Sleep well?”
Qin Xin didn’t rush to move. She buried her face in the softness, inhaling deeply.
*So sweet. Just like the dream.*
“I slept very well,” she said reluctantly, sitting up. “Thank you, senior.”
Her expression was perfectly neutral—flawlessly ordinary.
Bai Ningning relaxed. *See? Totally normal. No blush, no racing heart. Just comfort.*
“It’s late. Go rest in your room,” she said calmly. “School tomorrow.”
“…Mm.”
Back in her small room, Qin Xin lay down, emotions swirling.
These days had brought pain, bitterness, despair—like falling into an abyss.
But in that darkness, she’d grasped one hope:
Hide in this home. Play the part of a “normal” girl.
Blend in. Bide her time.
And enjoy the unintentional perks from senior—like today’s lap pillow.
She closed her eyes. A faint smile touched her lips.
Good days were finally on the horizon.
Zzz…
In the other bedroom, Bai Ningning slipped under the covers. Qin Yue hadn’t stirred—just shifted slightly in sleep.
*Guess she won’t wake till tomorrow. Poor exhausted elder sister.*
*Honestly… this weekend wasn’t bad.*
*Practiced communication skills. Gave lap pillow service to elder sister’s sister. Smoothed family vibes.*
*Truly, I carry this household.*
She turned toward Qin Yue and mouthed silently:
Good night, elder sister.
Zzz…
