With My Ability To Swap, I Will Never End Up In A Love Triangle Mess - Chapter 132

“So you spent all that time picking through things, only to choose a glass jar like this?”

Through Lin Xuening’s field of vision, Xia Xi could clearly see the small jar in her hand, covered in decorative stickers and containing a shiny LED light.

“Hmph, none of your business!”

Lin Xuening gave a light hum, her steps home carrying a hint of lightness.

….

“Onii-chan! Why are you still lying in bed?! Is dinner ready?! Is your novel finished?! Did you buy a gift for your dear little sister yet!!!”

Xia Xi had been immersed in the lively atmosphere of the street scene from Lin Xuening’s perspective when suddenly his door swung open. There stood his cheeky little sister, pouting with her hands on her hips.

Behind her was An Xiaoyu, secretly holding up her phone to record the scene.

An Xiaoyu had already changed out of her maid uniform and was now wearing the white down jacket Xia Xi gave her yesterday. Around her neck hung the matching green cat-ear headphones Xia Yue had gifted her.

Paired with black ‘bare-leg’ tights and the absolute territory created by her short skirt, she gave off quite the ‘gaming goddess’ vibe.

“Stupid Onii-chan! Are you even listening to me?! I want a present! Your dear imouto wants a present~”

Xia Yue had actually been looking forward to it since morning but had been waiting in vain for her brother’s gift.

She had wanted to pester him about it earlier, but with so many guests at home, she had to act like a well-behaved little sister and make her brother look good.

Only now, when most of the guests had left, did Xia Yue finally come to Xia Xi’s room to launch her “Little Sister Special Attack”.

“A gift? There isn’t one~”

Xia Yue: “!”

Looking at his cheeky little sister’s shocked face, Xia Xi couldn’t help but laugh.

He knew exactly what she was thinking.

She had seen him give gifts to everyone else—even An Xiaoyu, who was also a ‘little sister’ figure, had received hers early—and she was the only one left empty-handed, which made her feel upset.

Hehe, but he had been prepared all along.

“Stop puffing your cheeks out like that, they’re about to turn into little steamed buns. Be careful, or your big brother might just gobble you up in one bite.”

“Hmph, go ahead and try! You mere trash… a trashy brother who didn’t even prepare a gift for his imouto! Trash! Trash!”

Xia Xi got out of bed, walked up to Xia Yue, poked her puffed-up cheeks, then turned around and, like magic, revealed an enormous gift box standing on the floor nearby, covered with a cloth. It was nearly as tall as Xia Yue herself.

“Alright, look, what’s this~”

Seeing the gift, Xia Yue’s expression instantly transformed from angry and pouty to delighted and excited.

She tried to lift the box but found it was too heavy, causing her to end up just hanging onto it.

“Hehe, I knew it! The bestest, most wonderful Onii-chan wouldn’t forget about his little sister~”

Realizing the awkward situation, she jumped down from the box, bounced over to Xia Xi’s side, gently stood on her tiptoes, and gave him a quick peck on the cheek.

“Eww~ Gross!”

Xia Xi pretended to be disgusted, wiping his cheek vigorously with his hand.

“La la la, not listening! This is a thank-you kiss from your little sister! For you, a trashy big brother, to not be moved is bad enough, but to actually dislike it? Hmph hmph~ But seeing as there’s a gift, Lady Xia Yue will graciously overlook your disrespectful words~”

Faced with his clown of a little sister, Xia Xi was caught between laughter and tears. He could only ask An Xiaoyu to help Xia Yue carry the gift back to their room.

It wasn’t long before exclamations of surprise and delight came from Xia Yue’s room.

This was within Xia Xi’s expectations. After all, the gift was a custom-made, life-size Hatsune Miku figure he had specially asked Liu Yiyi to help arrange through her connection with Shinkai from Sakura Province.

For a Miku fanatic like Xia Yue, seeing this gift would probably make her laugh in her sleep.

“Your relationship with your sister is really good,” Lin Xuening’s voice suddenly sounded in his ear.

She had witnessed the entire interaction between Xia Xi and Xia Yue.

To be honest, she felt a little jealous.

Even though she knew Xia Yue was his sister… she hadn’t even kissed Xia Xi yet…

Wait, no, Senior Cat seemed to have “kissed” him once before, but that wasn’t her doing, so it totally didn’t count!

“Yeah, we’ve been through a lot over the years. If it weren’t for having a little sister like her, I might have turned into some gloomy, evil, society-hating antagonist protagonist.”

As Xia Xi’s words fell, a sound like wind chimes—a clear, crisp laugh—rang in his ear.

“Silly.”

“Who are you calling silly?! You little Lin cat-girl, how dare you be so presumptuous!”

“What nonsense! Hurry up and forget about that cat-girl thing! Why are you even remembering something like that!”

Lin Xuening walked down the street, the roots of her ears turning bright red. It was hard to tell if it was from shyness or the biting cold wind.

“Hehe, of course I’m going to remember. Not only will I remember, I’m going to hold this over you for the rest of your life.”

Hearing Xia Xi’s words, Lin Xuening froze.

She stood still on the bustling street, her mind buzzing.

Xia Xi… what did he just say…?

He… he’s going to hold it over me for the rest of his life…?

Does that mean… he likes me…

“You…” she started, but before she could form her question, Xia Xi offered an explanation.

Ahem, “What I mean is, I’m going to use this to blackmail you for life, so that even when Class President Lin gets married someday, you won’t dare not send me an invitation.”

Oh… so it’s just blackmail…

Lin Xuening felt an inexplicable sense of disappointment.

And as for sending Xia Xi a wedding invitation… she definitely wouldn’t want that…

…..

11:00 PM.

The night sky, which should have been pitch black, was already brightly illuminated by scattered fireworks.

Xia Xi, Xia Yue, An Xiaoyu, plus Lin Xuening—the four of them walked across the square without saying a word.

Xia Yue and An Xiaoyu each held a cardboard box full of fireworks in their arms. They didn’t seem to mind the weight and were instead rather excited.

This was An Xiaoyu’s first time setting off fireworks herself. It was a shame Qin Zhizhi couldn’t stand the strong smell of gunpowder and had chosen to stay in the hospital room.

But it was okay. She still had Xia Yue, and Brother Xia Xi, and Big Sister Lin Xuening, whom she had come to accept. That was enough.

“Let’s do it here. Xia Yue, the ignition duty is all yours.”

Xia Xi pointed to an empty spot nearby, indicating for the two to place and light the fireworks there.

“Sir, yes, sir! Artillerywoman Xia Yue guarantees mission accomplishment!”

…

Brilliant fireworks sparkled in the night sky, their falling sparks resembling shooting stars.

The noise of the surrounding crowd and the sound of the fireworks exploding created a natural muffling effect, making everyone’s voices harder to hear.

“Xia Xi.” Lin Xuening spoke up.

“What’s up?” Xia Xi looked curiously at the girl who stood half a head shorter than him.

“Happy New Year!”

The girl’s long hair cascaded down, a cute rabbit hair clip holding her bangs in place. Her smile was as radiant as the fireworks.

In her hand was the small jar filled with paper cranes. Xia Xi recognized it as the one she bought today.

Looking at this girl who had been his “rival” throughout his university years, the corners of his mouth also lifted slightly as he softly replied.

“Happy New Year!”

At that exact moment, the clock struck midnight. Even louder fireworks exploded in the sky. Xia Xi could no longer make out anyone’s words clearly, only seeing the girl beside him opening and closing her mouth, seemingly saying something.

[Temporary Task Completed]