“Didn’t you say I should take it seriously?” Tian Lingyu countered. He buried his hand in his side pockets as they made their way back to the Student Council room while the students around them murmured and discussed the recent changes after the selections.

“Ah, but 8.75 against your 9.27? That’s a huge difference.” Huang Shenghao grumbled.

“It doesn’t matter. There wouldn’t be any difference anyway. You’ll still work in the Student Council while I and Ye Xieren will start the training for the competition.”

His steps halted when he saw the person he’d been looking for. “Xinxin…”

Lu Xinyi, who was leaning against the wall beside the door, lifted her head and turned towards their directions when she heard her name. She smiled when she saw her brother and Huang Shenghao finally arrived. Several steps away from her stood Zhang Qing and Fu Rui who were busy scanning the surroundings for potential threats.

“Yu Gege, congratulations,” she greeted him.

“What brings you here?” Tian Lingyu unlocked the door of the empty student council headquarters and let Lu Xinyi and Huang Shenghao stepped inside.

Huang Shenghao grinned at his friend. Wasn’t Tian Lingyu looking for her earlier? Why would he ask her such questions? His friend glared fiercely at him as if he knew what he was thinking.-.

“Eh? Of course, to congratulate you, ah? What do you think I was going to do?” Lu Xinyi harrumphed.

“Good question.” Her brother paused to think and cupped his chin. “If we’re talking about the Lu Xinyi I know, she’ll probably place an order online for sweets and cakes under my name and choose the pay-on-delivery option. Then, wait for an hour or two to make sure I’ll receive and pay the delivery before giving me a call.”

Hearing what Tian Lingyu said, Huang Shenghao burst into laughter and was having a hard time controlling himself. He clutched his stomach painfully as he smacked the table with his other hand as he continued to laugh.

“Oh my goodness, that’s… hahahaha. Why haven’t I thought of doing it to you, Lingyu?” He almost choked from too much laughter.

Tian Lingyu glared at his way again. “Don’t you ever try,” he warned.

Lu Xinyi gasped and feigned her shock over her brother’s words.

“Yu Gege, in your eyes, am I really such a bad person?”

“In my heart, there could be no other that can annoy me to death but Lu Xinyi,” Tian Lingyu said bluntly.

“How is it possible?! Am I not your sweet, understanding little sister who hasn’t complained when you suddenly leave the country to work overseas?”

Her brother lightly coughed and looked away, feeling guilty that he’d left her alone for a long time.

“Alright. You don’t have to use that card against me. This brother of yours admits the guilt of his crime.”

Lu Xinyi chuckled lightly and sat across Huang Shenghao who was able to calm himself by now.

“Brother Huang shouldn’t be sad. You can always issue a challenge once thirty days have passed, but you have to challenge him fast before others can take a chance.” Lu Xinyi winked at Huang Shenghao’s way.

“You evil woman…” Tian Lingyu’s right eye twitched. This sinister sister of his just gave Huang Shenghao ideas to annoy him further.

Huang Shenghao hit his right fist to his other hand, his eyes wide as if he’d just received enlightenment from Lu Xinyi’s words.

“Sister Lu! You’re a genius! I’ll prepare the request ahead and will make sure to give it to Headmistress Han once the thirty days have passed!” he exclaimed.

“Xinxin, you really don’t have to give him ideas. I have no time for another cooking battle soon.”

Tian Lingyu pinched the bridge of his nose. He suddenly felt a migraine coming into him. These two would be a good pair to annoy him to death.

“Anyway, joking aside, I came here for a reason.” Lu Xinyi’s voice sounds excited in her brother’s ears.

Taking two white and black envelopes from her hand badly, she placed it on the table.

“As you know, we’ve decided to announce our marriage in public. Shen Yi and I will be holding a private wedding ceremony next week. I hope you can come, Yu Gege.” She told him expectantly. “Of course, you’re also invited, Brother Huang.”

“Really? Lingyu, you should clear your schedule on that day. We can’t possibly miss this rare chance to see your sister in her wedding gown. Also, think about the reception, it must be grand with expensive dishes!” Huang Shenghao tried to convince his friend.

When Tian Lingyu ignored him, he persisted.

“We should go. No, even if Lingyu skipped the event, I wouldn’t,” he told Lu Xinyi. “I’ve been cooking my own meals for weeks now; I’m afraid I need to taste other great chef’s cooking, or else I will lose again next time.”

“See, Yu Gege. You should join us,” Lu Xinyi tried to figure out her brother’s mood, but his stern face remained impassive. He was always like this, so serious but deep inside she knew that he cared for her. After all, he was the ‘big brother’ she’d always relied on when they were younger.

Instead, Tian Lingyu looked at Huang Shenghao and totally couldn’t believe that this chap had chosen to attend his sister’s wedding for the sake of free food.

“Did you discuss this with President Shen? I never thought you’d be the first one to walk down the aisle—you used to say you’d never marry.” He chuckled.

Truthfully, he still couldn’t accept the fact that Shen Yi married his sister without his approval. Anyway, it wasn’t like he could do anything about it as long as Xinxin would be happy and safe.

“Hmm? It was Yi’s idea to invite you. He also asks if you want to walk me down the aisle since Mom and Dad wouldn’t be able to…” Her tone had a hint of sadness that made Tian Lingyu aware of what she was feeling.

The dish he presented earlier had made his sister miss their parents so much, especially when she was about to have a wedding ceremony. He was the only family left, and it would be cruel if he declined her request.

“Fine. You can tell him I agree.” He conceded, but the smile that instantly bloomed on her face let him know that it would be worth the trouble.

“Great.” She clasped her hands together. “I know you wouldn’t say no anyway. You may visit Xia Yuhan’s boutique to have you and Brother Huang get measured for your suits.”

After exchanging pleasantries, Lu Xinyi bid goodbye and stepped out of the room, leaving the two men inside. When Zhang Qing and Fu Rui saw her leaving, they moved and followed her to leave the academy.

“So the Great Tian Lingyu couldn’t say ‘no’ to his sister, eh?” Huang Shenghao teased his friend, knowing that Tian Lingyu had yet to forget Shen Yi for tricking his sister into marrying him.

As to how the man managed to do it, Tian Lingyu could only assume it would be something that Lu Xinyi would be hard to ignore and decline.

“This is the only thing I can do for her,” Tian Lingyu said dejectedly. “We only have each other now, and I’ve been away for too long. I wasn’t able to look after her.”