Why is the system taking my request to photograph a cosplayer seriously?

Chapter 249 Normal Sibling Interaction?

One month later.

Bai Ma drove her brand-new Porsche out of the dealership, her three roommates crammed into the back seat, chattering incessantly.

"Holy crap, holy crap, holy crap, this interior is so high-end!"

"Bai Ma, drive slowly, let me experience it a little longer."

"From now on, our dorm will be the most stylish place on campus when we go out!"

Baima gripped the steering wheel tightly, occasionally offering a perfunctory reply.

The sunlight outside the car was gentle, and the atmosphere inside was relaxed.

Everything is fine.

Aside from the small balance in her WeChat wallet.

Last night, Baima made a special phone call to Quzhen, trying to subtly probe her intentions.

"Mom, I've picked up my car."

"Um."

"That—the subsequent car maintenance costs—"

"I didn't buy the car, did I?"

Baima choked on his words.

Two thousand yuan.

Own a Porsche.

Qu Zhen's meaning was clear: since Ding Heng bought the car, it should naturally be under Ding Heng's control.

But Baima was too embarrassed to speak, or rather, she hadn't yet figured out how to start the conversation.

After dropping off her three roommates at their dorm, Baima turned the car around and drove towards the duplex apartment by the Xiangjiang River.

I went upstairs and opened the door; the living room was quiet.

Zhao Yanxi and Wen Jing were not there; only Lin Man was lying alone on the sofa applying a face mask, her long, fair, and shapely legs crossed.

"Sister Man."

Bai Ma sat on one of the armrests, put her hands on Lin Man's shoulders, and began to gently pat them: "Sister Man, you've worked so hard these past few days, running around Hong Kong and busy with the company, you've lost weight —"

Lin Man didn't move, and a vague answer came from under the face mask.

"Why are you being so well-behaved today?"

"When have I ever been naughty?"

Bai Ma chuckled twice, increasing the pressure on her hand, her expression full of flattery.

Lin Man reached out and peeled off the face mask, tossed it into the nearby trash can, and turned to look at her.

Baima casually tossed the car keys onto the coffee table.

Lin Man glanced at it and raised an eyebrow: "Oh, you picked up your car? Congratulations!"

"What's there to congratulate me on?"

Baima slumped onto the sofa to the side, her two short legs sticking up: "I simply can't afford to raise her."

Are you in such a predicament right now?

"Sister Man, you know perfectly well that my mom only gives me two thousand a month. Two thousand yuan—in Changsha, to maintain a Porsche, would I have to sell my blood?"

Baima started complaining: "Gas costs, insurance, parking fees, maintenance—just a quick calculation shows it costs three or four thousand a month. I can't possibly drive out to drive for Didi every day after class, can I?"

Lin Man chuckled but didn't reply.

Bai Ma sat up, leaned close to Lin Man, and took her arm, her voice soft and affectionate.

"Sister Man, we've known each other the longest. I've spent so much money at your escort service, you'll help me out, right?"

"Definitely."

"Sister Man!"

Bai Ma was overjoyed and was about to rush over when Lin Man added another sentence.

"I'll write a report to the boss right away, explaining your car maintenance expenses."

Baima froze, her expression shifting from surprise to sorrow.

"No, Sister Man!"

"What? Didn't you ask me to help you?"

"I asked you to help, not to tell my brother!"

Bai Ma frantically shook Lin Man's arm: "Can't you secretly introduce me to a part-time job or something? Or put in a good word with my mom? If all else fails, lend me some money, I'll pay you back later—"

Lin Man let Bai Ma whine, then slowly said, "Bai Ma, use your brain. If the boss bought you a car, wouldn't he have considered that you couldn't afford to maintain it?"

"Sister Man, you mean—"

"What I mean is, the boss might be waiting for you to speak up."

Baima frowned, thought seriously for two seconds, and then slumped onto the sofa in dejection.

"I guess my brother is waiting for me to go over and make his demands. He'll then tell me to work part-time to earn money, and then give me pocket money according to a certain percentage."

"What are you afraid of? Didn't you make two thousand last time?"

"Last time was last time, this time is different."

"What's different?"

"Last time I wanted to buy a car myself, but this time he bought it for me on his own initiative. He gives it to me willingly, and then expects me to give it in return. Isn't he just making a fool of me?"

Lin Man chuckled.

"Bai Ma, when did you become so shrewd?"

"You make it sound like I was stupid in the past!"

Baima puffed out her chest, then quickly deflated: "What's the use of being shrewd? If you're still broke, you're still broke—"

Just as Lin Man was about to say something more, the door suddenly opened, and the two of them turned around at the same time.

Ding Heng entered the house and casually took off his coat and hung it on the hanger.

Lin Man and Bai Ma stood up at the same time.

"Boss."

"Brother."

Ding Heng grunted in acknowledgment, his gaze falling on the coffee table, where he spotted the Porsche key.

"Have you picked up the car?"

"Yeah, just drove it back."

Baima nodded: "The formalities are all completed, and the license plate will be mailed in two weeks."

"Will you get used to driving it?"

Ding Heng walked over, picked up the car keys, and rubbed them in his hand: "With your short legs, how can you even step on the gas pedal after getting in?"

Baima snapped, "My legs aren't short! Don't look down on me, you stinky prince!"

Ding Heng chuckled and reached out to ruffle her hair.

Baima's hair was ruffled and messed up. She tried to dodge but couldn't, so she pouted and sat back down.

Ding Heng turned to Lin Man: "By the way, about Bai Ma's car, can you arrange the maintenance and fuel costs? Also, give her a little extra pocket money so she doesn't come crying to me about being broke at the end of the month."

"clear."

Lin Man responded decisively and was already mentally calculating which account would be the most suitable.

Only Baima stood there dumbfounded.

That's it?

She was just hesitating about whether to speak up, afraid that Ding Heng would make demands.

As a result, Ding Heng casually mentioned something and arranged everything for her.

There's no need for part-time gambling, and no need to sign any "unequal treaties."

A very simple sentence.

Bai Ma wanted to ask more questions, but Ding Heng had already turned to Lin Man, his tone becoming more serious.

"Manager Huang from Hong Kong said there's a problem with the contract. Could you go there and discuss it with her in person? If there really is a problem, I'll make time to go over there as well."

"I'll book the tickets right away and head over there immediately."

"Okay, message me when you land."

"Understood, boss. I'll go change my clothes."

Lin Man got up and went upstairs with light steps.

Baima sat on the sofa, watching Lin Man's figure disappear around the corner of the stairs, her mind still preoccupied with the car.

Is that all there is to it?

She turned her head and looked at Ding Heng.

Ding Heng had already sat down and started playing on his phone, his posture languid.

Baima moved closer, hesitated for two seconds, and then tentatively spoke: "Brother."

"Um?"

"Why—"

"Why? Why?"

"It's—that one—"

Baima carefully chose her words: "Don't you want to ask me anything about car maintenance?"

Ding Heng put down his phone and turned to look at her.

"What do you want to ask you?"

"Like—for example, asking me to do part-time work to earn money, or making bets with me or something—"

"You really want to do part-time work?"

"No! I just feel—"

Baima couldn't continue speaking.

Ding Heng's lips curled into a slight smile: "Bai Ma, why do you think your mother only gives you two thousand a month?"

Pema pondered, "To train me?"

"I guess so! She thinks you're a spendthrift and wants to teach you how to manage your money properly."

Ding Heng patted Bai Ma on the shoulder: "But—after a summer vacation, I think you've already trained enough."

Baima blinked.

"Really?"

What do you think?

Baima began to think seriously.

She did change a lot during that month of summer vacation.

Although I didn't earn five thousand yuan in the end, at least I did justice to my efforts.

Ke Quzhen—are you really satisfied?

"Brother, does Mother know you're planning to loosen the restrictions on my allowance?"

"I don't know yet, but it's not important."

Ding Heng reached out and put his arm around Bai Ma's shoulder, pulling her into his embrace.

"What did you say that day?"

"I----"

Pema recalled, "I said—I want to be your sister."

"That solves it, doesn't it?"

Ding Heng tightened his grip, pulling her into his arms: "Isn't it only right for a brother to be good to his sister?"

Bai Ma was held tightly by Ding Heng, and her breath was filled with his scent, reminding her of the night in Tibet when their skin was touching.

She didn't struggle, but quietly leaned against him.

Ding Heng gently stroked her shoulder hollow with his thumb, slowly and softly.

The little girl was very thin, but she had a wonderful feel to her skin—smooth, tender, and soft.

Ding Heng's fingers slowly slid from Bai Ma's shoulder to the back of her neck, his fingertips brushing against the skin behind her ear.

"Brother————"

Baima was a little nervous.

"Um?"

"Don't move your hands—"

"I didn't move."

Baima pursed her lips and said nothing more.

Ding Heng didn't really move his hand much; he just rested it on the back of her neck, occasionally rubbing it with his thumb, using very light pressure.

But Pema just felt something was wrong.

They are not related by blood, nor are they legally related at all.

The only thing they've never changed is how they address each other – brother and sister.

The older brother is good to his younger sister. He buys her a car, gives her more pocket money, and occasionally pats her head and rubs her shoulders. It doesn't seem like much.

But Baima felt that Ding Heng's hands were not behaving properly today, or rather, they were too unrestrained.

Brother—

As Bai Ma was lost in thought, Ding Heng's hand shifted its focus, gently grasping her ankles that were draped over the sofa.

Ding Heng lifted Bai Ma's two short legs up and placed them on his thighs, then took off her cotton socks.

Bai Ma's toes curled up unconsciously.

"Brother, what are you doing—"

"Your feet are cold, let me warm them up for you."

Ding Heng spoke naturally, pressing his thumb onto Bai Ma's sole and gently massaging it.

The rough fingertips brushed against the delicate skin on the soles of her feet, bringing a tingling, itchy sensation.

Bai Ma bit her lower lip and remained silent.

The toes curled and relaxed in Ding Heng's palm, like the reaction of a mimosa plant after being touched.

"Brother————"

"Um?"

"Are you taking advantage of me?"

Ding Heng didn't stop: "You're my sister. How is it taking advantage of me to massage your feet?"

Baima was speechless; it seemed that it didn't really count.

but----

Ding Heng gently pressed on the soles of her feet again.

"Um----"

Baima couldn't help but let out a short, nasal sound.

She quickly covered her mouth, her face already flushed red.

Ding Heng looked down at her, a slight smile playing on his lips, but said nothing.

Baima's heart was beating so fast that she could hardly breathe.

Footsteps echoed down the stairs.

Lin Man changed her clothes and came downstairs.

Bai Ma almost reflexively jumped away from Ding Heng's arms, quickly pulled her legs back, and hurriedly pulled a blanket to cover her feet.

Lin Man glanced at Bai Ma's flushed face, then at Ding Heng, and finally pretended not to see anything, bending down to pick up the car keys and bag from the coffee table.

"Boss, I'm leaving now."

"Um."

"Bye-bye, Pema."

"Goodbye, Man-jie!"

Baima's voice was weak.

Lin Man went to the door, changed her shoes, and strode away.

The door closed.

The footsteps faded into the distance.

Baima sat on the sofa, looking down at Ding Heng.

Ding Heng remained silent and resumed playing with his phone.

After a while, Baima slowly raised her head, secretly glanced at Ding Heng, and spoke softly.

"Brother."