304: Chapter 304 Xu Zilin's First Love

"Zilin, awake so early? How did you sleep last night?" Xu Qian asked softly, rubbing her still-sleepy eyes.

At that moment, Xu Zilin was chatting with Yoyo on WeChat. Hearing his sister's voice, he jumped, hurriedly shoved his phone into his pants pocket, and pretended to be fiddling with his laptop.

Then, he looked up, gave Xu Qian a smile that he tried to make look natural, and replied, "Morning, Sis. I slept really well; this bed is much more comfortable than the one back home."

Xu Qian didn't notice her brother's unusual behavior and replied with a smile, "Of course. When we bring Mom over later and we all live here as a family, won't that be nice?" As she spoke, she sat down next to Xu Zilin, tilted her head to look at the laptop screen, and asked curiously, "What are you tinkering with?"

"Oh, this?" Xu Zilin pointed to a piece of software open on the laptop screen and explained, "I looked it up when I was filling out my college applications. There's some software I need to master for the Materials Engineering major. Since I have a laptop now, I thought I'd install it and check it out, find some resources online, and get a head start on learning it."

Hearing her brother's words, Xu Qian felt filled with relief and gratification.

She had worked so hard to earn money to support her brother's life and studies, all for this very moment.

In fact, before having Xu Zilin come to Shanghai, she had worried that he might develop some bad habits because his sister had money.

But now, seeing her brother already preparing to study his university courses in advance, she understood that her worries had been unnecessary.

Xu Qian stood up, her face beaming with a gratified smile. "Zilin, you just finished the college entrance exam, so go ahead and relax; there's no need to keep yourself so tightly wound. Once school officially starts, there will be plenty of time to study. Alright, put the computer away for now and go wash up so we can head upstairs. Oh right, I need to take out the local specialties Mom brought, thaw and heat them up, and then take them upstairs in a bit."

"Alright, Sis, going now." Xu Zilin said, closing his laptop, placing it on the coffee table, and getting up to wash up.

Xu Zilin walked into the bathroom, quickly pulled his phone from his pocket, and sent a message to Yoyo: "My sister is awake, I'm going to wash up and head upstairs to have breakfast with Brother Yi. See you at school later."

A moment later, Yoyo's reply came: "Mm, okay! Junior Zilin, I'll wait for you at the library entrance. See you there~"

A smile appeared on Xu Zilin's face involuntarily, and he replied, "Mm, see you there~"

About ten minutes later, Xu Qian and Xu Zilin were ready, each carrying two plates containing the heated Huizhou specialties.

"Zilin, close the door, let's head upstairs." Xu Qian said as she pressed the elevator button.

The elevator door opened quickly. Just as the siblings were about to step in, they saw Qin Yi's parents standing inside, carrying a bag of breakfast.

"Oh, good morning, Uncle Qin, good morning, Aunt Wu. Did you go for a morning workout?" Xu Qian was stunned for a moment before immediately greeting them warmly.

"Haha, good morning, Qianqian! We went to Shenjiangwan Park for a workout early this morning, and bought some breakfast on the way back." Wu Xiuhua responded warmly. Her gaze immediately fell on Xu Zilin, her eyes lighting up as she asked curiously, "This handsome young man must be your brother, right?"

"Mm, yes, he is my brother, Xu Zilin." Xu Qian introduced him, while gently nudging Xu Zilin. "Zilin, these are Young Master Qin's parents."

Xu Zilin smiled slightly and greeted them politely: "Hello, Uncle. Hello, Aunt."

"Hello, hello! Oh my, the young man is very handsome and spirited, a real talent. And you're good at your studies too, not bad at all." Qin Jianye praised him without reservation.

"You flatter me, Uncle Qin. Compared to Brother Yi, I still have a long way to go." Xu Zilin hurriedly responded modestly.

At this moment, the elevator door opened again, and the four of them walked out, chatting and laughing.

"Eh, Qin Yi can't compare to you. I've heard from your sister that you scored 666 on the college entrance exam this year; Qin Yi didn't score that high on his exam..." Qin Jianye said happily, his hand resting on the door handle as he pushed it open. "Come in, come in, don't be polite, just make yourself at home."

Immediately after, Qin Jianye shouted towards the bedroom direction: "Xiao Yi, stop sleeping now, Qianqian and the others are here."

"It's okay, Uncle, just let him sleep a little longer." Xu Qian responded with a smile.

At this moment, hearing the commotion, Qin Yi walked out of the kitchen wearing an apron and holding a spatula.

"Eh~ you're awake. Your mom and I thought you were still asleep~" Qin Jianye said with a smile while changing his shoes.

"Hey, I've been awake for a while, alright. I even made a table full of dishes. Forgot to call and tell you not to buy breakfast..."

"Oh, your mom and I were just thinking that since it's a rare weekend, you might sleep in, so we bought breakfast after our workout. Who would have thought you'd cook yourself? It's a pity to have so much left over." Wu Xiuhua said with some regret.

"What's a pity about that? We have a lot of people today, so we can just eat it all." Qin Yi said, his gaze falling on the specialties the siblings were carrying. He stepped forward to take them, sniffed them, and said with a look of satisfaction, "Whoa, smells so good. Qianqian, did you make all this?"

"I didn't make it. It's Huizhou specialties that my mom had Zilin bring over; they're all things I like to eat. I thought I'd bring them over for you and Aunt to try, and if you like them, when my mom comes over, I'll have her buy more." Xu Qian explained.

"It smells delicious, Mom and Dad will definitely like it." Qin Yi said as he placed the plates on the dining table. "Wash your hands, time to eat."

Xu Qian stepped up, wanting to take the apron from Qin Yi, and asked with a face full of happiness: "You've worked hard, let me handle the rest."

"No, no need, just one last dish left, it'll be out of the pan soon. Qin Xiaoyue isn't up yet, could you help me call her?" Qin Yi said.

"Mm, alright then. I'll wash the dishes later." Xu Qian replied.

"Good. Come here, give me a kiss." Qin Yi said, leaning his cheek forward.

Xu Qian glanced at Qin Yi's parents. Seeing they weren't paying attention, she stood on her tiptoes and quickly planted a kiss on Qin Yi's cheek.

However, Xu Zilin caught this scene perfectly. For some reason, his heart also fluttered a bit, and Yoyo's image involuntarily popped into his mind.

Qin Yi chuckled, and before turning around, he casually patted Xu Qian's shapely buttocks, then returned to the kitchen to finish cooking the last dish.

Xu Qian's cheeks turned slightly red. She reached up to smooth her hair and walked towards Qin Xiaoyue's bedroom.

...

Qin Yi's parents went back to their bedroom first, while Xu Zilin looked around the large house with eyes full of novelty. He couldn't help but sigh inwardly: He had originally thought his sister's house was already very big, but coming to Brother Yi's place, he truly realized what a luxury mansion was.

Just as he was immersed in this shock, Qin Yi's parents walked out of the bedroom.

Qin Jianye held a thick red envelope in his hand, came to Xu Zilin, and said with a smile: "Zilin, your aunt and I don't know what you like, so please accept this small token. Consider it our encouragement for your admission to university."

Xu Zilin hurriedly waved his hands to refuse: "No, no, Uncle, Aunt, I cannot accept this red envelope."

"Eh, since you call us Uncle and Aunt, we are your elders. We like your sister very much, and in the future, we will be one family. How can you not accept a red envelope from your elders? Take it." Qin Jianye said in a firm tone.

At this moment, Qin Yi walked out of the kitchen carrying the last dish. Seeing his parents and Xu Zilin pushing the red envelope back and forth, he immediately understood. He smiled and chimed in: "Zilin, my parents are giving it to you, so just take it. In case you find a girlfriend at school later or something, you'll need some pocket money."

As soon as the words fell, Xu Zilin's face turned red instantly, and Qin Yi's parents burst into laughter.

At the same time, the door to Qin Xiaoyue's bedroom opened. Xu Qian walked out, and seeing everyone so happy, asked curiously: "What happened? Why is everyone so happy?"

"Oh, nothing, just talking about Zilin finding a girlfriend." Qin Yi continued to tease.

"A girlfriend?" Xu Qian looked at Xu Zilin suspiciously, and Xu Zilin hurriedly waved his hands to deny it: "Sis, Brother Yi is joking. I'm only 18, where would I get a girlfriend?"

"Eh~ you're already an adult at 18, you can have a girlfriend. Besides, you'll be a university student soon, so dating isn't considered puppy love." Qin Yi interjected with a smile, looking at Xu Zilin.

"Brother Yi, stop teasing me." Xu Zilin hurriedly changed the subject and handed the red envelope that Qin Jianye had forced upon him to Xu Qian, explaining, "Sis, Uncle and Aunt insist on giving me such a thick red envelope..."

Xu Qian glanced at the thickness of the red envelope—it was at least several tens of thousands—and hurriedly took it, linked her arm with Wu Xiuhua's, and said politely: "Uncle, Aunt, what are you doing? Why such a thick red envelope? Zilin is still a child, where would he use so much money..."

"Eh, Qianqian, this is our encouragement for Zilin; you cannot refuse." Wu Xiuhua said, pushing the red envelope back into Xu Zilin's hand, then pulling Xu Qian's hand towards the dining room, talking as they walked, "We don't know what Zilin likes, it's just a small token to let him buy whatever he wants. Aren't boys this age all into branded clothes and shoes? Our Zilin is talented and good at his studies, so he shouldn't be worse off than other students in terms of material things. Let me tell you, kids these days are very vain, especially here in Shanghai, everyone is snobbish. Although keeping up with the Joneses isn't advisable, we can't let Zilin be isolated by his classmates, can we?"

"Oh, Aunt, even if that's the case, I have money, he doesn't need to spend yours." Xu Qian said, feeling a bit embarrassed.

"Eh, your money is your money, and our gesture is our gesture. Alright, you must accept this red envelope. If you don't, Aunt will be Life Qi." Wu Xiuhua said with a hint of reproach in her tone.

Xu Qian smiled wryly and shook her head helplessly: "Okay, okay, Aunt, we accept it."

"Mm, that's right. Zilin, hurry over and eat. Eh, Qin Xiaoyue isn't up yet?" Wu Xiuhua asked.

"I called Qin Xiaoyue, she's already washing up and will be over in a moment. Oh right, Aunt, are the second uncle and aunt not staying here?" Xu Qian asked curiously.

"Mm, Qin Xiaoyue arranged for them to stay at a hotel." Wu Xiuhua lowered her voice and explained in Xu Qian's ear, "Your uncle wanted them to stay at home, but they were worried that Xiao Yi would mind, so they decided to stay outside."

"Then should we wait for them to have breakfast together?" Xu Qian suggested.

"No need, no need, they have a buffet breakfast at the hotel." Wu Xiuhua waved her hand.

As they were speaking, Qin Yi walked out of the kitchen wiping his hands. Seeing that everyone hadn't started eating yet, he smiled and sat down next to Xu Zilin, greeting him: "Zilin, hurry and taste my cooking, see how it tastes."

"Mm, sorry for the trouble, Brother Yi, for getting up so early to cook." Xu Zilin said gratefully, then picked up his chopsticks, picked up a piece of broccoli, and put it in his mouth. "Mm, delicious. Brother Yi's cooking is even better than the chefs in restaurants~"

"Hahaha, that's a must. Everyone, don't just stand there, let's eat, let's eat." Qin Yi said, standing up, taking Xu Qian's bowl, and putting some of each dish into it for her.

"Young Master Qin, I can do it myself." Xu Qian said, feeling a bit embarrassed.

At this moment, Xu Zilin also picked up some cured meat and pressed duck for Qin Yi, saying: "Brother Yi, try this, these are all my sister's favorites. Taste it and see if you like it."

"Is that so? Then I must taste it properly." Qin Yi took the chopsticks, picked up a piece of cured meat, put it in his mouth, and a satisfied expression appeared on his face. "Mm! Delicious~ I like it!"