The white rose I picked up cried and said she liked me.

In early December, the results of last month's monthly exams were released.

Xu Xi made a big step forward, reaching sixth place.

This result puts him in the top ten of his grade.

Wen Yao has also made great progress. Her grades, which were originally in the middle of the class, are now hovering in the upper ranks.

Looking at her sixteenth place ranking on the report card in her hand, Wen Yao was very happy.

The one who made the most progress was Zhao Lin, who passed all subjects in this monthly exam.

Although she was still at the bottom of the class in Class 3 of the second year of high school, her score was a significant improvement.

"Great job! The three of us did a fantastic job on this exam!"

On the way home from school, Wen Yao treated everyone, buying each of the three of them a large bowl of boiled skewers.

Since more people are going home together, Xu Xi has stopped asking her brother to pick her up and drop her off at school starting last month.

Shared bikes are hard to find, and it wouldn't be good to leave anyone behind, so the three of us decided to walk home together.

Xu Nian thought that this way, she wouldn't have to worry about safety issues, so she agreed.

"Xi Bao, tomorrow's Saturday, should we call Qi Yu over to give us some extra lessons?"

Wen Yao pouted and nudged Xu Xi, who was standing next to her, with her elbow.

Zhao Lin also looked at her with an expectant gaze.

After attending just three or four classes with her last month, her grades improved dramatically.

Zhao Lin has now regained her confidence in learning.

If we could study together for a little longer, we might be able to get an excellent grade on the final exam.

Xu Xi lightly touched her thin lips with a bamboo skewer, then raised her head and thought for a moment.

"The day after tomorrow, I think. My brother told me that they all have long shifts tomorrow and can't find the time. It just so happens that I'm going to do a part-time job tomorrow."

"Hey? Are you going to be a model at Sister Na's clothing store?"

Wen Yao showed a curious expression.

Xu Xi nodded: "Yes."

"Can I come along?"

Zhao Lin, who had been silent all along, finally spoke.

"You want to make some money too?"

Wen Yao asked.

Zhao Lin nodded.

She currently has no source of income and urgently needs a way to make money.

The savings she earned from selling her jewelry were only enough for her to live on for a year at most.

Before that, I need to figure out how to make some money.

"Okay, but I'm not sure if Sister Na still needs models."

Xu Xi thought for a moment and realized that Zhao Lin had a very graceful figure and a decent appearance, so she should be suitable for some types of fashion shoots.

Perhaps, Sister Na might need it too.

"It's okay, you can skip it if you don't need it."

Zhao Lin smiled, feigning nonchalance.

After parting ways with the two at the entrance of the residential compound, Xu Xi walked home with light steps.

As soon as she entered the door, she rushed to her brother without even changing her slippers, rubbing her cheek against his chest, just like always.

The difference was that today Xu Nian didn't push her away, but instead bent down and sniffed her clothes.

"Xiaoxi, take off your clothes."

"what?"

Xu Xi took two steps back, looked at her brother in disbelief, and her face flushed red.

What's wrong with my brother today?

Could it be... could it be that...?

The girl's heart pounded wildly, like a startled fawn, as if it were about to leap out of her throat.

Looking into her brother's determined eyes, Xu Xi swallowed twice, her mind going completely blank for a moment.

Although... she would be willing if it were her brother.

But... isn't this a bit too fast?

She clutched her chest, and after a while, it seemed she had made some important decision.

Xu Xi closed her eyes, her hands nervously gripping the hem of her clothes, and slowly lifted it up.

Her cotton-padded coat, sweatshirt, and thermal underwear were all pulled up at once, revealing her fair and smooth belly.

"Stop, stop, stop!"

Xu Nian was shocked and quickly stopped her.

"I meant the cotton coat you're wearing over your clothes. Why did you take off all your clothes?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Xi was stunned.

Isn't that what you meant?

Seeing that she was standing there like a puppet with its strings cut, Xu Nian opened a page on her phone and placed it in front of Xu Xi.

The above shows a news report from two weeks ago: A garment factory used "black-hearted cotton" made from textile mill scraps, industrial waste, and medical gauze to fill clothing, causing health problems for many consumers...

"Let me check if your coat is made of this kind of cotton."

Xu Xi then noticed that the sofa was covered with her various cotton-padded clothes.

These clothes must have just been inspected.

"Ugh...you should have said so earlier..."

Xu Xi breathed a sigh of relief and carefully took off her cotton-padded coat.

Xu Nian took it, first sniffed it to see if there was any strange smell, then picked up the flashlight and shone it inside the clothes to observe carefully.

It turns out it was all a misunderstanding...

Xu Xi lowered her eyes and sat down on a chair with a somewhat depressed expression.

She curled up, hugged her calves tightly, and looked resentfully at her brother who was checking her cotton-padded coat.

I feel so disappointed.

After Xu Nian's inspection, she confirmed that the garment was not filled with substandard cotton.

There was no odor, and the flashlight beam could penetrate the knitted layer to reveal the pure white cotton inside, which was fine, long, and uniform.

It has a soft, fluffy, and elastic feel, and it can quickly return to its original shape after being pressed.

All of this is enough to show that the cotton in this garment is of good quality and that the situation described in the report has not occurred.

He breathed a sigh of relief and returned the clothes to Xu Xi.

"Thankfully, all the clothes I bought for you are fine."

......

Xu Xi looked sullen all night.

Xu Nian was very puzzled, but still tried to cheer her up.

For example, tell her about interesting things that happened at work or the interesting customers you met.

Xu Xi just absentmindedly echoed her, and would occasionally drift off into thought.

Xu Nian scratched his head, assuming that Xu Xi had encountered some troubles related to her studies.

Judging from the dates, the results of last month's monthly exams seem to have been released already.

Perhaps I didn't perform well on the test.

When it was time for bed, Xu Nian poked the little guy lying next to her.

"What's wrong, brother?"

Xu Xi, with her back to him, replied quietly.

"Did you not do well on the exam?"

Xu Nian ran her fingers through her hair and gently stroked it.

The little guy grunted and shook his head.

"I'm fine, brother. Just let me have some peace and quiet."

"Oh, okay then."

Xu Nian shrugged, covered Xu Xi with the blanket, then lay down, ready to drift off to sleep.

Since the little guy has said that, I probably don't need to worry about anything.

Some emotions are indeed better processed alone, and that's how he's gotten through all these years.

Hearing the noise beside her, Xu Xi pouted and sighed helplessly.

She turned around, faced her brother's shoulder, and gently bit him.

"Hiss... What are you doing?"

Xu Nian opened her eyes and looked at the place where she had been bitten.

A row of shallow teeth marks disappeared without a trace in just a few seconds.

After venting her anger, Xu Xi felt a sense of relief.

She shrank under the covers, wrapped her arms around Xu Nian's waist, and murmured a reproachful tone.

"Idiot...brother..."

Xu Nian shook her head with a wry smile and rubbed Xu Xi's head.

A girl's heart is like a needle at the bottom of the sea.

I don't understand it, I can't comprehend it.