Chapter 230 - Yeah... We Are
"What the hell are you two doing!?"
Shi Lian and Zhang Ren stood frozen to the ground, their soul almost separating from their body. With Wang Lei already marching towards them, they wanted so much to run away, but they just can't seem to do it!
The moment he halted right in front of them, he put both of his hands on his waist then glared at them, especially at Zhang Ren.
"You two… are kissing around the neighborhood? Don't you have any shame?"
Both of them couldn't answer. With Wang Lei specifically looking at Zhang Ren, he pointed at him accusingly and scolded him at the same time.
"And you… you had your arm around my little sister and—"
"Don't blame him for this!"
Shi Lian interrupted, now having the courage to speak against her older brother.
"I was the one who told him that we could do something more!"
Zhang Ren widened his eyes, not wanting Wang Lei to scold her. With him tugging her arm behind them, Shi Lian looked at him then he whispered.
"What are you doing!? I'm already taking the wrap for this!"
"You don't have to," Shi Lian snapped, Wang Lei actually hearing their conversation.
"I don't want him to get mad at you!"
"He's my brother! I don't want to lie! I know how to push his buttons!"
Listening to them, Wang Lei couldn't believe that Zhang Ren is willing to take all the blame even though Shi Lian blatantly admitted that it was her who convinced him.
Even though both of them are in a pressuring situation such as this, Zhang Ren and Shi Lian never faltered even though before them is an angry older brother scolding them on the naughty deed that they did.
However, Wang Lei found himself scoffing at the back of his mind.
He had done far naughtier things than them other than have a passionate kiss publicly! He sounded like a hypocrite now scolding them because of the kiss when it is something done normally and is acceptable rather than be touchy in public.
It should have been okay, and he wouldn't mind it… but maybe because it's his little sister involved which made him feel this way.
"Hmph…"
Wang Lei then crossed his arms in front of his chest as he snapped himself out of his thoughts. With him realizing that he is overprotective of his little sister, he arched a brow at her and validated what she said.
"So you wanted to kiss Zhang Ren?"
Shi Lian blushed, but she nodded, answering his question truthfully.
"Yes."
"And you—" Wang Lei faced Zhang Ren, the young man now swallowing his saliva. "—you didn't hesitate to do so?"
Zhang Ren nodded once before his answer came out of his mouth.
"Yes. I'm sorry."
No words were spoken next. Wang Lei just sighed then he ran his left hand through his hair, shaking his head as he mumbled to himself.
"You two… as if I'd have anything else to say to further scold you."
Shi Lian sighed as she pouted. With her looking at Zhang Ren then at her brother, she spoke again, wanting to set things straight.
"Don't blame Zhang Ren, alright? I asked him to."
Zhang Ren arched a brow at her.
"But I accepted."
"Even then!"
Shi Lian groaned, rolling her eyes at him.
"You wouldn't have accepted if I hadn't asked you to. Don't blame yourself."
Even though Wang Lei is before them, Zhang Ren patted Shi Lian's head, comforting her. Wang Lei couldn't help but watch them, now beckoning to his car as he called their attention.
"Get in the car. We can eat some snacks at home before I drive Zhang Ren home."
Zhang Ren blinked his eyes a few times. He thought that Wang Lei would not allow them to be together after seeing them kiss passionately this time of night.
However, he knew that if he rejected his offer, it would just agitate Shi Lian's older brother more, making him nod as they all walked towards the car.
But before Shi Lian could even go to the backseat, Wang Lei caught her by the wrist, making her stop in her tracks.
"Seat shotgun."
"Ugh!"
Shi Lian stomped her feet as she went to the front seat, banging the door in the process.
"Hey! You did not buy my car!"
"I don't care! You're rich, anyway!"
Zhang Ren stifled his laughter. With him already going to the backseat, Wang Lei just sat in the driver's seat and they all buckled their seatbelts before Shi Lian's older brother started to drive.
With the silence of the car ride going up the hill towards their home, Shi Lian looked out the window, Wang Lei looking at Zhang Ren in the rearview mirror.
Until now, Wang Lei couldn't believe it that he was so overprotective of his little sister. He thought that he wouldn't have any problems and will just continue to allow her to have fun as the start of her dating life.
Now that he saw her kissing someone, he never thought that he'd feel uncomfortable about it and would make a fuss about it when in fact, as her older brother, he had done far much worse with other women!
Wanting to direct his thoughts to something else, he looked at Zhang Ren in the rearview mirror and then asked him a question.
"Do you drink?"
Zhang Ren blinked his eyes a few times. With him shaking his head to answer no, he then spoke, making it clear for Shi Lian's older brother.
"No… but I'd like to try. Though I'd feel guilty if I did because I promised my grandfather I won't do it."
A small smile appeared on Shi Lian's face. With her hearing how filial and obedient Zhang Ren is to his grandfather even though he isn't here, she appreciated him even more, knowing that Zhang Ren is indeed a great guy.
"Huh… want me to let you try?"
"Brother!"
Shi Lian immediately hit her older brother's shoulder, slightly surprising him with how strong her hit was.
"You heard Zhang Ren! He says even though he'd like to try, he'd feel guilty because he promised his grandfather!"
Wang Lei couldn't help but grin. With the atmosphere between them already lightening up, it was more comfortable for them to talk to each other now compared to the awkward encounter moments ago.
"Come on… he did say in the beginning that he wanted to try. Take this opportunity for me to get to know your boyfriend."
"B-boyfriend?"
Shi Lian blushed, what Wang Lei had told her now stumping her to silence. With Wang Lei now parking the car as their house helper opened the garage gate, the three of them still stayed inside of the car and talked before leaving.
It was as if he was getting a confirmation before he allowed them to leave the vehicle…
"Don't' tell me… that you two kissed without having a label?"
Shi Lian rolled her eyes at him.
"Puh-lease… as if you had labels with the girls you played with."
Wang Lei narrowed his eyes at his little sister, not liking what she had said.
"You know, you and I are different. You're my little sister and I want what's best for you. Being in a relationship with no label at that is something that I wouldn't want for you and—"
"I'm sorry to interrupt, but you don't have to worry about that."
Wang Lei and Shi Lian turned their head to look at Zhang Ren who was still in the backseat. They almost forgot that he was there, the two of them blinking their eyes at their visitor.
"Your older brother has a point, Shi Lian," Zhang Ren said, Shi Lian pouting at him. "He only wanted what's best for you."
"But Zhang Ren… we're not—"
"We are now."
Zhang Ren interrupted once more, looking at Wang Lei as he wanted to further explain himself without infuriating him.
"It may have happened fast, but she is my girlfriend now if that's what you're waiting for. We promised to take it slow but with us developing into something more, then it's inevitable. This is the endgame still once we decide to take the next step, anyway."
Wang Lei grinned at Zhang Ren, Shi Lian widening her eyes as she did not expect what she heard from her older brother.
"You know what, I like you. You'll take full responsibility of your words, yeah?"
Zhang Ren shrugged, grinning back at Wang Lei.
"I wouldn't dare do otherwise. I wouldn't want to hurt Shi Lian either."
Shi Lian opened her mouth wide in disbelief.
Wasn't Wang Lei angry with them a moment ago? Why is he buddy-buddy with Zhang Ren now!?
And what made her more surprised is the fact that Zhang Ren now told her older brother that they're a couple without even asking her!
Noticing that Shi Lian is silent, both of the guys looked at her. With them still in the car, Wang Lei crossed his arms in front of his chest and arched a brow at Shi Lian.
"Well? Are you two a real couple or what?"
With Zhang Ren already saying so, her heart raced in her chest. With a red blush appearing on her face, Shi Lian just nodded and answered as well, feeling giddy as it rolled easily on her tongue when she spoke.
"Yeah… we are."