Brothers

After school, on his way home, Lin Mo walked along the road. "Sister Chu is going on a business trip for a few days. Can you ask Auntie Zheng if Chu Miaomiao can stay with you?"

Xie Yuling turned her head to look at Lin Mo upon hearing this.

"Why didn't she tell me?"

"Because I'm closer."

A perfectly reasonable answer.

Xie Yuling thought for a moment before casually asking, "What if my mom says no?"

Lin Mo shrugged. "Then I’ll have to stay at Chu Miaomiao’s place for the time being and escort her to and from school every day."

At this, Xie Yuling’s footsteps faltered.

With Fang Jun absent today, Xie Yuling was more relaxed than usual.

Without hesitation, she elbowed Lin Mo lightly and then said calmly, "My mom will definitely agree. Miaomiao is so cute and well-behaved, after all."

"Alright, talk to her tonight and let me know once it’s settled."

Lin Mo naturally didn’t want the final say—he didn’t want to be blamed if things went wrong.

It might also strain Xie Yuling and Chu Miaomiao’s relationship.

Back home, Xie Yuling finished washing up and lay down on her bed.

She had already discussed it with her mom earlier, and her mother was more than happy to have Chu Miaomiao stay over for a few days.

Of course, her mom didn’t know that if she refused, Lin Mo would end up staying at Chu Miaomiao’s place instead.

Xie Yuling didn’t want that.

She picked up her phone, about to ask Chu Miaomiao about the arrangements, only to find that Chu Miaomiao had already sent a message earlier.

"Yuling, my mom’s going on a business trip for a few days. Can I stay at your place? I’ll pay for my meals."

Too polite.

"What meals? Just come over. My bed is big and soft, (^▽^)"

"But will Auntie be okay with it? I don’t want to intrude."

"I already asked my mom. She likes you a lot and would love to have you stay with us."

Once the two settled the matter, they started discussing how many days she’d stay, what to bring, and what wasn’t necessary.

They chatted late into the night, like kids excited for a spring outing.

The result? The next morning, Xie Yuling showed up with half-dark circles under her eyes when she met Lin Mo downstairs.

"Did you go thieving last night?"

"Of course not. I stayed up too late talking to Miaomiao and didn’t get enough sleep."

As she spoke, Xie Yuling yawned.

Seeing her exhausted state, Lin Mo flicked his finger lightly.

A wisp of spiritual energy flowed into Xie Yuling’s body, dispelling her fatigue.

Over time, she’d no longer feel tired.

......

Two days later, Chu Miaomiao arrived at school dragging a suitcase behind her.

Lin Mo stared at the luggage and couldn’t help but ask, "Why did you bring a suitcase to school?"

Chu Miaomiao answered matter-of-factly, "I’m staying at Yuling’s place tonight, so of course I need to bring stuff."

"Then why didn’t you just drop the suitcase off at Xie Yuling’s place last night and go straight home with her today?"

Chu Miaomiao froze.

"Huh? That was an option?"

Great, this silly girl hadn’t thought of that.

"Did Xie Yuling tell you to bring it this morning?"

Chu Miaomiao nodded blankly.

Alright, two silly girls.

Lin Mo returned to his seat, and Jiang Yunlu turned to look at him.

"Why did Chu Miaomiao bring a suitcase?"

Lin Mo glanced at Jiang Yunlu’s probing expression and grinned.

"She’s staying at my place."

Jiang Yunlu froze, her words stumbling.

"S-staying at your place?"

Seeing her nearly short-circuit, Lin Mo took pity and decided not to tease her further.

"Yeah, in my building. She’s staying with Xie Yuling—after all, Xie Yuling’s the little landlady."

The title "little landlady" was well-known in Class 8, thanks to Fang Jun’s enthusiastic promotion.

Hearing that she was staying with Xie Yuling, Jiang Yunlu’s tense heart slowly relaxed.

But she also felt a bit helpless.

Lin Mo walked home with Xie Yuling every day, and now Chu Miaomiao was joining them.

But on second thought, having Chu Miaomiao around Xie Yuling might not be a bad thing for her.

Lin Mo didn’t bother dwelling on Jiang Yunlu’s overthinking.

But the next moment—

"By the way, do you want to watch a movie together on Saturday? Li Shaoan’s Life of Pi?"

"Sure, let’s go."

Lin Mo had never watched it before—he’d only learned about it through reviews later.

He thought the film had some depth to it, so he agreed without hesitation.

Jiang Yunlu then turned to Wang Qin. "You’re coming too, right?"

"Of course! Finally, an invite for me. I wouldn’t miss it."

Wang Qin grinned at Jiang Yunlu.

Jiang Yunlu stuck out her tongue, slightly embarrassed.

Wang Qin, of course, knew exactly what Jiang Yunlu was thinking. She leaned in and whispered, "Don’t want me there?"

Jiang Yunlu’s face flushed instantly.

"That’s not it! I think you should come."

"I bet the little landlady and the little neighbor will be there too. If I don’t go, who’ll back you up?"

As Jiang Yunlu’s strategist, Wang Qin could see that her friend was caught in a whirlpool—either rise above it or sink deeper.

But the odds of rising weren’t high.

Especially after what had happened to Lin Mo recently.

Though the rumors had been quashed, Lin Mo had made it clear—he wouldn’t date anyone in high school.

So Wang Qin had warned Jiang Yunlu: Lin Mo’s going to string you along for three years. Or rather, he’s stringing everyone along for three years.

......

"So, you’re planning to string everyone along for three years?"

Lin Mo shook his head.

"Of course not. Do you think people are fish? Between strangers, relationships form easiest."

Fang Jun, sitting beside Lin Mo on the rooftop, blinked in confusion.

"Huh? Why?"

"Because when you don’t know someone, curiosity drives attraction—it’s reckless affection.

That’s why childhood friends often lose to sudden new encounters.

Once you’re familiar, you know their strengths and flaws. The novelty fades, and if you still get together, it’s about endurance—because you’re tolerating not just their good sides, but their bad ones too."

Lin Mo spread his hands.

"Maybe I’ve shown a lot of good traits, but I know my flaws too. They like me because I’m strong, because I’m smart—but what if those things stop being strengths?"

At this moment, Lin Mo wasn’t thinking of himself as a cultivator.

He was just the same person he’d been before—back when no one had liked him.

This was a hurdle in his heart.

Of the three girls closest to him now, Chu Miaomiao depended on him the most.

If anyone would still be around in three years, it’d probably be her.

As for Jiang Yunlu—a prodigy, a star. He wouldn’t be surprised if she gave up on him at any point.

And then there was Xie Yuling.

The little landlady had her own advantages and momentum. Right now, she was the furthest ahead in "conquering" Lin Mo.

Lin Mo looked up at the sky.

"Bro, I want to be a harem king."

"Bro, you’re already on the path to destruction."