Chapter 336 - 278: Taught by Master

Xue Rui pushed Lin Ruoxi’s hand down, his expression serious. "You put so much work into this gift; you can’t just give it away so easily. She hasn’t even called you ’sister’ and she expects a present? Life isn’t that easy."

He knew Lin Ruoxi wanted to thank Xue Yao for the clothes, and that this was also her way of breaking the ice with his family.

But with the way Xue Yao was giving Lin Ruoxi the cold shoulder, he couldn’t stand for it, even if Lin Ruoxi could. He wouldn’t let the gift be handed over unless Xue Yao changed her attitude.

Xue Yao stared at Lin Ruoxi in disbelief. ’How can this girl be so completely obedient?’

She listened to Xue Rui too, but that was only because he’d use all sorts of threats, not to mention the lingering psychological trauma from past beatings...

’But why is Lin Ruoxi so afraid of Xue Rui?’

’My brother has two girlfriends,’ she thought, her mind immediately jumping to Gu Muxue.

’If Gu Muxue were here, she’d probably shoot my brother a nasty glare, maybe even smack him a few times, then force the gift into my hands. Then the two of us would team up to "isolate" him.’

Lin Ruoxi, however, was the complete opposite, using a pleading tone to get Xue Rui to give the gift to Xue Yao.

’I never acted that meek and subservient, not even when he was hitting me!’

’Could it be...’

"Brother, how can you bully your girlfriend like that?" Xue Yao said indignantly.

Xue Rui’s brow furrowed. ’Where is my sister’s mind wandering off to now? She doesn’t think I’m abusing Lin Ruoxi, does she?’

’Still, the word "bully" can mean a lot of things. Between a young couple, it can have a certain flirty undertone. Maybe what I’m doing counts as that?’

"He’s not bullying me," Lin Ruoxi said, her gaze soft as she looked at Xue Rui.

To Xue Yao, however, it looked like the deep pools of Lin Ruoxi’s eyes were about to overflow.

She gently tugged Xue Rui’s arm. "Rui, I’ll make you something else when we get back..."

After she spoke, Lin Ruoxi looked over at Xue Yao, but Xue Yao averted her eyes slightly.

She wondered where on earth her brother had found this girl. That gentle, clear gaze was like an elder looking at a child with doting affection...

’And the way she called me "sister"... it was like she genuinely saw me as her own little sister, with no ulterior motives. Even the way she tried to persuade Xue Rui sounded a bit like she was coaxing a child...’

She couldn’t help but compare Lin Ruoxi to Gu Muxue. Even though she always called her Sister Muxue, Gu Muxue felt more like a friend or a teacher, always ready with sincere advice and guidance.

’But Lin Ruoxi... I don’t know how to describe her. I can’t even imagine her getting angry at me...’

’Her eyes are too gentle. There’s not a hint of resentment in them.’

’If I say anything meaner, I’ll definitely hurt her feelings. If I make her cry, not only will I feel guilty, but Xue Rui will also beat me up. It’s really not a smart move...’

Her gaze fell on the exquisite keyboard, and she felt a growing itch in her heart. She desperately wanted to pick it up and feel it.

Xue Yao glanced nervously at Xue Rui and saw that his hands were being held by Lin Ruoxi. Seizing the opportunity, she snatched the keyboard and dragged it away. Its heavy weight was far beyond what she had expected...

A flash of delighted surprise lit up her eyes. It was the first time she had ever received such a creative and personal gift.

’I love it so much!’

Just as Xue Yao was basking in her joy, Xue Rui placed his hand on the keyboard again and said coldly, "You take the gift without so much as a ’thank you’?"

"Mine!" Xue Yao quickly hugged the keyboard tight, terrified that Xue Rui would snatch it away again.

However, she saw Xue Rui free up his other hand. She hastily said to Lin Ruoxi, "Thank you, sister!"

Xue Rui scratched his ear with one hand, a scornful look on his face. "I didn’t hear that."

Lin Ruoxi said in her soft, sweet voice, "I heard her. Can you please not bully your little sister?"

How could Xue Yao not know her brother was just picking a fight? She quickly placed the keyboard on the table, sat up straight and proper, and said to Lin Ruoxi, "Thank you for the gift, Sister Ruoxi. I like it a lot."

Xue Rui nodded in satisfaction. "Now that, I heard."

Xue Yao pouted, her expression conflicted. She really, *really* loved this gift...

’But if I accept Lin Ruoxi’s gift, does that mean I’m betraying Sister Muxue?’

’How could I do that?’

Xue Rui saw right through her. He leaned in and whispered, "We’ve been brother and sister for years. Just make sure you don’t betray *me*."

Xue Yao stared blankly at Xue Rui. ’My brother is such a piece of work!’ she thought.

’But he knows me too well.’ The guilt she’d just been feeling instantly vanished by more than half...

Xue Yao glanced from side to side, then reached out and covered Da Huang’s ears. She whispered to Xue Rui, "Bro, as long as you don’t take my keyboard, I’ll keep what happened today an absolute secret."

"C-can I call you Yaoyao?" Lin Ruoxi asked timidly. She didn’t want to keep using the full name of Xue Rui’s sister; she wanted to call her what he called her.

’I just don’t know if I have the right to...’

"Of course you can," Xue Rui sighed. ’This girl is always too cautious,’ he thought.

Xue Yao nodded. She was young, so she didn’t think anything of an older girl calling her that.

"Yaoyao, this keyboard has its own drivers. Where’s your computer? I can install them for you and show you how to use the keyboard’s different modes," Lin Ruoxi said earnestly.

Xue Yao looked astonished. It was only then that it hit her. ’This keyboard was made by a girl?’

’That’s so awesome!’

She asked excitedly, "Sister Ruoxi, do you play games?"

Lin Ruoxi mumbled and shook her head. "No."

Xue Yao was suddenly a little disappointed. ’Why are there so few girls who like to play games?’ she thought. A moment ago, she thought she had found a kindred spirit.