A Promise and a White Lie

“Uncle Big Hammer, please don’t tell Chen Si Yi that I got someone hospitalized at school. If she finds out, who knows how she’ll tease me about it.”

After lunch, I cautioned Uncle Big Hammer repeatedly to ensure he wouldn’t reveal my secret to Chen Si Yi at dinner. Finally, he agreed not to expose me during their evening meal.

I didn’t want Chen Si Yi to know about the incident at school because I didn’t want to worry her. Besides, our relationship wasn’t great at the time, so I didn’t want to tell her everything.

Why? Because I’m a tsundere! I get embarrassed, okay!

Wait, something seems off. Aren’t tsundere supposed to be a trait of little sisters? How did I, her big brother, end up being a tsundere?

*spits* Forget I said anything.

Anyway, due to a promise and not wanting to worry Chen Si Yi, it’s sometimes necessary to tell some white lies.

When I made my request, Uncle Big Hammer nodded slightly and gave me an ‘OK’ sign, assuring me that everything would be under control.

Despite my doubts, I had no choice but to hope Uncle Big Hammer’s acting skills would be enough to fool Chen Si Yi.

At seven in the evening, the school bell rang for Chen Si Yi’s school.

Thanks to Chen Si Yi’s striking appearance and her easily recognizable flat chest, I spotted her immediately among the crowd of students wearing uniforms similar to Japanese high school girls.

“Hey, Si Yi, over here!”

I waved at Chen Si Yi, who was sandwiched between two friends. Seeing me at the school gate, her smile instantly turned into a frown, her expression changing faster than I could blink.

After exchanging a few words with her friends, she pushed them away and walked over to me with a cold expression. She crossed her arms and asked, “What’s up? You came to pick me up from school? I’m a bit happy, but you shouldn’t think this means…”

“No, no, no,” I quickly explained, waving my hands. “It’s just that Uncle Big Hammer invited us for dinner tonight, so I came to get you.”

“…”

Chen Si Yi didn’t respond, and her expression grew even colder.

After a long pause, she finally said, “Oh,” and gave me an icy glance, motioning for me to lead the way. She didn’t speak again, leaving me to walk beside her in awkward silence.

What had I done to upset her? At the time, I couldn’t figure it out. But now, I realize it must have been because I appeared at her school, which probably embarrassed her in front of her friends.

Right, she had used me as an excuse to reject a confession before. If her friends found out, it would have been awkward!

So, I decided right then that I would never go to Chen Si Yi’s school to pick her up again!

Yes, I am truly clever!

*cough* *cough* I digress.

At dinnertime, Uncle Big Hammer, with his worldly wisdom, easily won Chen Si Yi’s trust with a few words.

I can’t quite remember what he said to her, but before he started his story, he made a joke that nearly scared the life out of me!

“Niece, here’s the thing. Your brother was watching inappropriate videos during lunch break and played them on the classroom’s big screen for everyone to see. So, he’s been asked to reflect at home for a few months.”

Hey, Uncle Big Hammer, what are you talking about? Only that pervert, Pan Yao, would watch such videos during lunch!

Don’t go adding my name to Pan Yao’s embarrassing antics! Even if Pan Yao had ten times the guts, he wouldn’t dare show those videos on the classroom screen in front of everyone!

I was stunned by Uncle Big Hammer’s words and felt a surge of killing intent. I turned to look at Chen Si Yi, who was glaring at me with such intensity that my hair stood on end. If I had a Dragon Ball Z power meter, Chen Si Yi’s power level would have been off the charts!

“Uncle Big Hammer, did you say Lin Yan was watching movies in class?”

Chen Si Yi’s hand was shaking as she held her fork, and I was afraid she might stab me with it.

Fortunately, just as the situation was about to spiral out of control, Uncle Big Hammer cleared his throat and said, “Ha ha, I was just joking, niece. Lin Yan wouldn’t dare show movies in class, even if he had the guts!”

“So, what did he do?” Chen Si Yi’s face remained cold. “Did he get into trouble at school again? Did he hit someone?”

“No, he didn’t.”

Uncle Big Hammer patted Chen Si Yi’s shoulder, trying to calm her down. Then he leaned in close and started whispering in her ear…

“It’s like this………¥@gjfkfkfjfj, do you understand, niece?”

I wasn’t paying much attention because I was still shaken by Uncle Big Hammer’s joke. So, I didn’t catch what they were whispering about.

After Uncle Big Hammer turned back, Chen Si Yi, who had been sitting next to me, regained her composure. She put down her fork and surprisingly, a cold and eerie smile appeared on her face.

Now that I think about it, that smile was unusually chilling and mysterious…